From Desert to Destination: Growing CDFI Investment in Indiana
Our region — like much of Indiana — is a CDFI desert.
That means businesses, community programs, and affordable housing developments here haven’t received the same access to capital that other parts of the country enjoy. Where CDFIs (Community Development Financial Institutions) are missing, opportunity often stalls.
But that’s exactly why the CDFI Friendly model was created — to close this gap, bring CDFIs to local markets, and raise awareness about how powerful mission-driven capital can be.
In just four short years, this model has grown our region’s average annual CDFI investment tenfold.
Yes — TEN TIMES. So it works. Thank you Mark Pinsky, Adina, and the visionaries who helped spark this movement nationwide.
We hope that one day, we’ll be able to say: “We were a CDFI desert.”
For now, we’re proud to say that we’re on the path to making that a reality.
Since launching in 2021, we’ve:
Helped close nearly $6 million in CDFI loans
Connected local borrowers to more than $10 million in flexible capital through local lending partners
That’s real money making a real difference — helping businesses expand, supporting affordable housing, and moving community visions forward.
This momentum shows what’s possible when we bring national CDFIs to underserved markets and build strong local partnerships. It also proves the power of community-based solutions rooted in trust, relationships, and intentional outreach.
In our recently released 2024.5 Annual Report (video, PDF), we reflect on how far we’ve come — and how far we still have to go.
To those who’ve been part of this journey: thank you. To those just joining us: welcome. We need your voice, your partnership, and your belief that every community deserves access to capital.
Join us, follow our social media, share our news, and help more CDFI investment come here and eliminate this desert.
