Native Development News

WASHINGTON – Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli announced today that the Justice Department’s grant-making components have created a streamlined approach for American Indian and Alaska Native tribal communities to apply for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 funding opportunities.  The Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) will serve as a single solicitation for existing tribal government-specific grant programs administered by the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).  This mo

President’s 2011 Budget Requests $250 Million for Treasury’s CDFI Fund February 1, 2010

Washington, DC - Today, President Obama released the fiscal year (FY) 2011 Budget proposal, which includes $250 million for the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund).

Rapid City, SD// First Nations Oweesta Corporation (Oweesta), the Rapid City-based Native community development financial institution intermediary, will be ushering in a new decade with the addition of a staff member who is a very familiar face to the Native economic development field.   Tanya Fiddler, a long-time advocate for business development and asset building in Native communities, has been named as Oweesta’s new Vice President of Programs and Operations.

Demand Increases 30 Percent for FY 2010 Native American CDFI Assistance Program

CDFI Fund Receives 61 Funding Applications Requesting $23.7 Million

December 9, 2009

Northwest Area Foundation Awards $2.04 Million to Prosperity Building Efforts

Grants will support proven approaches that build assets and wealth, strengthen capacity and leadership and improve public policy

Dear OFN members:

On Tuesday, Goldman Sachs announced a new initiative “10,000 Small Businesses” that will include a significant new partnership with the CDFI industry.  Under this initiative, Goldman Sachs will provide $300 million in loans and grants to CDFIs engaged in small business lending.  OFN was consulted on the development of this program and expects to play a role in its implementation in the weeks ahead although the details remain unclear.  OFN member, Seedco Financial Services, will be the first CDFI participating in the Goldman initiative.

Harbor Springs, Michigan – November 4, 2009.  Northern Shores Loan Fund, Inc. a new nonprofit Native American Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) serving entrepreneurs in Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet counties in Northern Michigan received the coveted distinction of being the first Native American Community Development Financial Institution in Northern Lower Michigan to receive certification status by the Department of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institution Fund.

Charlotte, N.C. // Two Native community development financial institutions (CDFIs) were honored yesterday for their commitment to community development and asset building in Native communities at the 2009 Native Awards Ceremony, part of the  6th Annual Native CDFI Convening hosted by Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) and First Nations Oweesta Corporation (Oweesta). 

“The New Normal” – Oweesta and Opportunity Finance Network to host 6th Annual Native Convening at 2009 OFN Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina