CDFI Capital Solutions Accelerator

The CDFI Capital Solutions Accelerator is a bold new initiative from OFN designed to spark innovation and unlock transformative capital solutions for small business lenders. In a time of economic uncertainty and shifting federal support, this accelerator empowers organizations to rethink how capital flows into communities - and how it can be reshaped to meet the moment.

Reimagining Capital for Small Business Lenders

Small business lenders are facing unprecedented challenges - from rising interest rates and inflation to reduced access to federal funding. The Accelerator is a direct response to these pressures, offering a platform for visionary organizations to develop solutions that are flexible, mission-aligned, and built for long-term impact.
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Program Highlights

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  • 6-month cohort experience with expert mentorship, peer collaboration, and funder engagement


  • Stipends and travel support for eligible participants


  • Opportunities to pitch your innovation to funders and investors


  • Access to OFN’s Innovation Fund and broader visibility across the CDFI ecosystem
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From Vision to Viability: Innovation Starts Here

Be part of a growing community of changemakers working to build resilient, inclusive economies.

Meeting the Moment: Supporting Small Business CDFIs Through Innovation
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Responding to Funding Instability

Small business CDFIs are navigating a volatile funding landscape, with federal support becoming increasingly uncertain. The Accelerator is designed to help organizations develop innovative capitalization strategies that reduce reliance on traditional funding sources and build resilience in the face of policy shifts and economic turbulence.

Tackling Borrower Vulnerability

With high interest rates and inflation, small businesses are struggling to access affordable financing. The Accelerator supports solutions that enable CDFIs to offer flexible, mission-aligned capital structures that meet borrowers where they are - without compromising sustainability.

Expanding Access and Market Presence

Despite their impact, CDFIs remain underutilized by small business owners. The Accelerator aims to change that by helping CDFIs unlock new sources of capital and design scalable solutions that broaden their reach and visibility in the lending ecosystem.

Building Capacity for Innovation

CDFIs have powerful ideas to attract new capital sources but often lack the time, tools, and support to bring them to life. Through expert mentorship, peer collaboration, and funder engagement, the Accelerator equips participants to refine their concepts, test them in real-world settings, and prepare for scale - ultimately strengthening the entire field.
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This accelerator is a call to action.
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Turning Ideas Into Impact for Small Business CDFIs

Our Goal: Fueling Capital Innovation for Small Business CDFIs

The CDFI Capital Solutions Accelerator is designed to help small business lenders tackle one of the most urgent challenges in the field: capitalization. Our goal is to empower organizations to develop bold, actionable solutions that unlock new sources of capital, create flexible funding structures, and build resilience in the face of economic uncertainty.
Funding the Future:
Reimagining Capital for Resilient Communities