Native CDFIs
Breakout Sessions

Native CDFIs Sponsor

How Native and Rural CDFIs Can Increase Access to Mortgage Capital through Loan Guarantees

As Native and rural CDFIs continue their quest for low-cost, long-term mortgage capital, many are exploring how they can leverage federal guarantees to increase their liquidity. This session will discuss how one CDFI in Montana is delving into becoming an eligible lender under the USDA Section 502 guaranteed loan and HUD Section 184 Indian home loan guarantee program. Representatives from HUD and USDA will join the panel to discuss the requirements for CDFIs to participate in their programs.

Speakers:
Tedd Buelow, Native American Coordinator, USDA Rural Development
Joanna Donohoe, Partner, Seven Sisters Community Development Group, LLC
Jeffrey Glass, Deputy Director, HUD, Office of Native American Programs,
Office of Loan Guarantee
Angie Main, Executive Director, NACDC Financial Services, Inc.

Native CDFIs and Continued Resilience: Short-Term Response with Long Term Impacts During Pandemic Times

Native nations have been disproportionately and substantially impacted by COVID-19. Even without a global pandemic, indigenous communities often lack access to capital, health services, and basic necessities. Yet Native nations, and the Native CDFIs serving these nations, are resilient. To remain resilient during COVID-19, Native CDFIs quickly responded through innovative loan products, emergency grants, and adapting to provide web-based opportunities. These efforts continue to influence and cultivate economic development and financial well-being rooted in cultural values. This session highlights the work of three Native CDFIs and their active resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic through their use of internal resources, partners, and communities’ needs to create new opportunities that will exist far beyond pandemic times.

Speakers:
Alyssa Camp, Senior Project Manager, Sweet Grass Consulting, LLC
Robin Danner, Executive Director, Homestead Community Development Corporation
Jeff Gilbreath, Director of Lending and Development, Hawaiian Community Assets
and Hawaii Community Lending
Kuhio Lewis, President and CEO, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement

Pivoting in a Pandemic: Native Community Engagement and Ways to Invest

Join Oweesta as we discuss the impact of COVID-19 on Native entrepreneurs with a panel of Native CDFIs from across the country. In the wake of a pandemic, many CDFIs have had to transition operations to accommodate the changing economic climate. We’ll discuss challenges and successes in the current business atmosphere for both business owners and the Native CDFIs working with them, as well as the opportunities for growth to further these efforts.

Speakers:
Russ Seagle, Executive Director, The Sequoyah Fund, Inc.
Lanalle Smith, Programs Manager, First Nations Oweesta Corporation
Pete Upton, Executive Director, Native360 Loan Fund, Inc.