July 16, 2015

We’re mid-way through the CDFI Fund’s national listening tour! I want to thank everyone who generously shared their time and their ideas with us in San Francisco, Denver, and Chicago last week.

It is truly inspiring to see the deep impact CDFIs and CDEs are making in their communities. What struck me most was the commitment practitioners make, not just to creative deal making in areas where capital does not flow on its own, but to transforming lives and strengthening the social fabric of communities.

It is of great value for the CDFI Fund to understand the work of CDFIs and CDEs in context and to develop a greater appreciation for the obstacles you must overcome on a daily basis to achieve your mission. This will inform the shaping of the Framework for the Future.

There are two more scheduled listening tour stops coming up: one in New York City, this Friday, July 17; and one in Atlanta on Thursday, August 6. I look forward to hearing additional perspectives on the issues facing the community development finance industry today.

I know it’s difficult for some to make it out to these events. That’s why I’m pleased to announce that we’ll also be scheduling two conference calls to hear from groups headquartered in rural areas who are unable to travel to a session; and those in Hawaii, Alaska, and the United States territories. The conference calls will be held in August.

Listening Tour Conference Call Information

No prior registration is necessary. There is a limit of 100 lines per call. The calls will be moderated. Please note that the calls will be recorded.

Alaska, Hawaii, and United States Territories
Tuesday, August 11, 2015 - 5:00-6:00 p.m. EDT
Dial-in: 1-415-228-4875 or 1-888-469-3047 (toll-free)
Passcode: 5295018


Rural Areas
Thursday, August 13, 2015 - 1:00-2:00 p.m. EDT
Dial-in: 1-415-228-4875 or 1-888-469-3047 (toll-free)
Passcode: 5295018

I encourage everyone that was unable to attend one of the listening tour stops to provide your thoughts using our online survey. The survey addresses the same questions as the listening tour itself, and all of the responses will be reviewed as the CDFI Fund works on its strategic plan for the coming years.

We’ll be providing updates from the upcoming tour stops via Twitter, so follow us @CDFIFund and via #CDFIFundListens. I look forward to hearing from you.

Annie Donovan

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