CDFI Friendly South Bend Region

Want to become a Town Maker? Want to buy real estate to improve your neighborhood? Want to build wealth while being creative about community development? Join Mike Keen on Thursday, April 10 from 5:30-6:45 pm in Classroom F of the Community Center in the Downtown SB SJC Public Library. They will be discussing Step 4: Hire the Pros. This is one critical step, of the 12 step process taught by our friends at Neighborhood Evolution on building community and taking ownership of neighborhoods. It is a free program and will get you connected to others working to build a stronger community.

We are looking forward to continued partnership and support with Indiana Economic Development Corporation as we support business owners and help them access capital to start, grow, and scale their business.

IU South Bend Titans! FREE LUNCH! On Monday (4/7) Sam Centellas will be on campus with La Casa de Amistad, Inc. to present about local financial resources and supports for local business owners. We will be in the fireside room (by the Grill) at 12PM and have lunch... so come by for lunch and learn about ways to support your entrepreneurial ambitions or your family business. See you on Monday at Indiana University South Bend! #CDFIFriendly #SmallBusiness

From our friends at Opportunity Finance Network CDFI Fund Update Late last week, the U.S. Treasury Department submitted a report to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) asserting that all 11 programs that the CDFI Fund is responsible for are legally required under federal law. This follows an executive order by the Trump administration to eliminate program functions to the maximum extent allowed by law. While no final decisions have been made by the White House, this reaffirms the important work of CDFIs, which expands access to capital and economic opportunity in communities across America. Follow us or OFN for future updates. #CDFIFriendly #SmallBusiness #CDFIFund https://lnkd.in/ewVgUx-p

New month, new quarter... the first quarter of the year put us off to a great start. Our Executive Director Sam Centellas has been busy talking about financial justice, presenting to entrepreneurship groups, working with local government offices, and of course helping businesses, developers and nonprofits access capital. Want us to present and engage with your program? Let us know! We have a busy April/May lined up but get on our calendar! Quick sampling of photos of us out and about the region working to increase access to capital for our community. City of South Bend Sustainability Office Neighborhood Evolution SBEAP Bend Entrepreneurship and Adversity Program, Gary, IN Jumpstart Program Emerge Innovation Hub Cinnaire #CDFIFriendly #CDFIFund #SmallBusiness #AffordableHousing Want to hear about upcoming programs? Sign up for our mailing list (bottom of the page): https://lnkd.in/g-PqMr_g

Our Executive Director Sam Centellas and Board Member Breanna Allen, Ed.D are in Washington, D.C. for the National Community Reinvestment Coalition - NCRC annual Just Economy Conference. They kicked off the week with advocates from Prosperity Indiana and othes around the state to advocate for important policies related to our work. From the CDFI Fund, affordable housing programs, consumer protections, and more... the most vulnerable in our communities deserve an opportunity to thrive, and we know when we all do better, when we all do better. #CDFIFriendly #CDFIFund #AffordableHousing #SmallBusiness

We need your support.... Our newsletter this month shared news on Executive Orders, the upcoming National Community Reinvestment Coalition - NCRC Just Economy Conference for Sam Centellas in Washington, D.C. next week... AND the final two weeks of our 1st Quarter Fundraising drive. Gifts right now between $100 and $1,000 earn you a 50% Indiana Tax Credit. So timing is great to help small businesses, emergent real estate developers, and non-profits in our community access capital. You can make a difference in improving and strengthening our neighborhoods and communities in the region. https://lnkd.in/gbbyENBK

Shared today via our Newsletter: Last month we mentioned the weather was warming up, and now so has activity in Washington related to our work. On Friday, March 14th, 2025 the CDFI Fund was put in the administration's cross hairs. We have gotten questions, and we want to let our supporters know that while it is too early to know how this might actually impact CDFI Friendly and CDFI lending overall... we do not receive grants from the CDFI Fund so we are not immediately impacted, but what impacts the industry overall will impact us. We are engaged with organizations that are monitoring these developments closely, and next week our Executive Director Sam Centellas will be in Washington, D.C. for the National Community Reinvestment Coalition - NCRC Just Economy Conference. Sam will be advocating on behalf of the CDFI Industry to elected officials and connecting with financial justice advocates from across the country. Here is the NCRC statement on the development - we encourage you to bookmark their page for updates. https://lnkd.in/gQ8eBE2S #CDFIFund #CDFIFriendly #SmallBusiness #AffordableHousing

As a member of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition - NCRC we stand together to improve communities. Their research and articles are a great resource and here is a Black History Month reflection and what is happening so far in 2025. https://lnkd.in/gmx7GpZC #CDFIFriendly

So exciting to see more downtown development and growth! Our friends at Penny Hill Properties are making waves and a group of women-lead projects are about to transform the south side of Downtown South Bend, Inc.. Want to get involved in similar development? See a building and think... "someone should do something with that"? Well that someone could be you, and with the local partners, supports, and resources, you can. Let us know and let's chat! https://lnkd.in/gZuFF8YW South Bend Tribune