Overview

About Opportunity Finance Network

Opportunity Finance Network is the leading network of private financial intermediaries identifying and investing in opportunities to benefit low-income and low-wealth people in the U.S. Our financing delivers both sound financial returns and real changes for people and communities.

Opportunity Finance Network originated more than $19.8 billion in financing in non-conforming urban, rural, and Native communities through 2007. This has generated or maintained 191,381 jobs; 43,050 businesses and microenterprises; 577,736 housing units; and, 9,552 community facility projects. With cumulative net charge-off rates of less than 1.3%, we have demonstrated our ability to lend prudently and productively in unconventional markets often overlooked by conventional financial institutions.

Vision & Mission
Our vision is a world where all people experience social, economic, and political justice and so have the opportunity to act in the best interests of their communities, themselves, and future generations. Our mission is to lead the opportunity finance system to scale through capital formation, policy, and capacity development.

Core Lines of Business
We work in three areas – financing, knowledge sharing, and policy. Our core lines of business have proven records of success. We serve Members, donors, investors, policy makers, and customers. We help capital flow to opportunity markets – the people and communities that are outside the economic mainstream today. And we help opportunities flow to capital markets.

Financing
To transform community development finance into a high-volume financing system we finance CDFIs (community development financial institutions) directly with an eye toward identifying and financing the systems that alter how the CDFI industry works – enabling scale and productivity through changes involving hundreds of CDFIs. Our Financing includes our core Financing Fund for CDFIs and Managed Assets for institutional investors in CDFIs.

The CDFI Assessment and Ratings System™ (CARS™), the only rating system of its kind for CDFI investors, is also part of our financial services. CARS™ is a comprehensive, third-party analysis of community development financial institutions that aids investors and donors in their investment decision making. CARS™ will increase the flow of capital and ensure that CDFI performance is the primary criterion for determining the flow of capital through these institutions.

Knowledge Sharing
Knowledge Sharing delivers knowledge sharing services, including our Annual Conference (the premier opportunity finance industry event attracting more than 700 attendees); regional meetings; consulting services; publications; informal technical assistance; and Member Staying Connected conference calls.

Policy
Our Policy division is actively engaged in the core issues and programs that advance economic development resources for CDFIs at the federal level. We are also leading the discussion to bring together leaders from a variety of industries to develop a bi-partisan policy strategy regarding access to capital to create wealth and economic opportunities.

Opportunity Finance Network
We are proud of our Network’s 20-year track record of success:

• More than 170 Members strong
• $19.8 billion invested through FY 2007, financing:
  • 43,050 businesses
  • 577,736 housing units
  • 9,552 community facility projects
  • and, generating or maintaining 191,381 jobs
• $7.8 billion in total assets
• Low-risk, with a net charge-off rate of 0.8% in FY 2007
• At work in urban, rural, and Native communities in all 50 states