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State & Local Legislative Partnerships

The Network is the trusted and respected organization that influences, educates, and informs on behalf of CDFI issues affecting low-to-moderate income communities and historically disadvantaged businesses across the Commonwealth. Through advocacy and public policy, the Network builds the capacity and expands the reach of its members, individually and collectively, to serve all people and places across Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania CDFI Network works arduously with the Pennsylvania legislature, the Governor’s office, and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PA-DCED) in the best interest of small businesses.

CDFI Voice in Pennsylvania

CDFIs are the Network’s greatest advocacy resources in promoting the important role Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) play across Pennsylvania. Together, CDFIs can protect, leverage and grow scarce budgets, tax credit initiatives, bank and government investment, and advocate for legislation affecting CDFIs including Community Reinvestment Act, New Market Tax Credits and CDFI Bond Guarantee program, while equitably helping low to moderate income communities thrive. The PA CDFI Network is Pennsylvania’s CDFIs’ voice.

The Network preserves CDFI funding and resources in the best interest of small businesses, the people they employ, and the communities they serve. The Network advocates positively, influencing the impact of government on CDFIs and small businesses through legislative advocacy, meetings, communication, and activities to deliver:

  • Education to empower CDFIs and the communities they serve,
  • Protection and scaling of CDFI investment resources,
  • Monitoring and understanding of emerging issues and resources to leverage and advance micro enterprises and small businesses, and
  • A voice for a better CDFI and small business ecosystem in Pennsylvania.

As a part of our greater advocacy effort, we also educate Pennsylvania residents, businesses, and legislators about the existence, purpose, and function of CDFIs in promoting equitable community development.