Today, we’re thrilled to announce a $5 million funding collaboration between the Northwest Area Foundation and Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Des Moines!

The funding will strengthen the work of Native community development financial institutions (CDFIs), which open doors to loans, credit, jobs, and much more in Indian Country.

Why team up with FHLB of Des Moines? FHLB is a member-owned cooperative that supports mortgage lending, economic development, and affordable housing in the communities it serves. Its members include community and commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, thrifts, and CDFIs.

It’s a win-win collaboration that’s kicking off today in Missoula, MT, with a few words from Michael Wilson, FHLB’s president and CEO, Elsie Meeks, an FHLB board member (and past NWAF board member), and Kevin Walker, our president and CEO. They’ll be joined by leaders from Native CDFIs, the Center for Indian Country Development at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and the CDFI Fund.

“Over years of working closely with Native CDFIs, we have come to understand that they are a powerful means by which Native communities are building long-term economic and cultural wealth. We hope this new collaboration will help Native CDFIs push their groundbreaking work even further and capture the imagination of new investors and new partners.”

Kevin Walker
President and CEO, Northwest Area Foundation
Stay tuned for more opportunities!

Today’s event is the beginning of a new journey spotlighting Native CDFIs and the benefits of collaboration to strengthen economic opportunity. In the coming weeks, we’ll share additional details about how grants will be made, along with updates on the progress of this unique collaboration and ideas about more opportunities to bridge investors and Native communities through Native CDFIs.

Learn more about how Native CDFIs expand economic opportunity in Native communities

Today's Native CDFI event

Speakers and presenters at today's launch event:

Michael Wilson FHLB board member
Elsie Meeks FHLB board member
Kevin Walker President and CEO, Northwest Area Foundation

Today's Native CDFI event

Native CDFI Leaders include:

Chrystel Cornelius (Ojibwe, Oneida), First Nations Oweesta Corporation executive director
Angie Main (Fort Belknap Gros Ventre), Native American Community Development Corporation (NADC) executive director
Ted Piccolo (Colville), Northwest Native Development Fund (NNDF) executive director
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