With the significant growth in CDFIs since the Pandemic and new CCIA initiatives, many emerging CDFI leaders may not fully understand how credit unions can scale their impact. Long-term success depends on sustainable growth and reducing dependence on grant funding to withstand economic, political, and regulatory conditions. This session will highlight best practices from credit unions that have successfully leveraged their CDFI status to expand their impact, while also providing strategies to overcome internal resistance from those who see CDFIs as purpose-worthy, but may not recognize the financial benefits. It will also address challenges faced by long-standing CDFIs struggling to scale despite years of grant funding, offering strategies to ensure lasting impact.

Key Takeaways:

• Inspire and educate credit union leaders to build upon their community development purpose to scale and significantly transform their CDFI work to ensure long-term sustainability and impact. 
• Identify resources such as 2^nd capital, loan purchases, and other capital products that can support greater scale and transformation