The Fund deployed nearly $260,000 in grants to small businesses. The Small Business Catalyst Fund, a collaboration between CRF, Fifth Third Bank, and several local CDFIs, has awarded grants to nearly 50 small businesses in select communities across the country. These grants, each for $5,300, will help grantees accelerate the momentum of their business. CRF […]
Category: News
Community Reinvestment Fund, USA Welcomes New Board Members: Sara Razavi and George Surgeon
Minneapolis, MN (March 19, 2025) – Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF), is pleased to announce the election of Sara Razavi and George Surgeon to its Board of Trustees. Sara Razavi has served as CEO of Working Solutions CDFI since 2017, leading the organization through a period of significant growth in capital deployment, geographic expansion, and […]
The Transformative Power of Collaborative Innovation: How Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF), Mastercard Strive USA, and JPMorgan Chase joined forces to expand small business access to affordable capital in the U.S.
In recent years, small businesses in the U.S. have faced significant challenges, ranging from the pandemic and natural disasters to economic headwinds like inflation and higher interest rates. These obstacles have tested the resilience of small businesses and put a spotlight on their difficulties in accessing affordable capital. For the smallest and most vulnerable businesses, […]
Community Reinvestment Fund, USA Welcomes New Board Members: Renay Dossman and Ja’Net Defell
Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF), is pleased to announce the election of Renay Dossman and Ja’Net Defell to its Board of Trustees. Renay Dossman, MA, is the President and CEO of Neighborhood Development Center (NDC), where she leads efforts to foster economic growth and empowerment in underserved communities. With a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from […]
Linnea Dockter Wins Top Women in Finance Award
We are excited to share that CRF’s Director of Bond Guarantee Program Linnea Dockter received a 2024 Top Women in Finance award from Finance and Commerce. Finance and Commerce is an independent daily newspaper providing news, analysis, and commentary on Minnesota business. Their Top Women in Finance award recognizes industry-leading executives, business owners, and entrepreneurs […]
Fifth Third Launches Small Business Catalyst Fund in Partnership with Community Reinvestment Fund, USA
$7.85M in investments will help build a more equitable small business ecosystem CINCINNATI— Fifth Third Bank has partnered with Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF) to launch the Small Business Catalyst Fund, a $7.85M investment that will empower small businesses across Fifth Third’s 11-state footprint to grow and create jobs in their communities and build a more […]
U.S. Department of the Treasury Announces BGP Issuance to CRF
CRF will use the $325 million issuance to support three CDFIs The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) has announced the issuance of $325 million in bonds to CRF through the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program (BGP). With this issuance, CRF will issue bonds on behalf of three organizations, including […]
CRF receives $20 million gift from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott
Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF) is tremendously honored to receive a record $20 million grant from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. This is the second award CRF has received from Scott, having received a $15 million donation in 2020. The unprecedented size and unique structure of this grant provides CRF with an extraordinary opportunity to maximize our […]
CRF Partners with ProsperUs Detroit to Introduce Microloan Program With Forgivable Options in Wayne County
Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF) and ProsperUs Detroit, a Detroit-based nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), are partnering to announce a new initiative designed to support Wayne County’s small business landscape. Through this strategic partnership and grant support from the CDFI Fund’s CDFI Equitable Recovery Program (CDFI ERP), ProsperUs Detroit is launching a new loan […]