Category: News

Board Member Spotlight: Dan Spiller

Get to know CRF’s board members by reading our Board Member Spotlight series! Check out this ongoing series to learn more about each member, including why they joined the board, what goals they have for CRF and what they do for fun. In the newest edition of our Board Member Spotlight series, we’re featuring Dan Spiller of U.S. Bank. Read more […]

CRF Receives District Director Award from SBA’s Minnesota District

Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF) is one of eleven Minnesota lenders to be recognized by the Small Business Administration (SBA) Minnesota District for their commitment to small business success. CRF has received the District Director Award for its dedication to supporting small businesses in Minnesota. This recognition means that CRF is among the state’s top […]

Celebrating National Dog Day: Sidewalk Dog

In celebration of National Dog Day, we had the pleasure of speaking with Alise Jarvis, founder of Sidewalk Dog. Sidewalk Dog is a media company that caters to dog-loving locals in Seattle, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Denver, and Chicago. The company provides content and resources for both first-time and long-time dog owners, along with dog-friendly recommendations for activities, events, […]

Board Member Spotlight: Calvin Holmes

CRF’s Board of Trustees is made up of leaders with extensive experience working in community development, financial services, and other sectors. Each board member brings a unique perspective to CRF and helps the organization achieve its mission to improve lives and strengthen communities through innovative financial solutions.  We want you to get to know our board members! Read our ongoing Board Member Spotlight series to learn more about each member, including why they joined the board, what goals […]

CRF’s Krysta Pate Reappointed to Land Bank Authority Board of Directors

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has reappointed Community Reinvestment Fund, USA’s (CRF) Krysta Pate to serve on the Michigan State Land Bank Authority Board of Directors. Congratulations to Krysta and to all the other appointees!  Krysta is the Midwest Program Director at CRF and the principal for The Homeownership Initiative Consulting, LLC. Krysta dedicates her time to helping others and has a strong commitment to helping people […]

Community Reinvestment Fund, USA Names Mac McNeil SVP of Operations

CRF has named Mac McNeil Senior Vice President of Operations. This new role will support the organization’s current and future business growth by leveraging team skills, customer experience, systems, and processes to integrate operations.    McNeil is a longtime banking industry executive with a strong background in process improvement, compliance, risk, and management. As VP of Operations for Synchrony, McNeil led optimization initiatives for the consumer bank, which included robotic process […]

Celebrate National Ice Cream Month: Azucar Ice Cream Company

In July we celebrate ice cream all month long in the U.S. We had a special treat speaking with Suzanne Batlle, founder of Azucar Ice Cream. Batlle started AzucarIce Cream Company back in 2011 and the business has been growing ever since. Suzanne specializes in serving traditional Cuban ice cream and treats in both Miami’s […]

Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund Featured in Recent Report by the Impact Investing Alliance

The Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund was featured in a recent Impact Investing Alliance (the Alliance) report titled Impact in Place. The Alliance strives to create and promote better understanding of capital sources within the impact investing community.   The report illustrates the disproportionately negative impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on historically underinvested communities. However, the report also highlights several collaborations working to reverse […]

CRF Receives a $1.83 Million Rapid Response Program Grant from the U.S. Department of Treasury’s CDFI Fund

CRF has been awarded a $1.82 million Rapid Response Program grant from the U.S. Department of the Treasury CDFI Fund. The grant will help CRF quickly respond to the economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in underinvested communities.  “Many businesses are still feeling the impact of the COVID-19 economic crisis, particularly businesses in […]