Native Initiatives

To promote economic revitalization and community development through financial and technical assistance to certified and emerging Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).

Through the use of monetary awards and training opportunities for Native CDFIs, the CDFI Fund's NACA Program creates jobs, builds businesses, and fosters economic self-determination in Native communities nationwide.

Only a certified CDFI that demonstrates that at least 50% of its past activities were in one or more Native Communities and describes how it will target its lending/investing activities to one or more Native Communities is eligible to apply for FA awards. Additionally, an organization wishing to apply for an FA award through the NACA Program must have an approved certification Target Market that consists of either an Investment Area or Other Targeted Population that includes a Native Community. Organizations that are certified CDFIs and non-certified entities, including Sponsoring Entities, seeking to become certified CDFIs that demonstrate they will primarily serve one or more Native Communities as its Target Market may apply for Technical Assistance awards. No awards may be issued to federal agencies, departments or instrumentalities, State governments, local governments, or any agency or instrumentalities thereof.

Investment Areas and Targeted Populations as defined in 12 C.F.R. 1805.

FA awards enhance the Recipient's ability to provide financial products and services that promote economic revitalization and community development for Native communities and populations. NACA Program FA awards must be expended for activities in the following five categories: (i) Financial Products; (ii) Financial Services; (iii) Loan Loss Reserves; (iv) Development Services; and (v) Capital Reserves. Note: Only Regulated Institutions may use an FA award for Financial Services and Capital Reserves. TA awards build the Recipient's organizational capacity. NACA Program TA awards must be expended for activities in the following eight categories: (i) Compensation - Personal Services; (ii) Compensation - fringe benefits; (iii) Professional Services Costs; (iv) Travel Costs; (v) Training and Education Costs; (vi) Equipment; (vii) Supplies and (viii) Incorporation Costs (Sponsoring Entities Only).

For FA award funds, Recipients must use award funds within three years. For TA funds, Recipients that are certified must use award funds within two years; Emerging CDFI Recipients must use award funds within three years; and Sponsoring Entity Recipients must use award funds within four years.

Evaluation factors include: (1) financial analysis and compliance risk evaluation, (2) business plan review, (3) policy objective review and community Impact, and (4) other factors set forth in the CDFI Program regulations, Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA), and application materials.

The CDFI Fund reviews applications and makes awards based on an established awards review process set forth in the NOFA and application materials.

Application deadlines are from 30 to 60 days subsequent to the NOFA publication date. Award approval or disapproval determinations are typically made within 270 days after the application deadline.