Expanding Coverage, Increasing Impact – Our Week at the Opportunity Finance Network Annual Conference
Last week FUND Consulting joined nearly 1,000 attendees at the Opportunity Finance Network’s Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX. We always look forward to the conference as an opportunity to learn and network with our CDFI clients and partners as well as to take stock of the future of the CDFI industry and what we can do to help propel the work of the industry forward.
At this year’s conference FUND Consulting team members had the opportunity to share their knowledge with conference attendees as we presented on two panels, one discussing strategies to diversify a CDFI’s funding base and the second on using market studies as a tool to aid in a CDFI’s expansion strategy. Both of our sessions were well attended (thanks to all who came out!) and provided us with the opportunity to learn from our excellent co-presenters as well.
The theme of this year’s conference was all about expanding coverage. If you didn’t have the opportunity to attend this year, Mark Pinsky’s 5 Calls to Actions for the CDFI industry were an important reminder of the work that lies ahead in order to reach this goal:
- Embrace branding and marketing
- Recommit to performance
- Make capital fit CDFI customers
- Jump into policy
- Dedicate yourself to creating opportunities for all
The OFN conference always helps to re-energize the work that we do here at FUND Consulting by reminding us of the growing role that CDFIs are playing in helping to strengthen our communities and economy – and the work that we must all do in order to expand that reach and impact to even more individuals and communities.
What did you enjoy about this year’s conference the most? What will you do to help CDFIs share their story, expand their coverage, and increase their impact?