Resiliency and Capacity Fund
“Our organizations have stepped up in countless ways. We have organized community support, offered space for healing and safety, and shown up for our community, clients, and staff. This is all on top of the core work of supporting entrepreneurs and walking alongside them at a time of great uncertainty and risk.”
− Renay Dossman, President & CEO, Neighborhood Development Center
CDFIs have responded to this moment, by extending flexibility in loan terms, partnering on economic relief efforts, and stepping up technical assistance and support. These activities have stretched CDFI resources and capacity. The Minnesota CDFI Resiliency and Capacity Fund is an opportunity for CDFIs and partners
across the country to support the CDFI sector in Minnesota, and engage in the kind of mutual aid that Minnesota has modeled for the rest of the country. The stability of the CDFI sector is crucial, and supporting this fund will in turn support CDFIs in expanding their capacity, building expertise, and offering flexibility to lenders.
Support the Fund!
The Minnesota CDFI Resiliency and Capacity Fund is housed at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundations.
The Minnesota CDFI Coalition represents the almost 40 certified CDFIs and CDFIs in development across the state of Minnesota. Collectively, CDFIs have over $700M in outstanding loans across the state, and closed 2,399 loans in 2024-2025. CDFIs offer tailored technical assistance, are often the first money in to launch a project, and provide necessary funding to close deals, bringing dollars to the communities that need it the most.
When funding needs to get to community, whether in moments of crisis or to keep opportunity growing, CDFIs are the partners of choice. This moment has shown how CDFIs are economic first responders, working directly with businesses affected by closures and revenue loss, workforce disruptions in businesses and childcare, housing stabilization, and supporting our communities through trauma.
“My business has experienced a significant slowdown that has been both financially and emotionally challenging. My business is more than a beauty shop—it is my livelihood, my investment, and something I have built with care and sacrifice.” − Hmong American Partnership Client
Compounding the regular market challenges facing CDFIs, Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota brought unprecedented new disruptions. The economic losses are real and compounding. This includes:
Analysis of the CDFI
loans estimates to tens
of millions of dollars in
portfolios across the
state
Risk analysis based on
activity from December
2025 through February
2026 estimates $213M in
small business losses in
Minneapolis and St. Paul
The City of Minneapolis
estimated $81M in
small business losses in
January alone
Continued business
closures and workforce
disruptions across
Minnesota, impacting
employee recruitment
and retention