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CDFIs in the UK

Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) are a new financial tool for social, economic and physical renewal in under-invested communities. They lend and invest in deprived areas and underserved markets that cannot access mainstream finance. They are sustainable, independent organisations that provide financial services with two aims: to generate social and financial returns.

Click below for more information on;

• What is a CDFI & what they provide funds for

• Some key statistics of the UK CDFI sector

• Read stories of how CDFIs are helping underprivileged communities

What is a Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI)?

CDFIs are sustainable, independent organisations which provide financial services with two aims: to generate social and financial returns. They supply capital and business support to individuals and organisations whose purpose is to create wealth in disadvantaged communities or under served markets.

See our short Youtube film, which gives an overview of the work of CDFIs in the UK. (Film produced for a series of seminars held by cdfa and Barclays in May 2009).

What do CDFIs provide funds for?

• Working capital
• Bridging loans
• Property & equipment purchase
• Start up capital
• Business purchase
• Marketing campaigns
• Personal loans
• Home improvements
• Back to work loans

The cdfa defines a CDFI as:

• Sustainable
• Independent
• Financial institution
• Providing capital and support to individuals or organisations
• To develop and create wealth in disadvantaged communities or under-served markets

Some key statistics of the UK CDFI Sector

The following figures are taken from cdfa’s industry-wide survey, Inside Out 2009:

Inside Out is the only report to provide data and commentary on what's really happening in the UK's community development finance sector. 

For more information on this report go to www.cdfa.org.uk/insideout.

Real stories

Below are a number of real stories of how cdfa members are helping the UK's most underprivileged communities. To read the story, just click on the title.

• A breath of fresh air (Social Investment Scotland, The Isle of Gigha )

• Seeds of change (Ulster Community Investment Trust, EcoSeeds )

• A helping hand for a handyman (The PRIME initiative, HouseHubbies )

© cdfa 2009. All material on this site is copyright protected and all reproduction of its content is strictly forbidden without the cdfa's consent - Please contact info@cdfa.org.uk