A CDFI is a lender certified by the U.S. Treasury's CDFI Fund because its main mission is serving low-income and underserved people and places.
The official definition
The CDFI Fund describes certification as “a designation given by the CDFI Fund to specialized organizations that provide financial services in low-income communities and to people who lack access to financing.” Its FAQ adds that CDFIs “include credit unions, banks, loan funds, and venture capital funds that operate with a primary mission of serving low-income communities.” [1][2]
What an organisation must show
To be certified, the CDFI Fund says an applicant must demonstrate that it: is a legal entity; has a primary mission of promoting community development; is a financing entity; primarily serves one or more target markets; provides development services alongside its financing; maintains accountability to its target market; and is a non-government entity (Tribal governments excluded). [1]
How many there are, by type
The CDFI Fund's list as of 21 Oct 2026 has 1,268 certified CDFIs. Our count of the rows:
| Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Loan fund | 561 |
| Credit union | 364 |
| Bank or thrift | 180 |
| Bank holding company | 154 |
| Venture capital fund | 9 |
| Total | 1,268 |
They are headquartered in 53 states and territories — all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico and Guam, which matches the CDFI Fund's own statement. [1] Browse by state.
Native CDFIs
65 of the 1,268 are flagged as Native CDFIs on the list. The CDFI Fund runs Native Initiatives that provide financial and technical assistance to Native CDFIs. [3] See all 65.
Where the CDFI Fund fits
The CDFI Fund was established by the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994. [4] It does not lend to individuals: its FAQ says it “does not make loans directly to individuals” but finances CDFIs that do. [2] So to borrow, you contact a CDFI directly.
CDFIs in public data
The CDFI Fund's awards database lists 12,628 records from 1996 to 2025. Leaving out New Markets Tax Credit allocations and bond guarantees, its awards add up to $9.1 billion. 1,110 of the 1,268 CDFIs certified today received at least one award, $7.1 billion in total, $4.4 billion of it in rounds from 2020 on. The awards go to the institutions, not to borrowers.
Source: CDFI Fund Searchable Awards Database, all 12,628 records 1996–2025, read 3 Nov 2026. A lender is matched to an award by name and state (city where needed). Method.
For fiscal year 2022, 774 award recipients reported 410,283 loans and investments worth $54.0 billion in the CDFI Fund's transaction data (median $16,273), and CDFI banks and credit unions with an award reported 2,399,806 consumer loans on top. Certified CDFIs without an active award do not report, so the real totals are higher.
Source: CDFI Fund award recipient data release, Transaction Level Report and Consumer Loan Report public files for fiscal year 2022 (released 4 Dec 2024, downloaded 3 Nov 2026). Only organisations with an active CDFI Fund award report, and the Fund masks their identity; amounts are original amounts as reported; no figure comes from fewer than 3 transactions. How we count.
Sources
- CDFI Fund — CDFI Certification — read 29 Oct 2026
- CDFI Fund — Frequently Asked Questions — read 29 Oct 2026
- CDFI Fund — Native Initiatives — read 29 Oct 2026
- CDFI Fund — About Us — read 29 Oct 2026
Not financial advice. CDFI Atlas is not a lender.