Opportunity Finance Network Hosts Community Development Finance Industry's Largest Event, October 15-18

Climate finance, economic turbulence, racial justice, and rapid industry growth are key topics at the sold-out conference

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

WHAT: Opportunity Finance Network holds its 39^th annual conference in Washington, D.C. October 15-18. It's the largest convening of community lenders with a mission to advance economic justice through access to capital. This year's conference theme — Capital Meets Purpose — captures the work CDFIs do to invest deeply in low-wealth urban, rural, and Native communities.

Since the pandemic, CDFIs have proven to be a critical part of the financial ecosystem, attracting unprecedented attention and investment from the government, Silicon Valley, corporations, and philanthropists like MacKenzie Scott.

Across mainstage plenaries and breakout sessions, industry leaders and experts will discuss climate change, racial equity, research and data, and workforce challenges in a time of economic uncertainty and rising interest rates. On Tuesday, October 17, nearly 200 conference attendees will visit Capitol Hill to advocate for supportive policies and increased federal resources. Additionally, local co-hosts will offer seven community tours across the greater Capital region.

WHEN: October 15-18, 2022

WHERE: Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009

WHO: Approximately 2,000 CDFI professionals, funders, investors, policymakers, and other industry stakeholders. Mainstage speakers include:

• Byron Auguste, CEO and Co-Founder, Opportunity at Work
• Dr. Robert Bullard, Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice, Texas Southern University
• Maria Flynn, CEO, Jobs for the Future
• Jerome Foster II, Climate Activist, White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council
• George Holland, Mayor of Moorhead, Mississippi
• Brian Moynihan, Chair of the Board and CEO, Bank of America
• Harold Pettigrew, President and CEO, Opportunity Finance Network
• Noel Andrés Poyo, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Economic Development, U.S. Department of Treasury 

HOW: Media are invited to all mainstage and breakout sessions. Tours space is very limited. RSVP is required to Lisa Chensvold.

More information at https://www.ofn.org/ofn-conference/.

ABOUT OFN: Opportunity Finance Network is a leading national network of 400 community development financial institutions, which are specialized lenders that provide affordable, responsible financial products and services in low-income communities nationwide. As a trusted intermediary between CDFIs and the public and private sectors, OFN works with banks, philanthropies, corporations, government agencies, and others to create economic opportunity for all by strengthening and investing in CDFIs.

SOURCE Opportunity Finance Network