Entries by Sydney England

The CDFI Fund Crisis: What’s Actually Happening and What We Need to Do Now

Update: A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from firing thousands of federal workers during the shutdown, including the CDFI Fund staff. This gives us breathing room, but the fight isn’t over. The lawsuits by federal workers’ unions and pushback from Republicans in Congress offer hope, but we can’t rely on courts alone If December 13 arrives without intervention, the immediate impact will be operational chaos. Pending applications will stall. Compliance questions will go unanswered. The FY 2025 funding round, with its innovative $100 million housing production initiative, will…

How Georgia’s Foundations are Capitalizing on Impact Investing

Compared to the national landscape, impact investing is still gaining traction among Georgia foundations. Despite being home to 1,639 foundations stewarding over $25.3 billion in assets and contributing $2.2 billion in grants in 2023 alone, only a handful have formally adopted impact investing practices. This collection of case studies highlights the experiences of four Georgia-based foundation impact investors – The Sapelo Foundation, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, the William Josef Foundation, and the Bradley-Turner Foundation. Each offers a candid look at how these institutions…

Considering the Cost of Inaction: Communities Bear the Risk of Diminished CDFI Capacity

The question isn’t whether investing in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) carries risk. It’s whether we can afford the risk of letting them fail.

As foundations and asset allocators navigate an increasingly volatile economic landscape, I find myself fielding the same question repeatedly: “Should we double down on CDFIs right now, or is this the moment to pull back and protect our…

Just Released: New Reports Advocate for Greater Investment in Employee & Alternative Ownership

As Georgia leaders work to expand financial inclusion and community wealth, employee ownership is emerging as one of the most powerful, and underutilized, strategies to get there. Whether through Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), worker cooperatives, or Employee Ownership Trusts, giving workers a stake in the businesses where they work has proven to build wealth, retain jobs, and anchor businesses in their communities. In a state where nearly half of all business owners are nearing retirement, these models also offer timely solutions to preserve small businesses…

There is Power in Collective Action at Home: Reflections from ImpactPHL’s Total Impact Summit

Earlier this month, ImpactPHL hosted the sixth iteration of Total Impact Summit, a multi-day convening bringing together investors, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem leaders committed to building a more just and equitable economy in Philadelphia and beyond. Georgia’s impact investing ecosystem was represented at TIS25, and we’ve invited three thought leaders – Anna Cable, Kelsey Russell, and Khaliff Davis – to share their key takeaways and experiences. Their perspectives offer a window into the evolving landscape of impact investing…

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Field Insights: Fiduciary Duty, Good Governance, & Impact Investing

It’s a common misconception: the belief that being a responsible trustee means walling-off mission from investment considerations. Many board members question, “Can we really pursue impact without compromising our financial obligations?” The truth is, by unpacking and rethinking what fiduciary duty really means—alongside reworking governance systems—we can discover that the pursuit of both financial returns and mission alignment isn’t just possible; it’s a win-win. Let’s dive in and explore how…

Understanding the Impacts of Federal Policy & Budget Shifts on Georgia

Shifting federal policies and budget priorities could have a profound impact on Georgia’s economy, financial security, and access to essential services. Dramatic reductions to key federal programs and departmental staff reductions targeting employment, social services, and small business funding are likely to negatively impact Georgia as a whole as well as areas of the state already facing economic hardship…

How the “Sunflower State” Raised the Bar for Statewide Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development

On February 5, 2025, TruFund Financial Services held its Annual Ecosystem Breakfast – bringing together more than 30 key stakeholders from Atlanta’s entrepreneurial and small business ecosystem. A diverse mix of participants – representing traditional banks, CDFIs, quasi-government agencies, business support organizations, and private sector investors – contributed to a lively, generative discussion on the challenges and opportunities…

Field Insights: “CDFI Deserts” and the State of CDFIs in Georgia

New data from CDFI Friendly America highlights a critical challenge facing Georgia: it remains one of just nine U.S. states labeled a “CDFI Desert,” reflecting a severe shortage of community development financial institution (CDFI) investment. While significant progress has been made, large portions of Georgia – especially areas beyond Atlanta – continue to be underserved, limiting opportunities for economic growth and financial…