Here’s something you don’t hear every day: a meeting with the White House Office of Management and Budget that actually moved the needle.
The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates, joined by credit union leaders from across their footprint, recently sat down with OMB to talk about something that sounds bureaucratic but is actually pretty crucial—getting Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) funding out the door on time.
Think of CDFIs as financial institutions with a mission. They’re the ones lending and investing in communities that traditional banks often overlook. And credit unions? They’re actually the MVPs of the CDFI world, making up 446 of the nation’s 1,383 certified CDFIs.
What The League Was Asking For
The message to OMB wasn’t complicated. The League pushed for three specific things: wrap up the final review of fiscal year 2025 CDFI awards before the September 30 deadline, stop dragging feet on fiscal year 2026 funding, and—here’s the big one—create consistent, predictable timelines going forward. Because here’s the thing: you can’t plan community investment when you don’t know when the money’s coming.
The timing worked out. Right after the meeting, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced fiscal year 2025 CDFI Program awards, with official notifications expected by September 30. This marked the second and final round of awards for FY 2025.
The Numbers Tell a Story
Let’s zoom in on what we’re actually talking about here. Across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Virginia, there are 46 CDFI-certified credit unions serving more than 4.4 million members. They’re managing $48 billion in active community loans. We’re talking mortgages, small business loans, consumer financing, and alternatives to the predatory lending that too often targets vulnerable communities—especially in rural areas and places stuck in persistent poverty.
And the return on investment? For every dollar the CDFI Fund grants to a credit union, it generates $12 in private investment. That’s not just moving money around—that’s actually multiplying impact throughout local communities.
Why This Actually Matters
“CDFI credit unions have demonstrated their ability to turn federal resources into meaningful economic activity in the communities they serve,” said John Bratsakis, CEO of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates. “Our message to OMB is straightforward: timely and predictable access to these funds matters. Completing the fiscal year 2025 review, apportioning fiscal year 2026 funds, and providing greater consistency going forward will allow credit unions to plan with confidence and continue putting these resources to work where they are needed most.”
Samantha A.M. Beeler, President of The League, brought it back to ground level: “Behind these numbers are families working toward homeownership, small businesses looking for opportunities to grow, and communities that have historically had fewer financial options. CDFI credit unions understand these communities because they are part of them. Ensuring these funds are deployed consistently and on time allows credit unions to continue turning public investment into meaningful, lasting economic opportunity.”
And that’s the real point, isn’t it? We’re not talking about abstractions. We’re talking about the family trying to buy their first home, the local business owner who needs capital to expand, the person looking for a car loan that won’t trap them in a debt spiral.
Taking It to the Hill
This meeting happened during The League’s 2026 Hike the Hill event in Washington, D.C., where credit union leaders from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Virginia descended on the capital to advocate directly with federal policymakers. Because sometimes the best way to get things done is to show up and make your case in person.
The bottom line? Predictable funding timelines aren’t just bureaucratic niceties. They’re what allow credit unions to plan real investments in real communities. And based on the Treasury’s quick follow-up announcement, it looks like someone was listening.