Community Development Financial Institutions: Catalysts for Healthy Communities
This brief from PHI’s Build Healthy Places Network highlights how community development financial institutions deliver flexible, mission-driven capital to local priorities, accelerating progress toward healthier, more equitable communities.
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Focus Areas
Capacity Building & Leadership, Healthy Communities -
Issues
Community Development -
Expertise
Coalition & Network Building, Public-Private Partnerships -
Programs
Build Healthy Places Network
A new brief, Community Development Financial Institutions: Catalysts for Healthy Communities, from PHI’s Build Healthy Places Network, highlights how community development financial institutions (CDFIs) are essential partners in advancing health equity and economic opportunity, providing flexible, mission-driven capital to communities that have been historically excluded from traditional financial systems, financing affordable housing, small businesses, childcare centers, healthcare facilities, healthy food access and climate resilience projects. The brief also explores CDFIs’ role as essential first responders, stepping in during crises like natural disasters and pandemics, while continuing to build long-term community wealth.
The brief is designed for policymakers, healthcare systems, government and public health agencies. Learn how to take action by advocating for sustained federal funding, partnering with CDFIs on local initiatives or directing investments through CDFI-friendly financial institutions.
view & download the briefThe Multifaceted Roles of CDFIs in Action
- Maximizing investment impact: CDFIs amplify the reach of public and private funds. By combining diverse capital streams—including government appropriations, philanthropic grants and bank contributions—they extend the reach and affordability of financial services into underserved communities.
- Catalyzing community prosperity and health: CDFIs foster continuous economic development and improve well-being by recycling loan repayments back into the community.
- Pioneering specialized funding for community health: CDFIs are leaders in creating innovative financing mechanisms by partnering with foundations, healthcare systems and traditional banks.
As a public health practitioner, I see CDFIs as essential partners in improving community health. Their investments in housing, healthy food access, and climate resilience directly shape health outcomes for our residents. By aligning our efforts, we can drive lasting change and ensure all communities can thrive.AZ Snyder
Public Health Director/Health Officer, Pierce County Public Health Department
CDFIs lead to more healthy, equitable communities because they provide financial resources directly to communities to create the things they need, like small businesses, affordable homes, childcare facilities and healthcare centers. CDFIs operate in every state across the country, and direct resources and investments to the places they are needed most.Chloe Gurin-Sands
Program Officer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
CDFIs are indispensable partners in building healthy communities. Their unique ability to direct flexible capital into critical infrastructure—from affordable housing and health clinics to job training. We’ve seen firsthand how CDFIs don’t just provide funding; they foster resilient communities by investing where it’s needed most and in alignment with community needs and priorities.Kendra Smith
Vice President, Community Health at Bon Secours Mercy Health
Originally published by Build Healthy Places Network
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