We Can Help You Revitalize Low Income Communities

Investments, Communities, Revitalization.

CBO Financial paves the way to financing for projects that benefit low income communities.

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We have helped our clients acquire funding for over 200 projects.
200+
Projects Funded
$1,000,000,000
In Secured Funding
24
NMTC Allocations for
Ourselves & Clients

You see challenges. We see possibilities.
Your community sees change.

Established in 1999, CBO Financial is a financial consulting firm that specializes in helping businesses secure funding for development projects in the nation’s most distressed communities. Our experts understand how to present economic, environmental, and societal benefits to public and private organizations so your project receives the funding it needs to move forward quickly and reasonably. A CBO Financial subsidiary, Community Development Funding, LLC, has received six awards under the federal New Markets Tax Credit program totaling $150M. In addition the team has taken a leadership role in securing 18 awards for clients totaling over $400M.
Our Services
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The funding is out there

CBO can be your access point for a variety of federal financing and subsidy programs, including those offered by the CDFI Fund, EPA, USDA and other agencies.
Programs
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 a Significant Impact

CBO is on a mission to help elevate the lives of people living in distressed communities by providing flexible, below-market gap financing to high-impact projects that cannot otherwise move forward. Does your project qualify for financing?
Team
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Million-dollar stories

The CBO team has funded over $1 billion in projects for local and national nonprofits, for-profit developers, and municipal agencies. Our team can help you find the low-cost financing or new market tax credits needed for your projects.
Projects

Trusted by Numerous Community Development Investors

Quality consulting and experienced insight when it comes to community development financing.
Capital Trust Agency
“Our governing board retained CBO Financial to ensure our CDE would perform as desired. We have found their support and expertise throughout the NMTC process to be quite valuable, and that their fee structure is fair. We highly recommend CBO Financial for any consultative services related to the NMTC program.”
Ed Gray III
Executive Director
Neighborhood Centers, INC.
“CBO Financial was instrumental in helping us to finance a community center, which could not have been built without the flexible financing provided by CBO; we found the CBO team to be highly competent, professional and they delivered what they promised. I highly recommend that other nonprofits work with the team at CBO Financial for their project financing needs.”
Ray Chung
Vice President & CFO
VOANS
“CBO Financial provided tremendous support and leadership in the submission of a successful NMTC application for Volunteers of America. They guided us each step of the way, providing thoughtful and timely expert advice as the organization developed the application. We look forward to working closely with them as we begin the operations of the CDE and start to close transactions.”
Robert Gibson
VP & Finance

Common Questions About Low-Income Community Development Financing

What is a Community Development finance institution?

What are Community Development Finance Institutions and what is their role in developing economies?

A Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) is a specialized financial institution that provides capital and technical assistance to under-served communities in order to promote economic development and expand access to financial services. Community Development Financial Institutions are typically 501(c)(3) nonprofits that are certified by the U.S. Treasury Department's Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.

CDFIs fill a critical gap in the market by investing in businesses, real estate, and infrastructure projects that are often under-served by traditional financial institutions. By doing so, CDFIs help to create jobs, spur economic development, and increase access to essential services in low- and moderate-income communities.

In the United States and specific US Territories, CDFIs invest in businesses and local community projects that promote economic development and create jobs in low-income communities. They also provide financial education and technical assistance to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. These funds are commonly used in real estate projects, neighborhood renovation, community centers, training programs, and opportunities that boost interest in business ownership within emerging communities.

CDFIs play an important role in developing economies by providing capital to businesses and projects that would otherwise not have access to financing. Such a financing entity could work with a local credit union and utilize venture capital and other programs such as the Community Reinvestment Act. This helps to create jobs and improve the quality of life in under-served communities. CDFIs also help to develop the local economy by providing technical assistance and training to entrepreneurs who aspire to become small business owners. This helps them to start and grow their businesses, which creates jobs and boosts the local economy.

How does a CDFI help low-income communities?

Community Development finance institutions (CDFIs) are nonprofit organizations that provide financing to businesses and individuals in underserved communities. CDFIs help develop economies by providing access to capital, technical assistance, and financial education.

CDFIs fill the gap between traditional lenders and borrowers in underserved communities. They provide financing to businesses and entrepreneurs who may not qualify for a loan from a bank. CDFIs also offer technical assistance and financial education to help borrowers succeed.

CDFIs help develop economies by providing access to capital, technical assistance, and financial education. They fill the gap between traditional lenders and borrowers in underserved communities, and help entrepreneurs start and grow businesses.

What is a Community Development Entity?

The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program is operated through intermediaries known as Community Development Entities (CDEs). CDEs are private companies that have to meet two requirements to be certified as a CDE:  the first is that the entity must have a stated mission of serving low income communities, and the CDE must be accountable to the low income community it serves by appointing representatives from the community on either a governing or advisory board so that they have a role in project prioritization and selection. CDE's compete annually for an allocation of authority under the NMTC program, once an award is made the CDE then identifies specific projects to invest in.

CDE's are looking for projects that:

 

  • Are consistent with the CDE’s mission and geographic service area
  • Will have a significant positive impact on the surrounding low income community
  • Are located in a Severely Distressed Census Tract
  • Have use and building permits ready to pull
  • Cannot secure sufficient capital from conventional sources, however have 75% to 80% of required financing committed, so that NMTCs can close the gap and the project can move forward.
  • Have a project budget of $7M or more

 

In order to attract a CDE it’s important for project sponsors to have assembled as much data as possible about the positive economic, social and environmental impacts of the project.  

What is the role of CDFIs in developing economies?

Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) are specialized financial institutions that provide financing and technical assistance to underserved communities in order to promote economic development. A Community Development Finance Institution utilizes the CDFI fund in combination with other funding from community development banks, community development credit unions, venture capital loan funds, and other state or local programs.

CDFIs play a critical role as an investment adviser in developing economies by providing access to capital for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and low-income households. In addition, CDFIs help to create jobs and spur economic activity in communities that lack access to traditional banking and lending services. By investing in under-served communities, CDFIs help to create more equitable and sustainable economies.

"Capacity building," or increasing an organization's ability to operate effectively, is critical to the success of community-based lenders and the people who depend on them. The CDFI Fund's Capacity Building Initiative offers a variety of training and direct technical assistance opportunities to Community Development Finance Institutions looking to strengthen their organizations and, ultimately, serve distressed communities in new and innovative ways.

Community Development Finance Institution Near Me

A Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) is a specialized financial institution that provides capital and financial services to under-served markets and populations, typically in developing economies. A Community Development Finance Institution can be for-profit or nonprofit organizations, and they are typically niche lenders that focus on a particular type of lending or a particular geographic area.

There are many benefits of using CDFIs and the CDFI bond guarantee program. CDFIs can help to fill the gaps in financing that exist in under-served markets using the CDFI Fund. They can also help to promote economic development and entrepreneurship in developing economies. Additionally, Community Development Financial Institutions can help to create jobs and improve access to essential services, such as healthcare and education. At CBO Financial, we can work to find you financing for your projects across the nation. Contact us today to review your project.

How Do I find CDEs with NMTC Allocation

The CDFI Fund website provides a search engine for CDEs that provide financing in your area. You can research these CDEs to determine whether any have mission statements that might cover your project. In the event you find this search and the attempt to make connections overwhelming, you can use CBO Financial’s Free Project Analysis service to get expert advice on innovative financing avenues for your project.

Does Your Project Qualify for Low-Cost Financing or New Markets Tax Credits?

Reach out to our specialists to discuss how we can work together.
Get a Free Project Analysis