Community Development Financial Institutions

The 2020 submission period is now closed. Continue to monitor this site, as well as other industry networks, for program updates.

Program components

• Capacity Building grants. The purpose of this grant funding is to build CDFI capacity (capital, resources, and knowledge) with flexible grant capital to increase and strengthen lending and technical assistance offerings to diverse small businesses.
• Activator grants. The purpose of this grant funding is to support CDFIs working on and ready to make active or implement or expand a strategy with the potential for industry or market replication.
• Social Capital. All awardees will be offered Social Capital activities through Opportunity Finance Network (OFN). Social Capital may include mentorship programs, an online learning community, and other collaborative efforts.

Funding for Capacity Building and Activator grants will be provided by the Wells Fargo Foundation. Community Lending and Investment may also offer programs providing additional funding opportunities.

Awardees

Congratulations to our DCC program recipients. See our full list of awardees below, and  read OFN’s CDFI awardee spotlight series that highlight an innovative program or service they’ve provided.

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Getting started

• Read the program guidelines (PDF) to learn the full value this program brings and find out if you are an eligible CDFI. CDFIs that meet the specific eligibility criteria can submit an Interest Form for either funding opportunity. CDFIs awarded an Activator Grant or a Capacity Building grant are ineligible for additional DCC awards.
• Visit the Wells Fargo Works online resource center to learn about the wide range of products, resources, and guidance we offer to small businesses to help them take the next step toward their goals.
• If you have questions about the program, contact diversecommunitycapital@wellsfargo.com.

Helping small businesses start, stabilize, and grow

Integrated Staffing Solutions

Rolando Borja brings together people in need of work after Hurricane Maria with Midwestern companies seeking employees, thanks to a Wells Fargo program for diverse small businesses.

Read More

Venetian Pet Hospital

Jameka Smith owns successful pet hospital and credits her success in part to having found a community partner in California Capital.

Go To Story

Something Better Foods, Inc.

Chef GW Chew’s plant-based meat substitutes are going from restaurant to supermarket with support from a Wells Fargo diverse small business program.

See Full Story

Wells Fargo proudly supports more than 150 CDFIs of all sizes across the country. We provide tailored investment and debt strategies to support CDFIs’ efforts in both rural and urban communities to finance affordable housing, community facilities, and small and micro businesses.

• New Markets Tax Credit program: Equity and debt investments for commercial development in low-income areas, with reduced borrowing costs for non-profits
• Senior debt: Shorter-term, floating-rate for use as core lending capital by larger CDFIs
• Structured debt: Layered, special purpose funds sponsored by CDFIs

Our Team

Megan Teare
CDFI Program Manager
megan.g.teare@wellsfargo.com
612-316-0512

Lee Winslett
Director of New Markets Tax Credits
lwinslet@wellsfargo.com
619-699-3037