Community Development Finance

L & D Associates is committed to the supporting organization and community development efforts through its grant writing, program development and management services.

Our services include:

  • Planning facilitation and preparation of strategic and business plans
  • Community needs assessments
  • Venture planning for income-generating programs
  • Organizational capacity assessment
  • Preparation of funding applications
  • Program design and financing for community development programs in consumer and residential lending, consumer financial literacy, homebuyer education and counseling and economic development
  • Leveraging community or regional programs to enhance the savings activities of community members
  • Program evaluation

L & D offers a thorough yet practical understanding of government programs and their intersection with private program development and management, market-specific lending and consumer education initiatives.

Loan Fund/Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Development

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI’s) are private-sector, financial intermediaries with community development as their primary mission. While CDFI’s share a common mission, they have a variety of structures and development lending goals. All are market-driven, locally-controlled, private-sector organizations.

CDFI’s measure success by focusing on the “double bottom line” -- economic gains and the contributions they make to the local community. CDFI’s support businesses, housing, voluntary organizations, and services central to revitalizing our nation's poor and working class neighborhoods. The positive effect that CDFI’s have on their communities should not be underestimated.

Financial Literacy Training

Financial literacy training is a necessary component of any community development or individual asset-building program.

  • Training needs to be structured to support the participants’ progress toward meeting their savings and asset goals.
  • Training must provide program participants with opportunities to develop skills and acquire knowledge necessary to effectively manage their own financial situation.
  • Training should be designed to meet the participants where they are when they start the training and build on what they know in an affirming and participatory way.

Following is a list of topics commonly included in money management or financial literacy curricula.  L & D will conduct needs assessment focus groups with your target audience to determine which topics are most useful to them:

  • Understanding Individual Development Accounts

  • Accessing financial and community resources

  • Setting financial goals

  • Identifying and assessing income, debt, assets and liabilities

  • Avoiding check cashing operations, rent-to-own stores and predatory lenders

  • Determining ways to reduce debts and save money

  • Calculating interest and understanding compound interest

  • Developing and monitoring a spending plan to achieve goals

  • Understanding and establishing or repairing credit

  • Financial planning for different stages on the family life cycle

  • Using financial institutions effectively

  • Standing up for your rights as a consumer

  • Managing risk

  • Filing for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

  • Applying economic concepts to personal financial management

  • Developing skills related to specific asset goals