VEIC’s Post

As a proud partner in the Justice Climate Fund (JCF) Coalition, we thank the Biden Administration & the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for selecting JCF for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund’s Clean Communities Investment Accelerator program: https://lnkd.in/djbzzr9D These federal investments will help our country meet climate goals and reduce air pollution, advancing a better future for rural and urban families alike. The investments will also deliver greater economic security, creating better-paying jobs and opportunities for small businesses across America while also fostering financial inclusion via America’s Main Street financial institutions — the very community lenders that have delivered, for decades, financial opportunity, security and prosperity to struggling Americans. JCF’s network of community lenders serves 281 million Americans — or almost 86% of this nation — and includes more than 1,000 CDFIs across every state in the nation and multiple territories. We look forward to collaborating to bring climate solutions, and their many benefits, to our nation’s communities and homes. #strongertogether Congratulations to all who have been selected for awards through the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund! Climate United Coalition for Green Capital Power Forward Communities Opportunity Finance Network Inclusiv Appalachian Community Capital Native CDFI Network, Inc. African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs National Bankers Association Oweesta Corporation Community Development Bankers Association Housing Partnership Network Connecticut Green Bank Accelerator for America IBank California Nevada Clean Energy Fund Community Development Venture Capital Alliance (CDVCA) New Ecology, Inc. Elemental Excelerator NY Green Bank Elevate New York City Energy Efficiency Corporation (NYCEEC) The Greenlining Institute RMI SELF (Solar and Energy Loan Fund) Institute for Market Transformation Michigan Saves VEIC

Inspired by the work Jahi Wise has been doing that emphasizes long-term resilience at the center. We are so proud to highlight him has one of our Champions in this movement! #BlackExcellence #STEM #Environment #ClimateJustice #Cliamtechange #EPA #USEPA #Environmentaljustice

We are proud to announce the NeighborWorks Capital Green Advisory Board, comprised of some of the industry's most knowledgeable and influential leaders who are joining together to support Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds (GGRF) reaching low-income, disadvantaged, rural, and Native communities across the country. Members of the NeighborWorks Capital Green Advisory Board include Lee Anne Adams, Catherine Buell, Jose Cerda III, Daniel Cunningham, Joe Evans, Francesca Ioffreda, Florence Sterling Ludka, John Moon, Buzz Roberts, and Abigail Suarez, MBA. NeighborWorks Capital is a member of the Climate United Collaborative, which was awarded $6.97 billion under the National Clean Investment Fund through the GGRF, and is led by Calvert Impact , The Community Preservation Corporation, and Self-Help Credit Union. The coalition is a collaboration of experienced, mission-driven lenders and investors dedicated to bringing accessible clean energy solutions to #Justice40 communities across the country. Read the announcement: https://lnkd.in/gYvynS37 Learn more about NeighborWorks Capital Green: https://lnkd.in/g3nb-4xQ #EquitableCapitalInitiative #ClimateUnited #WeAreClimateUnited #EnergyEfficientHousing #SustainableFinance #GreenLending #CleanEnergy #EquitableHousing #EquitableCapitalInitiative

Today, is a historic day. I’m proud to announce a historic milestone in our long-standing commitment to combating the climate crisis. OFN has been selected to receive $2.29 billion through the EPA's Clean Communities Investment Accelerator. This is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drive the clean energy transition, and ensure all communities are a part of it. At the OFN Conference last October, I addressed over 2,200 of our colleagues in the community development finance industry to convey the deeply personal significance of our collective fight to combat the climate crisis. I made a bold call to action for every community lender, every CDFI, to adopt some form of climate lending, recognizing that our future depends on it. Thank you to the EPA, and to the many partners and colleagues that made this a reality. For one of us to be successful, we all must be successful. This is the beginning of a long journey, but I am optimistic knowing that we are made for this moment and have the right partners at the table to combat the climate crisis, and help communities across the country that are disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change. The time for action is here. Let’s get to work! https://lnkd.in/gYE7HN2h Opportunity Finance Network US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) #climateaction #climatechange #climate #climatejustice #cdfi #cdfis #impinv #impactinvesting #financejustice #CCIA #NCIF #TheHourofFate

Recommended reading: Here are some great resources for CDFIs related to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

A lot of good context and information here

"As the only green-bank, hybrid CDFI in the region that’s been around for 10 years, we understand the challenges of working in these markets, working without state support, and accessing and raising capital. We felt a responsibility to not only help prepare the whole region, but by creating a regional block, we would strengthen our position to be able to ensure equitable and fair funding down to Florida and the rest of the region." Thanks to Next City for interviewing Executive Director Duanne Andrade T about SELF's Southern+ Climate Equity Accelerator initiative! Through the accelerator, SELF provides tools and resources to a coalition of nascent green banks and CDFIs in the South to ensure the region reaps the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act and other federal funding for climate resilience. If you're interested in joining SCEA+, reach out to Erin Autin. Read the whole article here: https://lnkd.in/gJz4rqeq #SCEA+ #GGRF #inflationreductionact #climateresilience #climateequity #cleanenergy #greenbank #cdfi David Graber Doug Coward Alyson Laura Ann Vanek-Dasovich, CMPFinCap Daisy Packer Morris Susan Glickman Wanda Mays Liz Gutierrez Darden Rice Dana Clare Redden Clean Energy Fund of Texas, Inc Nevada Clean Energy Fund SEEED Knox Michelle Myers Jennifer Weiss Melissa Malkin-Weber Steve Brown Billy Briscoe Melody Echols Julia Parker Kirsten Stasio Shawna Gabriela Cuan Beth Ficco-Bettley Doer/Maker

As we continue to gain momentum in support of GGRF recipients, we often hear "can't we just build a green infrastructure platform to support green lending and EPA reporting?" And it reminds us of a wise saying. "You build everything three times. Once to figure out what you want, once to figure out how to build it, and once to build it." Over the last three years Banyan Infrastructure has invested millions in building a green infrastructure platform and the IRA/GGRF has done exactly what it was supposed to do. Given one part of the community (a team of passionate climate technologist betting on change) a historic and accelerated opportunity to do what our community is here to do. To make an impact in the lives of millions and thousands of communities in addition to being a small part of solving for climate change. We are #BanyanInfrastructure and we have been and are here to serve the community. #greenhousegasreductionfund #ggrfcommunity #createstandards #makinganimpact #inflationreductionact #partnerwithbanyan

Green banks focus on clean energy and climate projects that they see as promising targets for private-sector lending, but which lack the track record to convince conventional lenders to invest. Last week the US named 8 groups - representing more than a dozen local nonprofits - to receive a total of $20 billion in funding from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, the official name for its green bank program. The structure is largely modeled after the green banks that now operate in 17 states — government-backed and nonprofit entities that offer low-cost loans and other financial support for rooftop solar, efficiency retrofits, electric heat pumps, EV charging and other carbon and pollution-reducing projects, with a focus on low-income and disadvantaged communities, reports Jeff St. John with Canary Media Inc. One awardee, the Native CDFI Network, Inc., intends to focus its efforts on reservations and in Native communities, reports Syris Valentine with Grist. In Australia, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation describes itself as a green bank. We look forward to similar outlays in funding to green banks with deep connections to First Nations communities. See articles referenced in the comments.

“We are at a period of time in this transition where we know if we don’t intentionally focus on wealth creation and job creation and opportunity, the financial markets will take the path of least resistance.” — Beth Bafford That’s why a key tenant of our strategy is creating infrastructure to allow smaller developers, small businesses, contractors, and communities the chance to benefit from the revenue of the #cleanenergy transition. Read more from ImpactAlpha: https://lnkd.in/e6M9tYsf