# CDFI

Concept · [Fundraising and equity](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/fundraising)

Also called: community development financial institution, community lender, mission lender, microloan, micro loan, microlender

Short for community development financial institution. A lender whose mission is to serve people and businesses that banks often turn away. Many make [small business loans](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/small-business-loan) and offer [coaching](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/mentor) with the loan.

**For example:** A bank declines a new food business that has no credit history. A CDFI lends it a smaller amount and pairs the owner with a business coach.

## Connects to (7)

- [Small business loan](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/small-business-loan): Money a business borrows and must repay with interest.
- [TEDC Creative Capital](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/tedc-creative-capital): A Tulsa small business lender, founded in 1979 as Tulsa Economic Development Corporation.
- [MetaFund](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/metafund): An Oklahoma nonprofit community development financial institution, or CDFI.
- [REI Oklahoma](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/rei-oklahoma): A statewide nonprofit that offers flexible financing and business development help to Oklahomans with limited access to resources.
- [Non-dilutive funding](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/non-dilutive-funding): Money a company receives without giving up any ownership.
- [Avanzando Juntos](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/avanzando-juntos): A Tulsa nonprofit that lends to and supports small businesses.
- [Opportunity zone](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/opportunity-zone): A designated low-income area in the US where investors can put money through special funds and postpone tax on certain gains.

> This glossary is plain-language orientation, not legal or financial advice. Before you decide on a company structure, a contract, taxes or a fundraising deal, talk with a lawyer or an accountant.

Map view: https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/cdfi