Ryan Zerwer’s Post

On this episode of the Bankcast, we talk with Phil Eide and Jena Reed from our member Hope Credit Union about how the credit union successfully reaches underserved communities with FHLB Dallas community investment programs. https://ow.ly/z3Y350TzygO #BridgingtheGap #InternationalPodcastDay

Over a month ago, I was nominated to participate in LSU Community Collaborative: For The Community by The Community. This is a community capacity-building project designed to enhance individuals' ability to actively engage in community planning and decision-making to improve local well-being.  During this time, I identified community needs and submitted a grant application to implement a public project in Louisiana called the "Conqueror Community Savings Program."  The "Conqueror Community Savings Program" aims to empower individuals in underrepresented communities to build financial resilience. Through a workshop and 10-week Savings Program, participants learn to navigate financial shocks without resorting to high-interest loans. Hopefully, I will be one of the four grant applicants who will move to the next engagement phase and receive $5,000 to implement their project. I am so thankful for this opportunity to continue my company mission of increasing financial literacy and business development skillsets in underserved communities.  In the meantime, this week, I'll be sharing valuable insights on five actionable steps to create a grant-fundable, impactful project within your company. Don't miss out—join my email list to stay updated! https://buff.ly/3yq0oBT #CommunityBuilding #FinancialResilience #GrantApplication #CommunityEmpowerment #CapacityBuilding #FinancialLiteracy #BusinessDevelopment #UnderservedCommunities #PublicProject #LSUCommunity #CommunityPlanning #SavingsProgram #ImpactfulProjects #GrantFunded #StayUpdated #JoinMyEmailList #Empowerment #CommunityWellBeing #FinancialEducation #InnovationInAction

Be prepared to learn, to create a vision, and to act! You will engage with a team of other community leaders to express a vision for a People Ready Community and then carry out a project to support that vision. You and your team will use what you learn in workshops to design the project, set a budget, request a Seedling Grant, and carry out the activities in your community. Now accepting applications for Knox, Whitley, & Letcher Counties. 🔗tinyurl.com/BFLI-PRC This program is supported by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) with $320,000 (80%) in federal funds and $80,000 (20%) financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ARC or the U.S. Government. #brushyfork #peopleready #communitydevelopment #leadershipdevelopment #economicdevelopment #letchercountyky #knoxcountyky #whitleycountyky #eky #easternky

Every community in every ZIP code should be a place where people can live their healthiest lives. No matter where you live, everyone should have access to affordable housing, good jobs, clean and safe drinking water, and a thriving local economy. To make this vision a reality, we need a stronger, more equitable community development finance system. At Impact Investments at RWJF, we know that this system is critical for creating opportunity and advancing health equity in communities that historically have been excluded from traditional financing. That’s why we invest across the spectrum of community development finance, from community development financial institutions to credit unions and more, to support the people and businesses that make the places they live a home for themselves and their neighbors. Learn more: https://rwjf.ws/muDhD1

IN THE NEWS: The newly formed, private, nonprofit countywide economic development organization is dedicated to encouraging growth and prosperity in conjunction with local, regional, and statewide economic development and philanthropic organizations and public sector leaders. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gVvcy-dr #economicdevelopment #loraincounty #ohio #oneloraincounty

For businesses in North Yorkshire, there are some grants available from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund -https://lnkd.in/eatN3nhC "Woohoo!" I hear you cry. Well that was my initial reaction until I read that this didn't include businesses in the City of York, where the City of York Council's share of the UK Prosperity Fund is being spent on programmes and other activities - more on that here: https://lnkd.in/esspA3cW I don't see a problem with this approach, I just find it strange that the actions of City of York council and North Yorkshire Council don't align when they are pretty well linked, for example through the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub. There are many small businesses and individuals ready to start their business journey in York, many of whom will already have a business plan and just need financial support to help them make their next move. For example, there are many creative businesses that may need this support to get themselves started or level up their existing business, which could help strengthen York's position as a UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts. In the meantime, I might just have to move my small business down the road to Escrick if I want to apply for local grant funding🤷♂️

Most community schools are funded by a combination of federal, state, local, public, & private funds. These LPI reports highlight federal funding sources and state strategies for investing in community schools. Federal ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g4CmTdqc State ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gbQ2K2VX #CommunitySchools #SchoolFunding

🎉 Celebrating 30 Years of CDFI Impact! 🎉 This week, we proudly celebrate the 30th anniversary of the CDFI Fund, a cornerstone of financial justice and opportunity in America, alongside our re-certification as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). The bipartisan Riegle Community Development Act was signed into law thirty years ago, establishing the CDFI Fund. Since then, CDFIs have collectively invested $216 billion in communities, creating or retaining 5.3 million American jobs! 💼 At Access Plus Capital, our re-certification reaffirms our commitment to these impactful initiatives. As the Central Valley’s CDFI, we’ve deployed over $60 million to more than 1,000 small businesses from Bakersfield to Sacramento, empowering entrepreneurs in historically underserved communities to turn their dreams into reality. 🌟 Our mission is clear: to eliminate economic barriers and provide fair, equitable investment in the communities that need it most. As we look ahead, we are more dedicated than ever to advancing financial opportunity and justice for all. Here’s to the next 30 years of empowering communities, creating jobs, and fostering economic growth! 💪 #FirstToBelieve #FinanceJustice #OpportunityForAll #CDFIFund #CDFI #ImpactInvesting #CreateJobsForUSA #OpportunityEconomy #AccessPlusCapital

"Jessica Nairns, a participant in the Austin Guaranteed Income Pilot, shares her story of receiving $1,000 monthly, and how it helped her navigate challenges while still struggling to secure stable housing. The program, serving 135 low-income families, aimed to provide financial support, but Nairns highlights the ongoing need for more comprehensive solutions and support. #BasicIncome #FinancialStability #AustinGuaranteedIncomePilot"