Northern Shores Loan Fund

CDFI Fund Announces First Group of Native CDFIs Participating in “The Leadership Journey” Training Series

April 17, 2012

Washington, DC - Sixteen certified Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) will be the first participants in the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund’s (CDFI Fund) Capacity Building Initiative training series designed specifically for Native organizations. The Native CDFIs will be a part of The Leadership Journey: Native CDFI Growth & Excellence (The Leadership Journey) training series for two years, during which time they will develop leadership skills and resources to further staff growth and increase organizational performance.

In February, 27 representatives from the CDFIs gathered in Albuquerque, New Mexico to participate in the kick-off meeting for the cohort. Over the course of four days, participants engaged in exercises, group activities, and case studies that focused on staff and human resource management; leadership styles, techniques, and best practices; raising debt and equity from private sources; understanding sustainability practices through product offering management; and succession plans. The training was delivered through a peer-based learning format.

The Leadership Journey will offer three additional cohort training events over the next two years along with customized technical assistance. The next training is scheduled for May 7-11, 2012 and will be held at the NeighborWorks® America Training Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana. Cohort members will be able to access a wide range of trainings through the Institute, all tailored to their leadership and resource development needs.

The Leadership Journey is funded by the CDFI Fund as part of its overall Capacity Building Initiative and is delivered through NeighborWorks® America, in partnership with Seven Sisters Development Group.

To learn more about the Capacity Building Initiative, or the CDFI Fund’s other programs, please visit https://www.cdfifund.gov/.

The Leadership Journey Training Participants

Community Development Financial Institution of the Tohono O’odham Nation
Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement
Four Bands Community Fund
Hawaii First Federal Credit Union
Hopi Credit Association
Indian Land Capital Company
Karuk Community Loan Fund, Inc.
The Lakota Fund
Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial Inc.
Native Community Finance
Navajo Partnership for Housing, Inc.
Niijii Capital Partners, Inc.
Northern Shores Loan Fund, Inc.
Northwest Native Development Fund
Salt River Financial Services Institution

Northern Shores Loan Fund, Inc. Receives $725,000 CDFI NACA Award

Northern Shores Loan Fund, Inc. (NSLF) was one of only 35 organizations serving economically distressed native communities nationwide to receive an award made through the fiscal 2011 round of the CDFI Fund’s Native Initiatives Financial and Technical Assistance component; the Native American CDFI Assistance Program (NACA Program), announced by the U.S. Department of Treasury on August 24, 2011. Read More »...

About Us

Our Board

Laura Blumberg – Chair
Patricia Dyer-Deckrow – Vice Chair
Chasity Savage – Secretary
Kent Bartell – Treasurer
Steven Sochay – Member

Our Mission

Northern Shores Loan Fund, Inc., a nonprofit corporation assists entrepreneurs of Northern Michigan with training, business incubation, and access to capital that fosters economic development for the Northern Michigan community.

Statement of Purpose

The Corporation was formed for charitable and educational purposes to promote economic and social development for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB). This will include training, technical assistance, business incubation and a loan fund for potential and existing entrepreneurs who may or may not be tribal citizens of LTBB.