Cook Inlet Lending Center Addresses CDFI Fund Uncertainty, Reaffirms Commitment to Alaska Native Communities
CILC Business Loan Officer, Ann Lawson, connects with the community at AFN 2025
A Message to Our Community
Today, we're addressing a critical development that affects not just Cook Inlet Lending Center, but Native communities across Alaska and the nation.
On October 10, 2025, the federal government announced that all staff of the CDFI Fund will be terminated effective December 13, 2025. This decision has far-reaching implications for the nearly 100 certified and emerging Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) that serve Tribal Nations and communities nationwide.
What This Means
The termination of CDFI Fund operations threatens the distribution of congressionally appropriated funding, including:
$28 million allocated for the Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program for fiscal year 2025
$35 million proposed for fiscal year 2026
Beyond immediate funding concerns, the elimination of CDFI Fund operations would end the federal certification process that Native CDFIs leverage to secure significant investments from private sources. This certification has served as an official seal of approval, helping close the severe capital access gap faced by Tribal Nations and their citizens.
The decision also places at risk the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program, which was recently made permanent through federal legislation and provides critically needed private investment in economic and community development projects on tribal lands.
The Impact of Native CDFIs
The numbers tell a powerful story about why Native CDFIs matter:
Investment Leverage: Native CDFIs have historically leveraged every federal dollar invested into $8 of private sector investments in Native communities.
Since Fiscal Year 2010, NACA Financial Assistance recipients have:
Originated nearly $2.6 billion in total loans and investments
Provided more than $659 million in financing to nearly 4,340 businesses
Supported the development of nearly 500 units of affordable housing in distressed and underserved communities
These institutions provide critical financing for small businesses, housing and homeownership, consumer needs, and economic development projects in areas traditionally underserved by mainstream banking institutions.
Our Commitment Remains Unwavering
We want to be absolutely clear: Cook Inlet Lending Center will continue our lending operations and financial services.
"We want to assure our community members, partners, and stakeholders that Cook Inlet Lending Center will continue our lending operations and financial services," said Jeff Tickle, President and CEO of Cook Inlet Lending Center.
CILC will continue to serve our clients with the same commitment and care, regardless of federal certification status or funding availability. We remain focused on our core mission of supporting economic self-sufficiency and prosperity throughout Alaska Native communities.
The Broader Picture
The CDFI Fund has operated successfully for more than 30 years, awarding over $7.4 billion to CDFIs, community development organizations, and financial institutions through its funding programs. The Fund also allocated $76 billion in tax credits through the NMTC Program and guaranteed nearly $2.5 billion in bonds through the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program.
This track record demonstrates not just the Fund's effectiveness, but the critical role it plays in fulfilling federal trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations.
We're Not Alone in This Fight
Cook Inlet Lending Center joins the Native CDFI Network and 152 co-signatory organizations nationwide in calling for reconsideration of this decision. Our collective advocacy emphasizes that the CDFI Fund and NACA Program represent practical fulfillment of the federal government's trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations.
Looking Forward
While we face uncertainty about federal funding and certification, our mission has never been clearer. Alaska Native communities need and deserve access to capital and financial services. We've built our organization to be resilient, and we will continue to serve our community through whatever challenges lie ahead.
We encourage our community members, stakeholders, and supporters to:
Stay informed about developments regarding the CDFI Fund
Contact your congressional representatives to voice support for Native CDFIs
Continue to partner with us in building economic prosperity in Alaska Native communities
Stay Connected
We will continue to provide updates as this situation develops. If you have questions about how this affects your relationship with CILC or our services, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Contact: Jeff Tickle, President/CEO | (907) 793-3722 | jtickle@cookinletlending.com
Cook Inlet Lending Center is a certified Native Community Development Financial Institution dedicated to increasing access to capital and financial services for Alaska Native individuals, families, and businesses throughout Alaska.