Grant to Fuel Environmental Justice Training for Black-led Community Lenders
ORLANDO, Fla. – The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs (The Alliance) announced a $250,000 grant awarded from the Mastercard Impact Fund through the Mastercard Strive USA program , aimed at advancing inclusive economic growth and supporting small businesses nationwide. Mastercard Strive USA’s support boosts The Alliance’s mission to drive economic justice and close the racial wealth gap in underserved communities, by focusing on wealth-building for Black communities.
Through this significant partnership, The Alliance’s Environment and Climate Technical Assistance Program will provide Alliance members with valuable resources, training, and tools to enhance their provision of green lending and development services. Members will gain access to specialized training sessions, webinars, and preparatory tools to help them secure Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) capital and comply with its requirements.
“Persistent inequities in funding and access have hindered Black-led Community Development Financial Institutions [CDFls] from accessing the capital and resources needed to be prepared to assist underserved communities and entrepreneurs to address environmental and climate issues to reduce carbon emission,” said Lenwood V. Long, Sr., CEO of The Alliance. “This partnership with Mastercard Strive USA underscores The Alliance’s commitment to providing our members with innovative financial tools and resources, ensuring that small businesses and entrepreneurs have the support they need to thrive in a sustainable and inclusive economy.”
Mastercard Strive USA is recognized for its commitment to inclusive economic empowerment and strengthening communities through strategic investments in community-focused organizations.
“Small businesses, and particularly underserved small businesses, need to not only benefit from the country’s transition to renewable energy but be part of that process,” said Sandy Fernandez, vice president for social impact for North America at the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. “This grant will help Alliance members and their communities to access and participate in opportunities and funding related to renewable energy projects. We are thrilled to welcome them to Mastercard Strive USA.”
Together, The Alliance and Mastercard Strive USA are excited to advance a shared mission of equipping communities and small business owners to thrive in today’s evolving economic and environmental landscape.
To learn more about The Alliance’s mission and initiatives, visit https://aaacdfi.org/.
About the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs
The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs (The Alliance) is a coalition of nearly 108 CEOs of Black-led Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and mission-driven organizations, comprising loan funds, credit unions, venture capital firms, and non-profit developers. Since 2018, The Alliance’s network collectively services all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As a result, members are uniquely positioned to address issues related to housing and access to capital for African American populations and communities. Learn more about The Alliance and its programs at https://aaacdfi.org/.
About Mastercard Strive USA
Mastercard Strive is a portfolio of philanthropic programs supported by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and funded by the Mastercard Impact Fund. Since it was launched in 2021, Mastercard Strive has supported over 10 million small businesses globally build resilience in the digital economy by helping them go digital, get capital, and access networks and know-how. Follow Mastercard Strive on LinkedIn and subscribe to the newsletter.
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