Access to funding is so often a barrier for individuals and communities looking to start food and land-based projects. Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are banks and credit unions that specifically focus on making financial resources more accessible to marginalized communities, who are typically excluded from the financial system. CDFIs are commonly used to fund affordable housing projects, small businesses, community centers, and more. If you are looking to start a business or community project in the food world: community development institutions can be a helpful funding resource.

In this two-part workshop, Financial Planner Marta Haydym-Silver will discuss the what, why, and how of CDFIs. These workshops will help demystify the often overwhelming process of finding financial support for new endeavors. These workshops will specifically focus on using CDFIs for food, farm, and gardening projects. With that, the central information offered in these workshops will be useful to participants who are interested in utilizing CDFIs for any number of initiatives.Marta will also discuss the CDFIs located in Maine, so that participants can come away from the workshop with knowledge on how to proceed through local processes.

This is part two in the series. This section will cover how to interact with CDFIs. On one side is the consumer who gets to utilize the resources of the institution that it is applying to. On the other side is the investor that gets to support various CDFIs through donating or investing. Attending both workshops is recommended for a full view of how to utilize CDFIs, but is not necessary for participation in either workshop. All registrants for part 1, part 2, or both, will receive the Zoom link and recording for both workshops.

Instructor Bio:

Marta Haydym-Silver is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™️ and Accredited Investment Fiduciary®️️. She specializes in financial planning for small business owners and solopreneurs. Marta is also an advocate of diversifying investments between traditional pre-tax contribution accounts and post-tax contribution Roth accounts.

Originally from Ukraine, Marta moved to the US as a child and has lived in Westbrook with her family for the past 14 years. Her experience as an immigrant has made her dedicated to breaking down complex financial concepts into easily understandable information, which she believes is crucial to empowering families with the financial literacy needed to break generational cycles of poverty and build generational wealth. She was honored with the 2021 Out Front Leadership Award from Equality Maine for her commitment to financial education and community impact.