Advocacy
Sometimes Entrepreneurs Need a Loan. Other Times, They Need our Voice.
Our advocacy vision is to help create an inclusive world in which all entrepreneurs have the opportunity to make their dreams come true, and struggling communities become economically vibrant. To succeed, we need to change the broader systems impacting our work and the communities we serve.
That’s why we will continue to support sensible public policies and produce original research to close the opportunity gap and move the conversation forward. Our policy, advocacy and research activities are important levers to support our growth, our impact, and our campaign for the systemic changes we hope to achieve across the country.
What We’re Advocating
Right Now
$30B Set-Aside for the Most Vulnerable Small Businesses in New PPP Funding is a Carve-Out in Name Only
Congress passed $320 billion in new funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Thursday, including $30 billion for lenders with relationships with traditionally underserved businesses. This is a $30 billion carve-out in name only, and will not adequately help the nation’s most vulnerable business owners who were completely left out of the first round of funding.
Continue ReadingThe CRA Should Be Strengthened, Not Diluted
Opportunity Fund submitted a letter in response to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's (FDIC) proposed reforms to ‘modernize’ the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). This is our official statement on their proposed changes to the CRA.
Continue ReadingOur Current Policy Priorities
Advance Responsible Business Lending on behalf of every American small business owner. Unlike consumers, small business owners have few legal protections from high-cost, low-transparency loans that can cause more harm than good. The Small Business Borrower’s Bill of Rights (BBoR) is the first cross-sector consensus on the responsible lending practices that all small businesses deserve and should serve as a guide to state and federal policymakers. The BBoR includes the rights to:
- Transparent pricing and terms
- Non-abusive products
- Responsible underwriting
- Fair treatment from brokers
- Responsible underwriting
- Fair treatment from brokers
Support and Improve Federal Programs that foster economic opportunity. Underserved entrepreneurs can thrive with a fully funded Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. Low income communities can invest in quality services and jobs with a permanent New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) program. Financial institutions can do their part to fully serve all neighborhoods with a robust Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). And all consumers benefit when the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) fights against unfair, deceptive and abusive practices.
Expand State Credit Enhancement Programs that help lenders say “yes.” State-run Capital Access Programs (CAPs) make it possible to fund entrepreneurs that are generally considered “too risky” to get the capital they need. For each loan enrolled, CAP programs provide a small contribution to a loan loss reserve account – providing a high degree of leverage (and therefore, impact) per public dollar invested. To create a healthy ecosystem for underserved small business owners, these programs must be expanded.