Empowering Rural Communities Through: Lending Expansion and CDFI Certification

Based in southeastern Oklahoma, LIFT Community Action Agency (LIFT CAA) offers housing and economic development services to support under-resourced communities across the region. During the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) grant period, LIFT CAA assisted its partner, the Southeast Oklahoma Community Development Corporation (SOCDC), in earning Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certification in September 2024. This achievement unlocks new funding opportunities for SOCDC to expand small business and homeownership lending in rural areas. With technical assistance, LIFT CAA helped prepare the way for this transition by strengthening SOCDC’s policies, governance capacity, and readiness to introduce new financial products, including a Credit Builder Loan and a Down Payment Assistance Loan.