Training - The 2026 OFN Conference

Arrive a day early to take advantage of training opportunities during OFN42's pre-Conference day! These workshop-style, half-day and full-day courses provide more comprehensive, interactive learning than our standard breakout sessions.

Please note that training availability is limited and there is a separate, non-refundable registration fee.

If you are interested in registering solely for trainings, please email developmentservices@ofn.org for information on how to do so.

New to the CDFI industry, or a current practitioner wanting to learn more? Start here! During this half-day orientation, you’ll learn what a CDFI is, get to know the four types of CDFIs, and discover the industry’s growing impact on communities across the country. We’ll walk through how the industry has evolved over the past 50 years, shaped by early mission-driven leaders, bipartisan champions, and catalytic support from groups like the Women Religious.

You’ll come away with an understanding of the industry's roots, why CDFIs matter, and what’s happening in the field today. From industry trends to surprising fun facts (yes, Saturday Night Live really did mention the CDFI Fund), this Orientation will ground you in the essentials and offer a great opportunity to build community and network with others in the CDFI sector!

Length: Half-Day, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CT

Registration Fee: $160 per person for OFN Members; $285 per person for General/Non-Members.

Capitalization is at the heart of every CDFI loan fund, but understanding how capital flows through your organization, and how to structure it effectively, isn’t always straightforward. This foundational training combines OFN’s Capitalization 101 and 201 content into a one-day crash course designed to build your knowledge and confidence in core capitalization concepts.

Starting with the fundamentals, you'll learn about different types of capital, their characteristics, and the role each plays in a CDFI’s capital stack. Building on those basics, the session then dives deeper into how capitalization supports CDFI operations, financing, and growth.

Through real-world examples and interactive exercises, participants will explore how to align sources and uses of capital, identify common challenges in capital structure design, and begin evaluating strategies to strengthen their organization’s capitalization approach. You'll leave with a solid grounding in how capitalization supports CDFI loan fund growth and a stronger understanding of how to apply these concepts to your own organization.

Length: Full Day, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm CT

Registration Fee: $385 per person for OFN Members; $600 per person for General/Non-Members.

In today’s rapidly shifting financial environment, strong financial planning is critical to the stability and growth of mission-driven lenders. This foundational workshop is designed for CDFI professionals involved in budgeting, cash flow management, and financial planning. It offers practical tools, real-world examples, and guided exercises to help participants build the skills and confidence needed to make informed, strategic financial decisions.

The training will cover three key areas:

Budgeting Essentials: Understand the role of budgeting in driving mission and strategy. Learn techniques for building realistic budgets, allocating resources effectively, and aligning financial planning with organizational goals.
Cash Management Strategies: Strengthen your understanding of cash flow drivers and explore tools for managing liquidity, improving visibility, and reducing risk in day-to-day operations.
Scenario Planning for Uncertainty: Move beyond static forecasts and learn how to use scenario planning to anticipate and navigate potential changes in revenue, expenses, and external conditions—so you can respond to uncertainty with confidence and flexibility.

Through interactive exercises, group discussions, and peer exchange, participants will apply concepts directly to their own organizational context. Attendees will also receive access to OFN-developed Excel tools that support budgeting, cash flow tracking, and scenario modeling.

To make the most of this workshop, participants should bring a laptop that can run Microsoft Excel.

Please note: This training is only open to practitioners at OFN members, as well as other mission-driven lenders. 

Length: Full-Day, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm CT

Registration Fee: $450 per person for OFN Members; $600 per person for General/Non-Members.

What does it take to integrate generative AI into your organization—and where should you start? As interest in AI grows across the CDFI field, many organizations are exploring how these tools can enhance their work while navigating questions around risk, capacity, and practical application.

In this half-day training, participants will gain a practical understanding of how to evaluate, adopt, and implement generative AI in a way that aligns with their organization’s mission, strategy, and day-to-day operations. This session focuses on moving from curiosity to execution, with an emphasis on decision-making, prioritization, and internal alignment.

We’ll begin with a brief overview of the generative AI landscape and emerging use cases, then focus on key considerations for implementation, including data governance, risk management, internal policies, and staff adoption. The session will close with a focus on organizational readiness and change management, helping participants identify clear, actionable next steps for responsible AI integration.

This workshop is best suited for executive leaders and senior managers responsible for strategy, operations, or innovation, as well as IT, data, and operations staff supporting technology implementation and systems integration. It is also relevant for CDFI and other mission-driven lending practitioners who are exploring how to thoughtfully introduce AI into their organization.

Length: Half Day, 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm CT

Registration Fee: $160 per person for OFN Members; $285 per person for General/Non-Members.

OFN Training | Capitalization Crash Course

OFN Training | Generative AI 101 Workshop: Organizational Transformation