CAMEO’s National CDFI Academy is excited to launch a new course, Introduction to Green and Clean Energy Lending for Small Business CDFIs, a 90-minute course designed to explore what green lending means in the context of small business finance and how lenders can begin integrating green considerations into existing products and underwriting processes without overhauling operations.
Through peer examples and practical discussion, participants will begin to assess opportunities, challenges and next steps to incorporate green lending into current products and workflows while strengthening support for small business resilience and sustainability.
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Define green lending in the small business CDFI context
- Identify common types of green loan products relevant to small and micro businesses
- Understand how green lending aligns with mission, risk management, and emerging funding opportunities
- Explore ways to incorporate green eligibility criteria into existing underwriting and loan policies
- Review examples of how peer CDFIs have integrated green lending into current products and workflows
- Identify partnerships that can support green lending efforts
- Assess internal readiness and next steps for piloting a green lending product
About the Instructors
Molly Gionta
Molly Gionta is Director of Clean Energy Finance at the Center for Impact Finance. Molly leads the Center’s work focused on the clean energy transition, climate mitigation and adaptation, and community sustainability and resilience in low-income and underserved communities. Previously, Molly was Senior Manager at Fannie Mae, where she scaled the Multifamily Green Financing program to over $132 billion in Green MBS and drove product innovation for utility savings and building decarbonization. Her career spans roles in local and federal government, nonprofits, and consulting, including leadership of DC’s Solar for All program and contributions to green building policy and programs.
Hannah Vargason
Hannah is Director of Program and Operations at the Center for Impact Finance. She has experience in community economic development, small business, clean energy, and green infrastructure. At the Center, she has researched and developed tools and training in clean energy and resilience, local food systems, real estate development, and community banks. Before joining the Center, Hannah spent 10 years with Partner Community Capital, a small business lender and CDFI that serves Central Appalachia and the Southeast. During her tenure she held various roles in development services and partnerships, supporting entrepreneurs and mission-driven lending across the region.
About the Center for Impact Finance
The Center for Impact Finance is a nationally recognized applied research center and a trusted partner in advancing the field of community development finance. CIF was originally founded in 2009 at the University of New Hampshire. CIF addresses income and wealth inequality by promoting increased access to capital for underserved communities, through applied research, training, and practitioner-driven solutions. Working across a wide range of topics – from affordable housing to small business finance to clean energy and climate resilience – CIF collaborates closely with practitioners, funders and investors, and policymakers to design solutions that expand access to capital.
Who should attend this course?
This course is designed for team members interested in exploring how green and clean energy lending can fit within existing small business finance strategies, including: loan officers, underwriters, portfolio managers, lending leadership, program managers, leadership and board members from CDFIs, nonprofit lenders, and mission-based organizations.
PRICING
The cost of attending this course is $125. CAMEO Member pricing is $62.50.
Virginia-based CDFIs may attend free of charge thanks to generous support from Woodforest National Bank.
Contact Dara Dado (ddado@CAMEOnetwork.org) for the CAMEO Member discount and VA discount code.
CAMEO MEMBERSHIP
To learn more about CAMEO membership benefits and pricing, please click here.Scholarships are available for organizations that qualify. Please contact Dara Dado (ddado@CAMEOnetwork.org) to learn more.
Interested in other CAMEO Courses like this?
Check out our other courses:
HR Series – June 18 and June 25 at 10am PT
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