Treasury CDFI Bond Guarantee Program
U.S. Department of the Treasury — CDFI Fund
Up to $500M annually
Researched for this program: 4 rejection traps · 5 required documentsWhat decides this award ↓
Long-term government-backed bonds for CDFI lending
The CDFI Bond Guarantee Program enables certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to issue long-term bonds (10–30 years) guaranteed by the federal government, then re-lend those funds at below-market rates to businesses, nonprofits, housing projects, and community facilities in low-income and distressed communities. While CDFIs are the direct recipients, the program ultimately lowers the cost of capital for the small businesses, commercial real estate projects, and community enterprises that CDFIs serve. Up to $500 million in bond authority is available annually.
- Funding type
- Program
- Level
- Federal
- Amount range
- $100,000,000 – $500,000,000
- Realistic amount
- Individual CDFIs receive $100M–$200M in bond guarantee authority per issuance. End-borrowers (small businesses/nonprofit…
- Deadline
- Annual — FY2025 application period was open; FY2026 application period typically opens fall of prior fiscal year. Final CDFI application deadline varies by cycle.
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- loan
Who qualifies
- DIRECT RECIPIENTS are certified CDFIs only — must be Treasury-certified as a CDFI and demonstrate organizational capacity to issue bonds
- CDFI must have audited financial statements and a history of lending in eligible communities
- Minimum bond issuance of $100 million
- Bond proceeds must be re-lent for eligible community or economic development purposes
- End-borrowers (small businesses, nonprofits, community facilities) access through their local CDFI — no direct federal application
- Eligible communities: Low-Income and distressed areas as defined by the CDFI Fund
Hard requirements
- Funds intermediaries, not businesses directly
- Must be incorporated
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Small business capital investment in eligible low-income communities
- Commercial real estate in qualifying areas
- Rental housing development
- Community facilities (charter schools, health centers, nonprofits)
- Economic development infrastructure in distressed areas
Ineligible expenses
- Personal use expenditures
- Projects in non-qualifying geographic areas
- Speculative real estate in already-gentrified areas
How to apply
-
1
CDFIs apply to the CDFI Fund during the annual application window
Certified CDFIs submit applications through MyCDFI Fund portal. Application includes financial statements, organizational capacity documentation, and proposed bond terms.
-
2
Treasury issues bond guarantee approval
CDFI Fund reviews and approves qualified CDFIs. Treasury then guarantees 100% of principal and interest on the bond, enabling the CDFI to access capital markets at near-Treasury rates.
-
3
CDFIs issue bonds and deploy capital to end-borrowers
Approved CDFIs issue bonds in the capital markets and deploy proceeds to eligible borrowers — small businesses, rental housing, commercial real estate, and community facilities in qualifying communities.
Small businesses don't apply here — find a CDFI lender already operating in your community via the CDFI Locator at cdfifund.gov. CDFIs that participate in this program offer multi-decade financing at rates that bank loans can't match.
Deadline & timing
Annual application cycle through the CDFI Fund. CDFIs apply directly; individual small business borrowers access funds through their local CDFI lender — no direct application to Treasury required for end-borrowers. FY2026 bond guarantee authority of up to $500M available through September 30, 2026.
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