Last Call to Submit Applications for the 2025 Caren S. Franzini Fellowship
The Caren S. Franzini Fellowship was established to cultivate and celebrate exceptional women in development finance, recognizing their leadership and commitment to advancing the industry. Administered by the CDFA Foundation, this six-month fellowship is open to women employed by a CDFA member organization with less than 10 years of experience in the field. Apply by Friday, March 14!
Kentucky's Castle & Key Distillery Expands Sustainability Efforts with Solar Energy Investment
Castle & Key Distillery, a leading producer of Kentucky's craft spirits, recently completed the first phase of a major solar energy project as part of its ongoing sustainability initiatives. With this investment, the distillery is further solidifying its commitment to renewable energy and harnessing solar power across more than an acre of space while continuing to produce spirits. The $2 million investment was supported by the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grant, a federal initiative aimed at helping rural small businesses transition to renewable energy sources, reduce energy costs, and enhance American energy independence.
Re(Introducing) the Cisco Foundation Regenerative Future Fund: Redefining Impact in Climate Investing
In 2021, the Cisco Foundation made a commitment to address the climate crisis, pledging $100 million over 10 years to fund innovative climate solutions. As climate challenges accelerate and natural disasters intensify, the climate investments program has refined its approach to impact investing by focusing on transformative, venture-backed technologies and solutions, announcing a rebranding as the Regenerative Future Fund.
MyLand Announces $4.8M Program to Enhance Soil Health in Washington State
MyLand, a leading innovator in soil health, announced a new $4.8 million opportunity in Washington State to enhance soil health for farmers. The program, funded in combination by the Washington State Department of Agriculture and Washington State Department of Commerce, focuses on supporting sustainable agricultural practices and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. MyLand's new program, aiming to cover 9,000 acres in Washington, is supported with funding from Washington's Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The CCA supports Washington's climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health.
2025 CDFA Federal Policy Conference Returns April 15-16!
Uncertainty can cause concern. But it can also provide opportunities. This is why we're hosting the annual CDFA Federal Policy Conference, presented with CHFA, this April 15-16 in Washington D.C. This is your chance to hear from—and be heard by—the people influencing the development finance industry at the federal level. This isn't just a networking conference with informative breakout sessions, it's a chance to sit at the table and talk with representatives from federal agencies. Save your seat at this important meeting of the minds, and help us turn uncertainty into opportunity. Register today!
Rockefeller Foundation Invests $3.5M to Support American Farmers, Improve Nutrition & Address Chronic Disease
The Rockefeller Foundation announced $3.5 million to expand and strengthen Food is Medicine (FIM) programs across the United States. As part of The Rockefeller Foundation's $100 million FIM commitment, these grants will advance research, while supporting small and mid-scale U.S. farmers, improving health outcomes for people with chronic disease, and mitigating rising healthcare costs in select communities. In addition, funding will support state-based efforts nationwide to include FIM interventions as a medically covered benefit under Medicaid programs.
GoodSAM Foods Secures $9M Series A to Scale Regenerative Food Movement
GoodSAM Foods, the mission-driven food brand dedicated to regenerative agriculture, transparency, and farmer empowerment, announced a $9 million Series A funding round. This milestone reflects growing investor confidence in sustainable food systems and patient capital models that prioritize long-term impact over short-term gains. The investment also marks a notable achievement for a female-founded and led company, as women entrepreneurs continue to face disproportionate barriers in fundraising. In 2023, companies founded solely by women garnered just 2% of the total capital invested in U.S. venture-backed startups, underscoring the significance of this raise.
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