The Advanced Tax Increment Finance Reference Guide is published in partnership with the CDFA Training Institute and the Council’s Tax Increment Finance Coalition. The Advanced TIF Guide builds upon CDFA’s introductory offerings by exploring in-depth the complexities and transformative potential of tax increment financing. The guide examines model policies, guidelines & procedures and outlines the TIF process from A to Z. Throughout the book, clear guidance is offered for assessing project feasibility and monitoring the performance of active TIF districts. In addition, the guide outlines the critical elements of state TIF statutes that should be known in order to ensure project success and long term economic prosperity. This guide covers:

• Model policies, guidelines & procedures
• TIF process from A to Z
• Assessing project feasibility
• Monitoring the performance of active TIF districts
• Critical elements of state TIF statutes
• Case studies

Published: November 2009

For those working through the Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) Program, the DFCP Study Pack contains all of the reference guides needed to prepare for the final comprehensive exam. This complete set can be used as a study guide before the exam. CDFA also permits these guides to be used as reference materials during the exam. The DFCP Study Pack is offered with a special 10% discount and includes one copy of each of the following:

• Practitioner's Guide to Economic Development Finance, 3rd Edition
• Development Bond Finance Reference Guide
• Advanced Bond Finance Reference Guide
• Tax Increment Finance Best Practices Reference Guide
• Advanced Tax Increment Finance Reference Guide
• Tax Credit Finance Reference Guide
• Revolving Loan Fund Finance Reference Guide
• Innovation Finance Reference Guide

The Innovation Finance Reference Guide explores the growing seed, venture capital and angel investment industry. Written by Robert Heard of Cimarron Capital Partners and Jim Troxel of Development Capital Networks, this guide gives development finance agencies a roadmap for building an innovation finance initiative that supports entrepreneurship, business investment, job creation, and 21st century technology development. This guide covers:

• How Innovation Finance can enhance your economic development strategy
• How to design and establish an investment program
• How to manage, market, and promote a program
• The decision making process
• Pre- and post-investment closing
• Managing an investment portfolio

Published: May 2011

The Practitioner's Guide to Economic Development Finance is the only comprehensive resource dedicated to building and utilizing the development finance toolbox. The Practitioner's Guide provides the insight and practical information needed to critically understand how economic development is financed and the tools, strategies, and techniques used to build strong communities. From bonds, tax increment finance, and special districts to tax credits, seed & venture capital, revolving loan funds, and much more, this book outlines the financing tools required for succeeding in today's competitive economic development climate. The Practitioner's Guide covers:

• Understanding development finance
• Building the development finance toolbox
• Bedrock tools
• Targeted tools
• Investment tools
• Access to capital lending tools
• Federal Support tools
• Case studies

Non-Member Price: $125.00
CDFA Member Price: $75.00
Bulk Orders (10 or more): $45.00

Published: September 2021

The Revolving Loan Fund Reference Guide offers an in-depth look at RLF program development, implementation and management. This guide demonstrates how an RLF program can complement economic development strategies, encourage investment and assist traditionally underserved businesses. With seven case studies of proven RLF programs and over twenty sample documents, policies, and applications, this guide covers the essential elements of operating a successful RLF program. This guide covers:

• RLF basics
• Designing and marketing RLF programs
• Pre-closing and the loan closing process
• Post-closing and follow-up
• Loan servicing and reporting
• What to do when a deal goes bad
• Case studies

Published: November 2010

The Tax Credit Finance Reference Guide provides an exploratory overview of how communities can use tax credit finance programs, such as New Markets Tax Credits, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, or Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits, to support economic growth. Written in conjunction with Ice Miller LLP, this guide examines how to effectively apply tax credits to development opportunities, and explains the basics of tax credits and the fundamentals of using these tools. In addition, the guide walks through the pros and cons of using tax credits along with the guidelines for completing due diligence, performance monitoring, and benchmarking success. This comprehensive Reference Guide discusses in detail the primary tax credits available at the federal level, along with certain state tax credit programs, and includes numerous case studies of successful tax credit projects. This guide covers:

• New Markets Tax Credits
• Low Income Housing Tax Credits
• Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits
• Brownfield Tax Credits
• Energy Tax Credits
• Innovative State Tax Credit Programs

Published: October 2011

The Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA), Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Inc., and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) have collaborated with teams of Tax Increment Finance (TIF) experts from across the country to develop the Tax Increment Finance Best Practices Reference Guide. The reference guide addresses what TIF is, why it should be used, and how best to apply the TIF tool. The reference guide also highlights both TIF and special assessment projects from across the country and discusses how they can be applied to address many common economic development issues. This guide covers:

• What is TIF and when should it be used
• Project-specific vs. district-wide TIFs
• Typical improvements
• Building community buy-in
• TIF bonds
• Financing variations
• Case studies for retail, mixed-use, housing, transportation and transit-oriented developments, brownfields, community improvements, and economic development

Published: November 2015

Unlocking Capital: A Handbook for Becoming a High Performing Development Finance Agency (Handbook) serves as a companion to the Practitioner’s Guide to help illuminate the structures of development finance agencies (DFAs), essential conduits to access development finance tools. The Handbook provides an overview of DFAs and their myriad roles in various development efforts. Included in this discussion is a comprehensive look at over a dozen high-performing DFAs throughout the country. The Handbook is designed to be a starting point for local leaders to engage in the creation or acceleration of a DFA to build and utilize the development finance toolbox. Chapters include:

• What is a Development Finance Agency?
• Tools Utilized by Development Finance Agencies
• High Performing Development Finance Agencies

Published: November 2017