-Overview
Opportunity Zones, a federal economic development tool that provides tax incentives for investments in low-income communities, are back and bigger than ever. They’re one of the most exciting and catalytic development finance tools in decades. Originally introduced as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), in 2025 Congress passed legislation to renew and strengthen this successful program.
An Opportunity Zone designation alone does not guarantee investment in your community. Effectively leveraging this complex tool requires a strong understanding of its strategies and deployment mechanisms. Communities and practitioners with the most comprehensive knowledge and preparedness will be best positioned to unlock the full potential of this innovative financing tool, supporting community revitalization, economic development, and housing projects.
The CDFA Intro Opportunity Zones Finance Course will bring together program designers, fund managers, community leaders, investors, and policy experts to share strategies for attracting zone investments and maximizing Opportunity Zones 2.0. The course will also cover key legislative updates, including enhanced bonus depreciation provisions, new zone designations with an emphasis on rural areas, and other critical policy developments.
This course is presented in partnership with Grow America.
This course qualifies for the CDFA Training Institute's Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) Program. Start down the road to personal and professional advancement today.
Register
Course Objectives
- Learn the fundamentals of Opportunity Zones 2.0
- Understand key legislative updates and changes
- Explore how OZs can support housing and other development projects
- Gain insight into the key players shaping the Opportunity Zone landscape
- Engage directly with fund managers and investors
- Discuss best practices for structuring Opportunity Zones and Opportunity Funds
- Learn how to identify potential funders and effectively market your zones
- Explore how OZ 2.0 can contribute to community revitalization
- Build connections and identify opportunities for future investment
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Topics Covered
- Fundamentals of Opportunity Zones
- Strategies for attracting investment
- Engaging stakeholders and communities
- Rural and urban Opportunity Zone approaches
- Impact investing within Opportunity Zones
- Community, zone-level, and project case studies
- Timing and location of Opportunity Fund investments
- Fund-manager perspectives on zone investment
- State-level Opportunity Zone strategies
- Debt-financing tools that complement Opportunity Fund investments
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Who Should Attend?
- Economic development professionals
- Community development practitioners
- Real estate developers
- Investors and fund managers
- Non-profit leaders
- Elected officials
- Legal counsel
- Policymakers
- Accountants and tax professionals
- Commercial bankers
- Financial advisors
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-Agenda
Tuesday, June 29, 2027
| Tue 11:00 AM - 11:10 AM |
Welcome & Overview
Opportunity Zones 2.0 builds on the foundation of the original incentive, incorporating lessons learned and updated approaches to investment, equity, and long-term impact. This session introduces the scope and structure of the course, highlighting the range of strategies, tools, and perspectives we’ll explore together.
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| Tue 11:10 AM - 12:10 PM |
Opportunity Zones: The Fundamentals & What’s Changed
This session provides a comprehensive overview of the Opportunity Zone (OZ) incentive, including its origins, purpose, tax benefits, and the process for OZ designation. Participants will also explore how the OZ landscape has evolved since the program's launch, including changes in market conditions, investment activity, and community strategies, and how these developments are shaping current approaches to attracting investment.
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| Tue 12:10 PM - 1:00 PM |
Laying the Groundwork: Partnerships, Assets & Local Readiness
Strong OZ investment starts with strong community groundwork. This session explores how local leaders can engage key partners, conduct asset and opportunity mapping, and organize investment pipelines. Participants will also learn how a well-crafted investment prospectus can communicate both market potential and community priorities to prospective investors.
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| Tue 1:00 PM - 1:10 PM |
Break
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| Tue 1:10 PM - 2:00 PM |
Stacking Capital: Financing Projects in OZs
Most successful Opportunity Zone projects rely on multiple sources of capital. This session explores how OZ equity can be combined with financing tools such as bonds, tax credits, revolving loan funds, and other public and private resources. Participants will examine how these funding sources work together to strengthen project feasibility and maximize community impact.
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| Tue 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM |
Opportunity Funds 2.0: Structure, Strategy & Alignment
This session explores how Opportunity Funds are evolving—moving toward greater transparency, compliance awareness, and impact-driven investment strategies. Participants will learn the fundamentals of fund formation and structure, explore the characteristics of appealing funds, and discuss how communities can better align their projects and priorities with fund goals.
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| Tue 2:45 PM - 3:25 PM |
What Opportunity Funds Want
Understanding what attracts an Opportunity Fund is key to securing investment. This session examines how fund managers evaluate opportunities based on financial returns, mission alignment, project readiness, market conditions, and risk. Participants will gain practical insights into how to position projects to better meet the expectations of today's Opportunity Fund investors.
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| Tue 3:25 PM - 3:35 PM |
Break
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| Tue 3:35 PM - 4:15 PM |
Working with Federal Partners & Programs
Many federal agencies offer programs and resources that can complement Opportunity Zone investments. This session provides an overview of federal funding opportunities, financing tools, and technical assistance programs that can be layered with OZ capital. Participants will also learn strategies for positioning projects to access these resources and strengthen overall project financing.
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| Tue 4:15 PM - 4:55 PM |
Spotlight: Emerging Strategies & Community Approaches
The course concludes with examples of emerging Opportunity Zone strategies and innovative community approaches from the field. Participants will explore evolving fund models, updated investment prospectuses, and community-led initiatives while gaining practical lessons from how others are adapting the Opportunity Zone incentive to support long-term economic development.
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| Tue 4:55 PM - 5:00 PM |
Closing Discussion / Final Questions
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-Location
The Intro Opportunity Zones Course will take place on Zoom from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern. Attendees must have access to a computer and the internet to attend the course. |
-Registration
This training course qualifies for the CDFA Training Institute's
Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) Program. Start down the road to personal and professional advancement today.
CDFA Foundation Scholarship Program
Scholarships are available for CDFA Members in need to attend CDFA Training Courses. Learn more about the
CDFA Foundation Scholarship Program and submit your application today. Please note that the
application deadline is two weeks prior to the course start date.
Group Discount
Organizations registering five or more attendees qualify for a group discount. Register four attendees at the full price, and each additional registration receives 50% off. To receive the discount, contact
info@cdfa.net before registering.
CDFA permits only one person to log in and participate in the course. If multiple people are accessing the course without paying to attend, we will terminate the connection and access.
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CDFA Member: $500
Non-Member: $825
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CDFA Member: $625
Non-Member: $950
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Register