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Intro Opportunity Zones Finance Course
December 17-18, 2025
Daily: 12:00 - 5:00 PM Eastern

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-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), Congress has just 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

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

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

Course Advisor

Preston Frick Preston Frick
Council of Development Finance Agencies
Manager
Preston Frick is a Manager in the Knowledge & Networks Division at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). In this role, Preston works to connect development finance professionals in the areas of federal funding opportunities, and... (More)

-Agenda

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Wed 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
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.
Speaker(s)
  • Preston Frick, Manager, Council of Development Finance Agencies
Wed 12:15 PM - 1:45 PM
Opportunity Zones: The Fundamentals & What’s Changed
This session provides a comprehensive overview of the OZ program, including the origins of the incentive, tax benefits, and zone designation. We’ll also discuss how the landscape has changed since the program launched and explore how those changes are influencing current strategy and community readiness.
Speaker(s)
Wed 1:45 PM - 3:15 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. We'll also discuss how a refreshed investment prospectus can reflect not just potential, but community priorities.
Speaker(s)
Wed 3:15 PM - 3:30 PM
Break
Wed 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Stacking Capital: Financing Projects in OZs
Most successful OZ projects rely on multiple sources of capital. In this session, we’ll explore how to layer OZ equity with bonds, tax credits, revolving loan funds, and other tools. We’ll also examine how capital stacking can improve financial viability and community outcomes.
Wed 5:00 PM
Adjourn

Thursday, December 18, 2025

Thu 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
Revisiting Day 1
A brief recap of Day 1 to reflect on key themes, answer outstanding questions, and set the stage for deeper discussions on OZ fund structuring and community investment strategy.
Thu 12:15 PM - 1:45 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. We’ll cover the mechanics of fund formation, what makes a fund appealing, and how communities can better align with fund goals.
Speaker(s)
Thu 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
What Opportunity Funds Want (Now)
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, risk, and readiness. Participants will gain practical insights into how to shape their projects to resonate with today’s evolving investor.
Speaker(s)
Thu 2:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Break
Thu 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Working with Federal Partners & Programs
Many federal agencies are working to align resources with OZ strategies. This session offers guidance on how to access and layer federal tools alongside OZ investments, with insights on how to position projects for support and technical assistance.
Speaker(s)
  • Jon Grosshans, Senior Advisor, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Thu 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Spotlight: Emerging Strategies & Community Approaches
We’ll wrap with examples of early OZ 2.0 strategies from the field. These may include new fund models, refreshed prospectuses, and community-led approaches. Attendees will gain insight into how others are evolving their use of the OZ incentive and what lessons are emerging.
Speaker(s)
Thu 5:00 PM
Adjourn

-Location

The Intro Opportunity Zones Course will take place on Zoom. The course will meet each day from 12:00-5:00 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.

Scholarships are available to attend this event. Learn more about the CDFA Scholarship Program, and submit your application today. Please note that the application deadline is two weeks prior to the course start date.

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. CDFA offers group discounts for organizations that wish to register multiple people.
Early Bird Rates
(Ends December 5)
CDFA Member: $500
Non-Member: $825
Standard Rates
(After December 5)
CDFA Member: $625
Non-Member: $950


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