Financial Inclusion

Access to capital and financial products empowers adults and young people to build financial assets, enables entrepreneurs to grow or launch businesses that create jobs, and helps community-based organizations strengthen and transform communities. Accordingly, the Citi Foundation supports community-based lenders, including Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) that provide access to capital, financial products and wrap-around services to small businesses. However, we believe access to capital and products alone is not enough. Financial capability—the ability to establish financial plans and develop strategies for preserving a strong financial position during times of both economic prosperity and instability—is critical to the financial well-being and upward economic mobility of individuals and communities.