Through 2010, Community First Fund will work to complete the following six goals identified in the Strategic Plan that provide the structure for growth.
Expansion and Growth: Significantly expand the loan fund by providing a broader set of products and services to clients.
Organizational Impact: Develop an effective service evaluation tool to measure Community First Fund’s impact in the communities it serves, determine how well the organization is operating, and identify opportunities to develop new products.
Marketing: Broaden awareness of our products among diverse audiences.
Business Model: Develop a sustainable business model that advances organizational mission and values.
Capitalization: Grow organizational loan fund capital to $15 million.
Industry Leadership: Become a recognized expert in best practices for community economic development with the goal of using the position as industry leader to influence policy and create new opportunities.
| Year | Awards and Recognition |
|---|---|
| 2009 |
Feature Business Article: USA Today 2009 Eastern Pennsylvania SBA Minority Business Champion of the Year Award: Miriam Soto, Director of Training and Business Lender and Counselor at Community First Fund [U.S. Small Business Administration] Semi-Finalist: Wachovia NEXT Awards for Opportunity Finance Network |
| 2008 |
Finalist: Wachovia NEXT Awards for Opportunity Finance Network K. L. Shirk Award for Community Service: Daniel Betancourt, President and CEO [Urban League of Lancaster County] 2008 Eastern Pennsylvania SBA Women in Business Champion of the Year Award: Joan Brodhead, Director of The Women’s Business Center at Community First Fund, and Vice President and COO [U.S. Small Business Administration] Pennsylvania’s 50 Best Women in Business 2008 Award: Marilyn Hedge, Board Member [Central Penn Business Journal] |
| 2007 |
Finalist, Nonprofit Innovation Award; Nonprofit Leadership Excellence: Daniel Betancourt, President and CEO [Central Penn Business Journal] Semi-Finalist: Wachovia NEXT Awards for Opportunity Finance Network Nonprofit and Philanthropy Mover and Shaker: Daniel Betancourt, President and CEO [Central Penn Business Journal] |
| 2006 | Finalist: Nonprofit Innovation Award: Operations & Technology, [Central Penn Business Journal]
Nonprofit and Philanthropy Mover and Shaker: Daniel Betancourt, President and CEO [Central Penn Business Journal] |
| 2005 | Eastern Pennsylvania Minority Small Business Champion of the Year Award [U.S. Small Business Administration-Philadelphia District Office]AA Rated [CARS® - CDFI Assessment Rating] |
| 2004 | 2004 Governor’s Latino Commission Pride Award Finalist: Excellence in Economic Development Award [U.S. Commerce Department] |
| 2003 | Top Forty Under 40: Daniel Betancourt, President and CEO [Central Penn Business Journal] |
| 2002 | Excellence in Lending [Association for Enterprise Opportunity and Deutsche Bank] |
| Certifications |
Community Development Financial Institution [U.S. Treasury Dept.] Microlender [U.S. Small Business Administration] Microlender [U.S. Department of Agriculture] Microlender [U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development] Accreditation [Community Development Bank of PA - DCED] Licensed [PA Department of Banking] |
