Quick Note About This Page

This walk-through is here to help you easily revisit the details of the documents you signed when joining the CDFI Capital Solutions Accelerator.

Think of this page as your friendly guide to the fine print—so you can check on key info without digging through legal language.

But just a heads-up: The official, signed agreement is the binding document. This page is not a substitute for the executed contract, and if you need to reference something formally or legally, please use the signed version.

You Did It!
Welcome to the CDFI Capital Solutions Accelerator

You signed, you joined, and now you’re officially part of a cohort of innovators! Here’s a quick, friendly guide to what you agreed to—so you can focus on making an impact.

You Joined a Movement!

You became part of a select cohort of innovators, ready to tackle big challenges and spark change in the CDFI industry.

You Agreed to Play by the Rules

You signed on to follow the Accelerator’s guidelines, participate fully, and help build something that benefits the whole community.

You're Sharing for Good

You kept ownership of your innovations, while allowing OFN to share non-confidential outcomes to inspire and empower the field.

You Committed to Showing Up and Making an Impact

You promised to engage, collaborate, and contribute—knowing that your participation helps drive real-world solutions and opens doors to new opportunities.
Walk-Through

Program Requirements

You’re in a program built for bold ideas and big impact! The Accelerator is all about helping CDFIs tackle tough challenges and spark industry-wide change. You’re not just here for yourself—you’re here to help the whole field level up.

OFN’s CDFI Capital Solutions Accelerator is a program designed to develop and advance innovative ideas for CDFIs to address longstanding problems and meet the moment with new thinking, better tools, and bold partnerships. The goal of the accelerator is to advance ideas that can increase capitalization opportunities for the CDFI industry as a whole, not just for an individual CDFI. Therefore, the accelerator will support ideas that are designed to be adopted by the industry more broadly, as well as the development of models that can be replicated by other CDFIs.

The Goal: You'll be refining an innovative idea so that you are ready to advance to a next phase of building or seek funding for your innovation.

September 2025–March 2026

Committed to Engagement

We're only on this journey together for a short time. We expect that you're committed to the process and will stay engaged throughout the program. Engaging means providing feedback to cohort peers and otherwise participating fully in cohort activities.
ON Camera!

Attend monthly virtual meetings & being active participants in the cohort

Participation is more than showing up. You're expected to be on camera, join in the online forum, share thoughts and ideas, increase connection, and get help with your project.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Deadlines

Complete assignments between meetings

You're here to refine an innovative idea -- the roadmap assignments will ensure that you are ready to advance to a next phase or seek funding at the end of this program.
Ready to Innovate

Roadmap to Innovation Completed

You're expected to present your 
product/proposal to the Innovation Council, potential funders, or others by the end of this journey.

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Your Commitment:

80-120
hours
THROUGHOUT THE Program
13-20
hours
Per Month
Monthly Virtual Sessions
+ OFN41
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ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

Engagement Expectations

The program runs from September through March, with monthly sessions that serve as the cornerstone of the learning experience. These sessions are intentionally curated to maximize value through shared insights, expert facilitation, and collaborative dialogue. OFN has recruited seasoned field leaders whose perspectives are meant to accelerate your strategic growth. Your engagement is visible to SMEs, mentors, investors, and industry stakeholders. Consistent and active participation reflects positively on your leadership and commitment and helps build meaningful connections across the OFN network.

Cohort Representatives

Each organization must have two senior team members attend all meeting dates: one who is an executive/has decision-making authority (e.g., Chief Financial Officer or board member) and one who will be responsible for program implementation. Senior leadership participation is key to the Accelerator Program’s success and ensures there is sufficient organizational buy-in and decision-making ability to pursue and advance the innovation.

OFN expects that the individuals or roles identified in the application to the Accelerator Program will be the ones representing the organization. The Participant must notify OFN and confirm alignment with the representative role requirements identified above if they need to make changes.
Under certain circumstances, for example, if a participant operates as a sole proprietorship, OFN will give written permission for only one senior leader to participate.

Attendance: Monthly Sessions

Participants are expected to attend all scheduled sessions. These are key opportunities to engage with peers, mentors, and program partners.

Attendance: Advance Notice 

If you anticipate an absence, notify OFN at least 3 business days in advance.

Attendance: Alternative Representation

A senior colleague may attend in your place to maintain continuity and ensure your organization remains engaged. They will need a platform login.

Attendance: Excused Absences

Excused absences include medical needs, religious observances, family emergencies, and other unavoidable conflicts. These should be communicated in advance when possible or on the day of the session before the scheduled session time.

Attendance: Unexcused Absences 

Unexcused absences include lack of communication, late arrivals (over 15 minutes), early departures without notice, or repeated unpreparedness. More than two unexpected absences may impact continued participation and access to program benefits such as recognition, funding opportunities, or alumni engagement.

Attendance: Program Adjustments

If scheduling changes are made by OFN that create conflicts, participants will not be held accountable. Flexibility will be maintained to support equitable participation.

Preparation & Deliverables

Participants are expected to complete all pre-session materials and come prepared to contribute meaningfully to discussions and group activities. If a session is missed, OFN will provide guidance to ensure key takeaways and deliverables are still met.

Program Evaluation

OFN will conduct both formal and informal evaluations of this initiative. As part of their engagement, program participants are expected to provide information to OFN that supports our program evaluation and reporting efforts. Upon request, participating organizations may need to provide feedback or information through surveys, questionnaires, interviews, forms, documents, testimonials, and other relevant means.

Participants can expect to provide information such as their experience and outcomes. Requests may happen more than once through the course of the program, especially if organizations are involved long-term, meaning that participating in one evaluation effort alone may not necessarily satisfy this requirement. Requests for feedback and information may come for up to 5 years after an organization’s participation in the program has concluded.

You're In!
Let the adventure begin.

To participate in this program you signed an agreement. 
This agreement is a part of this journey.
Here you can find a high-level overview of that document incase you need a refresher.
Participation: 

You agreed to play by the Accelerator’s rules and help build something big for the CDFI community.

Your participation in this program is subject in all respects to (i) the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and (ii) those of the Program in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Program Requirements”). By executing this Agreement, Participant agrees that this Agreement and the Program Requirements will govern Participant’s participation in the Program, and Participant hereby reaffirms agreement to comply with the terms of the Program Requirements in all respects.
Term of Agreement

Your journey kicked off on September 15, 2025, and runs through March 31, 2026. If you or OFN ever needed to end things early, you agreed to give 30 days’ notice.

The Agreement will begin on September 15, 2025, and will continue in effect until March 31, 2026, at which time the Agreement will automatically terminate unless by mutual written agreement the term is extended (the “Term”). Except as otherwise outlined above, either Party may terminate the Term for no reason or any lawful reason on (30) calendar days’ notice, in each case, by written notice to the other. Within fifteen (15) calendar days of termination of the Term, the Participant shall deliver to OFN all finished and unfinished documents, data, studies, and reports prepared by Participant under this Agreement, and shall certify its compliance with this provision.
Intellectual Property

You'll keep ownership of your ideas, but OFN will share non-confidential project outcomes to help inspire other CDFIs.

The Parties acknowledge that, as part of the Program, Participant will bring ideas, products, or other proprietary information (“Preexisting IP”) to OFN and OFN’s contractors. OFN acknowledges that Participant is and will be the sole and exclusive owner of all right, title, and interest as it relates to such Preexisting IP, provided that Participant hereby acknowledges that the purpose of the accelerator is to identify, support, and disseminate ideas which can benefit and serve the CDFI industry. Accordingly, Participant further acknowledges that OFN has the intent to publish and disseminate Project outcome information and data, and case studies to help the wider industry adopt and participate in the innovation, and hereby grants OFN permission to include non-confidential Preexisting IP information and data, solely for purposes of presenting Project outcomes in written reports, conference presentations, social media posts, or any other similar outlet, platform, or venue. For the sake of clarity, such information and data about Project outcomes that may be so utilized or presented by OFN shall include, without limitation, all analyses, figures, tables, recommendations, written materials, processes, techniques, methods, ideas, concepts, research, proposals, materials, and all other work product of any nature whatsoever, that are created, prepared, produced, designed, edited, modified, conceived, or reduced to practice by or with the Participant in the course of performing the work completed in connection with the Project described in this Agreement (collectively, “Work Product”).
Representation

You confirmed you have the authority to sign, follow all laws, and gave accurate info about your team.

Participant hereby represents and warrants that Participant (i) has the legal capacity, right, power and authority to execute this Agreement and to perform Participant’s obligations hereunder and under the terms of the Program Requirements; (ii) is in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations (“Applicable Laws”); (iii) has provided the FTE Count to OFN that truly and accurately reflects the number of full-time employees of the Participant; and (iv) reaffirms each certification and affirmation required to be made pursuant to the Program Requirements. Participant acknowledges that in signing this Agreement, Participant has not relied upon any representation made by OFN or any of its affiliates or its or their respective representatives.
Compensation

Non-OFN member and for-profit organization.

Based on the Participant’s organization’s status as a non-OFN member and for-profit organization, Participant is ineligible for a participation stipend. At OFN’s sole discretion, OFN may provide assistance to support attendance costs for in-person events. Any payment Participant receives from OFN will be reported in accordance with Applicable Law. OFN may deduct and withhold from any payment to be made to Participant pursuant to the Program any and all applicable federal, state and local taxes and any and all other amounts required to be deducted or withheld by OFN under applicable law. Additionally, and at any time upon request by OFN, Participant shall provide OFN with a completed, accurate and duly executed Internal Revenue Service Form W-9.
Compensation

Either a Nonprofit or an OFN Member

The stipend amount was determined based on Participant’s eligibility as either a nonprofit or OFN member, whether Participant has 50 or more full-time employees (the “FTE Count”), and the total number of organizations accepted into the Accelerator Program.

The grant of the Stipend is subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of (i) this Agreement, and (ii) the Program in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Program Requirements”). By executing this Agreement, Participant agrees that this Agreement and the Program Requirements will govern the grant of the Stipend and Participant’s participation in the Program, and Participant hereby reaffirms agreement to comply with the terms of the Program Requirements in all respects.
Non-Disparagement

You agreed not to intentionally or knowingly disparage OFN or its affiliates. Keep It Positive.

Participant agrees not to, and to cause Participant’s affiliates and each of Participants’ and Participants’ affiliates’ respective representatives not to, intentionally and knowingly disparage the name, goodwill or reputation of OFN or its affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Participant may confer in confidence with its advisors and make truthful statements or communications that are required by Applicable Laws, in connection with any request or inquiry from any governmental authority or in any action or proceeding brought under in connection with this Agreement that is subject to a protective order affording such action, proceeding and applicable statements appropriate confidentiality protections.
The Terms

You Agreed to the Fine Print: this contract is the full agreement, governed by DC law, and changes require written consent.

This Agreement, together with the Program Requirements and all schedules, exhibits and documents attached hereto and thereto or entered into in connection herewith or therewith constitutes the complete agreement between Participant and OFN with respect to and in connection with the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any previous agreements and understandings between Participant and OFN with respect to such matters. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the District of Columbia without reference to any choice or conflict of law principles for the resolution of any disputes or claims arising under or related to this Agreement. PARTICIPANT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY MATTER RELATING TO, BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS, THE PROGRAM OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. This Agreement may not be modified except in a writing signed by OFN. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall be binding upon and solely inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No assignment of this Agreement or of any rights or obligations hereunder may be made by you (by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of OFN.
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