From Crisis to Continuity: Optimizing CDFI Capital and Partnerships for Natural Disaster Response — Opportunihub
Resource

From Crisis to Continuity: Optimizing CDFI Capital and Partnerships for Natural Disaster Response

Aspen Institute · Africa

At a glance

Type
Resource
Organisation
Aspen Institute
Location
Africa
Work mode
On-site
Deadline
Rolling / not stated
Posted
28 Jul 2026

About this resource

<div class="header alignfull header--article has-background has-tonal-black-background-color"> <div class="header__layout"> <div class="header__content"> <div class="header__metadata"><div class="header__metas"><div class="header__meta header__meta--taxonomy header__meta--tax-category"> Publications</div></div></div> <h1 class="header__title has-h3-variant">Archives</h1> <div class="header__metadata"><div class="header__metas"><div class="favorite-block"> <button class="favorite" data-id="271707" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" /></svg></button></div> <div class="header__meta header__meta--date"> July 28, 2026</div> <div class="header__meta header__meta--taxonomy header__meta--tax-program_tax"> Business Ownership Initiative, and Economic Opportunities Program</div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="post-people"> <div class="post-people__person"> <figure class="post-people__headshot"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="300" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Joyce-Klein-pending-approval-scaled-e1785163373112-300x300.jpg" class="attachment-mobile size-mobile" alt="headshot of Joyce Klein, Senior Director, BOI" srcset="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Joyce-Klein-pending-approval-scaled-e1785163373112-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Joyce-Klein-pending-approval-scaled-e1785163373112-800x800.jpg 800w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Joyce-Klein-pending-approval-scaled-e1785163373112-1500x1500.jpg 1500w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Joyce-Klein-pending-approval-scaled-e1785163373112-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Joyce-Klein-pending-approval-scaled-e1785163373112-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Joyce-Klein-pending-approval-scaled-e1785163373112-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Joyce-Klein-pending-approval-scaled-e1785163373112-1090x1090.jpg 1090w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Joyce-Klein-pending-approval-scaled-e1785163373112-1200x1200.jpg 1200w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Joyce-Klein-pending-approval-scaled-e1785163373112-675x675.jpg 675w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Joyce-Klein-pending-approval-scaled-e1785163373112-676x676.jpg 676w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Joyce-Klein-pending-approval-scaled-e1785163373112.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </figure> <div class="post-people__info"> <h3 class="post-people__name"> <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/joyce-klein/" class="post-people__link"> Joyce Klein </a> </h3> <p class="post-people__position"> Senior Director </p> </div> </div> </div> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <h2 id="h-overview" class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant">Overview</h2> <p class="has-medium-variant wp-block-paragraph">When natural disasters strike, small businesses face an immediate liquidity crisis. With half of small businesses having less than a month of cash reserves, many face permanent closure simply due to “stranded” costs like rent, payroll, and spoiled inventory if they must wait weeks or months for relief.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">This brief, authored by <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/business-ownership-initiative/">Business Ownership Initiative</a> Senior Director <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/joyce-klein/">Joyce Klein</a>, draws directly on decades of disaster relief experience and insights from the <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/business-ownership-initiative/microfinance-impact-collaborative/">Microfinance Impact Collaborative</a> and key CDFI partners. It provides a roadmap for funders, investors, and policymakers to structure effective, rapid, and sustainable financial interventions that protect small businesses and the communities that rely on them.</p> <h2 id="h-key-takeaways" class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant">Key Takeaways</h2> <h3 id="h-the-liquidity-gap" class="wp-block-heading has-h5-variant">The Liquidity Gap</h3> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Traditional emergency aid through SBA or FEMA takes time, and lower-income communities often face significant approval hurdles. Speed is essential to business survival.</p> <h3 id="h-four-core-financial-interventions" class="wp-block-heading has-h5-variant">Four Core Financial Interventions</h3> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The brief highlights four specific products deployed by CDFIs:</p> <ol class="wp-block-list"> <li class="">Payment Support for Existing Borrowers (subsidized payment relief).</li> <li class="">Small Rapid Response Grants ($5k–$20k for immediate stranded and cleanup costs).</li> <li class="">Small Rapid Response Loans (fast, cash-flow underwritten working capital).</li> <li class="">Larger, Longer-Term Rebuilding Loans (patient capital for real estate &amp; equipment).</li> </ol> <h3 id="h-the-hub-and-spoke-model" class="wp-block-heading has-h5-variant">The &#8220;Hub and Spoke&#8221; Model</h3> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">To manage large-scale regional disasters, the most effective approach is to pair local CDFIs that provide trust, outreach, and ground-truth verification with larger regional/national CDFIs that provide the digital infrastructure, tech tools, and surge staffing needed for rapid disbursement and fraud detection.</p> <h3 id="h-protecting-cdfi-financial-strength-and-solvency" class="wp-block-heading has-h5-variant">Protecting CDFI Financial Strength and Solvency</h3> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Responding to disasters without properly structured capital puts CDFIs at financial risk. Funders must deploy a comprehensive capital mix that includes direct capital, operational surge grants, interest rate buydown subsidies, and augmented loan loss reserves.</p> <h2 id="h-built-on-field-experience" class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant">Built on Field Experience</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">This brief synthesizes insights from deep design sessions hosted by the <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/business-ownership-initiative/">Business Ownership Initiative</a> with the six members of the <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/business-ownership-initiative/microfinance-impact-collaborative/">Microfinance Impact Collaborative</a> — Accion Opportunity Fund, Allies for Community Business, Ascendus, DreamSpring, Justine PETERSEN, and LiftFund — along with Four Bands Community Fund and Scale Link.</p> <h2 id="h-download-the-full-brief" class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant">Download the Full Brief</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Learn how strategic capital deployment and pre-disaster operational preparation can transform natural disaster response and preserve local economic continuity.</p> <div class="wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-00f60e24 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/From-Crisis-to-Continuity-Optimizing-CDFI-Capital-and-Partnerships-for-Natural-Disaster-Response.pdf">Download Publication (PDF)<span class="wp-block-button__effect"></span></a></div> </div> <div data-wp-interactive="core/file" class="wp-block-file"><object data-wp-bind--hidden="!state.hasPdfPreview" hidden class="wp-block-file__embed" data="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/From-Crisis-to-Continuity-Optimizing-CDFI-Capital-and-Partnerships-for-Natural-Disaster-Response.pdf" type="application/pdf" style="width:100%;height:600px" aria-label="Embed of From Crisis to Continuity Optimizing CDFI Capital and Partnerships for Natural Disaster Response."></object><a id="wp-block-file--media-7b2502f5-3d7d-44cb-9be9-f93ed5a8ef36" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/From-Crisis-to-Continuity-Optimizing-CDFI-Capital-and-Partnerships-for-Natural-Disaster-Response.pdf">From Crisis to Continuity Optimizing CDFI Capital and Partnerships for Natural Disaster Response</a><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/From-Crisis-to-Continuity-Optimizing-CDFI-Capital-and-Partnerships-for-Natural-Disaster-Response.pdf" class="wp-block-file__button wp-element-button" download aria-describedby="wp-block-file--media-7b2502f5-3d7d-44cb-9be9-f93ed5a8ef36">Download</a></div> <div class="wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-wash-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium)"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant" id="h-about-the-business-ownership-initiative">About the Business Ownership Initiative</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/business-ownership-initiative/">Business Ownership Initiative</a>, an initiative of the <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/">Economic Opportunities Program</a>, works to build understanding and strengthen the role of business ownership as an economic opportunity strategy.</p> </div> <div class="wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-light-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium)"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant" id="h-about-the-economic-opportunities-program">About the Economic Opportunities Program</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Aspen Institute <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/">Economic Opportunities Program</a> advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy.</p> </div> <div class="wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium)"> <div class="wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-h4-variant" id="h-join-our-mailing-list">Join Our Mailing List</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">To receive occasional emails about our work — including new publications, commentary, events, fellowships, and more — join our mailing list.</p> <div class="wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-00f60e24 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/connect/">Subscribe<span class="wp-block-button__effect"></span></a></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-dark-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium)"> <div class="wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-h4-variant" id="h-connect-on-social-media">Connect on Social Media</h2> <p class="has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph" style="padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--xsmall)">For news and updates every day, connect with us on the social media platform of your choice.</p> <ul class="wp-block-social-links has-normal-icon-size has-icon-color is-style-logos-only is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-social-links-is-layout-10d7f821 wp-block-social-links-is-layout-flex" style="margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--xsmall);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--xsmall)"><li style="color:var( --wdg-color-white )" class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-bluesky has-white-color wp-block-social-link"><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/eop.aspeninstitute.org" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M6.3,4.2c2.3,1.7,4.8,5.3,5.7,7.2.9-1.9,3.4-5.4,5.7-7.2,1.7-1.3,4.3-2.2,4.3.9s-.4,5.2-.6,5.9c-.7,2.6-3.3,3.2-5.6,2.8,4,.7,5.1,3,2.9,5.3-5,5.2-6.7-2.8-6.7-2.8,0,0-1.7,8-6.7,2.8-2.2-2.3-1.2-4.6,2.9-5.3-2.3.4-4.9-.3-5.6-2.8-.2-.7-.6-5.3-.6-5.9,0-3.1,2.7-2.1,4.3-.9h0Z"></path></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">Bluesky</span></a></li> <li style="color:var( --wdg-color-white )" class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-facebook has-white-color wp-block-social-link"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AspenEOP/" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12c0 5 3.7 9.1 8.4 9.9v-7H7.9V12h2.5V9.8c0-2.5 1.5-3.9 3.8-3.9 1.1 0 2.2.2 2.2.2v2.5h-1.3c-1.2 0-1.6.8-1.6 1.6V12h2.8l-.4 2.9h-2.3v7C18.3 21.1 22 17 22 12c0-5.5-4.5-10-10-10z"></path></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">Facebook</span></a></li> <li style="color:var( --wdg-color-white )" class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-instagram has-white-color wp-block-social-link"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/aspeneop/" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M12,4.622c2.403,0,2.688,0.009,3.637,0.052c0.877,0.04,1.354,0.187,1.671,0.31c0.42,0.163,0.72,0.358,1.035,0.673 c0.315,0.315,0.51,0.615,0.673,1.035c0.123,0.317,0.27,0.794,0.31,1.671c0.043,0.949,0.052,1.234,0.052,3.637 s-0.009,2.688-0.052,3.637c-0.04,0.877-0.187,1.354-0.31,1.671c-0.163,0.42-0.358,0.72-0.673,1.035 c-0.315,0.315-0.615,0.51-1.035,0.673c-0.317,0.123-0.794,0.27-1.671,0.31c-0.949,0.043-1.233,0.052-3.637,0.052 s-2.688-0.009-3.637-0.052c-0.877-0.04-1.354-0.187-1.671-0.31c-0.42-0.163-0.72-0.358-1.035-0.673 c-0.315-0.315-0.51-0.615-0.673-1.035c-0.123-0.317-0.27-0.794-0.31-1.671C4.631,14.688,4.622,14.403,4.622,12 s0.009-2.688,0.052-3.637c0.04-0.877,0.187-1.354,0.31-1.671c0.163-0.42,0.358-0.72,0.673-1.035 c0.315-0.315,0.615-0.51,1.035-0.673c0.317-0.123,0.794-0.27,1.671-0.31C9.312,4.631,9.597,4.622,12,4.622 M12,3 C9.556,3,9.249,3.01,8.289,3.054C7.331,3.098,6.677,3.25,6.105,3.472C5.513,3.702,5.011,4.01,4.511,4.511 c-0.5,0.5-0.808,1.002-1.038,1.594C3.25,6.677,3.098,7.331,3.054,8.289C3.01,9.249,3,9.556,3,12c0,2.444,0.01,2.751,0.054,3.711 c0.044,0.958,0.196,1.612,0.418,2.185c0.23,0.592,0.538,1.094,1.038,1.594c0.5,0.5,1.002,0.808,1.594,1.038 c0.572,0.222,1.227,0.375,2.185,0.418C9.249,20.99,9.556,21,12,21s2.751-0.01,3.711-0.054c0.958-0.044,1.612-0.196,2.185-0.418 c0.592-0.23,1.094-0.538,1.594-1.038c0.5-0.5,0.808-1.002,1.038-1.594c0.222-0.572,0.375-1.227,0.418-2.185 C20.99,14.751,21,14.444,21,12s-0.01-2.751-0.054-3.711c-0.044-0.958-0.196-1.612-0.418-2.185c-0.23-0.592-0.538-1.094-1.038-1.594 c-0.5-0.5-1.002-0.808-1.594-1.038c-0.572-0.222-1.227-0.375-2.185-0.418C14.751,3.01,14.444,3,12,3L12,3z M12,7.378 c-2.552,0-4.622,2.069-4.622,4.622S9.448,16.622,12,16.622s4.622-2.069,4.622-4.622S14.552,7.378,12,7.378z M12,15 c-1.657,0-3-1.343-3-3s1.343-3,3-3s3,1.343,3,3S13.657,15,12,15z M16.804,6.116c-0.596,0-1.08,0.484-1.08,1.08 s0.484,1.08,1.08,1.08c0.596,0,1.08-0.484,1.08-1.08S17.401,6.116,16.804,6.116z"></path></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">Instagram</span></a></li> <li style="color:var( --wdg-color-white )" class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-linkedin has-white-color wp-block-social-link"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/aspeneop/" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M19.7,3H4.3C3.582,3,3,3.582,3,4.3v15.4C3,20.418,3.582,21,4.3,21h15.4c0.718,0,1.3-0.582,1.3-1.3V4.3 C21,3.582,20.418,3,19.7,3z M8.339,18.338H5.667v-8.59h2.672V18.338z M7.004,8.574c-0.857,0-1.549-0.694-1.549-1.548 c0-0.855,0.691-1.548,1.549-1.548c0.854,0,1.547,0.694,1.547,1.548C8.551,7.881,7.858,8.574,7.004,8.574z M18.339,18.338h-2.669 v-4.177c0-0.996-0.017-2.278-1.387-2.278c-1.389,0-1.601,1.086-1.601,2.206v4.249h-2.667v-8.59h2.559v1.174h0.037 c0.356-0.675,1.227-1.387,2.526-1.387c2.703,0,3.203,1.779,3.203,4.092V18.338z"></path></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">LinkedIn</span></a></li> <li style="color:var( --wdg-color-white )" class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-threads has-white-color wp-block-social-link"><a href="https://www.threads.com/@aspeneop" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M16.3 11.3c-.1 0-.2-.1-.2-.1-.1-2.6-1.5-4-3.9-4-1.4 0-2.6.6-3.3 1.7l1.3.9c.5-.8 1.4-1 2-1 .8 0 1.4.2 1.7.7.3.3.5.8.5 1.3-.7-.1-1.4-.2-2.2-.1-2.2.1-3.7 1.4-3.6 3.2 0 .9.5 1.7 1.3 2.2.7.4 1.5.6 2.4.6 1.2-.1 2.1-.5 2.7-1.3.5-.6.8-1.4.9-2.4.6.3 1 .8 1.2 1.3.4.9.4 2.4-.8 3.6-1.1 1.1-2.3 1.5-4.3 1.5-2.1 0-3.8-.7-4.8-2S5.7 14.3 5.7 12c0-2.3.5-4.1 1.5-5.4 1.1-1.3 2.7-2 4.8-2 2.2 0 3.8.7 4.9 2 .5.7.9 1.5 1.2 2.5l1.5-.4c-.3-1.2-.8-2.2-1.5-3.1-1.3-1.7-3.3-2.6-6-2.6-2.6 0-4.7.9-6 2.6C4.9 7.2 4.3 9.3 4.3 12s.6 4.8 1.9 6.4c1.4 1.7 3.4 2.6 6 2.6 2.3 0 4-.6 5.3-2 1.8-1.8 1.7-4 1.1-5.4-.4-.9-1.2-1.7-2.3-2.3zm-4 3.8c-1 .1-2-.4-2-1.3 0-.7.5-1.5 2.1-1.6h.5c.6 0 1.1.1 1.6.2-.2 2.3-1.3 2.7-2.2 2.7z"/></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">Threads</span></a></li> <li style="color:var( --wdg-color-white )" class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-x has-white-color wp-block-social-link"><a href="https://x.com/AspenEOP" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M13.982 10.622 20.54 3h-1.554l-5.693 6.618L8.745 3H3.5l6.876 10.007L3.5 21h1.554l6.012-6.989L15.868 21h5.245l-7.131-10.378Zm-2.128 2.474-.697-.997-5.543-7.93H8l4.474 6.4.697.996 5.815 8.318h-2.387l-4.745-6.787Z" /></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">X</span></a></li> <li style="color:var( --wdg-color-white )" class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-youtube has-white-color wp-block-social-link"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@AspenEOP" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M21.8,8.001c0,0-0.195-1.378-0.795-1.985c-0.76-0.797-1.613-0.801-2.004-0.847c-2.799-0.202-6.997-0.202-6.997-0.202 h-0.009c0,0-4.198,0-6.997,0.202C4.608,5.216,3.756,5.22,2.995,6.016C2.395,6.623,2.2,8.001,2.2,8.001S2,9.62,2,11.238v1.517 c0,1.618,0.2,3.237,0.2,3.237s0.195,1.378,0.795,1.985c0.761,0.797,1.76,0.771,2.205,0.855c1.6,0.153,6.8,0.201,6.8,0.201 s4.203-0.006,7.001-0.209c0.391-0.047,1.243-0.051,2.004-0.847c0.6-0.607,0.795-1.985,0.795-1.985s0.2-1.618,0.2-3.237v-1.517 C22,9.62,21.8,8.001,21.8,8.001z M9.935,14.594l-0.001-5.62l5.404,2.82L9.935,14.594z"></path></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">YouTube</span></a></li></ul> </div> </div> <div class="card-slider alignfull has-grid-spacing-small"><div class="card-slider__nav"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant" id="h-more-from-the-business-ownership-initiative">More from the Business Ownership Initiative</h2> <button type="button" class="card-slider__go card-slider__go--back" aria-label="Previous"> <svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-arrow-left" role="img" focusable="false" height="0" width="0"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-arrow-left"/></svg> </button> <button type="button" class="card-slider__go card-slider__go--forward" aria-label="Next"> <svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-arrow-right" role="img" focusable="false" height="0" width="0"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-arrow-right"/></svg> </button> </div> <div class="card-slider__content"><div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/from-crisis-to-continuity-optimizing-cdfi-capital-and-partnerships-for-natural-disaster-response/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/EOP-BOI-From-Crisis-to-Continuity_website-tile-1.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="From Crisis to Continuity: Optimizing CDFI Capital and Partnerships for Natural Disaster Response" style="object-position: 78% 29%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Publications</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/from-crisis-to-continuity-optimizing-cdfi-capital-and-partnerships-for-natural-disaster-response/">From Crisis to Continuity: Optimizing CDFI Capital and Partnerships for Natural Disaster Response</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">Traditional emergency aid through SBA or FEMA takes time, and lower-income communities often face significant approval hurdles. Speed is essential to business survival.</div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="271707" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>July 28, 2026</time></p><ul class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__people"><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/joyce-klein/">Joyce Klein</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/highlight-reel_the-new-era-of-small-business-finance-access-ai-and-accountability/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/CARD-The-New-Era-of-Small-Business-Finance-Access-AI-and-Accountability-.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability (Highlight reel)" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Videos</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/highlight-reel_the-new-era-of-small-business-finance-access-ai-and-accountability/">The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability (Highlight reel)</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">VIDEO — Highlight reel from “The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability,” a forum hosted by the Aspen Institute’s Business Ownership Initiative and the Responsible Business Lending Coalition on March 5, 2026. </div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="193325" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>March 21, 2026</time></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/the-changing-role-of-small-business-ownership/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Copy-of-Thumbnail_2026-PANEL-1_The-Changing-Role-of-Small-Business-Ownership.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="The Changing Role of Small Business Ownership" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Videos</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/the-changing-role-of-small-business-ownership/">The Changing Role of Small Business Ownership</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">VIDEO — This discussion is the first of three that took place as part of “The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability,” a forum hosted by the Aspen Institute’s Business Ownership Initiative and the Responsible Business Lending Coalition on March 5, 2026. </div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="170310" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>March 17, 2026</time></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/main-street-challenges-and-policy-solutions/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Copy-of-Thumbnail_2026_PANEL-3_Main-Street-Challenges-and-Policy-Solutions.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Main Street Challenges and Policy Solutions" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Videos</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/main-street-challenges-and-policy-solutions/">Main Street Challenges and Policy Solutions</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">VIDEO — This discussion is the third of three that took place as part of “The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability,” a forum hosted by the Aspen Institute’s Business Ownership Initiative and the Responsible Business Lending Coalition on March 5, 2026. </div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="170321" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>March 16, 2026</time></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/innovations-driving-small-business-lending-forward-its-not-all-about-ai/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Copy-of-Thumbnail_2026-PANEL-2_Innovations-Driving-Small-Business-Lending-Forward-Its-Not-All-About-AI.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Innovations Driving Small Business Lending Forward: It’s Not All About AI" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Videos</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/innovations-driving-small-business-lending-forward-its-not-all-about-ai/">Innovations Driving Small Business Lending Forward: It’s Not All About AI</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">VIDEO — This discussion is the second of three that took place as part of “The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability,” a forum hosted by the Aspen Institute’s Business Ownership Initiative and the Responsible Business Lending Coalition on March 5, 2026. </div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="170315" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>March 16, 2026</time></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/to-help-small-businesses-recover-from-the-l-a-fires-invest-in-community-lenders/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1007" height="806" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-09-at-10.12.18-AM.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="To Help Small Businesses Recover From the L.A. Fires, Invest in Community Lenders" style="object-position: 69% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Blog Posts</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/to-help-small-businesses-recover-from-the-l-a-fires-invest-in-community-lenders/">To Help Small Businesses Recover From the L.A. Fires, Invest in Community Lenders</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">Nonprofit lenders often deploy funds faster than the government but need more capital to meet demand. </div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="163642" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>January 9, 2026</time></p><ul class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__people"><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/joyce-klein/">Joyce Klein</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/integrating-a-job-quality-practice-in-community-development-financial-institutions-cdfis-a-qa/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="1080" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/EOP-SharedSuccess-IG-JQP_QA.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Integrating a Job Quality Practice in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs): A Q&amp;A" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Publications</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/integrating-a-job-quality-practice-in-community-development-financial-institutions-cdfis-a-qa/">Integrating a Job Quality Practice in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs): A Q&amp;A</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">This Q&amp;A provides insights and lessons from the work of 11 CDFIs that participated in Shared Success, a job quality demonstration led by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program (EOP). </div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="155468" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>November 18, 2025</time></p><ul class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__people"><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/bryn-morgan/">Bryn Morgan</a></li><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/joyce-klein/">Joyce Klein</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/advancing-innovation-and-fairness-in-small-business-finance-driving-innovation-in-small-business-lending/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CARD-Thumbnail_Driving-Innovation-in-Small-Business-Lending-640-x-360-px.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Advancing Innovation and Fairness in Small Business Finance — Driving Innovation in Small Business Lending" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Blog Posts</span> <span>Videos</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/advancing-innovation-and-fairness-in-small-business-finance-driving-innovation-in-small-business-lending/">Advancing Innovation and Fairness in Small Business Finance — Driving Innovation in Small Business Lending</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">During this event, we heard perspectives from lenders, investors, policymakers, small business owners, and advocates about how to build a financing market that truly works for small businesses.</div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="76072" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>March 27, 2025</time></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant" id="h-about-this-post">About This Post</h2> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-kicker-variant" id="h-people-authors">People/Authors</h3> <div class="post-taxonomies"> <div class="post-taxonomies__layout"> <ul class="post-taxonomy"><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/joyce-klein/">Joyce Klein</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-kicker-variant" id="h-series">Series</h3> <div class="post-taxonomies"> <div class="post-taxonomies__layout"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-kicker-variant" id="h-programs">Programs</h3> <div class="post-taxonomies"> <div class="post-taxonomies__layout"> <ul class="post-taxonomy"><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/business-ownership-initiative/">Business Ownership Initiative</a></li><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/economic-opportunities-program/">Economic Opportunities Program</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-kicker-variant" id="h-tags">Tags</h3> <div class="post-taxonomies"> <div class="post-taxonomies__layout"> <ul class="post-taxonomy"><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/tag/cdfi/">CDFI</a></li><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/tag/cdfis/">CDFIs</a></li><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/tag/natural-disasters/">natural disasters</a></li><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/tag/small-business/">small business</a></li><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/tag/small-business-finance/">small business finance</a></li><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/tag/small-business-lending/">Small business lending</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-kicker-variant" id="h-topics">Topics</h3> <div class="post-taxonomies"> <div class="post-taxonomies__layout"> <ul class="post-taxonomy"><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/topic/economic-opportunity/">Economic Opportunity</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-kicker-variant" id="h-impact-areas">Impact Areas</h3> <div class="post-taxonomies"> <div class="post-taxonomies__layout"> <ul class="post-taxonomy"><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/impact-area/economic-opportunity/">Economic Opportunity</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-kicker-variant" id="h-content-categories">Content Categories</h3> <div class="post-taxonomies"> <div class="post-taxonomies__layout"> <ul class="post-taxonomy"><li class="post-taxonomy__term"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/category/publications/">Publications</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>The post <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/from-crisis-to-continuity-optimizing-cdfi-capital-and-partnerships-for-natural-disaster-response/">From Crisis to Continuity: Optimizing CDFI Capital and Partnerships for Natural Disaster Response</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org">Aspen Institute</a>.</p>

How to apply

  1. 1 Read the full details above and confirm you meet the eligibility criteria.
  2. 2 Prepare your documents — an updated CV, and any cover letter, proposal or certificates required.
  3. 3 Click Apply on official site to complete your application on Aspen Institute’s official page.
  4. 4 Submit as early as possible — many close once filled.
Apply on official site

Sourced from aspen_institute. Always verify details on the official website. Opportunihub never charges you to apply.

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply for From Crisis to Continuity: Optimizing CDFI Capital and Partnerships for Natural Disaster Response?

Review the full details and eligibility on this page, prepare your documents, then use the “Apply on official site” button to complete your application on Aspen Institute’s official page.

Is this opportunity remote or location-based?

This opportunity is based in Africa. Check the official listing for any relocation or on-site requirements.

Is From Crisis to Continuity: Optimizing CDFI Capital and Partnerships for Natural Disaster Response free to apply for?

Opportunihub lists this Resource for free. Legitimate Resources do not ask for payment to apply — never pay a fee to submit an application.