CFSI invests in promising new ideas – both nonprofit and for-profit – focused on providing financial services to underbanked consumers.  Since 2004, we have made grants to nonprofit organizations, as well as private equity investments in leading for-profit companies.  Our objective is to partner with pioneering leaders in the financial services industry to infuse the market with innovation and deliver value to consumers.  We are actively engaged with our grantees and portfolio companies, bringing strategic guidance, visibility and an unparalleled network in the underbanked financial services and capital industries.

Nonprofit Grants 

CFSI supports innovative projects aimed at underserved consumers that both address these consumers’ short-term financial needs and promote their longer-term financial well-being. In September 2010, CFSI launched the Financial Capability Innovation Fund which supports promising nonprofit-led projects designed to help consumers better manage their finances and achieve financial prosperity. Specifically, the Fund supports projects focusing on positive behavioral changes and measurable, improved outcomes for lower-income, underbanked consumers. Examples of these results are: improved credit scores, increased savings, or avoidance of unnecessary transaction fees. Through a competitive request for proposals (RFP) process, CFSI awarded $1.5 million total to five nonprofit-led projects with the average award size ranging from $250,000-$300,000 per project. In addition to financial support, CFSI will provide several forms of non-financial support to ensure success of the selected projects.

For more information about the Financial Capability Innovation Fund or the grantees, click here.

At this time, there are no available granting opportunities. Please sign up for CFSI’s e-newsletter to receive updates about future funding opportunities.

For-profit Investments

In July 2007, CFSI announced the CFSI Catalyst Fund, L.P. and invested in five leading underbanked payments and credit innovators. In May 2010, CFSI announced its strategic partnership with Core Innovation Capital I, LP, which was recognized by the Clinton Global Initiative for its leadership market-based financial inclusion.  For-profit companies which can demonstrate strong financial returns, high consumer impact and true innovation are reviewed on an ongoing basis by Core Innovation Capital's investment team.  The partnership focuses on early growth-stage companies in the financial services space, which serve primarily underbanked consumers directly or indirectly.

CFSI is outsourcing all of its for-profit investing activities to our partner, Core Innovation Capital.  Entrepreneurs seeking investment capital should contact CFSI's strategic partner, Core Innovation Capital, at www.corevc.com.