Company: Oweesta Corporation, Longmont, CO
Nomination Submitted by: Gabriel Marketing Group
Company Description: Oweesta Corporation is the longest-standing intermediary for Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), serving as an essential bridge between traditional lenders and underserved Native areas. As the largest facilitator of capital to Indian Country, Oweesta offers resources to Native CDFIs and helps equip Native people with expertise to support strategic financial decisions.
Nomination Category: Company/Organization Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Organization of the Year – Government or Non-Profit– More Than 10 Employees
 Nomination Title: Oweesta Corporation
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2022 of the nominated organization, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions for this category, provide them in the appropriate spaces below:
- Briefly describe the nominated organization: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 200 words used.
Oweesta Corporation is the longest-standing intermediary for Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), serving as an essential bridge between traditional lenders and underserved Native areas. As the largest facilitator of capital to Indian Country, Oweesta offers financial products and services to Native CDFIs and provides expert technical assistance and training to equip Native people with the knowledge and skills that support strategic financial decision-making. Oweesta is dedicated to strengthening the foundations of Native communities by advancing sustainable, equitable growth and prosperity. Oweesta is a majority-Native, minority- and women-led nonprofit organization. Since its inception in 1999, it has funded more than 4,350 Native businesses in 36 states, with its network of over 245 partners disbursing more than 26,000 loans totaling over $826 million.
Since July 2022, Oweesta has made numerous strides, including launching a comprehensive Native CDFI practitioner certification program, expanding financial capability curricula, managing 25 nationwide organizations as part of the U.S. SBA’s Community Navigator Pilot Program, starting Participation Lending to support community projects in Native communities through New Markets Tax Credit Work, and achieving financial milestones across Total Assets, Lending and Funding, all while developing a 5-year strategic plan to facilitate $500 million into Native Communities.
- Outline the organization's achievements since July 1 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
Since July 2022, Oweesta has achieved significant milestones demonstrating its commitment to supporting Native communities.
- Launched Training & Certification Programs:
- Native CDFI Practitioner Certification: This comprehensive training covers all Native CDFI operations, including essential financial management, lending, development services, impact tracking, marketing, capitalization and more.
- Building Native Communities Curriculum: Designed to aid Indigenous communities, tribal departments, Native CDFIs, non-profits, and other Native organizations in establishing financial education programs. In 2024, Oweesta introduced:
- Financial Coaching with Families Next Level: An advanced program to deepen financial understanding and coaching skills within familial dynamics.
- Coaching for Credit Building: A curriculum developed to help Native practitioners guide clients toward positive credit-building practices.
- Trauma-Informed Financial Practitioner: A course for Native practitioners to become more informed of the trauma created by the current financial systems and how to support clients with financial-related trauma.
- Financial Confidence for Elders: A course centered around providing tools and knowledge for senior Native community members.
- Expanded Capital:
- Reached over $90 million in total assets and over $58 million in lending.
- Awarded $156.4 million in Solar for All funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- Industry Involvement:
- Hosted two annual events for the Native CDFI industry:
- Native Gathering Day at OFN’s Annual Conference
- Oweesta’s Native CDFI Capital Access Convening
- Developed a five-year strategic plan to facilitate $500 million into Native Communities
- Managed 25 organization spokes nationwide under the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Community Navigator Pilot Program
- Started Participation Lending to support Native community projects under New Markets Tax Credit
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
Oweesta’s recent achievements emphasize its commitment to helping strengthen the foundations of Native communities for sustainable, equitable growth and prosperity. Many industry players focus on varying approaches to supporting Native communities; while this is undeniably beneficial, what differentiates Oweesta is our focus on providing resources that support long-term success.
Oweesta’s comprehensive training and certification programs provide uniquely tailored curricula that address critical areas like familial dynamics, credit-building, elder support and trauma-informed financial practices. Oweesta empowers its participants to develop skills to ensure their communities’ sustainable, economic, spiritual, and cultural well-being in the present and for future generations.
Oweesta’s asset and lending growth signifies a significant expansion of the financial resources available to Native communities. The Solar for All funding enables Oweesta to provide financial support for residential solar generation, battery storage, resilience upgrades and workforce development opportunities to communities nationwide, further emphasizing Oweesta’s commitment to sustainable development. Industry leadership efforts via annual events and involvement in initiatives like the U.S. SBA’s Community Navigator Pilot Program and Participation Lending emphasizes Oweesta’s thorough approach to community support.
Oweesta empowers Native communities to overcome obstacles like limited capital, inconsistent public funding, and the lack of tailored financial products by providing communities with the tools, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive. Oweesta is helping build the foundation for lasting, inclusive, and diversified growth in Native communities. By helping establish enduring institutions and programs that contribute to economic independence (i.e., driving job creation, business success, homeownership, economic development), Oweesta helps drive long-term prosperity.
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 28 words used.
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