The Center for Impact Finance conducts applied research and evaluation that explores how community lenders structure and deliver financial products, manage operations, and contribute to broader community and economic outcomes. Our research helps community lenders, funders, and investors understand and respond to market needs, to help them develop new products and programs, and to inform strategic and business planning. CIF’s practitioner-driven research and evaluation aim to strengthen continuous learning about what works to improve lender offerings and operations and support positive outcomes for communities.
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Practitioners’ Guide to Community Lending for a Just and Equitable Energy Transition
December 2023, English
In this guide, authors Curtis Probst, Tina Poole Johnson, and Hannah Vargason share a collection of key resources and references that provide an entry point to clean energy finance for community lending practitioners and to community development finance for green lenders.
December 2023, English
In this guide, authors Curtis Probst, Tina Poole Johnson, and Hannah Vargason share a collection of key resources and references that provide an entry point to clean energy finance for community lending practitioners and to community development finance for green lenders.
Enhancing the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
June 2024, English
In this brief, authors Hannah Vargason, Eric Hangen, and Michael Swack discuss the ways foundations and other catalytic capital investors can fill gaps in and support the effective and equitable implementation of the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction.
June 2024, English
In this brief, authors Hannah Vargason, Eric Hangen, and Michael Swack discuss the ways foundations and other catalytic capital investors can fill gaps in and support the effective and equitable implementation of the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction.
Why the Success of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Hinges on Customer Service
An Analysis of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
September 2025, English
In this perspectives brief, authors Eric Hangen and Jessica Luk-Li stress that while there is justifiable excitement over the new GGRF financing, success in deploying it to the right places and people will only happen if those involved get laser-focused on two words: customer service.
September 2025, English
In this perspectives brief, authors Eric Hangen and Jessica Luk-Li stress that while there is justifiable excitement over the new GGRF financing, success in deploying it to the right places and people will only happen if those involved get laser-focused on two words: customer service.
Clean Energy as Economic Development
An Analysis of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
September 2025, English
In this perspectives brief, authors Megan Mahajan and Eric Hangen discuss new analysis by Energy Innovation that has now estimated how far the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund will go toward its economic development goals.
September 2025, English
In this perspectives brief, authors Megan Mahajan and Eric Hangen discuss new analysis by Energy Innovation that has now estimated how far the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund will go toward its economic development goals.
The Future of Consolidation in the CDFI Sector
A Proactive Strategy for Scale and Impact
September 2025, English
In this working paper, authors Michael Swack and Sara Razavi discuss merger, acquisition, and other forms of integration to fulfill the CDFI mission more effectively, efficiently, and expeditiously to stem the widening wealth gap.
September 2025, English
In this working paper, authors Michael Swack and Sara Razavi discuss merger, acquisition, and other forms of integration to fulfill the CDFI mission more effectively, efficiently, and expeditiously to stem the widening wealth gap.
Resilient Communities and Affordable Energy
Charting Roles for Community Finance
June 2026, English
This report focuses on how the “community finance sector” engages in “low-income climate finance” projects such as those that create clean, affordable energy and improve the resilience of housing and communities.
June 2026, English
This report focuses on how the “community finance sector” engages in “low-income climate finance” projects such as those that create clean, affordable energy and improve the resilience of housing and communities.
