Courses and Events
CIF offers a variety of courses in community development finance, clean energy finance, solar development, and resilience. Our trainings build practical skills, financial acumen, and capacity to move projects from concept to deployment and strengthen organizational sustainability.
Learn More About Courses and Events
Introduction to Solar Finance
This short, introductory course explores why getting involved in solar lending can be a good business proposition for community-based lenders and reviews the many available options.
Research and Publications
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.
Learn More About Our Research and Publications
Clean Energy Project Development for Low-Income Communities
Scaling clean energy in low-income communities through solar and deep efficiency retrofits presents financing challenges, but that is only part of the problem. Drawing upon CIF’s research, this white paper outlines a road map depicting the ecosystem needed to deliver clean energy projects to underserved communities.
History of the Center
In 2009, Dr. Michael Swack founded the Center for Impact Finance (originally called the Center for Social Enterprise and Finance) as part of the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire. Earlier in his career, in 1982, Dr. Swack created the successful Master in Community Economic Development program at Southern New Hampshire University and helped found the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund in 1983 and the Opportunity Finance Network in 1984. For 15 years, he led the Center’s growth and helped expand the Master in Community Development (MCD) program at the Carsey School. In 2024, Dr. Swack stepped down from the role of director and continues to serve as a senior fellow and to teach in the MCD program. Ellen Lurie Hoffman joined the CIF as executive director in September 2024.
In 2026, the Center for Impact Finance moved to the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. CIF’s work is rooted in the belief that finance can serve public purpose, consistent with the Lincoln Institute’s mission to transform land value into public value. This partnership contributes to the Lincoln Institute’s growing portfolio of work in catalytic capital, land policy, and systems innovation, and enables the center to expand programs and amplify our impact. Partnership with Claremont Lincoln University allows CIF to continue offering certificates and micro-credentials from an accredited university that count for credit toward a master’s degree.
Today, the CIF’s research and thought leadership extends to a wide range of topics, including small business development; affordable housing; fintech; climate resilience; and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) capitalization, systems, growth, and collaboration. The center is also deeply engaged in ensuring that the nation’s transition to a clean energy economy benefits low-income communities. Together with the Lincoln Institute and Claremont Lincoln University, CIF is working to advance a shared vision of sustainable, place-based economic development and bring financial expertise that is sought by so many communities around the world.
