Count On Us! For over 20 years, Raza Development Fund has proudly provided financial capital to a Latino-serving organizations and Latino-owned small businesses because we know Latinos are a great investment. As we partner with UnidosUS on the Count On Us AZ campaign to share the contributions of Latinos in Arizona, we are highlighting four of RDF’s emerging Latino servant leaders. While we all share a passion for creating better opportunities and equitable access for our Latino and low-income communities across the country, these four are prime examples of the talent and dedication that make up our Familia.     Amanda …

Count On Us! This month and through October, we not only celebrate our heritage and Latino leaders for Hispanic Heritage Month, but we also have a special message: Arizona counts on Latinos!   As a support corporation of UnidosUS, Raza Development Fund is proud to partner in the Count On Us AZ campaign. Together, along with Arizona’s UnidosUS affiliate nonprofit organizations, we’ll raise awareness of Latinos’ contributions to Arizona’s economy and culture while inspiring action to remove barriers that Latinos and others face—in employment, education, housing, and health care.  For RDF, this campaign is a perfect alignment with our work …

By Melissa McDonald, RDF’s Chief Operating Officer My dearest Jefe (Tom Espinoza), I was given the great honor to write Raza Development Fund Familia’s farewell message as you “Step Up” as co-founder and President and CEO of RDF for the past 23+ years. You must know that I have struggled with this message. How in the world do I convey what you mean to us and the great respect and gratitude we all have for being blessed to serve with you? Jefe, you are an icon, a true servant-leader, and an Architect of Hope. You have shown the world what is …

By Patty Juarez, Head of Diverse Segments for Wells Fargo The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) increased rates a quarter point from .25% to .50% in March – the first time since 2018 – and is expected to raise short-term rates six more times this year. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is also causing tremendous human and economic hardship worsening upward pressure on inflation in the U.S. With rates on the rise and growing costs of supplies and services, what does this mean for small business owners? Rates on the rise Interest rate hikes could fuel more costly borrowing, greater credit …

“For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you made me welcome, lacking clothes and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me.” – Matthew 25:35-36 This deep-rooted belief in serving poor families in everything we do at the Raza Development Fund. That’s why RDF is proud to host a clothing drive starting today, Wednesday, April 20 – Friday, April 29 for immigrant refugees as we strive to lend them a hand along their difficult journey. Recently, Tom …

Raza Development Fund’s Small Business Initiatives team is committed to supporting our micro and small businesses. Due to recent pandemic closures and constant changes, our small businesses have been hit hard, with many struggling to keep their doors open. According to the Small Business Administration, SBA, small businesses are the lifeblood of the U.S. economy creating two-thirds of net jobs. It’s imperative to support our small business owners, especially during these turbulent times. At RDF, we’ve supported 489 small businesses through the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan process. Last year, our Hope Fund provided grants to 111 small businesses. …