RDF Familia Wishes Tom Espinoza Farewell
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 …
Raza Development Fund Launches J. Tommy Espinoza Fellowship, a Component of Wells Fargo Foundation Growing Diverse Housing Developers Program
PHOENIX, AZ. – Raza Development Fund (RDF) is proud to launch the J. Tommy Espinoza Fellowship, a signature component of Wells Fargo Foundation’s Growing Diverse Housing Developers program. The fellowship, named in honor of RDF’s founding President & CEO, will support the growth and development of housing developers of color while ultimately strengthening the affordable housing development ecosystem. “We not only wanted to honor Tommy’s life-long commitment and impact to community development and affordable housing in poor and Latino communities, as importantly we wanted to honor Tommy’s legacy as a selfless mentor, visionary trailblazer, and fearless torchbearer of hope,” said …
Raza Development Fund (RDF) Names Annie Donovan as its new President and CEO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ruby Marinez • rmarinez@razafund.org | Octavio Espinal • oespinal@unidosus.org Raza Development Fund (RDF) Names Annie Donovan as its new President and CEO MAY 31, 2022 PHOENIX, AZ. – Raza Development Fund’s Chairman of the Board, Danny Ortega, Jr., and Janet Murguía, President and CEO of UnidosUS, announced today that Annie Donovan will become the new President and Chief Executive Officer of RDF. RDF is the largest national Latino serving Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in the country and a support corporation to UnidosUS. Danny said, “Ms. Donovan is exceptionally qualified to lead RDF to greater levels …
What does interest rate hikes and rising inflation mean for a small business owner? Check out these tips
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 …
RDF Hosts a Clothing Drive For Refugees
“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 …
RDF Supports Small Businesses With 3 Major Challenges to Accessing Capital
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. …