#United States #Washington, D.C. #CDFI #Opportunity Finance Network #Donna Gambrell

Honoring Donna Gambrell: A Beacon of Community Development Finance

Last night in Washington, D.C., opportunity flourished as Donna Gambrell was awarded the distinguished 2025 Ned Gramlich Lifetime Achievement Award for Responsible Finance at the Opportunity Honors Award Ceremony hosted by the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN). This accolade is a pinnacle of recognition within the community development finance sector, honoring individuals whose significant contributions have shaped the industry positively.

Gambrell has dedicated her professional life to broadening economic opportunities in historically marginalized rural, urban, and Native communities through community development finance. Her influence and leadership have been transformative, especially during her tenure as the Director of the U.S. Department of the Treasury's CDFI Fund from 2007 to 2013. Under her stewardship, the agency saw funding via its flagship Financial Assistance Awards program double, resulting in innovative initiatives such as the Capital Magnet Fund, Healthy Food Financing Initiative, and the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program. These efforts significantly enhanced the capabilities and reach of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) across the nation.

Since 2017, Gambrell has played an instrumental role on OFN's Board of Directors, serving as Chair from 2020 to 2024. During her time there, she has provided vital guidance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of sector resilience and community support.

In expressing her concerns and aspirations, Harold Pettigrew, President and CEO of OFN, remarked, "Donna Gambrell has dedicated her career to expanding economic opportunity for communities long excluded from traditional finance." He further acknowledged her as a leader who has significantly grown and broadened the organizations she's led, effectively reaching more individuals in underinvested communities.

Currently, Gambrell is the President and CEO of Appalachian Community Capital (ACC), where she guides a network of over 40 members managing around $4 billion in assets. This network primarily aims to boost local economies by supporting approximately 20,000 regional businesses. Under her leadership, noteworthy initiatives like Opportunity Appalachia have successfully helped over 80 communities secure more than $160 million for pivotal projects. Additionally, the establishment of the Green Bank for Rural America serves to promote climate-smart investments in rural areas, demonstrating her commitment to sustainable development alongside economic expansion.

Reflecting on her journey and commitment to community empowerment, Gambrell stated, "Local communities know what they need to best support themselves, and CDFIs put the power back in their hands." Her passion stems from witnessing communities thrive and individuals build generational wealth attributable to the opportunities offered by CDFIs. Therefore, receiving the Gramlich Award represents not just personal recognition, but a testament to a collective effort towards meaningful financial inclusion and responsibility in community development finance.

She has also the distinction of being the first African American woman to lead the CDFI Fund, marking a significant achievement indicative of her remarkable career path imbued with institutional accomplishments that have left a lasting impact on the sector. Darrin Williams, CEO of Southern Bancorp, Inc., noted, "Not only is Donna Gambrell a tireless champion for equitable community and business development, but she is a mentor and role model to so many in the industry." He commended her abilities to unite individuals and propel community development finance initiatives forward across the country.

About the Ned Gramlich Lifetime Achievement Award for Responsible Finance

Established in 2007, this award stands as the community development finance industry's highest individual honor. It recognizes professionals whose careers are marked by leadership, integrity, and unwavering dedication to elevating economic opportunities. The award serves to spotlight the remarkable accomplishments of individuals who have innovated, built institutions, and relentlessly focused on impactful outcomes, ensuring a legacy that continues to benefit communities served by the CDFI industry.

The award is named after Ned Gramlich, a long-time advocate who significantly contributed to responsible finance. His work focused on community development and consumer finance policy, emphasizing fairness and equity in lending practices, which paved the way for future advances in the industry.

About Opportunity Finance Network

Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) is the principal network and intermediary in community development investment in the United States, managing over $1 billion total assets and encompassing more than 490 CDFIs. These institutions, ranging from community development loan funds to venture capital funds, are dedicated to ensuring those neglected by mainstream finance have access to affordable financial products and services. OFN, in its over 40 years of operation, has successfully facilitated the origination of $124 billion in financing, fostering economic growth through job creation, business support, and housing development initiatives throughout the nation.

As the community continues to evolve, the work of leaders like Donna Gambrell will remain crucial in shaping a more equitable financial landscape for all.