Who We Are

The Wisconsin Native Loan Fund (WINLF) Inc., established in 2006, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and U.S. Treasury-certified Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) whose mission is to increase the financial well-being of Wisconsin Native American families and communities.  It is our mission and passion to elevate Tribal Members, Tribal Entities, Tribal Governments with the goal of promoting financial self-sufficiency and improve the economic and social conditions for Native American communities in Wisconsin.  We serve enrolled members of any federally recognized Tribe or documented descendant who resides within the State of Wisconsin (our target market) with lending products and anyone with development services.

 

WINLF was created to provide access to affordable lending opportunities which are complemented with client development services inclusive of education services (such as homebuyer education and financial literacy); coaching/counseling (such as credit counseling and client action plans) and technical assistance (such as business/entrepreneurship services). As an organization with a character-based lending and customer service philosophy, we take pride in our ability to bring our customers to ‘yes’ and in maintaining an extremely low delinquency ratio in loan servicing.

 

CDFI certification is a designation given by the U.S. Treasury's CDFI Fund to specialized organizations that provide financial services in low-income communities and to people who lack access to financing. CDFIs include community development banks, credit unions, as well as loan and venture capital funds. By building the capacity of a nationwide network of CDFIs through grant funding and other resources, the CDFI Fund works to empower low-income and underserved people and communities to enter the financial mainstream. WINLF attained CDFI certification in 2013 and has maintained it ever since.

 

WINLF is also an SBA Navigator Spoke and a HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency.  We are headquartered in Lac du Flambeau, WI.

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Why Do We Lend?

As a Native CDFI, we provide crucial financial infrastructure, create/retain jobs, and asset-building opportunities to Native communities that have long lacked access to financial institutions and other traditional sources of credit, capital, and other vital resources needed to build healthy, sustainable economies.  We also reduce reliance on predatory lending.

Our products and services provide great resources for people to realize their dreams.  We can help a client manage credit and debt, budget, develop an action plan and become a home or business owner.  We can supply capital to make projects and/or housing happen affordably.  We’re able to bank the underbanked to stimulate an equitable economy, offer a helping hand in overcoming systemic barriers thereby contributing to the development of seven generational wealth and beyond – lasting prosperity.