Mni Sota Fund is an Urban Native CDFI.
Minneapolis, MN
Our Mission
To provide training and access to capital in order to promote home ownership, entrepreneurship, and financial capabilities among American Indian men and women throughout the state of Minnesota. We do this through the provision of development services and financial products.
Our Vision
Vibrant American Indian Entrepreneurship
We envision a thriving ecosystem of American Indian entrepreneurs throughout the Twin Cities with a vibrant Native-business district on the American Indian Cultural Corridor.
Widespread American Indian Homeownership
We envision a system where any American Indian who dreams of owning a home has a clear pathway to making that dream a reality.
American Indian Financial Empowerment
We envision a world where American Indian families are able to eliminate cycles of poverty and create cycles of prosperity. This will happen through fostering opportunities for our community to grow wealth and pursue self-determined visions for our lives.
Our History
We were founded in 2012, as a spin off from the American Indian Community Development Corporation. We were created in response to community conversations that identified homeownership education, credit improvement resources, and entrepreneurial training as key tools that had been missing from the Native community development ecosystem in the Twin Cities.
Over the years we have served hundreds of tribal members and descendants from dozens of tribes. Among our many tremendous partners, we work closely with organizations including Oweesta, Northwest Area Foundation, Otto Bremer Trust, Neighborhood Development Center, Nexus Community Partners, Minnesota Housing and Finance Agency, Minnesota Home Ownership Center, and the CDFI Fund.
Mni Sota Fund’s name was Bii Gii Wiin Community Development Loan Fund from 2012–2020.
A Native CDFI
Mni Sota Fund is a Certified Native CDFI - but what does that mean? A Native Community Development Financial Institution, or a Native CDFI, is a designation from the US Treasury Department for lending institution that focus their work on building vibrant Native communities. More specifically, Native CDFIs exist to ensure capital and financial education reach our communities. Our loans are paired with coaching, education, and other support services in order to ensure that our borrowers are set up for success.
Our Values
Community Roots
Our resilience comes from the deep interconnectedness of our community. Celebrating and investing in these roots is a pathway to prosperity for our community.
Coaching + Education
Learning is in our nature. It is the key to growth. For this reason all of our work is focused on learning, coaching, and personal development.
Creativity + Collaboration
We believe creativity is the greatest tool humans have for solving problems, and our potential is amplified when we work together as collaborators.
Relationships + Connection
To solve the complex challenges that our community faces, we must wholly invest in strengthening the connections between people.