Stimulus Money Gives a Boost to Nonprofit Lenders

Community Development Financial Institutions, a group that includes nonprofit organizations as well as local thrifts and banks that serve low-income neighborhoods, are in line to receive $400-million in federal stimulus and budget funds, an eight-fold increase from last year, USA Today reports.

Unlike major banks that have held on to much of their federal bailout money, neighborhood lenders like the nonprofit Community First Fund, of Lancaster, Pa., are eager to spend stimulus money because they see their primary role as stabilizing local economies rather than generating big profits.