Cinnaire

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are playing a critical role in strengthening rural communities — from expanding access to affordable housing and education to fueling small business growth. This article highlights how innovative financing is making a difference across Northern communities, including a powerful example in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Cinnaire is proud to support Copper Island Academy, a charter school in Calumet. Built on a Finnish education model, the academy blends innovation with tradition — emphasizing outdoor learning, hands-on experiences, and unstructured brain breaks to prepare students for college, careers, and life.

Cinnaire Lending Corporation provided a $6.4 million loan and $10 million of New Market Tax Credit allocation from Cinnaire New Markets, which generated a $3.1 million equity investment from Dudley Ventures.

Read more — including insight from Cinnaire’s own Chase Schulte on the impact of this project:

Community Development Financial Institutions help rural Northern communities fund affordable housing, education, support small business growth – Common Ground Rural communities often experience a lack of capital access due to bank mergers, or community banks leaving their areas. CDFIs step in to bridge the gap by providing crucial capital, workshops, and referrals to rural communities — funding affordable housing, high-quality education, and community d...

We’re proud to share a significant milestone for Cinnaire Lending Corporation (CLC).

CLC has received its first Aeris® Rating Report, earning an AA– rating for Financial Strength and Performance. This recognition affirms CLC’s evolution into a well-managed, financially strong Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), built on years of disciplined growth and impact.

Aeris’ rigorous, data-driven review underscores CLC’s strong performance, risk management, and ability to navigate changing market conditions, reinforcing confidence among investors and partners committed to community development.

Read the full announcement:

Cinnaire Lending Earns Prestigious CDFI Aeris Rating - Cinnaire - Advancing Communities Cinnaire Lending has received its first Aeris® Rating Report — affirming that the organization is a well-managed, financially stable Community Development Financial Institution.