The awards, presented by OFN President and CEO Harold Pettigrew, underscore a commitment to providing marginalized communities with the resources necessary for economic self-determination. Among the recipients, the Colorado-based Oweesta Corporation received the Adina Abramowitz Impact Award for Organizational Growth and Change, a distinction created to honor the late trailblazer’s legacy in building institutional capacity.

Individual and organizational excellence remained the focus of the ceremony. Marla Bilonick, head of the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders, accepted the Executive Leadership Award for her vision in directing capital toward low-income populations. The Philadelphia Accelerator Fund earned the Emerging Growth CDFI Award for its rapid expansion over the last three years, while South Dakota’s Four Bands Community Fund secured the Native CDFI Leadership Award. Rounding out the honorees, Tate Hill of California’s Access Plus Capital was named Small Business Leader of the Year for his work in fostering lasting economic impact through strategic partnerships.