About the Survey
The Federal Reserve CDFI Survey is a national, biennial survey of certified and noncertified community development financial institutions (CDFIs). CDFIs play an outsized role in providing financial products and services to socially and economically underserved consumers, businesses, and communities, and are significant conduits of funds dispersed through public community and economic development programs. By 2023, the industry included about 1,400 CDFIs, which held more than $450B in total assets.
The Federal Reserve CDFI Survey is a collaboration between the 12 Federal Reserve Banks and external partner organizations. The survey began as a regional effort in 2009, became a national survey in 2019, and is conducted every two years. Survey data also complement administrative data that are collected and produced by the US Department of the Treasury’s CDFI Fund.
Learn more about the origins and evolution of the Federal Reserve CDFI Survey.
Release Schedule
The survey is administered every two years. The 2025 survey will be open in March and April 2025, and survey results will be released through Q3 and Q4 2025.
Survey Questions and Methodology
The Federal Reserve CDFI Survey is a convenience sample of CDFIs recruited through direct outreach and partnerships with CDFI member organizations. The survey questionnaire captures information on demand for CDFI products and services, capacity to meet demand, and broader industry dynamics. The questionnaire also captures data on timely topics relevant to the evolution of the industry; for example, in previous years, topics have included impact measurement and secondary market development. Download the 2023 survey questionnaire.
Join the Federal Reserve CDFI Survey and help us better understand how CDFIs serve their customers and their communities.
The 2025 CDFI Survey opens March 17.
