NDFC Board Achieves 100% Participation in Donations

We are thrilled to announce that every member of our Board of Directors has generously donated to the National Disability Finance Coalition in the past . This incredible show of support underscores our shared commitment to advancing financial empowerment for people with disabilities.

We are deeply grateful to our Board of Directors for their unwavering dedication to our mission. Their generous contributions will help us continue to create positive change and make a meaningful impact in the lives of people with disabilities. We wish to take this opportunity to thank our entire Board individually by name:

Angela Dowell, Chicago Community Loan Fund

Charles D. Hammerman, Disability Opportunity Fund, Board Chair

Roxane Herrera, Upstart

Danny Housley, Shepherd Center

Emerson Sekins, Northwest Access Fund, Board Treasurer

Susan Tachau, Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation, Board Vice Chair

Greg Maher, Leviticus Fund

We also want to take this opportunity to thank our supporters and partners for their ongoing support. Together, we can build a more inclusive and equitable financial system that works for everyone.

If you’d like to learn more about our work or make a donation, please visit our website at https://disability-finance.org/donate-to-ndfc/. Thank you!

NDFC Receives $75,000 grant from JPMorgan Chase Foundation

The National Disability Finance Coalition has received funding for programming and operational support to increase awareness, capabilities, funding, products, and services by CDFIs to serve people with disabilities (PWD). 

NDFC will utilize the funding from JPMC Foundation for two main priorities:

  • Disability Finance Capacity Building: NDFC will develop and offer a training program to CDFI practitioners and partners in the disability community covering topics such as:
    • Incorporating People with Disabilities into Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Social Justice, and Equitable Access Strategies.
    • Disability finance in housing, consumer finance, community facilities, and small business.
    • Data on the disability community as a target market.
    • Forming relationships with organizations serving the disability community.
    • Sources of funding and capital.
  • Operational support: the grant funding will sustain NDFC’s current staffing and activities and continue to build the organization’s resources to expand disability finance. Support from JPMC Foundation will help us continue to offer and expand valued services such as:
    • Peer learning
    • Free 1-1 technical assistance to CDFIs and Disability Services organizations.
    • Congressional outreach on disability finance as part of CDFI Funding.
    • Federal agency outreach on disability finance to recognize PWD as an underserved population.

Schoolhouse Hotel Grand Opening

The Schoolhouse Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia opened on June 17th. It is the world’s first fully accessible, ADA-compliant, hotel. Among those in attendance was Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.).

The Schoolhouse Hotel is White Sulphur Springs’ first full-service boutique hotel. This exciting project will transform the former historic WSS High School into a hub for the community and visitors alike. Featuring 30 uniquely appointed guest rooms, an upscale restaurant/grill, a rooftop bar, and flexible ballroom space perfect for weddings, conferences and so much more. The Schoolhouse Hotel will showcase the best in West Virginia hospitality and lodging in a completely inclusive atmosphere.

Conceived and developed by The Disability Opportunity Fund, The Schoolhouse Hotel will be built with a focus on community. The renowned architectural firm, Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates, has designed a hotel that pays homage to its storied schoolhouse past and the building’s place in the history of the town of White Sulphur Springs. Memorabilia from the old high school will adorn the walls, and playful nods to the school days of yesteryear will be peppered throughout the hotel experience.