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Important Enhancements to the CDFI Information Mapping System

The Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Information Mapping System has been updated to a fourth version known as CIMS4. This system provides mapping and geocoding capabilities that support the certification application process for CDFIs and Community Development Entities (CDEs). The system allows these entities to assess the program eligibility of investments, and for lending, financial, and development activities in specific geographic areas for CDFI Fund programs.

The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) helps generate economic growth and community opportunity in some of our nation’s most distressed areas. Mission-driven financial institutions work with the CDFI Fund on specific and innovative programs that invest federal dollars in conjunction with private sector funds to develop economically disadvantaged communities. 

To apply for CDFI Certification and participate in CDFI Fund programs an institution must first identify the best communities or areas that need new sources of capital and neighborhoods that lack access to financing. The CDFI Fund has created a mapping system to help pinpoint the most appropriate target areas. 

How the Upgraded CDFI Information Mapping System Works

Version 4 of the CDFI Information Mapping System (CIMS4) helps identify some of the neediest areas that are ripe for development in conjunction with the CDFI Fund. The mapping system displays geocoding addresses, census tracts, and counties, and helps determine which census tracts and counties meet the distress criteria that make them eligible for various CDFI Fund programs. 

By using the CIMS4, you can create maps and reports, save them for application purposes, formulate target market worksheets, and submit the saved documents as support for online applications or other uses. You’ll find two versions of the updated mapping system — a public version that has certain limitations, and a full version that must be accessed through the CDFI Fund’s Award Management Information System (AMIS).

What Does the CIMS4 Show?

Using the CIMS4 Controls, you can: 

• access different layer visibility within a certain selection 
• view a legend for the visible layers on a selection 
• search for a location 
• view program eligibility in specific zones, and 
• gather demographic information for individual census tracts.

Where To Find More Information

To learn more about these mapping tools and how you can utilize them to file a successful application, take a look at the U.S. Department of the Treasury Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund page. To enter the actual mapping tool, simply click on the Welcome to the CDFI Fund CIMS Mapping Tool page and get started. 

You can also download a pdf version of the CDFI Fund’s Award Management Information System (AMIS) instruction manual: “Getting Started – Navigating AMIS.” Also, the CDFI Fund has produced an instructional YouTube video about how to use the CIMS4 to create, analyze, and validate a Target Market.

Look No Further For Experienced Professional Assistance

At Savage Associates, our practice is focused on community development and we’re proud to assist our clients with applications for available sources to fund their dream projects. We’ll walk you through the entire process, answer all of your questions, and ensure you receive the highest quality legal services possible. 

If you have any questions about the CDFI Fund mapping tool, or other development matters, give us a call at 215.880.9441 in Philadelphia, or at 202.817.3941 for our Washington D.C. office. Or visit us at Savage Associates anytime for more information or to set up a consultation. Let’s improve our communities together!