Center for Community Self-Help
| Company type | Nonprofit community development financial institution |
|---|---|
| Industry | Financial services, Community development |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Headquarters | Durham , United States |
Area served | United States (North Carolina, California, Illinois, South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin, Florida) |
| Products | Financial products and loans for individuals, small businesses, nonprofit organizations; real estate development |
| Website | www |
Self-Help operates as a nationwide community development financial institution based in Durham, North Carolina. Between 1980 and 2017, it provided financing exceeding $7 billion to 146,000 families, individuals, and enterprises. The organization fosters economic growth and community resilience by delivering financial products and loans tailored to individuals, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Additionally, Self-Help engages in real estate development initiatives and advocates for equitable financial practices across the country. Its credit union network serves a membership of 150,000 across North Carolina, California, Illinois, South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Florida.
History
Self-Help began offering home financing in 1985 to North Carolina residents who lacked access to traditional mortgage options. During the late 1980s, it collaborated with Fannie Mae to broaden homeownership possibilities for underserved borrowers. In 1998, Self-Help joined forces with Fannie Mae and the Ford Foundation to introduce the Community Advantage Program, which provided credit enhancements to mainstream lenders. Within five years, this initiative facilitated over $2 billion in affordable home mortgage financing for minority and low-income purchasers nationwide. Research demonstrated that borrowers with limited income are dependable credit candidates when provided responsible loans at fair interest rates.
In reaction to the surge of predatory subprime lending during the late 1990s, Self-Help played a key role in enacting the 1999 North Carolina Predatory Lending Law—the first legislation of its kind in the United States. The organization established the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) in 2002 to amplify its efforts against exploitative lending practices such as payday loans and predatory mortgages. Since its inception, CRL has partnered with community groups, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to address lending abuses that cost American families billions annually.
Expansion
Self-Help's credit union network has grown significantly in recent years.
Awards
Self-Help has been recognized with multiple accolades from Preservation North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, and the Triangle Commercial Real Estate Women.
In 2007, it was acknowledged as one of twelve high-impact nonprofits featured in the book Forces For Good, alongside organizations including America's Second Harvest and Habitat for Humanity.
The year 2009 saw Self-Help honored with the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award for its contributions to community service. That same year, co-founder and CEO Martin Eakes received AARP’s Inspire Award for his social impact efforts.
In 2011, the Ford Foundation named Eakes among twelve Social Change Visionaries and awarded him $100,000 in recognition of his leadership combating predatory financial practices within low-income communities.
Controversies
In 2024, Self-Help Ventures Fund—a subsidiary of Self-Help Credit Union—became a lead partner in the Climate United Fund, which obtained a $6.97 billion grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the National Clean Investment Fund program. This award faced criticism from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin due to concerns about a hasty and non-transparent selection procedure. A Freedom of Information Act request was submitted seeking communications between the CDFI Fund and Self-Help affiliates amid allegations of potential conflicts of interest involving a senior CDFI official formerly employed by Self-Help Ventures Fund. Additionally, Republican legislators raised questions regarding ethical transparency and possible favoritism in managing the grant distribution.