Additional capabilities strengthen client services, product development, community connections
SEATTLE, WA – The Rainier Valley Community Development Fund (RVCDF, the Fund) has added two new business professionals to its team, increasing operational capacity and strengthening its ability to serve its clients and community. The Fund is a self-sustaining, community-controlled financial institution (CDFI) dedicated to promoting community development, cultural vibrancy and economic opportunity through responsible lending to more people. On August 11th, it added Tonieh Thompson, Office Coordinator, and Christine Buckley, Business Operations and Technical Assistant Program Manager.
“We are thrilled to add expertise and capacity to the Fund that ensures we are strong partners for our community and our clients,” said Alvertis Brooks, Executive Director. “The diversity of skills and range of experiences that Christine and Tonieh bring to our work means that the people and businesses we serve have additional resources and that together, we are on track to grow even more.”
Since 2000, the Fund has been working to protect and create economic opportunities for all the people of King County and supports places where more people are able to thrive. As a certified CDFI, the Fund is a mission-driven lender and is rooted in serving individuals and businesses with low-to-moderate income who might otherwise be overlooked by traditional, for-profit banks.
As RVCDF’s new Business Operations and Technical Assistant Program Manager, Christine Buckley is well-versed in promoting access to capital for small businesses, including support and trainings that increase financial literacy, strengthen connections between those who are underserved and underbanked to grantors and community partners, and in development of strategic initiatives focused on community prosperity and wealth building. Her expertise is joined with that of Tonieh Thompson, who has deep roots in the communities served by the Fund and a proven record of keeping organizations subject to complex environments on task, on track and on time.
“The Grand Opening of our new offices on August 21 is another way we are celebrating the growth of the Fund and the additions of Tonieh and Christine to the team only underscore that we are well positioned to be a partner to the people who are part of our origin story, and also in those neighborhoods and communities where we are growing,” added Mr. Brooks.
The Fund was established as an outcome of community-driven advocacy during the development of Sound Transit’s Link light rail line in the Rainier Valley. Development and construction of light rail, a worthwhile means of connecting people via another transportation option, can also result in displaced and disrupted individuals, homes and businesses. RVCDF has worked with its community to provide over $100 million in loans that helped locals save their businesses and thrive. Today, RVCDF continues to provide access to capital for those who have historically had difficulty accessing credit, supports growth of a vibrant community through funding, and helps build financial muscle and generational wealth.
About the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund
RVCDF invests in communities that are thriving and economically resilient, from southeast Seattle and the Rainier Valley to the neighborhood of West Seattle and northwest to Ballard and beyond. As a certified, self-sustaining community development financial institution (CDFI), the Fund is a mission-driven lender that invests in people with low-to-moderate income to improve and expand opportunities. To learn more about how we may be of service to you, please visit www.rvcdf.org.