OFN Examines CDFI Job Data Practices

Opportunity Finance Network
Tuesday, November 4, 2014

A new working paper on CDFI job metrics from CDFI network OFN recommends increased rigor and standardization of collection practices. The report includes findings from Create Jobs for USA, an initiative by OFN and Starbucks to support CDFIs' job creation activity. The authors hope the report will be a step forward in building a consensus among CDFIs about how job metrics ought to be collected, processed and reported. Among the report's recommendations are formalizing data collection policies and data point definitions, including quality control measures. The report also encourages clear, detailed and timely data collection forms for borrowers and proposes standardized definitions of job metric terminology and measures.