The Center for Impact Finance at the University of New Hampshire's Carsey School of Public Policy offers a wide range of applied practitioner trainings in community development and equitable climate finance.
UNH-Inclusiv Solar and Green Lending – Training & Technical Assistance Program
This program provides mission-focused community lending institutions (CDFIs, MDIs, credit unions, loan funds, and community banks) with the knowledge, skills, practices, and ongoing support to engage in equitable solar and green lending.
- Introduction to Solar Lending (self-paced)
- Green Home Improvement and Consumer Solar Lending (instructor-led, certificate)
- Commercial Solar Lending 101 (instructor-led, certificate "200-level" course)
- COMING SOON:
- Resilient Solar & Storage (self-paced)
- Multifamily Decarbonization (instructor-led, certificate)
- "200-level" Commercial Solar trainings in: Small business lending, Multifamily affordable housing, Community facilities, and Community solar (instructor-led, certificate)
- Other loan products in Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund priority project categories: (i) Distributed energy generation and storage; (ii) Net-zero emissions buildings; and (iii) Zero-emissions transportation.
Community Solar Development – Community Power Accelerator Foundation Series
This series prepares community-based organizations, small or new solar developers, and other to develop, finance, and build "credit-ready" community solar projects that deliver benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities.
- Introduction to Community Solar (self-paced)
- Foundations of Community Solar Development (self-paced, 8 modules, certificate option)
- Foundations of Community Solar Development (instructor-led, 8 modules, certificate)
- COMING SOON: New Foundations courses in...
- Community-facing non-residential solar (2025 Q1)
- Microgrids (2025 Q2)
- Virtual power plants and distributed energy resource aggregations (2026 Q1)
Other Education and Training for Community Financial Institutions
- Fundamentals of the Opportunity Finance Industry – presented in partnership with the Opportunity Finance Network (instructor-led, certificate)
- CU CDFI Practitioner Certificate – presented in partnership with Inclusiv (instructor-led, certificate)
- MA in Community Development (through the Carsey School of Public Policy)
The Center is frequently adding more programs and courses – including continuing education courses offered through the Carsey School and the University of New Hampshire. For more information, contact us.
Solar Lending Professional Training – Virtual Series
The Solar Lending Professional Training - Virtual Series is designed for community-based lending practitioners who want to expand their knowledge of solar financing and increase their organization’s activities in financing solar projects. This two-class training results in a Solar Finance Professional Certificate and offers technical assistance in creating and deploying solar lending projects.
CU CDFI Practitioner Certificate
Brought to you by Inclusiv and the Center for Impact Finance, this three-week course will take you thru 3 modules focused on creating a pipeline of CDFI practitioners in the credit union industry that will have a deep knowledge in Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) history, current state, certification, financial inclusion and sustainable strategies and models of CDFI growth.
Fundamentals of the Opportunity Finance Industry Class
This three-day course (offered virtually for 2022) is designed for practitioners who are interested in expanding their knowledge of the basics of the opportunity finance industry, which provides financing and financial services to low-income, low-wealth, and other disadvantaged people and communities. This is a non-credit, certificate course jointly offered by UNH's Carsey School of Public Policy and Opportunity Finance Network (OFN).
Community Power Accelerator Learning Lab
These courses consist of virtual training modules focused on practical information to help community-based organizations develop community solar projects used to serve low-income communities and further social justice. This learning lab was developed by the Center for Impact Finance and Housing Sustainability Advisors.
Credit Ready Meat and Poultry Lending Initiative
The Credit Ready series is designed for individuals who work at community-based lending institutions (credit unions, CDFIs, and community banks) and other entities eligible for the Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program or the Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program who are interested in increasing their organizations' activity in the meat and poultry processing space. The series will launch with an initial cohort of 8 to 10 entities experienced in the meat and poultry processing space that will serve as a “Learning Lab.”
