What's At Stake For OFN In Its $2.9 Billion Fight With The Trump Administration

Forbes

22-04-2025

Renewable Energy - Climate Change Policy
This Earth Day, amid renewed calls for climate action and community reinvestment, a legal battle is unfolding that could shape how the U.S. funds its green economy—and who benefits from it.
Earlier this month, Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), a national network of more than 400 community development financial institutions (CDFIs), filed suit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for what it describes as the unlawful suspension of $2.9 billion in federal funding previously awarded through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). These funds were intended to be deployed through mission-driven lenders to support clean energy financing and small business investment in historically underserved communities.
The lawsuit raises more than procedural concerns. It asks whether federal agencies can withhold congressionally authorized funds without public explanation—and what that means for nonprofit and community-based organizations increasingly called upon to implement climate solutions on the ground.
The implications for entrepreneurship and small business development are particularly striking. Under OFN's proposed model, the $2.9 billion in EPA funds would have flowed through CDFIs to finance solar installations, green infrastructure, and other energy projects—not only reducing carbon emissions but also creating thousands of contracting, installation, and service jobs for small business owners, particularly those in low-income or disadvantaged areas. Many of these entrepreneurs, often excluded from traditional banking channels, stood to benefit directly from a clean energy economy that was finally designed with them in mind.
Now, those opportunities are in limbo.
In its official statement, OFN called the freeze 'an unlawful and irresponsible decision that threatens billions in private sector capital and thousands of new jobs,' and emphasized that it 'undermines one of the most significant investments in environmental justice and economic inclusion in our nation's history.'
This legal fight is happening against the backdrop of broader political pressures on climate and equity-focused nonprofits. As Reuters recently reported, several major climate organizations are bracing for heightened scrutiny under a potential second Trump administration, including potential investigations into their tax-exempt status. While some lawmakers, such as Rep. Lee Zeldin, have publicly denied any targeting, the concern alone is having a chilling effect across the field.
So what happens next? Will this case establish legal safeguards for mission-driven implementers of federal funding? Or does it foreshadow a more precarious environment, where political shifts can stall billions in clean energy investments—and the small businesses that rely on them?
Earth Day is often a time for reflection on environmental goals. But this year, it may also prompt a deeper inquiry: What good is a climate investment strategy if the funds can be paused without warning? And what happens to small businesses, community lenders, and workforce partners who structured their growth around a now-frozen pipeline?
This is no longer just a matter of environmental justice. It's a question of economic stability, contractual trust, and the future of public-private partnerships in delivering climate and economic solutions—particularly to communities that have historically been last in line.
As the court considers OFN's claims, many in the field will be watching for more than a verdict. They'll be searching for a signal that the rules of engagement for mission-aligned funding are still intact.