A Message From Our CEO

Dear Members, Partner and Friends,

2024 was a turbulent year. Communities were hit hard by natural disasters, from devastating hurricanes on the East Coast to raging wildfires in California. Working families continued to feel the pinch of high prices. People across the U.S. grappled with political strife and uncertainty.

Amidst that backdrop, two things are clear to me: economic justice is more important than ever, and we must fight for it together.  

Every day at Self-Help brings another example of the power of communities supporting each other and investing collectively in our future. I’m remembering stories of neighbors reaching out to help each other recover from the devastating storm in Western North Carolina, and the many allied and aligned partner organizations we work with, such as LA Más in Los Angeles, and United Power for Action and Justice in Chicago who have collaborated with Self-Help to make housing affordable for everyone. We all benefit when we unite for a common purpose.   

Despite the challenges of 2024, Self-Help — together with our amazing partners — had a hugely impactful year. Some highlights:  

• Our commercial lending continued to grow. Among the over 100 loans we provided to business and community facilities, one data point especially stands out to me: through our charter school and childcare lending, we created 2,921 spaces for children to learn and grow.    
• We provided 538 first-time homebuyers with fair, affordable home loans, starting them on the path to generational wealth-building.   
• We served 212,510 members across our geographies, including an expansion into Atlanta (GA) and Southeast Raleigh (NC). 
• We made 10,649 consumer loans, providing a cheaper alternative to high-cost lenders who all too often prey on working families.  
• We continued to provide financing to help working people across the country access the benefits of clean energy technologies.  
• We provided housing stability for 288 households with the creation or preservation of attractive, energy-efficient and affordable housing. 

Our research and advocacy arm, the Center for Responsible Lending, continued to fight for a fair and inclusive financial marketplace for all, and laid the groundwork to launch the Julian Bond Institute. 

Most of all, our members and communities continued to show up for each other.  

Self-Help is fortunate. We have a network of incredible partners and members, we are financially strong, and we have a powerful mission.   

When you’re strong, you use your strength to lift up your community. And in 2025 and beyond, we will continue to join forces with our partners and members to do just that.   

Although our work is financial services and community development, our purpose is creating a society that ensures justice, equity and freedom for all people.   

We will continue to pursue that purpose with everything we’ve got. We’re honored to have each of you alongside us as we do.  

Thank you.  

Sincerely,  
Martin Eakes