By anika • October 14, 2025

What’s New in February!

February, 2025

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Exodus Lending works with financially excluded Minnesotans to advance economic justice through consumer lending, community organizing, and advocacy.

Visit our website at exoduslending.org.

The Goings On

We’ve had a busy month and are revving up for an even busier March! Our Southern Minnesota Organizer, Sophie Hoiseth, recently tabled at Mankato Youth Place; our Northern Minnesota Organizer, Ben Lien, headed to Duluth to partake in Non-Profit social night; and Sophie later joined our Director of Programs and Lending, Jeremiah Fuller, on a trip to Rochester to meet with the lovely folks at Jeremiah Program! Jeremiah Program is officially onboarded as our newest Resiliency Loan Partner, our first in Rochester.

We also made some Exodus Lending “swag” for the first time. Staff and Board will be able to rep Exodus Lending out in the community, and our little fidget stress balls have been a hit with everyone!

Images Below:
– Sophie at Mankato Youth Place with the Assistant Director Ben Geer and Executive Director Erin Simmons.
– Jeremiah training in the Family Coaches at Jeremiah Program in Rochester.
– Sophie and Ben modeling our new stress balls and pens.
– Our Program Coordinator, Troye Dylla, showing off our tote bags and T-shirts.

This isn’t goodbye, it’s a see you later: It is bittersweet news that our Program Coordinator, Pat Black, had his last day with Exodus Lending today. While he is moving on to his next great adventure, we have benefited greatly in his almost year of employment with us. He brought with him a wealth of experience and perspective to our work having come from the banking and lending industry and taught us new ways of looking at our lending portfolio and approach that will last well beyond his tenure with the organization. He will be greatly missed by the Exodus Lending team, but we look forward to having him join our amazing crew of staff alumni supporters!

Impacts of the Federal Funding Freeze: Thank you to those who have reached out to Exodus Lending during this challenging time for many non-profits. Because of our supporters, donors, and champions, we are in a stable financial position supported by diversified funding streams (of which only 10% are from federal sources).

Still, during this moment of industry-wide volatility, we join the chorus of organizations declaring exactly where we all stand. At Exodus Lending, our values are rooted in boldness, compassion, and community. We are determined to move forward with verve and embrace these values as we continue stabilizing communities and fight for systemic change through our small-dollar loan programs and grassroots organizing efforts, doing this crucial work through partnerships with those that have been or continue to be targeted historically or by the current administration.

Protect the CFPB Reminder: As we shared in a recent email, the CFPB which protects Americans from predatory financial practices, has been halted by the Office of Management and Budget. If you have not, we urge you to call Congress to voice your support for this agency that has returned over $21 billion to American families since 2010.

Call Congress Today in Support of the CFPB

Community Event Invitation: This legislative session, we’re partnering with the Fines and Fees Justice Center and the Immigrant Law Center of MN to advocate for a low-cost auto insurance program for Minnesotans. We’re co-hosting two opportunities to learn more about this effort and invite you to join us!
Learn more about the Mankato Session Here
Learn more about the Twin Cities Session Here

“Find Help” Resource: Our Loan Servicing Coordinator, Claire Chamberlin, recently found FindHelp.org a site with free & low-cost resources for a wide variety of needs (food, money, housing). It is well-organized and searchable by zip code!

Predatory Lending in the News
In case you missed it, here are some of the latest news items on predatory lending:

Donate

Exodus Lending is a 501(c)(3) organization (EIN: 47-1706853).
Gifts of all sizes are appreciated and are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Check out our Ways to Give sheet or contact us for additional giving options.

Copyright © 2025 Exodus Lending, All rights reserved.

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February E-News

The Goings On