Southwest Ohio Improvement Fund

The Southwest Ohio Improvement Fund (SOIF) is a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing economic revitalization and fostering sustainable growth in distressed and low-income communities throughout Butler County, Ohio. SOIF strategically deploys specialized financing tools and partners with public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders to attract investment, support local businesses, and create quality employment opportunities in communities that have historically experienced disinvestment.

SOIF is organized as a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit under the Internal Revenue Code and is certified as a Certified Development Entity (CDE) by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. As a CDE, SOIF is subject to ongoing federal compliance and reporting requirements and is accountable for directing a substantial portion of its financing activities to qualified low-income communities and populations, as defined by U.S. Treasury and IRS regulations. This designation enables SOIF to access and administer federal community development tools, including participation in the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program, U.S. Treasury-supported revolving loan and grant programs, and select grant opportunities administered by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. All such activities are conducted in accordance with applicable Treasury, IRS, and program-specific compliance standards.

SOIF is governed by a Board of Directors composed of senior local government executives, including the City Managers of Fairfield, Hamilton, and Middletown, as well as the Township Administrators of Liberty Township and West Chester Township. This governance structure provides strong regional representation, fiduciary oversight, and policy alignment, ensuring that SOIF’s activities remain consistent with federal requirements, local priorities, and the shared objective of advancing inclusive economic development across Butler County.