Community Economic Development Fund
Connecticut-based nonprofit CDFI providing SBA microloans, term loans, commercial real estate loans, and lines of credit (from $1,000 to $750,000) to underserved small businesses across all 169 CT towns, bundled with business advisory and education services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersMeriden, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Community Economic Development Fund does
Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF) is a Meriden, Connecticut-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) founded in 1994 by then-Governor Lowell P. Weicker. CEDF provides small business loans and complementary business advisory and education services to Connecticut entrepreneurs who cannot obtain traditional bank financing, with a stated mission of promoting small business formation, job creation, and economic development across all 169 Connecticut cities and towns, with emphasis on Targeted Investment Communities (TICs), Public Investment Communities (PICs), and low-to-moderate income areas.
The loan portfolio comprises six product lines: SBA Microloans ($1,000–$50,000, fixed rate, up to 7-year terms), Term Loans ($1,000–$250,000, fixed rate, up to 10-year terms), Commercial Real Estate Loans (up to $500,000, up to 20-25 year amortization), Business Lines of Credit ($5,000–$250,000, variable rate, one-year revolving), Nonprofit Organization Loans for 501(c)(3) entities with $500K+ revenue, and the Women and Minority Loan Guarantee Program (up to 30% DECD-backed guarantee). Interest rates span approximately 4.5%–12% across products, with no application fees and no prepayment penalties. Capital is sourced from a base of 26 institutional bank investors (Bank of America, Wells Fargo, M&T, Citizens, Liberty, Webster, KeyBank, TD, Santander, and Connecticut community banks) plus federal CDFI Fund grants, SBA Microloan program authority, and state/municipal grants.
CEDF bundles every loan with mandatory Business Advisor coaching and operates the WeTeachSuccess.org Business Education Center (free courses, webinars, Chalkboard newsletter, Small Business As Usual podcast, Spanish-language programming). Distribution is direct origination across Connecticut only, via website application (LoanWell portal), phone/email, in-person workshops across CT municipalities, and referral partnerships with SCORE, CT SBDC, Women's Business Development Council, and CT DECD. The organization has served nearly 1,000 cumulative borrowers since 1994 across diverse industries (manufacturing, restaurants, retail, childcare, food production, fitness, auto repair), and has been Connecticut's leading SBA Microloan originator for eight consecutive years. Headcount is in the 11–50 range.
Community Economic Development Fund firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Community Economic Development Fund
- Legal name
- Community Economic Development Fund
- Website
- https://cedf.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Connecticut-based nonprofit CDFI providing SBA microloans, term loans, commercial real estate loans, and lines of credit (from $1,000 to $750,000) to underserved small businesses across all 169 CT towns, bundled with business advisory and education services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Community Economic Development Fund industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Development Lending
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Development Finance & Blended Finance Facilities (BPADAOAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Microenterprise Group Lending (Joint Liability) (FSAKAGAH), Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)
Keywords
Where Community Economic Development Fund is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Meriden
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Community Economic Development Fund business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- SBA Microloans: SBA Microloans ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 with fixed rates, terms up to 7 years. CEDF is Connecticut's leading SBA Microloan originator. Revenue generated through interest income on microloan portfolio.
- Term Loans: Term loans ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 with fixed rates, terms up to 10 years. Used for working capital, inventory, equipment, and debt refinancing.
- Commercial Real Estate Loans: Owner-occupied and investor commercial real estate loans up to $500,000 with fixed rates, terms up to 20-25 years. Can be combined with other CEDF loans up to $750,000.
- Business Lines of Credit: Lines of credit from $5,000 to $250,000 with variable rates, short-term renewable structure. Revenue from interest on outstanding balances.
- Nonprofit Organization Loans: Loans to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations headquartered in Connecticut with minimum $500,000 annual revenues and three years operating history.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | SBA Microloan: $1,000–$50,000, fixed rate, up to 7 years |
| Subscription | Monthly | Term Loan (smaller tier): $1,000–$50,000, fixed rate, up to 7 years |
| Subscription | Monthly | Term Loan (larger tier): $5,000–$250,000, fixed rate, up to 10 years |
| Subscription | Monthly | Commercial Real Estate Loan: up to $500,000, fixed rate, up to 20-25 years |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Business Line of Credit: $5,000–$250,000, variable rate, one-year renewable |
| Subscription | Monthly | Women and Minority Loan Guarantee Program: up to $50,000 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Community Economic Development Fund product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF) is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that originates and services small business loans—including SBA Microloans, term loans, commercial real estate loans, lines of credit, nonprofit organization loans, and the Women and Minority Loan Guarantee Program—across all 169 Connecticut cities and towns, targeting business owners who cannot obtain traditional bank financing. Every borrower is paired with a dedicated Business Advisor, and CEDF also delivers free business education through its WeTeachSuccess.org platform.
Product overview
Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF) offers a unified portfolio of small business lending products and support services designed for Connecticut entrepreneurs who cannot obtain traditional bank financing. The core lending suite includes SBA Microloans (Connecticut's leading originator), Term Loans, Commercial Real Estate Loans, Business Lines of Credit, Nonprofit Organization Loans, and the Women and Minority Loan Guarantee Program. These loan products are bundled with complementary support services including Business Advisory Services (one-on-one coaching) and Business Education programming through WeTeachSuccess.org featuring workshops, seminars, webinars, and self-paced courses. The organization particularly serves low-to-moderate income communities and businesses in Connecticut's Targeted Investment Communities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- WeTeachSuccess.org: CEDF Business Education Center offering online programming including replays of webinars and seminars, plus free self-paced financial and marketing courses for Launching or Growing Your Business
Quantifiable outcome
- Revenue grew from $560,000 in year one to projected $2.1 million in year four for Spice Town LLC (a CEDF client).
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Community Economic Development Fund
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Community Economic Development Fund technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Community Economic Development Fund partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD)coreProvides the Women and Minority Loan Guarantee Program (up to 30% guarantee) in partnership with CEDF. Also provides DECD grant support and CDBG funding.
- LISC CTminorPartnership on SBA Community Navigator program and Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program (2023). LISC CT representative (James Horan) serves on CEDF Foundation Board.
- City of MeridenminorPartner on downtown beautification program and CDBG grants. CEDF is headquartered in Meriden.
- Entrepreneurship Foundation, Inc.minor2024 funding partner; provides inexpensive e-book on starting a Connecticut business and free mentorship referral for CEDF clients.
- CT Small Business Development Center (SBDC)coreRecommended by CEDF for business plan assistance; full-time advisors provide free consulting to small business owners. SBDC logo appears on CEDF forms pages as a referral partner.
- SCOREcoreRecommended by CEDF for business plan review and mentorship. SCORE chapters across Connecticut staffed by experienced volunteers. Partner on workshops including access to capital events.
- Women's Business Development CouncilcoreSBA-supported organization working with early-stage businesses; recommended by CEDF for business plan assistance. Co-hosts programming with CEDF.
- CitySeed Inc.minor501(c)(3) public charity co-running the Food Business Accelerator with Collab. CEDF helped fund programmatic costs of the 2020 cohort supporting nine ventures.
- Collab (Economic Development Corporation of New Haven)minorFiscally sponsored project of the Economic Development Corporation of New Haven. Co-run the 2020 Food Business Accelerator with CitySeed, with CEDF funding direct programmatic costs.
- LEAD (Latinos for Educational Advocacy)minorConnecticut nonprofit receiving a community development grant from CEDF to support financial literacy and economic empowerment programming in Spanish.
- CLiCK (Commercially Licensed Cooperative Kitchen, Willimantic)minorShared-use commercial kitchen established with CEDF community volunteers. CEDF assisted with planning, fundraising for capital expenditures, grant seeking, and construction counsel. CEDF continues to provide monthly business advisory services.
- MOBI (Mountain Plains Minority Business Development Center)minorEducational partner for the 'Negocios con Futuro: Prepárate para Crecer' workshop series providing curriculum and expertise.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Community Economic Development Fund competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Community Economic Development Fund social profiles
Digital presenceCommunity Economic Development Fund compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Community Economic Development Fund financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Community Economic Development Fund leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Community Economic Development Fund funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Community Economic Development Fund M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Community Economic Development Fund
What does Community Economic Development Fund do?
Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF) is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that originates and services small business loans—including SBA Microloans, term loans, commercial real estate loans, lines of credit, nonprofit organization loans, and the Women and Minority Loan Guarantee Program—across all 169 Connecticut cities and towns, targeting business owners who cannot obtain traditional bank financing. Every borrower is paired with a dedicated Business Advisor, and CEDF also delivers free business education through its WeTeachSuccess.org platform.
Is Community Economic Development Fund a public or private company?
Community Economic Development Fund is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Community Economic Development Fund founded?
Community Economic Development Fund was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Community Economic Development Fund based?
Community Economic Development Fund is headquartered in Meriden, United States, in the North America region.
How does Community Economic Development Fund make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. SBA Microloans are the primary driver. The others are term Loans, commercial Real Estate Loans, business Lines of Credit and nonprofit Organization Loans.
Does Community Economic Development Fund have an API?
No public API is recorded for Community Economic Development Fund.
What industry is Community Economic Development Fund in?
Community Economic Development Fund's product category is Community Development Lending. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAOAD, Development Finance & Blended Finance Facilities, with a secondary code of FSAKAGAH, Microenterprise Group Lending (Joint Liability). Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 6159.