CCFC
CCFC (Community Concepts Finance Corporation) is a Maine-based 501(c)(3) CDFI that provides SBA-backed small-business microlending, HUD-certified housing counseling, and financial education to low-income individuals, families, and small businesses across Western Maine's Oxford, Androscoggin, and Franklin counties.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersSouth Paris, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What CCFC does
CCFC (Community Concepts Finance Corporation) is a Maine-based 501(c)(3) non-profit community development financial institution (CDFI) and subsidiary of Community Concepts, Inc., founded in 2001 and headquartered in South Paris with a second office in Lewiston. The organization delivers financial services to low-income individuals, families, and small businesses across Oxford, Androscoggin, and Franklin counties in Western Maine, with a product suite spanning SBA-backed small-business microlending, HUD-certified housing counseling (foreclosure and eviction prevention, financial coaching), Maine HoMEworks-approved homebuyer education (in-person, ZOOM, and self-paced online via Ehome America), free VITA tax preparation (in-person and via GetYourRefund), and money-management workshops. CCFC holds an NMLS license (#973575), HUD Housing Counseling certification, SBA Microlender designation (recognized as Top Performing Microlender in Maine for three consecutive years and four-time Microlender of the Year 2015-2018), and earned CDFI certification from the U.S. Treasury CDFI Fund in 2025. Underwriting and loan servicing are operated through an NMLS-licensed in-house platform, with class registration, loan applications, and document sharing handled through an online customer portal.
Revenue mechanics combine net interest income from a small-ticket SBA microlending and mortgage loan portfolio, modest per-attendee fees for homebuyer and money-management classes ($45 in-person, $50–$99 online), and grant-funded counseling and tax-preparation services; the organization does not publicly disclose revenue. The go-to-market is community-led: customers are reached through direct outreach, free workshops, and a referral network of more than 20 partners spanning federal and state agencies (SBA, HUD, USDA, Maine Housing, FAME), regional banks (Androscoggin, Bangor Savings, Northeast, Norway Savings, Camden National, TD Bank, Sandy River), and community organizations (SCORE, CEI, Community CA$H Coalition). Leadership comprises Natalie Washburn (President, appointed 2024), James Martin (parent-organization CEO), and Laura Gormley (CFO/Treasurer), supported by a 1-10 person team of HUD-certified counselors, USDA loan packagers, and business advisors.
CCFC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CCFC
- Legal name
- Community Concepts Finance Corporation
- Website
- https://ccfcmaine.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- CCFC (Community Concepts Finance Corporation) is a Maine-based 501(c)(3) CDFI that provides SBA-backed small-business microlending, HUD-certified housing counseling, and financial education to low-income individuals, families, and small businesses across Western Maine's Oxford, Androscoggin, and Franklin counties.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CCFC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Development Financial Services
- NAICS
- Nondepository Credit Intermediation (5222), Other Activities Related to Credit Intermediation (522390)
- SIC
- Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153), Personal Credit Institutions (6141)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) & Revenue-Based Financing (FSAKAGAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Credit Counseling & Debt Management Plans (DMP) (FSAKAJAH), Community Development Credit Unions (CDCUs) (FSABAEAC)
Keywords
Where CCFC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- South Paris
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
CCFC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Small Business Loans: CCFC provides small business loans including SBA-backed loans and microloans to businesses that have difficulty obtaining financing through traditional lending sources. The organization was recognized as SBA Top Performing Microlender in Maine for three consecutive years.
- Housing and Mortgage Lending: Homeownership financing and mortgage lending services for first-time homebuyers and low-income families in Maine, operating as NMLS #973575 licensed entity.
- Education and Counseling Services: Revenue from homebuyer education classes, financial literacy workshops, and counseling services including $45 homebuyer classes and $99 self-paced online courses.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Homebuyer Education Class - In-person or online 8-hour session |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Seeking Change Workshop - Online financial education |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | ehome Money Management Course - Self-paced online |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Self-Paced Online Homebuyer Education Class - Ehome America partnership |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
CCFC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Community Concepts Finance Corporation (CCFC) is a CDFI-certified nonprofit subsidiary of Community Concepts, Inc. that provides SBA-backed small business microloans, HUD-certified housing counseling and foreclosure prevention, homebuyer education classes (in-person and online via Ehome America), and free financial coaching to low-income individuals and underserved small businesses in Western Maine. It also delivers free tax preparation through the VITA program and bundles every business loan with free technical assistance to help borrowers become "traditionally bankable."
Product overview
CCFC (Community Concepts Finance Corporation) operates as a non-profit financial services organization offering a coordinated suite of financial education and lending products. The core offerings include Homebuyer Education Classes (both in-person and through Ehome America partnership), Seeking Change financial literacy workshops, and Housing Counseling services—all designed to promote homeownership and financial stability. Business-focused products include Small Business Loans (SBA-backed microlending recognized as Maine's top performer) paired with complimentary Business Technical Assistance for loan applicants. Supporting services include Free Tax Preparation through the VITA program, Financial Coaching, and the eh ome Money Management course. The organization functions as a CDFI-certified lender serving low-income communities in Western Maine.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Homebuyer Education Class Maine Housing HoMEworks-approved in-person and online 8-hour course providing tools, confidence, and knowledge to become a homeowner in Maine. Participants must attend the full session to receive a certificate of completion. Priced at $45 per person for the full 8-hour class, with both in-person and ZOOM online options; certificate enables access to Maine Housing Advantage down payment and closing cost grants.
- Self-Paced Online Homebuyer Education Comprehensive self-paced online course through the Ehome America partnership covering the entire home-buying process; after completion, participants meet with a HUD-certified counselor for Maine-specific information before receiving their certificate. Priced at $99 per person.
- Seeking Change Workshop Free online financial education workshop exploring money habits, budgeting, debt management, and credit scores. Delivered as one-hour ZOOM sessions on Tuesdays at 10:00 AM and Thursdays at 2:00 PM, targeting individuals in Maine seeking to improve their financial well-being.
- ehome Money Management Course Self-paced online money management course covering saving, spending, credit understanding, and personal finance management, with individual coaching sessions included at no additional charge. Priced at $50 per person.
- Housing Counseling Services HUD-certified housing counseling for Western Maine residents, including financial coaching, budget advising, foreclosure prevention, eviction prevention, mortgage default counseling, and post-purchase counseling for homeowners and renters. Delivered at no cost to clients.
- Business Technical Assistance Free one-on-one advisory services for individuals looking to start, expand, or acquire a business. Provides training, counseling, and troubleshooting through the loan lifecycle, with the stated goal of making clients traditionally bankable. Includes business plan development and ongoing support.
- Small Business Loans SBA-backed microlending program providing financing for small businesses that have difficulty obtaining financing through traditional lending sources in Maine. CCFC is recognized as the SBA's Top Performing Microlender in Maine for three consecutive years and was a four-time SBA Microlender of the Year (2015-2018). Bundled with free business technical assistance for loan applicants.
- Free Tax Preparation (VITA Program) Free tax filing through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offered by the Community CA$H Coalition of Western Maine. Available to households with combined income of $69,000 or less in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties. Delivered at no cost to qualifying clients.
- Financial Coaching Free and confidential one-on-one financial coaching to help clients create budgets, understand and maintain credit, and plan for unexpected and future expenses. Provided by CCFC's staff of trained personal financial coaches.
- Online Tax Preparation (GetYourRefund) Lewiston/Auburn CA$H online tax preparation service allowing clients to securely send tax documents to IRS-certified volunteers who prepare and double-check tax returns before filing. Provided at no cost to qualifying clients in the Lewiston/Auburn area.
Quantifiable outcome
- SBA Top Performing Microlender recognition for 3 consecutive years
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use CCFC
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
CCFC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature2 records
CCFC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Maine HousingcoreMaine state housing agency partner; CCFC offers Maine HoMEworks-approved education courses that fulfill requirements for Maine Housing Advantage down payment and closing cost grants.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)coreHUD-certified housing counseling agency designation allowing CCFC to provide official housing counseling services meeting federal standards.
- Androscoggin BankmajorRegional Maine bank partner providing lending referrals and collaborative financing solutions for small businesses and homebuyers.
- Bangor Savings BankmajorMaine-based bank partner supporting community lending initiatives and referrals for underserved borrowers.
- Northeast BankmajorMaine community bank partner in CCFC's lending network serving small businesses and individuals.
- Norway Savings BankmajorRegional Maine bank partner with VP on CCFC Board of Directors, supporting collaborative lending efforts.
- TD BankmajorMajor national bank partner in CCFC's community lending network supporting Maine small business financing.
- hoMEworkscoreMaine homeownership initiative partner providing education standards that CCFC courses meet for state housing program eligibility.
- Ehome AmericamajorOnline education platform partner enabling CCFC to offer self-paced homebuyer education and money management courses.
- GetYourRefundminorOnline tax preparation platform partner supporting Lewiston/Auburn CA$H free tax preparation services through VITA program.
- Community CA$H Coalition of Western MainecoreCoalition partner enabling free tax preparation services (VITA) across Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties for households earning $69,000 or less.
- SCOREmajorSBA-affiliated mentorship organization providing business guidance resources that complement CCFC's small business technical assistance.
- CEI (Coastal Enterprises, Inc.)majorMaine community development organization; CCFC President Natalie Washburn serves on CEI Board of Directors.
- Oxford CountymajorCounty government partner supporting economic development initiatives and community services in Oxford County.
- Camden National BankmajorMaine community bank partner in CCFC's referral and lending network for small business financing.
- Sandy RiverminorRegional financial institution partner in Western Maine serving CCFC's primary service area.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CCFC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Justine PETERSEN: St. Louis-based nonprofit CDFI offering housing counseling, small business lending, and financial education to low-income families. Closely comparable combined housing-counseling-plus-microloan model.
- Accion: Global nonprofit CDFI providing small business loans and support services to underserved small businesses. Comparable microlending and business technical assistance model serving similar borrower segments.
- Grameen America: U.S. nonprofit microfinance organization providing small business loans to low-income entrepreneurs. Comparable microlending mission and target borrower profile, though operating at much larger scale across multiple U.S. cities.
- LiftFund: Nonprofit CDFI providing small business microloans and technical assistance to underserved entrepreneurs, primarily in Texas and the Southeast. Closely comparable business model, products, and target borrower base to CCFC.
- MaineStream Finance: Maine CDFI focused on small business microloans and economic development in underserved communities. Closely comparable to CCFC's SBA microlending activity and Maine focus.
- Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI): Maine-based CDFI providing small business loans, housing financing, and community development services statewide. CCFC's President sits on CEI's Board of Directors, making CEI the most directly comparable peer in terms of mission, products, and geography.
Emerging players
- Kiva: Global crowdfunded microlending platform focused on small business loans to underserved borrowers. Comparable business model (microloans to unbanked borrowers) but operates digitally and at global scale rather than in a specific region.
Broad incumbents
- Opportunity Finance Network (OFN): National industry association and intermediary representing hundreds of CDFIs across the U.S. Provides capital, policy advocacy, and peer learning for CDFIs like CCFC.
- NeighborWorks America: National network supporting hundreds of community-based nonprofits delivering housing counseling, homebuyer education, and community development lending. CCFC operates in a comparable space as a smaller local NeighborWorks-affiliated-style counseling agency.
Regional players
- Rural Community Assistance Corporation: Western U.S.-focused nonprofit providing rural community development lending, housing support, and technical assistance. Comparable rural community development mission and small business lending focus, though serving a different geographic region than CCFC.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CCFC social profiles
Digital presenceCCFC compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
CCFC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CCFC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
CCFC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CCFC 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 CCFC
What does CCFC do?
Community Concepts Finance Corporation (CCFC) is a CDFI-certified nonprofit subsidiary of Community Concepts, Inc. that provides SBA-backed small business microloans, HUD-certified housing counseling and foreclosure prevention, homebuyer education classes (in-person and online via Ehome America), and free financial coaching to low-income individuals and underserved small businesses in Western Maine. It also delivers free tax preparation through the VITA program and bundles every business loan with free technical assistance to help borrowers become "traditionally bankable."
Is CCFC a public or private company?
CCFC is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CCFC founded?
CCFC was founded in 2001. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is CCFC based?
CCFC is headquartered in South Paris, United States, in the North America region.
How does CCFC make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Small Business Loans are the primary driver. The others are housing and Mortgage Lending and education and Counseling Services.
Who are CCFC's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Justine PETERSEN, Accion, Grameen America, LiftFund, MaineStream Finance and Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI). Kiva is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) and NeighborWorks America. Rural Community Assistance Corporation is listed as a regional player.
Does CCFC have an API?
No public API is recorded for CCFC.
What industry is CCFC in?
CCFC's product category is Community Development Financial Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAKAGAD, Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) & Revenue-Based Financing, with a secondary code of FSAKAJAH, Credit Counseling & Debt Management Plans (DMP). Its NAICS code is 5222 and its SIC code is 6153.