The board and management staff of CEI meet periodically to set the future direction of CEI. The following mission statement, vision and goals were established in May of 2002:

MISSION

Our mission is to help create economically and environmentally healthy communities in which all people, especially those with low incomes, can reach their full potential.

VISION - CEI in 2007

CEI in 2007 is a Maine-based organization with strategic expansions outside of Maine, serving more communities directly or through alliances and having an ever greater impact on poverty, which is documented with data.

The organization has a much higher financial sustainability, thanks to new and expanded sources of funds through private giving, CEI Development Services (to grow the CDC/CDFI industry on a global scale), public funds, funds from socially-minded individuals, and income from funds and venture capital.

CEI has a metric for looking at the balance of the 3Es through all initiatives and has a research development group in place measuring impact, scanning for opportunities and engaged in diverse key local, state and national policy development.

The board is broader, reflects CEI's initiatives and geography, and is being effectively used.

CEI is innovative and entrepreneurial, leveraging its competencies for maximum impact on the targeted population: people and communities in poverty, people and communities left out of the economic mainstream, the underserved, and at-risk populations.

CEI has a clear brand identity and has activated businesses and communities for policy development and fund-raising.

VALUES

Justice - The right to political, economic, social and environmental justice

Diversity - enrichment of cultural, ethnic and racial representation from work, customers, and partners

Entrepreneurship - an innovative, risk-taking culture

Collaboration - partnerships with stakeholders

Customer service - continuous improvement to ensure quality service

Professional development - support growth of board and staff

Participatory work place - Employees contribute to a healthy and productive workplace

Healthy communities - clean and livable rural and small town communities with a thriving farm, fish and forest base, local ownership and control of business, education and health systems