Development Finance refers to using capital in flexible and often unconventional ways to spur economic opportunity.

While Maine has a culture and history of ingenuity, a strong work ethic and entrepreneurship, the lack of flexible capital has prevented many businesses from starting up or expanding. Further, with one of the nation's oldest housing stocks, the state is challenged now by a lack of affordable housing for low-income and working families. It is within this context that CEI exists as an agent of change.

CEI serves as a financial intermediary in the management of public and private funds to make loans and equity investments in small enterprises and emerging industry sectors, social services and housing. Recognized as one of the nation's top community development corporations and community development financial institutions, CEI provides gap financing, typically in concert with banks, owner equity and other sources of capital. Overall, CEI has mobilized over $516 million for financing of 1,500 business ventures and housing projects, created or sustained over 16,130 jobs, and provided business counseling to over 17,600 aspiring and existing entrepreneurs.

CEI's funding comes from private and public sources, including the Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Lilly Endowment, Kellogg Foundation, Surdna Foundation, Heron Foundation, Betterment Fund, and federal agencies, such as the Small Business Administration, United States Department of Agriculture, Department of Health and Human Services, and the United States Treasury's CDFI Fund. In addition, businesses, banks, religious institutions and individuals also contribute to CEI's support,. For more information and a complete list of funders, see our annual report.