CEI’s mission is to help create economically and
environmentally healthy communities in which all people, especially those with
low incomes, can reach their full potential.
CEI manages over $247 million of capital raised from private
foundations, financial institutions and public entities who have embraced CEI’s
holistic community development finance strategies.
The practice of sustainable investing:CEI’s business model encompasses “the triple
bottom line” – economy, equity and ecology.We try to bring these three disciplines to bear on our underwriting
methodology so that a social investment in us generates financial, social and
environmental returns.
Here are ways you can invest in CEI:
Loans: A below-market loan to CEI is pooled with other funds for
targeted relending to small businesses, social services and affordable housing
projects.Earnings above costs support
the fund.
Gifts: A gift to CEI to
support sustainable economic development initiatives. CEI is a 501(c)3
charitable corporation, and gifts are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by federal law. Click here for more information on making a gift to CEI.
New Markets Tax
Credit: A federal income tax credit of up to 39% over 7 years is
available for qualifying investments in targeted areas. Other state/federal tax
credits may be available. Click here for more information on New Markets Tax Credits.
CEI Ventures, Inc.'s investment,
SmartPak Equine, direct
markets custom unit-dose packaging of equine supplements and pharmaceuticals
with an automatic replenishment system, as well as offering a variety of
barn-related supplies. CEI
supplied the business with patient capital because it believed the business
needed room to grow. The company is located in Plymouth, MA,
near a community of Cambodian refugees. To assist these and other foreign-born
individuals, SmartPak designed their production facilities to accommodate
non-English speaking employees and offers courses in English, along with paying
decent wages. The organization couples this strong social commitment with a
strong commitment to the environment. SmartPak follows the credo of “reduce,
reuse, and recycle.” They have minimized their waste (and costs) through
packaging innovations and they purchase recycled materials where possible. This
business turned out to be a perfect fit for CEI’s
3E investment criteria.
CEI IN THE NEWS!
The results are in! Learn what the evaluation of the Farms for the Future disclosed ...
Predatory Mortgages in Maine Recent Trends and the Persistence of Abusive Lending Practices. A joint report issued by Coastal Enterprises, Inc. and the Center for Responsible Lending, 2006.
Invest in CEI 
CEI manages over $247 million of capital raised from private
foundations, financial institutions and public entities who have embraced CEI’s
holistic community development finance strategies. 
Maine Legislature Passes Model Anti-Predatory Lending Bill.