Building an economy that lifts all people and communities
CEI offers business financing for a wide range of purposes including working capital, equipment purchases, facilities expansion, and construction in Maine and beyond.
Contribute to the CEI mission
Your tax-deductible donation will help CEI provide our financing, business advising, and industry expertise to meet the needs of those we serve, enabling them to build wealth, support their families, provide good jobs and contribute to the health and vibrancy of their community.
CEI is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. CEI’s tax identification number is EIN 01-0347504.
Stewardship, of both natural and fiscal resources, is a core CEI value. You can support our work with trust and confidence by reviewing our profile on Candid’s Guidestar.
Invest
CEI offers several opportunities for individuals, foundations, and organizations to support a brighter future for Mainers and other rural communities across the country.
Grants
Grant funding can provide critical support for our advising services and industry-specific projects and programs such as our Women’s Business Center programs, Child Care Business Lab, or StartSmart.
General operating grants provide valuable flexibility in support of our overall operations as well as respond to emerging opportunities and evolving challenges. Grants can also help capitalize early stage investment in food systems, renewable energy and natural resource-based businesses with the potential for high growth, job creation, and positive environmental and social impacts in Maine and in rural places across the U.S.
Point of Contact
For more information about making a grant to CEI, contact:
Gabrielle Grunkemeyer
Development Director, CEI
CONTACT MECEI Investment Notes
CEI Investment Notes is a fixed income product available to accredited investors and/or registered investment advisors. Capital raised via CEI Investment Notes is used to support CEI lending and investing activity.
Notes funds are pooled to finance micro-, small- and medium-sized businesses, in sustainable agriculture, childcare, aquaculture and fisheries; community facilities; environmentally focused businesses and solar installations, and businesses owned by women, immigrants and refugees and other under-resourced communities.
Access to capital enables businesses to start and grow, provide jobs, create local wealth, and contribute to community resilience in times of social, economic, and environmental change.
Point of Contact
For more information about CEI Investment Notes, contact:
Kelsie Bouchard
Director, CEI Notes and Portfolio Management
Contact MeImpact Investment
Foundations can make a Program-Related Investment (PRI) to CEI.
This type of capital can help CEI provide low-cost financing products, expand our advising programs, and improve our organizational capacity to better serve the communities that we work with – all while providing foundations with a repayment or return of equity they can use for another charitable purpose.
Point of Contact
For more information about PRIs contact me:
Gabrielle Grunkemeyer
Development Director, CEI
Contact MeClimate Justice & Environmental Resilience Initiative
The CEI Climate Justice & Environmental Resilience Initiative is an opportunity for accredited investors to invest directly in helping communities and businesses reduce their carbon footprint and adapt to a changing climate.
This fund will enable CEI to scale up and accelerate our ability to advance a just transition that supports healthier working and living environments, the regeneration of our natural systems, more efficient and less polluting energy systems and quality jobs for people most vulnerable to climate and environmental impacts.
Point of Contact
For more information about investing in climate justice and environmental resilience, contact me:
Keith Bisson
President, CEI
Contact UsVenture Capital Funds
CEI Ventures offers investment opportunities for accredited investors in socially responsible venture capital funds.
General operating grants provide valuable flexibility in support of our overall operations as well as respond to emerging opportunities and evolving challenges. Grants can also help capitalize early stage investment in food systems, renewable energy and natural resource-based businesses with the potential for high growth, job creation, and positive environmental and social impacts in Maine and in rural places across the U.S.
Point of Contact
For more information about Venture Capital Funds, contact:
Chandler Jones
Managing Director, CEI Ventures, Inc.
Contact MeCommercial Real Estate Funds
CEI-Boulos Capital Management is a boutique real estate investment fund management company focused on delivering both competitive financial returns and social impact.
The company serves banks, family offices, and other institutional investors, and has a national scope. Areas of the company’s specialization include Opportunity Zones and the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).
Point of Contact
For more information about Commercial Real Estate Funds contact me:
Sam Spencer
CEO and Managing Director, CEI-Boulos Capital Management LLC
Contact MeCEI Investment Disclaimer
The information contained on this page has been prepared solely for informational purposes and is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer. Any such offer or solicitation will be made only by means of the relevant Confidential Agreement or Offering Memorandum, which contain a description of the risks involved in such an investment. Prospective investors should review all offering materials carefully prior to making an investment. The contents of this webpage should not be construed as accounting, tax, investment, legal, or advice regarding the suitability or profitability of an investment in CEI or its subsidiaries.