JPMorgan Chase Foundation is providing a $7 million grant to four leading Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs), including Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI). The grant is part of the foundation’s new CDFI Collaboratives program, a $33 million commitment to help CDFIs and small business lenders build capacity and to jumpstart job creation in low- and moderate-income communities in select areas including Detroit, Milwaukee, Denver, Chicago, Seattle, Buffalo and the New York City Metro area. CEI’s expertise in rural economic development will expand the Collaborative’s efforts in communities surrounding the targeted urban areas.

The Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Collaborative is comprised of  CEI, Community Reinvestment Fund, USA, (CRF), the National Development Council(NDC), and the Calvert Foundation.  The cooperative will work together to increase lending capacity to small businesses.

“As a leading rural finance entity in Maine and the Northeast, CEI is honored to support the partnership through our expertise in financing small businesses outside of urban economic centers,” said Ron Phillips, President and CEO of CEI. “We will focus our efforts on non-metro regions, a strategy that aligns with our five-year, $128 million Sustainable Investing Platform.”

“The JPMorgan Chase Foundation is proud to help CDFIs build capacity and increase collaboration in order to better support local economic growth, through its new CDFI Collaboratives program. This collaborative of four nonprofit lenders, led by The Community Reinvestment Fund, will support small businesses and create jobs across the U.S.,” said Janis Bowdler, Senior Program Director for Financial Capability and Affordable Housing, JPMorgan Chase Foundation.

During the three year grant period the collaborative will work together in their geographic regions to achieve the following goals:

• Provide $81 million in small business financing
• Create 5,000 new jobs
• Fund 200 small businesses
• Attract an additional $10 million in capital from 7,000 everyday investors to support small business in their own communities
• Empower local CDFI lending partners to become more efficient small business lenders
• Support community lending partners by providing the training, consultation, and resources necessary to effectively coach and advise small businesses
• Deploy a joint technology platform to streamline the loan application and underwriting process and empower local CDFI lender partners to become more efficient small business lenders.

About CEI

Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI), a 501(c)(3) private, nonprofit Community Development Corporation (CDC) and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), is among the leading rural finance entities in the Northeast. Founded in 1977, and headquartered in Maine, CEI has provided $1.05 billion in loans and investments, and business and housing counseling services to over 43,082 people, helping to create economically and environmentally healthy communities in New England, upstate New York, and throughout rural America. Learn more by visiting www.ceimaine.org.

About the JPMorgan Chase Foundation

The JPMorgan Chase Foundation is the charitable arm of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.4 trillion and operations worldwide. The Foundation focuses on driving economic growth and strengthening communities across the globe, by partnering with local efforts to advance skills-based training, help small businesses, create affordable housing and improve financial capability for underserved people.  The Firm and its foundation give approximately $200 million annually to nonprofit organizations around the world and lead volunteer service activities for employees in local communities, utilizing its many resources, including access to capital, strength, global reach and expertise.  More information is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

About Calvert Foundation

Calvert Foundation empowers investors to empower communities. Through the Community Investment Note, Calvert Foundation enables individuals and institutions to invest in helping low-income communities become healthy and prosperous. Our investors have facilitated the creation of thousands of jobs, classroom seats, affordable homes, and critical services in the U.S. and around the world. Learn more at http://www.calvertfoundation.org.

About National Development Council

Founded in 1969, the National Development Council (NDC) is a national non-profit organization that has evolved into one of the most progressive and innovative community and economic development organizations in the country.  From a seminal role in the earliest days of the community development movement, NDC has grown into one of the most comprehensive providers of financing, development expertise, technical assistance and training for community revitalization efforts throughout the U.S.  www.NationalDevelopmentCouncil.org

About CRF

Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF), a nonprofit organization and certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), is a national leader in bringing capital to underserved areas. Formed in 1988, CRF has injected more than $1.5 billion into low-income and economically disadvantaged communities around the country to help stimulate job creation and economic development, provide affordable housing, and support community facilities. CRF is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN. For more information, visit www.crfusa.com