Mission
TO STRENGTHEN NEIGHBORHOOD ECONOMIES BY PROVIDING FLEXIBLE FINANCING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO BUSINESSES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND INITIATIVES THROUGHOUT CONNECTICUT. WE HELP TO STABILIZE AND GROW SMALL BUSINESSES SO INDIVIDUALS MAY REALIZE THEIR DREAMS, FAMILIES MAY CELEBRATE INCREASED FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE, AND COMMUNITIES MAY PROSPER. THE COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND (CEDF) WAS FOUNDED IN 1993. THERE WAS AN URGENT NEED FOR SMALL BUSINESS LENDING IN CONNECTICUT'S ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED AND STAGNANT CITIES AT A TIME WHEN TRADITIONAL BANKING INSTITUTIONS WERE SCALING BACK LENDING ACTIVITY. TODAY CEDF CONTINUES TO ACTIVELY LEAD AND SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS FORMATION AND GROWTH AS A CATALYST FOR MEANINGFUL, DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. OVER THE LAST 31 YEARS, CEDF HAS FULFILLED ITS MISSION OF SMALL BUSINESS LENDING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND BUSINESS EDUCATION FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ACROSS CONNECTICUT.