Company Profile
Community Economic Development Fund Foundation, Inc.
Company Overview
The mission of the Community Economic Development Fund Foundation (CEDF) is to strengthen neighborhood economies by providing flexible financing and technical support to businesses, community organizations and initiatives in communities throughout Connecticut. We help to stabilize and grow small businesses so individuals can realize their dreams, families can celebrate increased financial independence, and communities can prosper.
CEDF is a state-wide non-profit 501c3 organization serving low-to-moderate income small business owners and small businesses in under-served communities regardless of income, which cannot acquire loan capital from traditional lending institutions. We offer educational and advisory support to all of our clients, so CEDF loan recipients (along with non-recipient entrepreneurs in the community) are equipped with the guidance they need to foster small business growth.
Company History
CEDF was founded in 1994 – an initiative of former CT Governor Lowell Weicker, who saw an urgent need for small business lending for the state’s economically depressed and stagnant cities at a time when traditional banking institutions were scaling back lending activity. Today, CEDF continues the vision of small business as a catalyst for meaningful economic development. By targeting its efforts on Connecticut’s major cities and smaller communities with struggling economies and towards low-moderate income individuals looking to entrepreneurship as a step towards personal financial stability and prosperity, we help striving entrepreneurs realize the goals of business ownership and economic independence.
Benefits
CEDF offers a competitive benefit package including a 35 hour work-week, 75% paid health/dental insurance, 100% paid short-term, long-term disability and $75,000 of life insurance, 4% match 401k plan, vacation, sick, personal, and holiday benefit time, and more.