Programs

  • CEDS Finance Business Support Program

    SINCE OUR FOUNDING, CEDS FINANCE HAS INVESTED OVER $12.6M INTO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, HELPING NEARLY 600 UNDERSERVED ENTREPRENEURS START OR GROW THEIR BUSINESSES, GENERATING 1,000+ LOCAL JOBS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2023, CEDS FINANCE INVESTED $3M INTO 103 SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, PROVIDING WORKING CAPITAL AND BUSINESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP IMMIGRANTS, REFUGEES, PEOPLE OF COLOR, AND OTHER UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM OF FINANCIAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY. ADDITIONALLY, CEDS FINANCE STAFF PROVIDES 1-1 BUSINESS CONSULTING, DIRECT OPERATIONAL SUPPORT, AND INDIVIDUALIZED REFERRALS TO RESOURCES TO APPLICANTS AND CLIENTS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO REGULARLY CONDUCTS WORKSHOPS ON LOAN READINESS AND OTHER RELEVANT FINANCIAL TOPICS. IN FY23 THE CEDS FINANCE BUSINESS SUPPORT TEAM ASSISTED (CONT. ON SCH. O) 167 BUSINESSES WITH TAILORED SUPPORT AND PROVIDED 102 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS TO CLIENTS.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Oct 1, 2022 – Sep 30, 2023
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $2.1M

  • Program 1 [2025]

    CEDS Finance empowers small business entrepreneursparticularly low-income owners with few other alternativesby providing access to patient capital and personalized business consulting. It's a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) since 2015, targeting low-income populations and qualified investment areas.In FY25, CEDS Finance advanced its mission by deploying $3.5 million across 108 loans and murabahas to underserved entrepreneurs that created or retained 254 jobs. The organization achieved a 15% improvement in approval efficiency due to enhanced pre-screening. CEDS Finance maintained strong portfolio performance with a net charge-off ratio of 0.2% (well below the 2.8% benchmark) while growing its portfolio by 16.8% to $5.7 million. Key operational enhancements included expanding software efficiencies with two new modules that speed up monthly reporting and improve data accuracy, as well as launching a new online payment portal. The portal has demonstrated early success with 42% of clients are repeat usersdemonstrating early demand for improved repayment flexibility. These improvements strengthen efficiency and impact, enabling a smaller investment team to sustain deployment levels while increasing service accessibility for low-income and immigrant business owners.CEDS Finance provided 3,243 hours of free technical assistance for small business owners, and hosted or attended 58 community events that generated nearly 200 completed loan applications.By breaking down barriers to capital with culturally responsive products and services in 16 languages, CEDS Finance is creating a more effective financial system where every entrepreneur has the resources to thrive.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Oct 1, 2024 – Sep 30, 2025
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $1.9M