Resilient Communities Through Collaboration + Investment

Access to finance means access to opportunity.

The ripple effect of CFE’s financial investments and business expertise is felt across neighborhoods and generations. We’re committed for the long term—ensuring residents can stay in their homes, enabling affordable housing developers to create new opportunities, supporting small businesses and community facilities with access to capital, and accelerating the adoption of clean energy technologies that offer both environmental and financial benefits.

As a certified CDFI, we provide essential funding for projects in underinvested areas. For over two decades, we have partnered with mission-driven developers, organizations, and businesses to create lasting impact. Since 2020, we’ve experienced transformational growth —broadening our reach and deepening our commitment to the communities we serve. Additionally, we’ve served as a trusted administrator of DC government grants to expand access to critical capital across the region.

View CFE’s 2024 Impact Report

Six Years of Continued Growth 2019-2024

204 loans

totaling $92 million

$59.3 million

invested in Areas of Economic Distress

20,110

community beneficiaries (e.g., health clinic patients, childcare slots)

4,042

housing units created or preserved, benefiting 8,015 people

1,829 jobs

created and/or retained

$31.3 million

invested through 57 loans in DC Wards 7 and 8

Educational Empowerment East of the Anacostia: The Achievement Prep Journey

One of our first loans of 2024 was to Achievement Prep, a tuition-free college preparatory charter school in Ward 8. We partnered with City First Bank on a refinancing deal to help them expand. We’re proud to support their work and excited to feature them.

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The Impact of Managed Grants, 2020-2024

  • 5,472 applications processed
  • $111.9 million disbursed
  • 2,225 housing units preserved through funding housing grants management
  • 3,338 tenants retained housing
  • 3,415 small businesses funded
  • 1,159 majority women-owned businesses received $35.5 million
  • 1,110 minority-owned businesses received $64.5 million
  • 188 small businesses funded in DC Wards 7 and 8 received $14.6 million
  • 35,000+ jobs retained or created

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This Is CFE: Immigrant Entrepreneurship

Described by locals as a hidden gem, La Cabaña is a family restaurant serving authentic Mexican food in the Dundalk neighborhood of Baltimore. The restaurant was opened in 2016 by the husband-wife team of Oscar and Lucia Rodriguez Hilario, who have 19+ combined years of experience in the restaurant industry. CFE’s commercial loan to La Cabaña allowed them to purchase the premises, saving $600 a month compared to their long-term lease — and allowing them to build equity.