Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF)

Small business loan program - cef aggregates and leverages capital to spur investment and build capacity for those who are excluded from mainstream bank financing and entrepreneurial networks, specifically targeting low- income and minority small business owners. Cef provides financing options when banks cannot lend or cannot lend enough, specializing in loans up to 500,000 for new and existing small businesses and social enterprises throughout Colorado. Cef catalyzes business ownership and job creation by offering flexible financing products, personalized client support, one-on- one business coaching, and access to additional resources for underserved entrepreneurs.

During 2022, cef entered into agreements with governmental entities to administer grant programs for small businesses affected by economic hardship caused by the covid-19 pandemic, funded by the state of Colorado and the american rescue plan act (arpa). Because of cef's involvement in grantmaking activities for these programs, grant revenue and grant expenses are reported in the statements of activities.