Mission Statement
CFED is a nonprofit organization that expands economic opportunity. Established in 1979 as the Corporation for Enterprise Development, CFED works to ensure that every person can participate in, contribute to, and benefit from the economy by bringing together community practice, public policy, and private markets. We identify promising ideas; test and refine them in communities to find out what works; craft policies and products to help good ideas reach scale; and foster new markets to achieve greater economic impact.
Description
At CFED we believe that expanding economic opportunity to include all people will bring greater social equity, alleviate poverty and lead to a more sustainable economy. As a leader in economic development for more than two decades, CFED collaborates with diverse partners at the national, regional, state and local levels.
We bring together community practice, public policy and private markets in new and effective ways. We combine the innovation of a think tank with the "on-the-ground" insight of practitioners to:
Identify Good Ideas
CFED identifies ideas that make the economy work for everyone. We focus on communities that have traditionally been excluded from or limited by the mainstream economy. We conduct rigorous research, seeking ideas that have potential for practical application.
Find What Works
CFED works with partners in the field to help test and refine promising ideas. We pilot programs and provide funding to design and modify effective strategies to be successful in different cultures, regions and economic conditions.
Help Good Ideas Reach Scale
CFED develops and advocates for federal and state policies that move the nation toward a more equitable and inclusive economy. We publish reports, convene working groups and provide information to help partners participate in the policymaking process.
Foster New Markets to Achieve Greater Economic Impact
CFED drives the application of proven ideas until other stakeholders are invested enough for these strategies to stand on their own. We document viability and market ideas to potentially interested partners. We help create intermediary institutions to broker skills, information and funding.
