The Community Economic Development (CED) program is a federal grant program that expands employment for individuals with low income in communities facing persistent poverty and high unemployment by investing in community development corporations (CDCs) that create and expand businesses and job opportunities. Jobs created with CED funds provide living wages, paid leave, fringe benefits, and opportunities for career growth. In addition, employees are also connected to critical support services to remove barriers to long-term employment and economic mobility. And 75% of all of the jobs created with CED funds are filled by individuals with low income.
CED provides funding to private, non-profit CDCs, including faith-based organizations and Tribal and Alaskan Native organizations. For every $1 of CED funding that is used on a project, more than $6 from other sources is invested back into low-income communities. View all CED Voices from the Field videos.