CFNE is a U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution, providing low-interest loans and related technical assistance to charities, cooperatives, and democratically owned and managed businesses throughout New England — e.g., charter schools, employee-owned businesses, group homes for disabled persons, health centers, and others. The only one of its kind in the region, CFNE was founded in 1975 by a group of Boston social entrepreneurs led by George Pillsbury and David Crocker with $26,500 in capital, originally to help food cooperatives. In 30 years CFNE has broadened its purview and expanded its capital to $5 million, made $11.7 million in loans to 345 different borrowers, with a 98% repayment rate, a write-off rate of 1.7%, and no delinquencies. Last year it made 29 loans worth $1.3 million to 20 institutions across New England; among other results these loans produced 54 new housing units and more than 150 new and retained jobs. In 2004 CFNE was named “most cost-effective” among 400 similar organizations nationwide by its trade group, the National Community Capital Association. If financial services to charitable institutions interests you, CFNE is one of the best there is.