Economic Empowerment
Community-Driven Economic Empowerment (C-DEE) provides capacity-building funding for New Hampshire entrepreneurs to help their businesses become financially resilient and self-sufficient.
Launched in 2023, C-DEE draws on the Community Loan Fund’s experience connecting local businesses with the financing and coaching they need to thrive.
C-DEE Grant Program
The C-DEE Grant provides capacity-building funding for New Hampshire entrepreneurs to help their businesses become financially resilient and self-sufficient.
Any entrepreneur with a company registered and in good standing with the State of New Hampshire may apply for up to $5,000. The funding can be used for computer hardware and software, and marketing including web design.
C-DEE’s Community Business Advisory Council, comprising business owners and community leaders, determines the funding recipients.
2026 C-DEE Grant Application
The New Hampshire Community Loan Fund’s Community-Driven Economic Empowerment (C-DEE) Grant Program is now accepting applications. The one-time capacity-building grant is designed to help businesses become financially resilient and self-sufficient.
How the C-DEE Grant Can Help Your Business
Businesses may apply for up to $5,000 to be used for:
- Computer hardware and software
- Professional Services such as bookkeeping and digital marketing
March 9 - application deadline
May 19 - C-DEE awards and celebration will be held at The Factory, 252 Willow Street, Manchester, N.H. at 5 p.m.
Application assistance will be offered
If you need assistance completing your application, online office hours will be available via Zoom.
Dates of online office hours
2/6 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
2/13 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
2/20 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (with Spanish translation) *
2/27 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
3/3 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
* Si tiene preguntas sobre la solicitud de C-DEE, los invitamos a participar en nuestras horas de oficina virtuales en el 20 de Febrero, desde las 9:00 de la mañana hasta las 11:00 de la mañana. Habrá un intréprete de espanol disponible para apoyar a las personas.
Zoom Information:
Link to Online Office Hours
Meeting ID: 897 8674 3918
Passcode: 012294
Note: Applicants may indicate interest in the application in receiving pro bono professional legal services from a local firm as part of their capacity-building support. Applying for legal services is optional and does not affect grant award decisions. The pro bono legal services and the capacity building financial support are not guaranteed.
2025 C-DEE Awards
Congratulations to the 37 recipients of the 2025 C-DEE Grant. The recipients represent businesses from various sectors spanning 16 cities and towns in New Hampshire.
2025 C-DEE Grant Awardees
C-DEE Partners, Supporters, and Sponsors
2025 Community Impact
Our Impact
We are proud of the businesses that we work with. We look forward to continuing to expand our impact for NH's entrepreneurs.
$230k
Grants awarded to N.H. entrepreneurs
86
Grant recipients
157
Entrepreneurs receiving technical assistance through our program
9
N.H. counties that have entrepreneurs working with our program
I appreciate the opportunity to have access to this grant. It helped provide me technical assistance support I may not have been able to achieve this soon into my business launch.