Justice Fellow

Company Description Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI) is a leader in rural business development, helping grow good jobs, environmentally sustainable enterprises, and shared prosperity in Maine and rural regions across the country. CEI integrates mission-driven financing, business and industry expertise, and policy solutions to support communities and local economies. The organization envisions economically and environmentally healthy communities where all people, especially those with low incomes, can reach their full potential. CEI works with entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community partners who seek advising, financing, or opportunities to invest in their communities. Team members at CEI contribute to impact-focused work that advances economic justice and environmental resilience.

Justice Fellowship 2026-2027 Positions Available:

Programs Fellow: This Justice Fellow explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting CEI’s work, our clients’ businesses, and economic opportunities across Maine. The Fellow would support both internal alignment (policies, norms, staff use) and external practice (how we advise and respond to clients using AI). AI is already present in our ecosystem—clients are using it (sometimes effectively, sometimes inaccurately), and staff are navigating it without shared guidance. This role would help CEI take a proactive, thoughtful approach that aligns with our mission and values.

Core Focus Areas

1. AI in Client Advising & Lending

• Document how clients are currently using AI (e.g., business plans, projections, HR materials)
• Identify risks (accuracy, bias, over-reliance) and opportunities
• Develop practical guidance for advisors on how to respond to and work with AI-generated materials
• Explore how CEI can support clients in using AI to strengthen their businesses (without replacing core learning and decision-making)

2. Internal AI Use & Organizational Stance

• Assess current AI use across client facing teams (Programs, lending)
• Identify where AI improves efficiency vs. where human judgment must remain central
• Support revision of internal guidance on responsible AI use

3. Training & Capacity Building (Staff Clients)

• Design and pilot staff training on interacting with client's AI use (starting with BDS and other client-facing teams)
• Develop simple client-facing guidance on using AI effectively and responsibly

5. CDFI Field Scan (bonus work)

• Research how other CDFIs are using AI 
• Internally (operations, underwriting, efficiency)
• Externally (client advising and tools)
• Identify emerging practices and gaps

6. Climate & Environmental Impact of AI

• Document environmental impacts of AI (energy use, water consumption, emissions)
• Explore how these considerations intersect with CEI’s climate goals
• Inform whether and how environmental impact should factor into our AI approach

Justice Fellow: Open Project Option: We want to hear your ideas about how CEI can boost community development or reduce barriers facing entrepreneurs in Maine or rural regions nationally. Our entrepreneurial spirit goes beyond providing financing and business advice to our clients and community members. We believe in innovation, and most importantly, we believe in the power of your perspective. If the fellowship position above is not a match for you and you have an alternative proposal for how, as a one-year Justice Fellow, you could bring your perspective and community roots in a rural place to work with our team to make a lasting impact advancing economic opportunity and equity through community development finance in the rural regions CEI serves, we would welcome hearing your idea for a project that you could carry out during your one-year fellowship at CEI. Our decision to accept an “open option” Justice Fellow will be based on the potential of your proposal (please describe your project idea in one page or less), its alignment with CEI’s mission, and CEI identifies a willing sponsor for the project from the CEI team. 

Preferred candidates will have:   

• Associate degree or a bachelor’s degree with 1-3 years of professional level experience. 
• A passion for mission-driven work in the entrepreneurship and community development fields, and an interest and curiosity about advancing these in rural regions and small cities.
• Lived experience and authentic association with communities that have traditionally faced challenges and lack of resources or opportunities; a commitment to an ongoing career in community and economic development.
• Effective communication skills, you are a great writer and have strong presentation skills to convey messages to a diverse audience.
• Strong problem-solving, research and analytical skills, and critical thinking ability.
• Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Justice Fellowship Compensation and other details:  

• This is a full-time 40-hour-per-week position with excellent benefits and generous time off including vacation, personal and sick time, and paid holidays. We work in a hybrid model, two days in the office, and three days at home. This is a one-year, full-time, benefit-eligible position at CEI with a salary of $56,000 a year and wonderful opportunities for growth and networking in the CDFI industry. Relocation assistance may be available for non-Maine based fellows. This position is based in our headquarters in Brunswick, Maine. This is a 12-month position from September 21, 2026, through September 30, 2027.