LEDC’s mission is to drive the economic and social advancement of low- to moderate-income Latinos and other underserved communities in the D.C. and Baltimore metropolitan areas by equipping them with the skills and tools to achieve financial independence and become leaders in their communities. LEDC is certified by the US Treasury Department as a Community Development Financial Institution and is a HUD certified housing counseling agency. In February 2014, LEDC began offering its small business lending services in Baltimore. This grant provided operating support to the LEDC Baltimore office.