Meet our reSET reSIDENT: Cameron Cunningham, Capital Good Fund Connecticut Regional Director.
ewalsh • February 17, 2014
“I decided to return to my home state and make a difference in the communities I love; I am Connecticut through and through”
Originally from New Hartford, CT Cameron attended High School at Kingswood-Oxford in West Hartford, CT before attending Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT where she received her Bachelors Degree in International Business. After working as an AmeriCorps VISTA in Rhode Island, Cameron moved to Connecticut and brought the services provided by Capitol Good Fund along with her.
Capital Good Fund (CGF) is a nonprofit social change organization that was started in Providence, RI in 2009 by Executive Director, Andy Posner, who at the time was a Brown graduate student. The three main services offered by Capital Good Fund are; micro-loans up to $2000, free tax preparation through the IRS VITA program, and one-on-one financial and health coaching.
Tell us about you professionally, when did you start with CGF? What do you love most about your work?
My degree is in International Business, and I always envisioned myself living abroad- most likely Latin America somewhere. After graduating, I followed that dream and moved to Costa Rica where I lived and worked for a year. While I loved the culture, it became clear to me that the US was and always will be my home. I worked for New York Life Insurance Company as an Insurance Agent the year after I returned, and decided there was not enough community focus, but I really enjoyed the financial aspect. For me CGF has been the perfect intersection between the business and nonprofit worlds; I am able to deliver financial services in a way that focuses on education and economic development, and I know without a doubt that each day my work benefits the lives of others.
How is Capital Good Funding making a difference and effecting change in the community?
For me, I see CGF Connecticut as a main player in bridging the income inequality gap in our state. Connecticut has the 2nd highest income inequality in the country, rivaled only by New York. Our services focus on increasing income, reducing expenses and building assets. We also focus on habit formation and understanding out clients’ motivations for what they do (or don’t do) and working with each individual where they are at and helping them achieve their goals. We plan to make a real, lasting difference in the lives of every client we severe in Connecticut!
How did Capital Good Fund come to Hartford? What are your expectations of opening operations here? How has it been going?
I was finishing up my VISTA year in Rhode Island, and I knew that I did not want to leave CGF but also that I did not want to live in Rhode Island. I pitched the idea of having a Connecticut branch to my Executive and Deputy Director and told them all the reasons they should keep me on to open an office in Hartford. CGF has its sights on becoming a national organization, and we had built a strong connection over my service year, so it was a no-brainer for both side. Thus, CGF Connecticut came into existence in October 2013 and we served our first client in February 2014!
Name at least one professional goal you hope to accomplish in 2014?
There are many things I want to accomplish professionally in 2014, most of them tied to creating a viable, sustainable presence in Hartford and New London counties. I think the most important of these goals is to start building my team in CT. I want to hire at least one full time person by the end of the year; I am excited about being able to create jobs in CT, and also to have someone else as dedicated and excited about CGF Connecticut as I am.
Share some of the skills you can contribute to the coworking community? Are you a graphic designer? Do you make a mean cup of coffee? Master Gardner? We all have special things about us and when they are combined, those things make up a community. What will you bring to this community?
This is a great question! Directly, I can provide my services to the other coworkers: free tax prep and free financial coaching. Especially for the new business owners, a financial coaching session is really valuable. And, who doesn’t like getting their taxes done for free?? Indirectly, I hope I am able to bring a fresh perspective to the community in a way that gets people thinking differently about their day to day activities. Every time a new member is brought into a community, there is a dynamic shift, and I hope the shift I create will be a positive one!
The Capital Good Fund Staff!
When you aren’t working you are..?
When I am not working I am spending time with my cat, Xena, my family, friends and my boyfriend, Peter. My hobbies include vegetarian cooking, hiking, listening to indie rock/reggae, doing freelance graphic design (usually designing my next tattoo) and scrapbooking. I am also forever contemplating how to invent teleportation, because most of what I am doing when I’m not working is driving circles around the tri-state area.
Tell us about CGF’s Immediate Public Opportunity to End Poverty in America campaign.
As a nonprofit, CGF is very dependent on external funds to operate. Some of our services generate revenue, like the interest on our loans, but it is not enough to support both programs and staff. Our Executive Director, Andy, is an excellent fundraiser and has kept us all in jobs for the past 5 years. He was looking for an innovative way to raise funds and increase awareness beyond the traditional grant writing sphere. The IPO is modeled after an effort from the nonprofit Homeward Bound of Marian County, who created an “Immediate Public Opportunity” and sold shares as a way to raise money. Warren Buffet was one of the 1st “shareholders” and the organization was able to raise over $1 million dollars. We are hoping for a similar effect. Our shares are $25 each, and every share allows the shareholder a voting right in our annual election of a board member. It also gives the donor a tangible return for their investment. Our goal is to raise $10,000, which will go towards funding our programs: helping to provide financial coaching to low-income parents in the Providence Public School system, helping us to offer free tax preparation to taxpayers in 3 different locations in 2 states, helping to provide micro-loans to those who are unable to access credit in the traditional financial sphere- and of course, to keep the dedicated CGF staff in jobs so we can keep the mission alive. I am excited for the IPO, which is a unique way to reach out to those who want to make a difference in their communities, this is an opportunity to engage stakeholders on a new level. Our IPO can be accessed here: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ipo-to-end-poverty-in-america.
Program Supports Early-Stage Retail Businesses with $7,000 in Grants Hartford, CT – Tuesday, September 29, 2026 – Reset, the Connecticut-based entrepreneurial support organization committed to advancing impact-driven businesses, is proud to introduce the ten businesses participating in the sixth cohort of the Floor–Plan Retail Incubator this fall. The program equips local founders with the tools to launch, grow, and thrive in today's retail landscape. Thanks to support from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, each business completing the program will receive a $700 grant to support their business. Save the date: Focus @ Reset: Retail in Real Time The Incubator will culminate in the Focus @ Reset: Retail in Real Time graduation and pop-up market event on Wednesday, November 18 from 5:30-8:00pm at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, where the community can meet these entrepreneurs and experience their products firsthand. Get tickets at https://bit.ly/retail26 with the early bird discount of $5 off tickets purchased before November 1. "This cohort is building businesses that infuse care, heritage, and artistry into every product they make, and we’re excited to develop strong local businesses that invest right back into our communities," said Sarah Blecher, Executive Director of Reset. "This group brings the total number of retail businesses supported through the Retail Incubator to 73 since its launch in 2021." "From Puerto Rican pastries to block prints about collective liberation, this cohort shows how many different paths lead to a meaningful retail business," said Ndubisi Okeke, Reset Program Manager. "Our Retail Incubator gets them ready for holiday sales and sustainable operations well beyond this season, building businesses with impact." Comprehensive Support for Connecticut Entrepreneurs The Retail Incubator reflects Reset's commitment to supporting entrepreneurs who are building businesses that create positive community impact. During the 12-week program, participants access experienced mentors, legal and financial support, peer networks, and real-world opportunities to test and refine their business models. The $700 small business grant at the conclusion of the incubator provides additional support to grow their businesses. The Ten Businesses in This Year's Floor–Plan Retail Incubator: Assiah Tea & Wellness , founded by Margo Jones, offers premium loose-leaf teas, handcrafted herbal blends, and curated tea services, combining hospitality, education, and wellness to encourage connection and intentional self-care. Asabodi, created by Melissa Carrasco, is a growing small business offering vegan and plant based skincare products like turmeric sugar scrub, body butters, lotions, African black liquid soap, and scalp stimulator. Dream Fleurs , founded by accessory and web designer Maureen Connelly, is a lifestyle accessory brand inspired by flowers, travel, and historic gardens around the world. Granny's Doggie Treats , is a growing small business created by Claudia Cupe, specializing in quality, homemade dog and cat treats crafted to provide pet parents with wholesome, flavorful options while promoting responsible pet care and supporting the special bond between pets and their families. L&M Desserts , led by owner and head baker Anaïs Esther Nuñez, is a family-operated business bringing authentic Puerto Rican desserts to families, events, and catering clients across Connecticut. NUR the Label , founded by Yasmin Laila, is a contemporary fashion brand reimagining the kaftan through a modern lens, honoring African and Middle Eastern dress traditions with pieces designed for celebrations and everyday expression. Pajareando Press , created by artist, educator, and community organizer Elida Paiz Pineda, creates one-of-a-kind block prints, illustrations, and craft works exploring social justice, collective liberation, and radical joy. Ruby Sampson , founded by Ashley Powdar in 2016 in honor of her grandmother, is an artisan-powered brand based in the U.S. and Guyana that creates silk-lined hair accessories, head wraps, and apparel on a mission to close the grooming gap for natural hair textures. Trinkky Trinkks , founded by performer and choreographer Cristal Coleman, is a specialty gift boutique offering handcrafted jewelry alongside curated handbags, accessories, and unexpected finds, built as a pathway toward generational wealth. Wábi Arts , founded by photographer and arts advocate Kim Weston, is a developing gallery and teaching space in downtown New Haven featuring Connecticut-based and emerging artists and home to the FOCUS Fellowship, a teen photography mentorship program. About the Floor–Plan Retail Incubator Now in its sixth year, it is part of a suite of retail opportunities from Reset and Hartford-based Breakfast Lunch & Dinner, a community activation studio. Reset’s three-month incubator provides entrepreneurial technical support to early-stage retail businesses, helping participants understand customer needs, define pricing strategies, address key legal and financial topics, and prepare for new market opportunities. Entrepreneurs gain insights from industry experts, access a supportive community, and receive practical tools to enhance their business acumen. Through the Floor–Plan partnership, entrepreneurs can access additional market outlets and retail opportunities through Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. About Reset Founded in 2007, Reset is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Hartford, CT, whose mission is advancing the social enterprise sector and providing inclusive entrepreneurial support across Connecticut. In February 2025, Reset acquired New Haven-based Collab, combining complementary strengths to create a more robust ecosystem for impact-driven entrepreneurs throughout the region. Reset specializes in social enterprise, meaning impact-driven businesses with double or triple bottom lines, and provides coworking space, accelerator programs, and mentoring services that inspire innovation and community collaboration. To date, Reset and Collab have assisted over 700 small businesses to start and grow with impact, and reached thousands more through low-touch supports. Visit resetco.org to learn more. # # #
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This Spring we asked our community to weigh in on their biggest challenges, interests, and opportunities related to impact-driven and sustainable business. We were proud to partner with CT Sustainable Business Council on this effort. Select findings were shared at Beyond Business As Usual 2026: Scaling Resilient Entrepreneurship, and we aim to continue taking action on the things that rose to the top. Click through the arrows to see the key findings.
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