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Microenterprise Finance. Context and History. Strategies designed to create or expand small businesses that are unable to attract financing from commercial sources. Non-profit organizations have been est. to channel capital to these small businesses.
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Context and History • Strategies designed to create or expand small businesses that are unable to attract financing from commercial sources. • Non-profit organizations have been est. to channel capital to these small businesses. • ME finance received PR boost in early 1980’s from success of Grameen Bank (began lending in 1976)
Funding and Outcomes • Funding for these non-profit orgs. providing ME finance comes primarily from foundations, govts. (local, state, federal), and often as income from operations (earned income). • Three desired outcomes: 1. expand local economies in underserved or disadvantaged areas. 2. increase household income of borrowers. 3. create a base of entrepreneurs for future development
Quick background of MCNW Mercy Corps Northwest (est. 1998) is the regional economic development organization of Mercy Corps. Promotes self-sufficiency through microenterprise development and self-employment in Oregon and now Washington. Portland based loan program started in 2001 and expanded into WA state in 2009. 4
Washington services • Access to capital (online loan application); combined w/ local partner providing business development support. • Virtual mentor program • No geographical restrictions; serving throughout WA
Being prepared for financing • Have a business plan w/ 12 months of financial projections! • List your exact project budget. • Know what sources of capitalization you will need. • Be prepared to talk the following: -personal finances, business experience, short/long term goals, a plan “B”.
Cont…. Check your personal credit. (www.annualcreditreport.com) Look over the loan terms and write down questions! Determine what types of registrations/licenses you will need. (http://www.sos.wa.gov/corps/)
Help to all kinds of businesses (ex. retail, wholesale, manufacturing, agricultural, tourism, health care, home-based, virtual…)
What is MicroMentor? A free online service connecting entrepreneurs with business volunteers in mentoring relationships. Our mission is to help small businesses grow faster, generate more revenue, and employ more people.
Program Overview 2700+ Entrepreneurs Enrolled 2100+ Mentors Enrolled 1800+ Mentoring Matches 58% Women Mentees 45% Ethnic Minorities 50% Low- and moderate-income
2009 Stats • Entrepreneurs saw an increase in revenue of $15,390 – representing a 75% increase in their income. • 87% of existing businesses were still in operation a year after working with their mentors. The national average for business survival is 66%. • Over 50% of businesses that were in the pre-launch stage upon joining MicroMentor were able to open their businesses, while another 38% were still in the planning process. • On average, entrepreneurs worked with their mentors for an estimated 16 hours. 43% of interviewed mentees were still in contact with their mentors over a year after the match was made.
How It Works • An entrepreneur signs up and describes their business and their challenges • Mentors use our search tools to find targeted prospective matches, and send an offer to help • The entrepreneur accepts their best-fit offer and the match begins
www.mercycorpsnw.org/loans www.micromentor.org Anthony Gromko 206-595-9496 agromko@mercycorpsnw.org