Ventures Nonprofit 3.94

CHANGING LIVES THROUGH SMALL BUSINESS
We began in 1995 after founder Peter Rose traveled to Bangladesh and observed Grameen Bank providing small loans to groups of poor women. Peter was intrigued, and was sure that a similar peer lending based microfinance model could work in the U.S. When he studied the more complex U.S. business environment, however, he added something new: in-depth business training.

Our program has continued to evolve from its original microfinance inspiration, layering multiple initiatives to help low-income entrepreneurs where they need it most. Today our strategy combines:

> Business education and training
> Peer network
> One-on-one coaching
> Microloans and matched savings accounts
> Community volunteers and market access opportunities
> Other in-depth resources

CLIENTS & IMPACT
We selects applicants to our program based on financial need as well as the strength of prospective business proposals. Our typical client is considered to be living at the "low" or "very low" income level by local H.U.D. guidelines. The majority are women, and 70 percent are minorities.

In fiscal year 2013, we. served about 650 client entrepreneurs in the Puget Sound region, more than doubling our reach over three years. Since inception, over 1,900 businesses have been started or expanded and more than $950,000 in microloans have been made by our program.

According to a recent survey by FIELD/The Aspen Institute, 18 months after receiving our services, 73% of business owners reported that their business’s performance greatly improved their financial circumstances. These surveys have shown that the majority of clients’ household incomes go up after our program, with an average 34% increase.

VENTURES RETAIL INCUBATOR & STORE LOCATION
www.washingtoncash.org/ventures
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ventures/154061238004935
retail@venturesnonprofit.org
Tel: (206) 508-1342
PIKE PLACE STORE:
1501 Pike Place, Suite #521 (mezzanine)
Seattle, WA 98101