Co-founder Lisa Smith speaking at E4E’s catalyst fundraising luncheon.
OUR HISTORY
MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
Enterprise for Equity has been helping people with limited incomes and others start small businesses since 1999. We are considered an MDO (Microenterprise Development Organization) and are among the thousands of similar organizations operating around the globe.
HOW WE STARTED
The Microcredit Summit in Washington, D.C in 1997 initially inspired the growth of such organizations. After the Summit a small group of local volunteers brought together 30 representatives of low-income serving agencies in the South Sound such as the Food Bank, Refugee and Immigrant Services Center, and the Housing Authority to learn about the self-employment needs of the people they serve. After that, Enterprise for Equity developed relationships with these agencies, conducted comprehensive business planning programs, obtained our 501(c)3 designation, established an active Board of Directors, and received sponsorships and funding from foundations, businesses and public agencies. In 2011, we established our micro-loan fund. Over the past twenty years, we have continued to develop strategic partnerships throughout the State and provided our programs in seven counties thanks to the on-going support of our funders and partnerships.
WHAT WE DO NOW
We are proud to offer emerging and existing entrepreneurs, veterans, creatives, farmers, service-providers, and others in rural areas education, mentoring, and training to advance their interests in the areas of business development and financial well-being. Over the past 22 years, we’ve provided financial training, business training, business technical assistance, and microloans. We work with incredible individuals who are starting or growing a small business, in order to create income for themselves and their families and care deeply about their communities. In this way, we hope to be a part of economic empowerment in the many counties in Washington that we serve: Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Wahkiakum, Pacific, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Clallam and Pierce counties.
Learn more about our Business Development Programs.