ACCION USAIntroduction to Resource Development

Intern Orientation September 2010

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ACCION USA empowers low- to moderate-income business owners with access to capital and financial education. With economic opportunity, these entrepreneurs can build assets, better providefor their families, create employment, and strengthen their communities.

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How We Position ACCION USA

ACCION USA is a private, nonprofit organization that serves low- and moderate-income individuals, primarily

minorities and women, who are unable to access mainstream financial services.  A pioneer and

recognized leader in the domestic microfinance field, ACCION USA is dedicated to providing microentrepreneurs and individuals on the economic margin with the crucial chance to

access capital and develop greater financial literacy. 

ACCION USA loans range from $500-$50,000 and are offered nationwide via the ACCION USA online lending platform. Since inception in 1991, ACCION USA has leant over $121 million in

19,300 loans nationwide.

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ACCION USA at a Glance

• Certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI)

• The domestic counterpart to ACCION International

• Independent board of directors

• Donors include Citi Foundation, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Boston Beer among others

• An independent 501(c)(3)

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2010 Revenues

2010 ACCION USA Revenues by Source

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2010 Fundraising Revenue Projections

2010 ACCION USA Fundraising Projection by Source

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Why We Raise Money

– Unrestricted Funding/General Operations

– Restricted

• Local operations

• Financial literacy

• Geographic expansion

• Internet marketing

• Tax preparation – Miami

• Merger

• Loan Fund

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Our donors: who, what, and why?

Corporations/banks: for-profit entities who partner with us for marketing/community service purposes; banks have Community Reinvestment Act requirements annually that require them to loan, invest, or serve non-profits; monies given can be restricted or unrestricted; e.g., Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase

Foundations: non-profit organizations which grant money for operations and/or loan fund; monies given can be restricted or unrestricted; e.g., Smith Family Foundation, Mott Foundation

Individuals: persons who support our programs through donations or loans to our loan fund; can be restricted but mostly unrestricted

Government: local governments which support microlending and financial literacy services in their jurisdiction; e.g., City of Atlanta, City of Miami, City of Somerville; federal funders such as the U.S. Treasury’s CDFI Fund.

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Major Fundraising Activities

– Grant Writing and Research

– Leverage Boards

• National

• Local – Boston, Miami, Atlanta, Savannah

– Government Targeting – Federal, State, Municipal

– Direct Mail

– Web and Social Networking

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Resource Development Staff

– Valeria Perez-Ferreiro, Vice President (New York)

– Erika Eurkus, Senior Director (Boston)

– Andrea Stiles Pullas, Senior Director (Ecuador)

– Ashley Wessier, Associate (New York)

– Shaina Peterson, VISTA (Boston)

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Everyone is a Fundraiser: How You Can Help

• Ask local bankers if they might include ACCION USA in their CRA funding

• Recruit friends to ACCION USA’s social networking pages (e.g. Facebook)

• Become an ACCION USA evangelist with friends and family

• Start all your Amazon shopping at www.accionusa.org

• Use www.goodsearch.com for Internet searches and specify ACCION USA as the recipient

• Honor friends and family with a tribute gift to ACCION USA

• Create a blog that highlights how ACCION USA helps microentrepreneurs in this country