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Women's Initiative

An Effective Practice

This practice has been Archived and is no longer maintained.

Description

The goal of Women's Initiative is to help women start and grow their own businesses. This program targets low-income women living in San Francisco, CA.

Classes are held twice a week for 11 weeks and are three hours long each. Women receive training in financial accounting and management, planning, marketing, record keeping, and time/stress management. In addition, they learn how to write a business plan, analyze their competition, price their product or service, and promote their businesses. Services are provided in English and Spanish.

Goal / Mission

The goal of Women's Initiative is to help low-income women start their own businesses.

Results / Accomplishments

Since the program began in 1998, it has served more than 22,000 women in the San Francisco Bay Area. One year after training, women report a $13,000 increase in annual household income, from $22,000 to $35,000. Every dollar invested into Women's Initiative has been shown to result in a return of $30 for the local economy.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Women's Initiative
Primary Contact
(510) 287-3110
Topics
Economy / Investment & Personal Finance
Organization(s)
Women's Initiative
Date of implementation
1988
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
San Francisco, CA
Target Audience
Women
Additional Audience
low-income