NYC Based Microfinance Lender to Support Area Entrepreneurs
Brooklyn, NY, March 31, 2014 – In an effort to help entrepreneurs in New York City raise the money needed to start and grow their business, the St. Francis College Center for
Entrepreneurship and Accion East , a New York City based microfinance lender, announce a new their partnership. Since 1991 Accion East has been committed to helping grow the local economy through microloans for small to medium sized businesses. Together, the two organizations will provide counsel and microfinance solutions to businesses in New York.
The Center for Entrepreneurship is an advisory center at St. Francis College (SFC) dedicated to helping student entrepreneurs as well as small businesses to launch and operate their New York company. According to a 2012 report on entrepreneurship published by the White House, two out of every three new jobs in America's economy are created by small to medium sized businesses. SFC sees the center as not only a way to help students with an entrepreneurial spirit, but also as a way to help grow the local economy.
“We are thrilled to announce this partnership with Accion East,” said Dr. Dennis Anderson,
Executive Director of the Center. “As part of our mission we provide guidance in many areas, including how to attain funding to start and/or grow a business. Accion East has a long track record of providing pivotal funding to startups with a potential to beneficially impact the local economy. We believe this partnership will bring together our students looking for the money they need and Accion East which is trying to find quality businesses to support.”
“Access to capital is one of the key hurdles for entrepreneurs. By giving them an opportunity to access financing coupled with financial education and counsel from the Center, entrepreneurs will be better empowered to use the financing to meet their business goals,” said Accion East
Manager of Lending Erica Dorn.
Already, the partnership has made one successful funding match. St. Francis College student
Yolonda Watson ‘16, was able to secure a $2,000 loan to help accelerate the growth of her travel business.
Media Contacts
St. Francis College:
Richard Relkin
Email: rrelkin@sfc.edu
Phone: 718-489-5214 / 646-369-8988

Accion East:
Patricia Gomez
Email: pgomez@accioneast.org
Phone: Work - 646-833-4552
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About St. Francis College
St. Francis College, founded in 1859 by the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, is located in
Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. Since its founding, the College has pursued its Franciscan mission to providean affordable, high-quality education to students from New York City’s five boroughs and beyond. http://www.sfc.edu/entrepreneur , or follow us on Twitter at @entrepreneursfc.
About Accion East
Accion East is a nonprofit microlender that provides lending and financial education to entrepreneurs in New York City and nationwide. By sparking ideas and empowering selfstarters, Accion helps local businesses and communities grow by driving job creation and retention with each microloan. Since opening its doors in 1991, Accion has provided over $154 million in capital to entrepreneurs, creating and saving over 96,000 jobs within local communities. Accion East is part of the Accion U.S. Network, the largest microfinance network in the United States. Globally, Accion is a pioneer in microfinance, reaching millions of individuals through its international network of partners. For more information on Accion East visit: www.accioneast.org