I got involved with WEV when I came to Santa Barbara three years ago because I believe very strongly in the mission - and the unique combination of training and access to capital WEV offers its graduates to start businesses.  Not only do WEV graduates leave with tools to start their businesses and a peer group for information and support, they have access to funds they might not otherwise have.  The Small Business Loan Fund today has $1,000,000 available to WEV graduates and other local entrepreneurs who apply and meet WEV's criteria.  Over the history of the Loan Fund, over $2 million in capital has been loaned to local small businesses who didn't qualify for traditional lending: over 1,000 businesses have been started with WEV's help.  WEV graduates mean business and they mean to stay in business.

The primary need at WEV is funding for scholarships.  But there is a whole host of ways your generous contribution can be used:

$150 buys the study materials used by each WEV student
$500 buys 5 hours of one-on-one business coaching - bundled with loan counseling which provides our alumnae with support as they go from business plan to business launch - or expansion.
$2500 funds a full scholarship for a WEV student - and just over a little over $200 per months buys one scholarship.

You’ve heard about - and lived in- this tough economic environment - and the future is unknown.  But, what we know for sure is this: small businesses are one catalyst that will drive the economic recovery in our communities and support our  women business owners achieve the financial ndependence and accomplishment they didn’t achieve elsewhere.  . Their success makes it possible for them to give back to the community by mentoring their employees - or new WEV students - and by contributing to WEV events - again and again..  NONE of this would have been possible without WEV’s Scholarship Program.

So thank you for your contribution - on whatever scale you can participate.