The History of Washington Community Alliance for Self-Help (CASH)
Washington Community Alliance for Self-Help was founded in 1995 to transform people’s lives and communities by creating a pathway out of poverty using small loans and business training to build individuals’ confidence, credit, knowledge and assets. Washington CASH’s lending and business training and support model is based primarily on the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, which pioneered the life-changing practice of providing small loans and business support to the poorest members of society. Prior to our beginning in 1995, our founder, Peter Rose, traveled to Bangladesh and observed Grameen Bank up close. He was sure that a similar program could work in the U.S. He looked at the much-more-complex U.S. business environment and added one important component: a business development training curriuclum. Like the Grameen Bank, we believe in the inherent strength, determination and intelligence of low-income entrepreneurs, and we help people to develop themselves by developing thier businesses.By providing business development training, one-on-one coaching, collateral-free microloans, peer support, mentorship, Individual Development Accounts and computer lab access, Washington CASH helps hundreds of individuals build businesses, income and self-confidence each year. 
As of August of 2008, approximately 1,600 low-income people have graduated from our business training courses, more than 750 businesses have been started or expanded, and 327 loans have been made to low income individuals, totaling $690,250. Washington CASH is the only microcredit program using the peer lending model in the state of Washington. In addition, 91 individuals have been enrolled in Washington CASH’s Individual Development Account (IDA) program, an innovative savings account program in which dollars are matched two to one to encourage saving habits, create capital to expand small businesses, and build lasting assets. Washington CASH helps individuals move from being in poverty to being small business owners and contributors to community revitalization.Washington CASH clients live in King, Snohomish, Kitsap, San Juan, and Pierce counties and possess the determination necessary to start their own businesses. Characteristics of 2008 Washington CASH clients include:
- 76% are women;
- An average client has an annual household income of $ 16,269 for three people when they enter the Washington CASH program;
- 94% are at or below 200% of the poverty level ($42,400 for a family of four);
- 68% of Washington CASH clients are people of color; and,
- 13% have a disability.
According to MicroTest, a national microenterprise evaluation tool administered by the Aspen Institute, Washington CASH excels at helping individuals leave poverty: 67% of those who were at 100 percent of poverty when they entered the Washington CASH program left poverty after receiving significant services, while the national average for other microenterprise groups helping clients leave poverty is 39%. Washington CASH successfully builds new lives and livelihoods: according to MicroTest 2007, 93% of clients experienced an increase in business revenues and 75% increased their household income after participating in Washington CASH’s microenterprise development programs.
Washington CASH is a certified Community Development Financial Institution, a Community Development Entity and we are a Small Business Administration Microloan Program Intermediary lender. Organization and individual staff awards include: 2005 Women’s Business Exchange Networker of the Year Award, Small Business Administration Home-based Advocate of the Year, 2002 Deutsche Bank Microenterprise Excellence in Training, SBA Vision 2000 Models of Excellence and the Victory Against Hunger Award.
