Overview

Washington C.A.S.H. client and business owner Crystal Jordan (left) with mentor Ruth Verhoff (right). [Click image to watch Crystal tell her story.]

Washington C.A.S.H. (Community Alliance for Self-Help) empowers aspiring entrepreneurs with limited resources—and unlimited potential. We provide the hands-on education, in-depth support, and access to capital needed to launch and grow successful small enterprises.

We serve those in our community for whom traditional business development services are out of reach, with a focus on low-income, women, and minority populations. Working together, we are committed to the growth of small businesses, stronger communities, and brighter futures throughout the Puget Sound region and beyond.

CHANGING LIVES THROUGH SMALL BUSINESS
Washington C.A.S.H. began in 1995 after founder Peter Rose traveled to Bangladesh and observed Grameen Bank providing small loans to groups of poor women. Peter was intrigued, and was sure that a similar peer lending based microfinance model could work in the U.S. When he studied the more complex U.S. business environment, however, he added something new: in-depth business training.

Washington C.A.S.H.'s program has continued to evolve from its original microfinance inspiration, layering multiple initiatives to help low-income entrepreneurs where they need it most. Today our strategy combines:

> Business education and training
> Peer network and support groups
> One-on-one coaching
> Microloans and matched savings accounts
> Community volunteers and market access opportunities
> Other in-depth resources

Our program owes much of its success to the deep commitment and care offered by volunteer business coaches and mentors from our community. Over the past year, nearly 200 volunteers—small business owners, attorneys, marketing and finance professionals, and more—have helped guide our clients through the process of bringing a business concept to life, and ultimately, to the marketplace.

CLIENTS & IMPACT
Washington C.A.S.H. selects applicants to our program based on financial need as well as the strength of prospective business proposals. Our typical client is considered to be living at the "low" or "very low" income level by local H.U.D. guidelines. The majority are women, and 56 percent are minorities.

In fiscal year 2011, Washington C.A.S.H. served more than 780 client entrepreneurs in the Puget Sound region, more than doubling our reach over three years. Since inception, over 1,320 businesses have been started or expanded and more than $839,000 in microloans have been made by our program.

According to a recent survey by FIELD/The Aspen Institute, 18 months after receiving Washington C.A.S.H. services, 73% of business owners reported that their business’s performance greatly improved their financial circumstances. Over the past five years, these surveys have shown that the majority of clients’ household incomes go up after our program, with an average 45% increase.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Washington Community Alliance for Self-Help (C.A.S.H.) provides the business training, supportive community, and capital to help enterprising individuals with limited financial resources gain self-sufficiency through small business ownership.