Small Business Majority Announces Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action on Access to Capital for Small Businesses
Small Business Majority announces Commitment to Action today at the Clinton Global Initiative America meeting to educate 2,000 small business owners about their lending options and opportunities and risks in the new lending market
CONTACT:
Cassie Mills | Communications Manager
(202) 289-0957 | cmills@smallbusinessmajority.
Atlanta—Small Business Majority announced a Commitment to Action today at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) America meeting in Atlanta to help empower our nation’s entrepreneurs in a new lending age. The commitment seeks to educate 2,000 entrepreneurs about their lending options, create greater equity and transparency for small business in the lending environment and to raise awareness and build in protections against predatory and risky lending practices in the new lending market.
Despite their considerable economic and communal contributions, America’s smallest entrepreneurs face significant hurdles accessing capital, including a complex marketplace and uneven playing field. In fact, accessing capital consistently ranks as the No. 1 issue small business owners cite as most personally and professionally problematic. Additionally, many entrepreneurs struggle to navigate alternative lending options, and how to identify bad actors in this new lending space.
Small Business Majority seeks to address these issues through its commitment to action to educate small business owners on their lending options. The commitment will be implemented through Small Business Majority’s Entrepreneurship Program, a curriculum and resource developed to deliver authoritative, objective information and resources to help entrepreneurs get the capital they need to start, grow and sustain their businesses. The program combines in-person and online education and resources with widespread promotion of the Small Business Borrowers’ Bill of Rights and the cultivation of networks of responsible lenders committed to helping small business.
“Our scientific opinion polling reveals 90 percent of small business owners believe the availability of credit is a problem,” said John Arensmeyer, Founder & CEO of Small Business Majority. “And, while there are some programs in place to help provide the capital small businesses need, there are significant gaps that remain, especially in minority and rural communities and for women and veterans. Our commitment to action seeks to provide entrepreneurs from all walks of life the tools they need to seek out traditional financing options, and also empower them to explore responsible alternative financing options.”
To learn more about Small Business Majority’s commitment to educating small business owners about lending options, visit http://smallbusinessportal.
Small Business Majority was founded and is run by small business owners to focus on solving the biggest problems facing small businesses today. Since 2005, we have actively engaged small business owners and policymakers in support of public policy solutions, and have delivered information and resources to entrepreneurs that promote small business growth and drive a strong economy. We regularly engage our network of 65,000 small business owners and more than 5,000 business organizations, along with a formal strategic partnership program of more than 145 business organizations, enabling us to reach more than 500,000 entrepreneurs. Our extensive scientific polling, focus groups and economic research help us educate and inform policymakers, the media and other stakeholders about key issues impacting small businesses and freelancers, including access to capital, taxes, healthcare, retirement, entrepreneurship, workforce development, clean energy and immigration reform. Learn more about us on our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.