Since 1988, Women's Initiative has:

• Assisted clients in starting or developing over 1,600 businesses from photography studios to catering companies and mechanic shops
• Disbursed loans totaling over $800,000
• Facilitated clients in leveraging an additional $1,800,000 in capital from other lending sources
• Helped over 120 women build assets through Individual Development Accounts (IDA or matched savings accounts)

1988 Women’s Initiative launched its services and was incorporated.

1990 established the Women's Initiative Revolving Loan Fund to provide small business loans to lower-income women entrepreneurs. To date, the fund has disbursed hundreds of loans while maintaining an excellent default rate under 10%.

1990 created the Alternativas para Latinas en Autosuficiencia program (ALAS) to provide services in Spanish in San Francisco’s predominantly Latina Mission district. ALAS is the first program of its kind in Northern California.

1993 expanded services to the East Bay by opening an office in Oakland California – this office now serves more than 1000 women a year

1995 after launching the Women Mean Business project for welfare recipients and others in poverty, decided that Women’s Initiative would focus on serving only low-income and disadvantaged women.

1997 recognizing graduate’s need for capital to launch and expand their businesses, launched an Individual Development Account (IDA) that contributes $2 for every $1 saved by a graduate

2001 awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Microenterprise Development. The award was made by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton at a ceremony at the White House on January 16, 2001.

2001 completed the first Women’s Initiative Outcome Evaluation, tracking 83 clients served in English for up to 18 months after graduation from core training, with support from the Aspen Institute, the San Francisco Foundation, and the C.S. Mott Foundation. Key findings included that the median income of participants nearly doubled (an average income increase of $13,226) within 18 months of completing Women’s Initiative’s comprehensive business management training.

2002 honored by Equal Rights Advocates for sharing their commitment to break down barriers that obstruct women’s economic empowerment.

2003 launched the Alameda County Advisory Council to build visibility and leadership in the East Bay. This pilot council is the framework for all future leadership and expansion in the agency.

2003 Women’s Initiative hosts its first gala honoring the agency founders and Mary Huss, Publisher of the SF Business Times. This key business event in the city boasts up to 500 in attendance and is a must-attend event for women business leaders every year.

2004 recognizing graduate’s need for capital to launch and expand their businesses, launched an Individual Development Account (IDA) that contributes $2 for every $1 saved by a graduate

2005 created SuccessLink, a support program that provides expanded training, personal coaching, access to networks and markets, and business consulting to propel new businesses to success

2006 introduced personal computers to the Simple Steps training so women gain technical skills as they develop business skills – today, all assignments are completed using PCs

2007 began a regional expansion introducing services into San Rafael, Richmond, Concord and San Jose – Women’s Initiative now offers classes in 18 locations in the San Francisco Bay Area

2007 began a regional expansion introducing services into San Rafael, Richmond, Concord and San Jose – Women’s Initiative now offers classes in 18 locations in the San Francisco Bay Area

2008 launched sites in Novato, San Jose and Concord

2009 Women’s Initiative CEO Julie Castro Abrams named a Woman Who Could be President by the League of Women Voters and selected as the SBA San Francisco District Women in Business Advocate of the Year

2009 Women’s Initiative launches Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

2010 Women’s Initiative releases research paper “Job Creation through Microenterprise Development” showing that recent graduates of the program had created 2,244 jobs

2011 Circle Bank commits to providing $100,000 in loans to Women’s Initiative graduates

2011 Women’s Initiative begins expansion efforts to New York and Chicago


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