Women’s Initiative is seeking highly qualified, energetic individuals to serve as Microenterprise Fellows in 2012, contributing their skills and talents to serve low-income, women entrepreneurs.

Women’s Initiative Microenterprise Fellowships

Since 1988, Women's Initiative has been assisting high-potential low-income women who dream of business ownership. Through an intensive 22 session program — in English or Spanish — women are enabled to start, or expand their business. Women's Initiative is a not-for-profit agency. Our mission is to build the entrepreneurial capacity of women to overcome economic and social barriers and achieve self-sufficiency. Women's Initiative has proven that women create jobs for themselves and others, access the mainstream economy, and increase their economic self-sufficiency when they are given business planning and financing support.

Fellows will be accepted as part of a cohort that will help respond to the national crisis and economic downturn by helping low-income women start their own businesses and build their own financial security. Be part of the real change movement!

Microenterprise Fellows dedicate 12 weeks of service to Women’s Initiative. The 2012 Fellows cohorts begin on the following days:

Winter: January 23-April 27, 2012 [application due Friday, December 9, 2011]
Spring: April 9-June 29, 2012 [application due Friday, March 2, 2012]
Summer: June 18-September 7, 2012 [application due May 4, 2012]
Fall: September 10-November 30, 2012 [application due August 10, 2012]

Depending on interest and experience, Fellows will contribute their skills in the following areas:

• Events – program manage areas of our annual events, work diligently and creatively to improve existing events, and develop ideas for new events
• Development – craft compelling arguments for funding, write grants and reports, and conduct due diligence on new funding prospects
• Raiser’s Edge – work with our Raiser’s Edge specialist to further develop skills in this widely used database and learn best practices for utilizing this technology as a fundraising tool
• Database Management – support the data collection and reporting work being done through our agency developed database.  Projects include assessment and improvement of existing procedures, writing reports, and compiling data.
• Marketing – write client success stories, conduct media outreach, develop website and newsletter, provide graphic design support and assist with special events
• Program development – grow new partnerships, develop new content and web learning, and implement entrepreneurial readiness sessions
• Research & public policy – learn and contribute to our outcome evaluation research and continuous program improvements, conduct background research and data analysis, and develop white papers on timely and relevant issues
• Strategic planning – support strategic growth and expansion efforts, working closely with our Executive Directors and CEO
• Finance & microlending – help administer Women's Initiative’s revolving microloan fund
• Volunteer Programming/HR – help administer and develop Women’s Initiative’s extensive Volunteer Program, providing excellent engagement opportunities and cultivation experiences for interested parties.

Fellows will be placed at one of Women's Initiative’s business training centers in San Francisco, Oakland, Concord, Novato or San Jose and will be mentored by a manager in their area of expertise. Fellowship placements are based on the best match for the candidate and the needs of the agency. Travel times are considered whenever possible.

Benefits 
Each Fellowship includes:
• Comprehensive cohort training program on topics relating to Women’s Initiative, microenterprise domestically, and the nonprofit sector.
• Access to experts and leaders in microenterprise and microfinance
• Individual training and orientation
• Mentorship by a seasoned manager
• Opportunity to develop professional experience in the nonprofit sector with a leading microenterprise organization
Note: Microenterprise Fellowships are unpaid

Eligibility
• At least 1 year of work experience
• BS/BA or equivalent experience
• Applicants must be sincerely interested in microenterprise and microfinance, with a desire to contribute to the field and learn from seasoned colleagues.
• Applicants must be able to commit to 20-40 hours of service per week for a minimum of 10 weeks beginning on the start dates listed above.
• Applicants must be available to travel to Oakland on Mondays for trainings.

The deadline for submitting the application for each cohort is listed above. Please note that training takes place on Mondays, so to be eligible you must be available on these days.

To Apply or for Further Information
Submit a Fellows Application at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/fellowsapplication and send in your resume by the date above to Katie Taylor at ktaylor@womensinitiative.org

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