The Michael Scott Mater Foundation partners with ACCION USA

The Michael Scott Mater foundation has partnered with Accion USA, the national leader in microlending in the United States. The partnership hopes to open up $500,000 of capital within the first year that will be available for entrepreneurs as a resource needed to ensure their sustainability. With the partnership Accion will not only bring along with them the capital needed to meet the needs of entrepreneurs, but an extensive credit knowledge and twenty years of experience in lending. This is a new exciting opportunity for Charlotte entrepreneurs as they will be able to have their capital needs meet with the backing of Accion USA while also being able to receive extensive business support from the Michael Scott Mater Foundation who have made their home in Charlotte, NC. The plans between the new partnership hopes to be able to extend a lending hand to 3,000 entrepreneurs in the United States within the first three years with an anticipated $500,000 available throughout the first year and an average loan amount averaging around $9,000.

With the new partnership the Michael Scott Mater Foundation hopes to extend its lending boundaries all throughout the state helping hundreds of entrepreneurs realize their dream and create a sustainable business.

Interested entrepreneurs should sign up for an information session at http://www.msmf.org/Micro-Loan-Initiative.php or call (980) 207-3260.

Sustainable Solutions (S2)

In today’s ever-changing world of communities, companies, universities, and governments must be able to break away from traditional methodology and think outside the box in implementing processes that can create jobs, protect the environment, and reduce the cost of doing business. Sustainable Solutions is built on the concept of coalition development between members of academia, industry, government, and communities in order to promote the development and implementation of green technologies and sustainable practices throughout the world. Our unique approach is composed of three central pillars and is geared toward bringing cutting edge technology and research to communities for the real world application:

• Creating jobs in local communities

• Promoting research collaboration

• Job training through academic & industry partnerships

• Testing laboratory development

• Promoting academic & government partnerships

• Promoting academic & industry partnerships

• International promotion of sustainable engineering and agriculture

Remember that with MSMF Sustainable Solutions you can:

1.     Build capacity and create jobs in local communities

2.     Improve performance and reduce costs

3.     Reduce carbon footprints and minimize waste

If you are interested in the set of value’s that the Michael Scott Mater Foundation operates by and would like to see how you can get involved, please visit http://www.msmf.org/S2.php

World Empowerment Initiative (WEI)

MSMF’s World Empowerment Initiative is designed to develop job skills through vocational training in vulnerable communities. MSMF partners with businesses, schools, and governments to provide individuals with the necessary skills to enter or re-enter the workforce with confidence. Through in-depth market analysis, community leader and member information sessions, and evaluations the MSMF provides participants with the with the tools to find and maintain employment.

In our region, more than 10,000 young people between the ages of 16 and 24 are neither in school nor employed. Currently, workplace internships and other opportunities to gain job skills and experience are available only to a fraction of the young people. MSMF has developed the Youth Empowerment Assistance Program (YEAP), a four-week vocational training program that will teach youth about leadership, marketing, business development, IT/PC configuration, networking skill, customer service, and communication skills. Students will be mentored by professionals from the local community and upon completion of the program, graduates will be placed in paid internships with non-profit organizations, businesses, and public/state sector entities throughout the area. High school students and recent graduates will explore globalization and cultural diversity factors important for their ability to adapt to the ever-changing and challenging work environment. YEAP is an opportunity to keep neighborhoods strong and communities intact. Help us empower our youth and unemployed workforce by continuing to offer programs that give individuals the skills needed to take charge of their lives and their communities.

Remember with the World Empowerment Initiative you can:

• Learn new trades and critical skill sets
• Enter or re-enter the job market
• Empower yourself to take charge of your career

For more information on our WEI go to http://www.msmf.org

Micro-Loan Initiative (MLI)

A healthy economy depends on a diverse array of thriving businesses. With the global economy still in recovery, small business owners and hopefuls are finding it more difficult that ever to survive. MSMF recognizes the vital role small businesses play in strengthening our economy and has developed a program to help ensure their survival. Our micro-loan initiative provides business training, networking opportunities, and loans as little as $1,000 up to $20,000 to entrepreneurs in order to help start or grow new or existing businesses. Additionally, we provide individual consultation, computer training, and networking opportunities with business owners.

MLI provides members with classes on a variety of business topics from specialists in finance, marketing, and planning. These topics include:

• Planning and Vision
• Target markets
• Market analysis
• Operations analysis
• Projecting revenue & risk analysis
• Marketing your business
• Business plan & balance sheet development
• Computer skills, database management, and financial accounting

With the Micro-Loan Initiative program at the Michael Scott Mater Foundation we help you to:

1. Start or expand your business
2. Increase revenues and customer base
3. And take charge of your future

If you are interested in the Micro-Loan Initiative please visit our website at http://www.msmf.org/Micro-Loan-Initiative.php for more information and ways to contact our multiple locations throughout the US and other countries

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• About Starting a Small Business (thinkup.waldenu.edu)

School 4 School Program (S4S)

The Michael Scott Mater Foundation (MSMF) S4S program offers a combination of coherent and coordinated international education strategies that will help us meet the twin challenges of preparing Americans for a global environment while continuing to attract and educate future leaders from abroad. The Internet allows for worldwide interactions between people who never would have communicated previously. This opens up a world of possibilities but also presents challenges such as interacting in different languages and the diverse cultural backgrounds that will be encountered along the way. Learning these differences first-hand is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences for a student. Unfortunately, less than one percent of American students study abroad. Those who choose an international experience over the comforts of home are rewarded with tremendous professional opportunities. MSMF promotes cross-cultural understanding through three different approaches:

1. Two-week programs abroad: Through our satellite office in Lima and partners in China, MSMF offers American students the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds, and vibrant cultures of these two countries. Students will attend classes with their peers, see world-famous archaeological sites like Machu Picchu and Wuyi Mountain all while interacting with communities through volunteer programs.
2. High school student exchanges: MSMF provides full spectrum services for high school students wishing to study abroad in the United States as well as American students wish to study abroad. Our process ensures that every step in the exchange is handles by professionals making the experience as educational, safe, and fun for all.
3. University student exchanges: MSMF works with companies and universities throughout the United States to provide access for international students to the American University System. Our dedicated staff will ensure a smooth transition to their new scholastic experiences.

Contact the Michael Scott Mater Foundation if you are interested in the School 4 School program by visiting our website at http://www.msmf.org.