Program Success Magazine August 2010 | Page 10

PAGE 10 PROGRAM SUCCESS – AUGUST 2010 SAM’S CLUB® OFFERS SMALL BUSINESS LOANS TO BUSINESSES OWNED BY MINORITIES, WOMEN, AND VETERANS Bentonville, AR - Existing small business owners and entrepreneurs with hopes of starting up continue to seek access to capital in the form of bank loans, yet are still struggling to land credit. Only half of small businesses that tried to borrow last year got all or most of what they needed, according to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business. In the mid-2000s, 90% of businesses said they got the loans they needed. To help support small business and its business members, Sam’s Club has announced that it is testing an online program with Superior Financial Group, the Nation’s leading Small Business Administration (SBA) lender, which would make $5,000 to $25,000 loans available to its members who qualify. In a November 2009 state of small business survey conducted by Sam’s Club, nearly 15 percent of its business members reported being denied a loan to run their operation, up from 12 percent in April 2009. The Sam’s Club small business loan pilot will focus on serving Main Street minority, women and Veteran owned small business owners as well as micro-entrepreneurs under the SBA’s Premier Outreach Express products such as Community Express, Patriot Express and Export Express loans. Sam’s Club members who apply for a small business loan online during the pilot will receive a $100 off the application fee, a 20 percent discount and a 7.5 APR, which is 25 basis point discount. The terms of the loans will remain at 10 years, which is common to help keep monthly payments low. There is no penalty for early repayment. Business memberships cost $35 annually at Sam’s Club. For more information or to apply, visit: www.samsclub.com/sams/pagedetails/content.jsp?pageName=sbaLoanProgram To learn more about business credit, visit: www.BusinessCredit.org HAITI continued from page 9 engages community-based groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), national, state, and municipal governments, and the private sector in the process of implementing appropriate solutions for sustainable development. Through these partnerships, PADF seeks to achieve excellent and lasting programmatic impacts in creating economic opportunities, promoting social investments, strengthening communities and civil society, and preparing for and responding to natural disasters. www.imunitedforhaiti.org ABOUT Food for the Poor, Inc. Food for the Poor ministers to spiritually renew impoverished people throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Established in 1982 as a 501(c) (3) corporation, the organization’s goals are to improve the health, economic, social and spiritual conditions of the men, women and children we serve. Food for the Poor raises funds and provides direct relief assistance to the poor, usually by purchasing specifically requested materials and distributing them through the churches and charity organizations already operating in areas of need. www.foodforthepoor.org ABOUT FAYOLA NICAISSE In 1999, Former model Fayola Nicaisse launched Ebene, an organic line of hair and skin care products. Ebene products have been featured in Essence Magazine, Heart and Soul Magazine, Honey Magazine, The Dallas Morning News, The Miami Herald, NBC6 just to name a few. Ebene products are currently sold at Whole Foods Market. www.ebenenaturals.com