Our Mission
We are a nonprofit that supports entrepreneurs to start or grow successful local businesses. We provide small business loans and a long term business advising relationship.
- Small business loans (microloans) from $5,000 up to $50,000
- Up to five years of post-loan business coaching and advising
- Referrals to local business resources
We strive to support microenterprise development in an effort to strengthen the local economy, create jobs, and build strong communities.
History
1998: Working Solutions is created as a pilot program within another nonprofit organization called TMC Financing – a leading Certified Development Corporation (CDC) specializing in SBA 504 commercial real estate loans.
Working Solutions provided workforce development services assisting micro and small businesses to hire and retain new employees from welfare-to-work and other job training programs.
1999: Working Solutions obtained its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
2004: Working Solutions designed its microenterprise development program.
2005: Working Solutions launched its microenterprise development program and started providing microloans, business coaching, and education to entrepreneurs.
2008: Working Solutions doubled the amount of microloans funded over the previous year with over $663,000 in loans funded to date. Emily Gasner, Program Director, received the Financial Service Champion of the Year Award from the U.S. SBA – San Francisco District Office during San Francisco Small Business Week in May.
2009: Working Solutions was chosen to administer the San Francisco Revolving Loan Fund, a loan and advising program that provides below-market rate loans to San Francisco based businesses.
Working Solutions becomes a Certified Financial Development Institution.
2011: Working Solutions nearly doubled the amount of microloans made over the previous year to over $775,000.
2012: Working Solutions becomes an Opportunity Finance Network member.
Working Solutions was chosen to administer an additional $1.5 million from the City of San Francisco’s Revolving Loan Fund. San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee celebrated the occasion at WS borrower Brenda’s French Soul Food.
Working Solutions made its 100th loan on April 3rd, 2012 to Harrington Galleries, a vintage furniture store in the Mission District.
Working Solutions Recognition
- Novermber 2009 Working Solutions became a CDFI (Certified Financial Development Institution)
- 2009 Innovation in Technical Assistance Performance Service Award from California Resources and Training (CARAT)/California Economic Development Lending Initiative (CEDLI)
- 2008 Financial Services Champion of the Year Award – SF District Small Business Administration