Main Street Launch

Causes: Microfinance, Small Business Development

Mission: To grow strong communities by providing financing and technical assistance to small businesses that provide employment service and community benefits

Programs: Program accomplishmentin the last ten years, main street launch has made loans totaling $54 million to 617 businesses, creating and sustaining over 5,000 jobs. These loans supported 50% women-owned businesses, 72% businesses owned by low-to moderate income (lmi entrepreneurs, 51% minority-owned businesses, 60% businesses in lmi neighborhoods, and 54% new businesses. Main street launch focuses its services in three program areas: oakland businesses, san francisco businesses, and veteran-owned businesses throughout california. During fy17, main street launch provided 2218 hours of technical assistance and loaned $10. 6 million into 86 oakland businesses, 29 san francisco businesses, and 24 veteran-owned businesses, creating and retaining over 600 jobs. Main street launch's technical assistance and lending activity has resulted in job creation and income for residents in lmi communities, increasedwealth for under-served entrepreneurs, and increased economic activity in lmi communities. This leads to improved community vitality as a result of decreasing retail leakage, blight, and the number of empty storefronts, and increasing tax revenue for city services and residents access to goods and services.