YWCA Tulsa launches program offering small business start-up loans for women

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — YWCA has launched the Carmela Hill Legacy Fund, a $5,000 micro-loan program offering small business start-up loans to women entrepreneurs in Tulsa who are experiencing economic barriers.

The goal of the fund is to provide funding to women who have poor or no credit history, are seeking a loan too small for a bank to consider, have no cash or other source of equity or do not want to accrue credit card debt.

In the first year of the program, YWCA will help ten women.

“I am excited to work with so many of our community partners in launching this effort to empower women and invest in their dreams,” YWCA Tulsa CEO Julie Davis said. “By creating this program, we advance opportunities for women, and in turn, advance opportunities for our community.”

The program will kick off Saturday at a Women Mean Business Event, an informational networking event for those interested in applying. The event is at the Patti Johnson Wilson Center from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., featuring a panel of Tulsa's women entrepreneurs who will give advice and answer questions about starting a small business.

Women selected for the program will also go through a six week personal and business finance class led by TEDC and Bank of Oklahoma.

For more information about the program, click here.