““Micro for me is the perfect balance between fiscal and social responsibility. We strive to teach our members the value of a single dollar and how even the smallest action can have a global impact.”
Group Directors: Kathy Zhou, Elizabeth Park
Number of Members: ~15
Recruitment: Spring / Fall Cycle
Work at Micro:
Micro primarily aims to reach out to low-income individuals in developing countries who wish to start or expand their own businesses, but lack the necessary financial resources to do so. Our members conduct research on viable projects on Kiva and analyze the financial reliability of the client. Members then pitch their chosen business, the most viable of which is given a loan of $25. In order to ensure our lending is sustainable members also raise funds for Kiva through fundraisers.
This year, Micro is in the process of overhauling its curriculum, aiming to extend its outreach to local businesses within Evanston and work with them to provide financial and strategical assistance for their business ventures.
Skills You Will Gain:
Evaluating credit rating of loans
Developing successful business models
Client outreach
Pitch-making and communication
Opportunity Highlights:
Worked with various small businesses in Micro to provide financial consulting and support.
Raised $2000 to assist Phylisia Taylor, a double minority women, to start her own staffing company, ICONIC Staff Solutions
Extended $1,700 in loans to over 60 startups in across 24 countries including Cambodia, Philippines, India and Paraguay through micro lending platform called KIVA
Work Example:
Please contact elizabethpark2026.1@u.northwestern.edu or KaiZhou2026@u.northwestern.edu for inquiries regarding ISBE Micro.