By: Ani K. Kazarian Research Scholar, The C.A.K.E. Foundation

1. DRAFT 9/8/03 10:30 PM Micro-Finance: Empowering Women and Persons with Disabilities Toward Economic Security By: Ani K. Kazarian Research Scholar, The C.A.K.E. Foundation United Nations 56th Annual DPI/NGO Conference September 9th, 2003

2. Outline of Presentation I. Background II. Overview III. Process Steps IV. Team Member Roles V. Appendices

3. I. Background I. Background II. Overview III. Process Steps IV. Team Member Roles V. Appendices I. Background

4. Ani K. Kazarian Background • Research Scholar of The C.A.K.E. Foundation • Several years as team member • Focus - NIS/Global benchmarking and best practices • High school senior at The Lincoln School I. Background

5. The Charles & Agnes Kazarian Eternal (C.A.K.E.) Foundation • 501(c)(3) non-profit, operating foundation, established in 1998 • Foundation assets approaching $20 million • Areas of focus: education, technology, and healthcare • Lead sponsor of Community Micro-Finance • Other initiatives include: Japonica Intersectoral, language software program, and public sector benchmarking publications I. Background

6. II. Overview I. Background II. Overview III. Process Steps IV. Team Member Roles V. Appendices II. Overview

7. Community Micro-Finance: Mission “Providing financial and social support services to women and individuals with disabilities of Armenian heritage” II. Overview

8. Our Situation Assessment • Armenian women are a driving force for change, yet have a much higher unemployment rate than men • Individuals with disabilities are largely neglected if not shunned • Micro-finance supplemented by social support services strengthens democracy and free enterprise II. Overview

9. C.A.K.E.’s Community Micro-Finance Initiative • Provide financial and social support services to women and individuals with disabilities of Armenian heritage • Create a network of leading U.S. and Armenian providers • Manage metrics to increase effectiveness of funding • Develop a model that can be replicated globally II. Overview

10. Key Team Members • C.A.K.E. • Outreach Partner(s) • Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities • Micro-finance Provider(s) • Healthcare and Rehabilitative Services Coordinator II. Overview

11. III. Process Steps I. Background II. Overview III. Process Steps IV. Team Member Roles V. Appendices III. Process Steps

12. Six Process Steps • Established New Philanthropy Benchmarking as framework • Requested 4 customized Executive Briefs • Reviewed relevant research literature • Met with industry professionals • Conducted due-diligence on Micro-finance providers • Currently drafting letter agreements III. Process Steps

13. Established “New Philanthropy Benchmarking”as Framework • New Philanthropy Benchmarking: Wisdom for the Passionate (NPB) - To learn more go to www.unitedu.com/NPB.html - Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, etc. III. Process Steps

14. Requested 4 Customized Executive Briefs • Requested 4 Executive Briefs from Japonica Intersectoral • Costs 10% of a comparable work product • Received in a fraction of the time to alternatives (3 to 4 weeks) • Can be found at www.japonicaintersectoral.com III. Process Steps

15. Example Resources from Literature Reviewed • Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest (CGAP) • Rating Agencies • USAID • UN/UNDP • World Bank • Women’s World Banking (WWB) • Micro-finance bulletins and trade journals III. Process Steps

16. Meetings with Industry Professionals: Select Examples • USAID • UNDP • Planet Finance rating agency - Paris • Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities • NIS Regional Organizations - Yerevan, Moscow, Kiev III. Process Steps

17. Due-Diligence of Micro-Finance Providers • Identified and researched 5 prospective candidates • Selected top candidates had benchmark transparency - each had extensive rating profiles • Conducted two day on-site due-diligence • Performed extensive reference checkings III. Process Steps

18. Drafting Letter Agreements with Providers and Partners • Outreach Partner(s) • Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities • Micro-finance provider(s) • Healthcare and rehabilitative services coordinator III. Process Steps

19. Team Member Roles I. Background II. Overview III. Process Steps IV. Team Member Roles V. Appendices IV. Team Member Roles

20. Global Micro-Finance Guiding Principle “Credit without DISCIPLINE is nothing but charity. Charity in the name of credit will destroy the poor, not help them.” IV. Team Member Roles

21. Key Team Members • C.A.K.E. • Outreach Partner(s) • Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities • Micro-finance Provider(s) • Healthcare and Rehabilitative Services Coordinator IV. Team Member Roles

22. C.A.K.E.’s Role • Oversight management • Coordinates funding • Continuously researches benchmarking and best practices • Minimize unintended consequences IV. Team Member Roles

23. Outreach Partner(s)’ Role • Develop marketing / PR strategy • Utilize member network • Initial screening of candidate • Allocate seed capital grants • Supplement business development services IV. Team Member Roles

24. Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities’ Role • Internationally recognized benchmark • Provide training to local social service professionals • Improve business development programs IV. Team Member Roles

25. Micro-Finance Provider’s Role • Develop affinity group loan products - entrepreneurs - students - employers of target group • Process loans • Coordinate business development services - business plans - classes and workshops IV. Team Member Roles

26. Healthcare and Rehabilitative Services Coordinator’s Role • Coordinator of specialist providers • Suggest candidates • Provide assistive devices and rehabilitative services • Provide occasional medical treatment IV. Team Member Roles

27. V. Appendices I. Background II. Overview III. Process Steps IV. Team Member Roles V. Appendices V. Appendices

28. Appendix A • Executive Summary • www.charmo.com/cmf_exec_summary.html V. Appendices

29. Appendix B • Two day due-diligence agenda • www.charmo.com/cmf_materials.html V. Appendices

30. Micro-Finance: Empowering Women and Persons with Disabilities Toward Economic Security By: Ani K. Kazarian Research Scholar, The C.A.K.E. Foundation United Nations 56th Annual DPI/NGO Conference September 9th, 2003