Hear more about it! Come to the Duke Microfinance Leadership Initiative meeting on Wednesday, April 14th at 7:30pm in Room


The Community Empowerment Fund (CEF) is a local microfinance initiative based in Chapel Hill, NC that offers small loans, savings opportunities, financial education, and assertive support to individuals experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness. The opportunities for employment, self-employment, and greater housing that CEF advances motivate participants to build personal assets, gain higher income, and engage in a healthy community.


CEF is currently seeking individuals interested in being a part of the program’s pilot launch of a micro-loan program in Durham during the summer of 2010.


For interested students, we are willing to facilitate part-time, unpaid internships, with weekly commitments between 4 and 20 hours.


Student interns will have the opportunity to:

—Deepen knowledge of public policy, economics, business, sociology, social work, and community development

—Research the applicability of microfinance to the specific needs of the Durham community

—Build mentoring relationships with program participants

—Learn alongside community partners and program participants, on topics ranging from criminal justice to affordable housing to asset inequality

—Develop skills in nonprofit management

—Gain first-hand experience in banking, lending, and savings management

—Extend opportunities to individuals traditionally marginalized from financial services

Internship responsibilities will include:

—Attending a training session, during which CEF staff will train you sufficiently to equip you with the skills you will need to fulfill the internship responsibilities

—Facilitating CEF Small Business Trainings in area shelters and low-income housing

—Working one-on-one with CEF borrowers and savers

—Building partnerships with community agencies and supportive services

—Assisting borrowers and savers in budgeting, resume-building, job-searching, goal-setting, and accessing services

—Consulting with participants in CEF business trainings to provide follow-up support

For more information, with questions, or to apply, join CEF staff at the DMLI meeting on Wed. April 14th at 7:30pm in Room

Contact us! thecef@gmail.com.