作者介紹：文思若，16年轉(zhuǎn)入圣母大學(xué)�，F(xiàn)在就讀于經(jīng)濟和應(yīng)用數(shù)學(xué)專業(yè)。去年秋天作為發(fā)展部經(jīng)理加入銀禧基金，在部員的幫助下，就職內(nèi)為其基金成功籌款八千美元。
作為美國一流的學(xué)府，圣母大學(xué)總是培養(yǎng)學(xué)生要有社會貢獻精神。曾經(jīng)在國內(nèi)建立過男孩女孩俱樂部的我，則是非常喜歡圣母大學(xué)的這一點，并且下定決心要在回報社會這方面闖出一片自己的天地。因為對金融很感興趣，我加入了圣母學(xué)生自己創(chuàng)造的非盈利組織銀禧基金。在美國，商業(yè)小型貸款提供機構(gòu)總是伴隨著很高的利息。盡管貸款的周期很短，但是很多中低層階級的人都沒辦按時還款。這樣的話就陷入了一個死循環(huán)，人們會不斷地借錢來填補漏洞。在美國，這樣的貸款機構(gòu)被稱為“掠奪借貸”(Predatory Lending), 但是由于政府的疏于監(jiān)管，掠奪借貸在美國有很大的市場。皮尤研究中心調(diào)查顯示美國人均利息消費為500美元一年。在南本德，有大概七千人被掠奪借貸奴役著，年利率高達百分之三百九十。而銀禧基金作為一個非盈利匯報社會組織，目標(biāo)是取代這些在南本德高利貸機構(gòu)，為需要幫助的人提供能支付的起利息。我們的年利率大概為百分之二十九左右。
在銀禧基金，我的工作主要是籌集資本，從而為需要幫助的人提供更多的貸款。我們的部門的目標(biāo)是達到10萬美元，這樣我們每年就能提供大于25筆服務(wù)。(印第安納州的法律規(guī)定小于10萬美元的機構(gòu)每年不得提供超于25筆貸款)。我特別喜歡我的工作 – 因為我不僅有機會可以和各大合作伙伴打電話籌款，還能幫助別人。在我們團隊的努力下，去年我們和南本德的棒球隊達成協(xié)議，同意我們成為他們的門票代理，每賣出一張門票為我們捐獻5美元。后來我們團隊又參加了麥克羅斯基商業(yè)比賽，認識了一位投資人，為我們捐獻了三千五百美元。我們同時也與亞馬遜的微笑項目合作，加入這個項目的顧客消費金額的百分之零點一會由亞馬遜捐贈給我們。去年我的團隊總共籌得8000美元, 能讓我們多提供將近27筆服務(wù)。
我非常喜歡圣母大學(xué)勇于探索和幫助別人的精神。我會繼續(xù)為銀禧基金服務(wù)，爭取盡早完成我們的目標(biāo)，來幫助更多的人。
Jubliee Initiative for Financial Inclusion - Notre Dame’s Service Fund
About the author: Jenny Wen is a junior at University of Notre Dame double majoring in Economics and Applied Mathematics. Jenny joined JIFFI as a development associate last fall and helped the organization raised $8,000 for its internal capital.
When I joined JIFFI, which is a microfinance nonprofit that aims to replace predatory payday lending that perpetuates poverty in South Bend, the organization faced the challenge of growing its capital from 40k to 100k so that it can exceed the expectation of giving 25 loans per year. I know partnerships would be a great way to fundraise based on my previous experiences. As a result, my colleagues and I started to search for opportunities and cold-call local stores and restaurants. Even though we were able to gain a couple hundred dollars through giveaways, the results were minimal and I was aiming for something bigger on the corporate finance side. I found out that AmazonSmile donates 0.5% of its members’ purchases to support different nonprofits. We collaborated with AmazonSmile and immediately promoted opts-ins on campus. Our marketing strategy enabled us to raise $4,038 in addition to the $3,500 donated from an investor. This success allows us to better assist the disadvantaged groups, including our minorities and female clients. Through my experiences working with JIFFI and the children, I learned how to marry volunteerism with finance aptitude so that I can make an impact by incorporating diversity. I will continue to utilize the qualities that I’ve acquired through my academic studies and extracurricular activities — intellectual desire, global perspective, perseverance, and entrepreneurial innovation — to pave the way for those who need help in the future.
