Our mission is to raise funds to provide women with the seed capital they need to start and grow small businesses.

"Pin Money" is the small change left from household budgets that women around the world put aside for themselves, saving for something of value to them. The Pin Money Fund will provide seed capital to women who want to do something special for themselves: become financially independent.

We will use the fund as a non-profit entity that provides micro-loans to women with terrific ideas for small businesses, but without the means to finance it themselves. Those women will become the contributors to the next round of funding by repaying their loans to the Pin Money Fund, with modest interest. This will create a cycle of funding to pass on to new businesses to succeed.

We are focusing on the State of Maine because it is an area of enormous diversity in the kinds of work women do. The area's influx of affluence 'from away' has created demand for small businesses and services that can easily be managed and run by women. This newly-created demand presents an opportunity for self-sufficiency.

In addition to funding, the Pin Money Fund will provide assistance in business skills where needed: basic bookkeeping, tax requirements, licensing, HR and hiring issues, general management and capital equipment financing. We will utilize the terrific resources of other women in our communities here in the great State of Maine.

If you are interested in participating as a mentor, a board member or as a fundraiser, please contact me at: meriby@cynosure-aba.com.