History of ACCION New Mexico

It began in 1994 when Accion New Mexico • Arizona • Colorado made its first small business loan in Albuquerque, igniting a movement that today stretches to every corner of New Mexico, Phoenix, Tucson and Denver.

A dedicated group of business and community leaders saw an urgent need to help hardworking New Mexican entrepreneurs who could not get the credit they needed because of modest capital needs, lack of business or credit history or limited collateral.

This approach reflects the value in the human potential of hard work and understanding of the economic potential of small businesses.

Our unique approach - called microlending - can trace its roots back more than 40 years with efforts to reduce extreme poverty in Latin America. Microlending now helps small New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado business owners provide for themselves and their families.

Since Accion made that first loan, we have helped small business owners in more than 150 communities, working in some of these states' most underserved urban neighborhoods and most isolated rural communities.

Over the years, our defining mission has remained simple and powerful: Give committed and passionate entrepreneurs the tools to build small businesses so they can support their families, build assets and create jobs.

Small Businesses Have Shaped New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and our Region.

From the silversmiths of Zuni Pueblo to the santeros of Chimayo, who carve beautiful statues, entrepreneurs have given shape and life to a vibrant state celebrated for its cultural, racial, ethnic and social diversity.

New Mexico is a rural state, with an average of only 15 people per square mile. For many people, running a small business is the only option for financial survival. From high-tech companies to sheep ranchers, New Mexico depends on small business:

• 98% of all businesses in New Mexico employ fewer than 100 people
• 87% employ 1-19 people.

We are a state with many small businesses, but when it comes to helping each other we are one community.

Accion: Local in Commitment and Global in Reach.

Accion New Mexico • Arizona • Colorado is an independent 501(c)(3) organization and a member of the U.S. ACCION Network of Accion International. The U.S. Accion network is comprised of Accion New Mexico • Arizona • Colorado, ACCION Texas, Accion San Diego, Accion Chicago, Accion New York/Accion New Jersey and Accion USA.

Our Efforts Have Been Recognized.

• 2007 Small Business Advocate of The Year Award, Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce
• 2005-2007 Four-Star Rating Award, Charity Navigator
• 2006 Top 25 places to work in New Mexico, New Mexico Business Weekly
• 2004 VIVA Award for Vision, Investment, Vitality, and Action from the New Mexico Association of Commerce & Industry
• 2002 New Mexico Ethics in Business Award, Samaritan Counseling Center
• 2002 Deutsche Bank Award for Excellence in Lending
• 1999 City of Albuquerque Human Rights Award
• 1997 White House Presidential Award as part of the U.S. Accion Network