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"State of the Field". This major new publication from FIELD examines the state of the microenterprise industry in the United States. Read more.

Webinars periodically highlight FIELD's developing research topics and augment published materials with interviews and commentary. Browse recorded Webinars.

Donor Resources. FIELD offers two resources for donors interested in the U.S. microenterprise field. FIELD's Funder Guide Series provides donors with insights into the field and effective ways in which it can be supported. FIELD also staffs a Microenterprise Funders Group that provides opportunities for exchange and learning among donors. Learn more about these donor resources.

Performance buzz. There's plenty of talk in the industry today about the importance of tracking performance and client outcomes to demonstrate program effectiveness. Consultant Jason Friedman makes this point in a recent edition of his electronic newsletter, Sustainability in Action! He writes: "If you want to be a player in economic development in your community, then it's time to develop an outcome monitoring and evaluation survey instrument and system." MicroTest was designed to help programs take a giant step in that direction. Learn more about MicroTest products, services and membership.

MicroTest training June 19-20, 2008. A two-day, hands-on training will be offered in Washington, DC in June to provide members with the skills and tools needed to incorporate performance management into their program using MicroTest. The training is required for new programs wishing to join MicroTest, and is open to existing MicroTest members looking to refresh their data collection skills. Get additional details.

MicroTest expands membership. In 2007, MicroTest crossed the 100-member threshold and was pleased to extend membership to MIS vendors for the first time. View a complete membership list.

Access MicroTest data. MicroTest annually produces reports from program performance and client outcomes data collection efforts, as well as data collected through the CDFI Data Collection Project. Learn more about the kind of findings you can access.

Webcast trainings on MicroTest’s Performance and Outcomes products.
Live and archived versions of MicroTest's hour-long sessions provide an opportunity for MicroTest members to train new staff, or refresh the skill of existing staff members, while they fill out their workbooks for FY2006. Read more.

Microtest Intermediary. MicroTest’s newest product offers a cost-effective tool for collecting and analyzing high-quality data on a number of microenterprise programs. Georgia Microenterprise Network is the newest user. Read more about this product.

Tune into Webinar on capital structures to support sustainability. Missed our recent Webinar on what it takes for microenterprise programs to develop capital structures that support greater sustainability? An on-line version can now be easily accessed - anytime. The Webinar showcases efforts by Justine Petersen to generate more flexible capital, and includes commentary by experienced staff from ACCION New Mexico and ACCION New York. Watch now.

Second forum on sustainability released. FIELD explores another promising approach to sustainability being used in the microenterprise field in FIELD forum Issue 20. This case study examines how Justine Petersen, a program in St. Louis, Mo., is pursuing equity capital as a way to achieve scale-up and sustainability. Read PDF.

Media Watch. As credit tightens and the economy flags, microenterpise has been attracting media interest. Included in some of the recent coverage have been insights and observations from FIELD. Read the latest stories.

New funder guide released. The latest edition in FIELD's series of funder guides explores how some microenterprise programs are creating social enterprises to deliver client services more sustainably and what funders can do to support these efforts. The guide, the eleventh in the series, considers the experiences of various microenterprise practitioners who have started such enterprises, identifies lessons learned and pinpoints specific investment opportunities for donors. Read free PDF.

Two microenterprise leaders chosen for fellowship.Two innovative leaders in the microenterprise field have been selected to receive fully paid fellowships to attend the 2008 Aspen Ideas Festival, an annual summer event that attracts hundreds of notables each year. Nominated by FIELD and awarded fellowships by the Aspen Institute were: Tanya Fiddler, executive director of the Four Bands Community Fund in Eagle Butte, N.D., and Eric Weaver, executive director of Lenders for Community Development in San Jose, Calif. They will join approximately 70 other Fellows at the festival, which begins June 30 in Aspen, Colo. Through discussions and events, the festival is designed to stimulate intellectual exchange on a variety of timely issues. Learn more about the festival.