Trendlines Series

FIELD's Trendlines series analyzes critical issues and trends in the U.S. microenterprise industry, drawing on data from our MicroTest program and other industry data. These analyses are presented through Webinars and Fact Sheets. Funding for the series is provided by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

Topics include:

The State of Microenterprise. What does data from the 2011 U.S. Microenterprise Census tell us about how microenterprise programs have reacted since the "great recession" started in 2008? Data from the industry-wide survey helps explore how microenterprise programs have expanded services to business owners newly closed out of mainstream capital markets, assisted traditionally disadvantaged microentrepreneurs survive downswings in demand, and adapted to the changing economy.
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Micro Jobs, Fast Facts.
This Trendlines fact sheet graphically explores key questions about U.S. microenterprise jobs. Data on the number of jobs, wages, paid workers, and part-time/full-time job status are presented. The fact sheet summarizes the experience of entrepreneurs in 2009 surveyed by 21 microenterprise programs in 2010.
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Trends in Demand, Risk and Funding: Market Conditions for Microlending. What do data from MicroTest and the Opportunity Finance Network's market conditions study tell us about how the twin forces of the recession and financial crises are affecting microlenders?
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View Powerpoint
Download PDF of Surviving the Recession: How Microlenders are Coping with Changing Demand, Risk and Funding

Job Creation in Microenterprise Development: What Story do the Numbers Tell Us? Using data collected by MicroTest members through the client outcomes survey process, employment generated by microenterprises, for both the owner as well as other paid workers, is explored.
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View Powerpoint
Download PDF of Job Creation in Microenterprise Development: 2009 Client Outcomes

Scale and Scope of the Microenterprise Industry examines the results of the U.S. Microenterprise Census conducted by the Aspen Institute’s FIELD Program in 2009.
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View Powerpoint
Download PDF of Survey Highlights
Download PDF of Key Data on the Scale of Business Development Services