Our Story
In the Fall of 2009, a small group of students from The University of Alabama’s Honors College set out to research and develop the idea of a domestic microfinancial lending institution in rural Alabama. Their findings indicated that the region is an ideal setting for a microfinance initiative.
Alabama contains some of the poorest counties in the entire nation. These counties struggle with poverty, unemployment, inadequate healthcare, and underperforming school systems. This infrastructure discourages big businesses from investing in the region.
Despite economic hardships, nearly all Alabama counties thrive on a network of strong, faith-based communities, comprised of individuals with sincere and unwavering dedication to their community’s betterment. These individual often choose to support themselves and their local economies through small businesses. As a result, small businesses flourish all across the state. These individuals’ practices have precedent. And history has proven microfinance to be beneficial.
Forza Financial’s research shows that regions in rural Alabama resemble regions with a history of microfinancial success. We are a non-profit organization seeking to empower Alabama’s underappreciated business and community leaders. Our goal is to support micro-entrepreneurs, provide them access to capital, credit building, and incubatory development. We seek to acknowledge and reward them for what they are: the heart of our communities.
Our journey is far from over. As more prospective borrowers provide data and more University affiliates get involved, our research and its rewards will continue to grow.
Despite economic hardships, nearly all Alabama counties thrive on a network of strong, faith-based communities, comprised of individuals with sincere and unwavering dedication to their community’s betterment. These individual often choose to support themselves and their local economies through small businesses. As a result, small businesses flourish all across the state. These individuals’ practices have precedent. And history has proven microfinance to be beneficial.
Forza Financial’s research shows that regions in rural Alabama resemble regions with a history of microfinancial success. We are a non-profit organization seeking to empower Alabama’s underappreciated business and community leaders. Our goal is to support micro-entrepreneurs, provide them access to capital, credit building, and incubatory development. We seek to acknowledge and reward them for what they are: the heart of our communities.
Our journey is far from over. As more prospective borrowers provide data and more University affiliates get involved, our research and its rewards will continue to grow.
Forza's Mission
“An affordable, responsible, and collaborative approach to microfinance: Forza Financial builds a better Alabama with every loan.”
Forza’s mission is simple: to meet the needs of entrepreneurs. We provide empowering educational opportunities and capital at affordable rates to assist entrepreneurs throughout the business process. Academia, affordable capital, and entrepreneurial talent combine to form strong businesses; strong businesses create strong leaders, and strong leaders produce strong communities.
Building a better Alabama, one small business at a time.
Forza’s mission is simple: to meet the needs of entrepreneurs. We provide empowering educational opportunities and capital at affordable rates to assist entrepreneurs throughout the business process. Academia, affordable capital, and entrepreneurial talent combine to form strong businesses; strong businesses create strong leaders, and strong leaders produce strong communities.
Building a better Alabama, one small business at a time.