SHARE Microcredit Program

 
The Self-Help Association for a Regional Economy (SHARE) is a model community-based nonprofit that offers a simple way for citizens to create a sustainable local economy by supporting businesses that provide products or services needed in the region. SHARE makes micro-credit loans available at manageable interest rates to businesses that are often considered "high risk" by traditional lenders—usually because of their credit ratings or the unique nature of their business ideas. Local SHARE members make interest-earning deposits in a local bank, which are used to collateralize loans for local businesses with a positive community impact. SHARE depositors live in the same community as the business owners they support—bringing a human face back to lending decisions.  
 
The documents available below describe SHARE in detail and provide all the forms and agreements needed to start a SHARE program in your region. We also recommend reading the essay, Local Currencies: Catalysts for Sustainable Regional Economies, by Robert Swann and Susan Witt, to understand the background of the SHARE program.   
 
SHARE Handbook of Documents: For Use in Establishing a Community-Based Small Business Loan Collateralization Program
 
I. What is SHARE?
A. Introduction to SHARE    Online  |  PDF
B. Assumptions Underlying the SHARE Program   Online  |  PDF
C. A Real Story About the Impact of SHARE   Online  |  PDF
D. Congressional Testimony About SHARE before the House Select Committee on Hunger   Online  |  PDF 
E. Article in The New Farm, "What's Your Money Doing Tonight?" by Fred Zahradnik, January 1984   Online
 
II. Corporate Documents
A. Bylaws  Online  |  PDF 
B. Articles of Incorporation    Online  |  PDF  
 
III. New Account Documents
A. New Member Welcome Letter   Online  |  PDF
B. Depositor Agreement Form - Sets terms and obligations entailed in creating a SHARE deposit   Online  |  PDF
C. Depositor Consent Form - Authorizes SHARE to use deposits to collateralize loans   Online  |  PDF 
D. Example Deposit Slips     <172 KB Jpeg>  <276 KB PDF> E. Brochure     side one: <432 KB Jpeg>  <796 KB PDF>  side two: <484 KB Jpeg>  <900 KB PDF>
 
IV. Loan Collateralization Documents
A. Criteria for Loan Collateralization for Applicants   Online  |  PDF
B. Loan Collateralization Application Form   Online  |  PDF
C. Security Agreement Form   Online  |  PDF
 
V. Example Letters to SHARE Members
A. Update I   Online  |  PDF 
B. Update II   Online  |  PDF 
C. Update III   Online  |  PDF