By James P. Miller
March 28, 2000
Wall Street Journal

In developing nations, microfinancing programs-where aid groups make small loans to poor entrepreneurs who can't qualify for conventional loans-have proven very effective. Tuesday, newly formed Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence kicks off a campaign to make such loans available in this country, specifically for women. The nonprofit is the brainchild of Nell Merlino, creator of "Take our Daughters to Work Day."

The drive will seek to raise at least $10 million by soliciting $5 donations from women. Proceeds will be used to provide loans of from $500 to $10,000 to help female entrepreneurs do "all the sorts of things women can't get a loan to do now," says a spokeswoman. Count Me In, which says a lack of credit history often makes it hard for women to qualify for standard loans, says it will devise a "women-appropriate credit scoring" technique.