Michigan State University
Tier2-1: Student-Managed SRI Fund

The Spartan Global Development Fund (SGDF) promotes sustainable economic development by enabling entrepreneurs in developing countries to help themselves. The project was launched on July 4, 2009, with four microloans to entrepreneurs in developing countries. As of July 4, 2010, the group had made 173 microloans, and that number increases each month. This project includes important dimensions of business and service in the 21st century, including sustainability, entrepreneurship and international development. SGDF set and achieved goals for fundraising, outreach and portfolio management–in its first year, SGDF secured a corporate donor, raised over $4,000 and exceeded its goal of helping over 100 entrepreneurs while having a global presence. The fund helped 173 entrepreneurs and made loans in five continents (North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia). The default rate on the portfolio was 0% and is diversified across 42 countries and 13 sectors of the economy.