By providing critical no-interest loans to microbusinesses in Metro Atlanta, the BBA Emory Impact Investing Group (EIIG) empowers entrepreneurs like Eden Fesshazion, an Eritrean-American lawyer who provides low-cost legal services to refugees in Clarkston. EIIG loans also helped Akissi Stokes secure a commercial kitchen space for her burgeoning mealworm bakery. By investing in talent from, by, and for historically underserved areas, the Emory Impact Investing Group helps unlock the full economic potential of these regions from within.

Why is this important?

According to recent Emory University research, when comparing low- and high-poverty residential neighborhoods, there is little difference in the number of large businesses but a substantial gap in the number of microbusinesses in high-poverty neighborhoods. EIIG believes that investing in such microbusinesses generates income for entrepreneurs and their families while simultaneously building neighborhood vitality.

On #GivingTuesday, your gift through Emory helps make the world a better place.

As part of a community committed to serving others, you care deeply about improving the world, which requires all kinds of support—volunteering time, sharing expertise, and making financial contributions.

The collective power of brilliant minds, driven by generous hearts, and strengthened by the impact of your gift, creates an unstoppable wave.

Your gift makes a difference.

Another way to help is by supporting the Fund for Excellence, which is unrestricted and allows the dean/director to focus on priorities and areas of urgent need.