Enterpise Mentors International

Enterpise Mentors International is a mirco credit organization founded largely by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints although it is not affiliated with the church.

The organization dates back to 1989. In that year Menlo Smith had returned from serving as a mission president for the LDS Church in the Phillipines. He had seen the level how poverty was widespread in that nation and had a desire to do something to change the situation. Smith found other church members who shared the same desire to do something to counteract poverty.

Initially they contacted Dallin H. Oaks on what they could do to help people in poverty in a meaningful and permaent way. He put them in contact with Warner P. Woodworth at the Marriot School of Management. Woodworth and his college Steven H. Mann presented plans for a micr-enterpirse system.

In January of 1990 Enterpise Mentors International was founded with the support and encoragement of the LDS Church. EMI extends loans to people of all faiths and operates with local organizations in various countries. Among these is Fundacion Mentores Empresariales .

From 1990 through 2007 EMI was lead by G. Richard Oscarson.

ources

*"LDS Church News", November 5th, 2005; November 17th, 2007;