The Women's Opportunities Resource Center (WORC) is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that has empowered aspiring entrepreneurs for over 30 years through business training, lending, and matched savings programs. WORC provides comprehensive support to help individuals—especially women and minorities—launch, expand, and stabilize businesses while building lasting financial stability. With a focus on economic mobility and community development, WORC has trained thousands of entrepreneurs, disbursed millions in loans, and helped families achieve homeownership and long-term wealth.
WORC advances economic opportunity by helping individuals and families build lasting financial stability. Through entrepreneurship training, business lending, and matched savings programs, we equip people with the tools, resources, and support to turn goals into thriving businesses, strong households, and resilient communities.
Founded in 1993, WORC has grown from making its first $1,800 microloan in 1999 to offering commercial real estate loans up to $350,000. The organization has trained over 4,200 entrepreneurs, disbursed more than $11 million in small business loans, and helped 1,600+ families build savings through matched incentive programs. WORC's holistic approach combines entrepreneurship training, direct lending, and matched savings to support clients at every stage of their journey. The organization recently underwent a leadership transition, with founder Lynne Cutler becoming Executive Board Chair and Iola Harper stepping in as Executive Director.
WORC's dedicated team includes Executive Director Iola Harper, who brings decades of economic and community development experience; Deputy Director Joanna Montas, who oversees program operations and community engagement; CFO Larry Poppert; and specialized staff including loan officers, business coaches, program managers, and training specialists. The team collectively brings expertise in entrepreneurship, financial education, lending, compliance, and community development, with many staff members drawing from personal experience navigating financial systems and supporting underserved communities.
WORC offers a comprehensive range of programs including business loans and commercial real estate loans customized for women and minorities; an Incentive Savings Program designed to strengthen personal finances through innovative savings strategies and financial education; the Family Savings Account (FSA) program for matched savings; Start Smart entrepreneurship training; and the HUB Entrepreneurship Programs offering guidance, resources, and mentorship. The organization also provides readiness assessments, technical assistance, and business coaching to support entrepreneurs across diverse industries.
WORC regularly hosts free orientation workshops and training sessions, including FSA Orientation Workshops (offered online via Zoom), Start Smart Orientation sessions, Loan Rush virtual workshops to help entrepreneurs prepare for lending, and Microbusiness Day events. These programs are designed to help aspiring and current business owners access training, understand the lending process, and connect with resources needed for success.
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