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The Hamilton Microfinance Group was busy connecting with the community this semester.

The Hamilton Microfinance Club traveled to the thINCubator in Utica on Oct. 4 to watch finalists do their pitches in the Downtown Startup Challenge Finals. This was the conclusion of a three-phase process that began in June where numerous individuals and groups with innovative business concepts gathered and competed to win a grand prize of $30,000. This challenge was aimed at spurring economic growth in downtown Utica and Rome by aiding and inspiring people to pursue a vision of creating a startup company.

The Hamilton Microfinance Group (HMG) hosted its 4th Annual Valentine’s Date Auction on Feb. 9 and raised over $800. All proceeds from this fundraiser went toward giving small business loans to local entrepreneurs.

The Hamilton Microfinance Group recently paid a visit to Kelly's Closet, a thrift store in the Utica area with whom the group works.

The Hamilton Microfinance Group attended The Commercialization Academy's Demo Day hosted by the ThINCubator in downtown Utica on Oct. 26. Students watched seven tech-startups pitch to a panel of judges and the audience. Two winners were selected for $20,000 cash prize each.

During the recent Fallcoming and Family Weekend, the Hamilton Microfinance Group hosted its third annual “Guess the Weight: Giant Pumpkin Challenge.” For $1, people could guess the weight of the giant pumpkin and watermelon. They weighed 1,235 pounds and 139.5 pounds, respectively.

Greg Casey ’09, founder and first president of Hamilton Microfinance, met with current members of the organization when he visited campus in April. The students heard first-hand how Casey started the organization and how it has influenced his post-grad plans.

Hamilton Microfinance hosted a bake sale and raised $836 at the 20th Sacerdote Great Names Lecture featuring astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson on April 12. Every year, the Great Names event attracts thousands of students, staff and community members.

 Hamilton Microfinance (HMF) hosted its 3rd Annual Valentine’s Date Auction on Feb. 11 and again raised more than $1000. The organization continues to utilize events such as this to grow its funds for issuing small business loans to local entrepreneurs as well as raise awareness about microfinance.