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Melinda Gates Highlights Opportunity International
Earlier this week, Opportunity International was honored to host Melinda Gates as she visited some of our clients and experienced our banking services in Malawi. With the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Opportunity is expanding access to savings accounts, loans, training and insurance to people struggling to work their way out of Read more…
Get Involved in Giving GROWTH a Chance
About the GROWTH Act Global Resources and Opportunities for Women to Thrive (GROWTH) Act (S.1425) is an innovative bill that is currently being discussed in Congress. It will give greater economic opportunities to women and families living in poverty. This bill was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Durbin, Richard (IL) on July 9, 2009. Read more…
Tagged Congress, Education, Financial Access, Global Resources and Opportunities for Women to Thrive, GROWTH Act, Healthcare, Nutrition, Philipines, Poverty, Senate, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Richard Durbin, Susy Cheston, Women
Opportunity International Honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
I must be true to my conviction that I share with all men the calling to be a son of the living God. Beyond the calling of race or nation or creed is this vocation of sonship and brotherhood, […] I believe that the Father is deeply concerned especially for his suffering and helpless and Read more…
Tagged Martin Luther King, Minorities, MLK, Opportunity International
The Tragedy in Haiti: How You Can Help
At Opportunity International we are heartbroken over the horrible suffering and staggering devastation in Haiti. Please join with us in praying for the people of Haiti and supporting the ongoing relief effort. In this immediate aftermath, we would encourage you to consider supporting one of our partners with operations in Haiti or one of the Read more…
Tagged Compassion International, Earthquake, Fonkoze, Habitat for Humanity, Haiti, World Relief, World Vision
Congress provides more money for microfinance
Let’s celebrate the increase in appropriations for microfinance and microenterprise development for FY2010. It grew from $245 million to $265 million—terrific in a tight budget year. (This is pending a final vote but reflects the conference report from the House and Senate and is likely to pass.) Also, we are thrilled that Congress has put Read more…
Introducing #Mifimon 2010!
Interested in learning about microfinance? Follow our biweekly discussion group #mifimon (because Microfinance Mondays was too long for Twitter’s 140-character limit). Our aim is to host an exchange of ideas about issues relevant to the microfinance industry. You’re welcome to lend your voice, whether you’re a practitioner in the field or a newbie just learning Read more…
Tagged #MifiMon, 2010, Define Microfinance, Economic development, Education, Facebook, Holiday, Microfinance, New Year, Social Media, Twitter
The Challenge of Credit Scoring
A lack of a formal credit score makes risk mitigation particularly difficult and thus has the potential to reduce the effectiveness of microfinance. A lack of some type of credit information can cause microfinance institutions to make decisions that are not in the best interest of the client. In the worst case scenario, either someone Read more…
Tagged Clients, Credit Scoring, Ghana, Loan Officer, Loan repayment, Microfinance, mitigate risk, South Africa, Trust Groups
Development as a strategic, economic and moral imperative
“Women and girls are one of the world’s greatest untapped resources and a terrific return on investment…I have seen for myself the transformative power of microlending in women’s lives and their families and communities.” The above quote is from a speech given earlier this week at the Center for Global Development by Secretary of State Read more…
Opportunity International Gives Thanks for Dedicated Supporters
Opportunity International gives thanks for dedicated supporters like Bob and Polly McCrea, who are highlighted in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune article For retired Lake Minnetonka couple, giving has no season. The story is about the couple’s lifestyle of giving, including their longtime service to Opportunity International. Polly is a former board chair, and she and Bob Read more…
Tagged Bob McCrea, Bord of Governors, Polly McCrea, Supporters
