AZ Rhythm Connection performs (All photos: SJA Studios – Steven Aquilino)

Despite the unseasonably cold weather, the evening drew over 100 attendees from the local business and philanthropic communities. The evening opened with traditional African rhythm grooves with Baliphone, Djembe, Shakere and other traditional hand percussion provided by Frank Thompson and Keith Johnson of the AZ Rhythm Connection. Pastor Woody Garvin of Valley Presbyterian Church in nearby Paradise Valley, Ariz. offered a Thanksgiving devotional before dinner.

Pastor Woody Garvin

Special guests included Kadita “A.T.” Tshibaka, a member of Opportunity’s Board of Directors and a native of the DR Congo who has extensive experience in international finance. Another distinguished speaker at the event was David Simms, board chair of Opportunity International’s Global Microfinance Operations, an experienced financial professional and a White House Fellow.

Kadita "A.T." Tshibaka

During the event, Opportunity International recognized local philanthropists who have been key champions for Opportunity’s work in the developing world. As Jon Yasuda noted in his introduction, “The people you’re about to meet have distinguished themselves for their foundational support of Opportunity, the longevity of their involvement, and their tireless commitment to educate others about our work and bring in new Governors.” Honorees included Don Ebinger; Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold; Terry and Anne Guerrant/The Guerrant Foundation; The John and Jacque Weberg Foundation; Eugene and Mary-Lynn Kaulius; and, Timothy and Rhonda Snider.

Kelly Flanagan (center) with Board of Governors members Diane Ruebling & Jeanne Lewis

During the evening’s festivities, Kelly Flanagan, a multimedia production artist and recent graduate of Arizona State University, debuted a short film from her travels to Tanzania last August with Young Ambassadors for Opportunity (YAO) as the winner of Opportunity’s 2011 Tanzania Correspondent Contest (part of Opportunity’s spring 2011 Banking on Women campaign). She shared with the audience a bit about the clients and staff she met in Tanzania, encouraging the audience to experience their own cultural immersion on an Opportunity Insight Trip. Click here to watch Kelly’s film below entitled, “Working Women-My Journey to Tanzania with Opportunity International.”

David Simms (left) with attendee Marco Silver

David Simms closed the night calling on attendees to come alongside Opportunity to help us end poverty. “Our vision is a world in which all people have the opportunity to provide for their families and build a fulfilling life. Opportunity is uniquely equipped to realize that vision. We have solutions of scale, a global presence, the support of leading foundations and organizations, and the generous support of people like you. We have a sustainable model that multiplies all of our efforts.”

A sincere thank you to the evening’s sponsors: Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Harris Bank, Mekosh Financial, and the Morrison School of Agribusiness and Resource Development at Arizona State University.

All photos courtesy of SJA Studios – Steven Aquilino (www.arizonaweddingphotographer.biz)

International Market Square, Minneapolis (All photos: Andrew Vick of Vick Photography)

“Side by Side” drew attendees from the Twin Cities’ business and philanthropic communities. Special guests included Don Whittaker, son of Opportunity International founder Al Whittaker; Paul Tshihamba, missions pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis and a Democratic Republic of Congo native; Mark A. Thompson, vice chair of Opportunity’s Board of Directors; Ted Moser and Sandra Davis, members of the Board of Directors; Frida Mungoma, education finance manager at Opportunity Uganda; and members of the Minnesota chapter of Young Ambassadors for Opportunity (YAO). The event co-chairs were Kelly Palmer and Katie McElroy, who are Minnesota-based members of Opportunity’s Board of Governors. Honorary event co-chairs Mary Lynn Staley (chair of the Board of Governors) and Polly McCrea (former chair, Board of Directors) were honored for their long-time service to Opportunity and its clients. Over a combined total of 23 years, with their husbands Warren Staley and Robert McCrea, these two couples have inspired more than 120 families to become supporters of Opportunity and their gifts have impacted more than 104,000 lives in the developing world.

Event Leadership team, from left: Lori Olson, Regional Director, Opportunity; Honorary event co-chairs Warren & Mary Lynn Staley, Polly & Robert McCrea; Jon Yasuda, CEO, Opportunity

In an evening of community and celebration, one of the highlights for attendees was the remarks by Don Whittaker, who reflected on his parents’ lives and their commitment to heeding Christ’s call by empowering the world’s most impoverished people. Don told the story of how one day, back in 1971, his parents Al and Marion Whittaker were sitting in church listening to a speaker articulate the need for businessmen to help people in need start and sustain businesses in the poorest countries in the world.

On the drive home, Al, who at the time was President of the International Division of Bristol Myers, told Marion he felt he was being called by God to do what the speaker had called for in church. Marion’s direct response was, “It’s about time you stop making rich people richer and start doing something for the poor.” By the fall of 1971, 53-year old Al had tendered his resignation.

Frida Mungoma, Education Finance Manager, Opportunity Uganda, & Don Whittaker, son of Opportunity founder Al Whittaker

Don reflected that his father had exchanged so much to follow this calling. He exchanged a title for a calling from God, a prestigious community for some of the most impoverished communities on earth, and big-name corporate clients for individual clients with names like Ildefonso, Alcantara, Huerta, Kwabena Darko and Namwazi.

In later years, after Marion passed away, Don would visit Al and he would ask him, “Dad, where do you want to go today?” Don would pull out his computer and take his father on a journey via the Internet to see what was going on in Opportunity’s locations. Al would sit in his chair and, with great joy, marvel at everything he saw and heard, saying over and over, “I can’t believe it, I just can’t believe it.” Don remarked, “I wonder if the little boy with the five loaves and two fishes said the same thing after Jesus was finished feeding the 5,000: ‘I can’t believe it, I just can’t believe it.’”

Don closed by sharing, “Our family has been blessed. We have been given a firsthand look at what God can do when He touches the hearts of individuals who respond to Him in simple faith …whether they be business-minded women, teachers, laborers or a little boy on a hillside. That is the legacy of Dad and Mom.”

Contemporary Christian musician Sara Groves performs

Moved by the spirit of the evening, long-time contributors expressed their ongoing commitment to Opportunity’s mission. Peter Deanovic, of the national YAO Board of Directors, stated, “I promise to carry on [Al Whittaker’s] legacy, working side by side with fellow supporters, staff and clients to transform even more lives. I promise to do this joyfully and with a servant’s heart.”

Frida of Opportunity Uganda said that this work is so important because “every parent on the planet wants their child to have opportunities to live their best life. And every child wants nothing more than to understand the world, and participate in it fully–body, mind and spirit.”

Betty Jane Hess, chair of the Board of Directors, reflected on Opportunity’s work in its 40th year: “What cannot be overestimated is the ability of all of us to effect positive change in the world and to engage others in this vision. Opportunity is growing. But our growth is not just about going wider, but going deeper. We’re not interested in placing dots on a map, but building strong sustainable institutions that are woven into the fabric of our clients’ communities and countries.”

African musical group Duniya Drum & Dance performs

After all, said Emily Vennerstrom, co-chair of YAO’s Minnesota chapter, “The work of Opportunity International changes lives. It changes mine, it changes thousands of lives in the world’s poorest countries, and I hope that you allow it to change yours.”

If you would like to help support Opportunity’s mission, we invite you to come alongside their work. Visit opportunity.org/support to learn how you can partner with them.

This post was written by the “Side by Side” Volunteer Committee. All photos are by Andrew Vick of Vick Photography.

Highlights from Nadine Pembele’s Presentation

I am very honored to have the opportunity to join you this weekend, and to speak to you all tonight.

I’d like to give you a brief snapshot of my country. The DRC, once known as Zaire, is the second largest country in Africa after Algeria, with a population estimated at nearly 72 million, 60% of whom are under age 20. Its size is equivalent to that of the 24 countries of the European Union. You can see the potential and opportunities that are available in the DRC.

However, from 1997 to 2007, two wars destroyed the only few infrastructures and productive activities that still remained in the country. People were forced to live in poor economic, inhumane, and unsanitary conditions.

A decade of violence and systematic abuse has stigmatized many of the people who, to this day, continue to bear the consequences of these atrocities. According to the International Rescue Committee, more than 5 million people lost their lives due to war, disease, and hunger between 1998 and 2003. More and more people continue to die due to curable diseases and inadequate public services, infrastructure, equipment and access to care, particularly in rural areas. And our rate of infant mortality is one of the highest in the world and 80% of our people live on one dollar or less a day.

You can appreciate why our clients are so grateful that Opportunity International has established a microfinance bank in our country. You could see the join on the faces in the video.

Opportunity DRC’s mission is to help change the statistics I’ve just reported–by helping people living in poverty through financial tools and training to transform their lives. Every member of our bank is committed to support this mission as a team.

Opportunity DRC will fulfill our mission by equipping and empowering people not only with the right financial tools, but through financial literacy training, coaching, health education and basic life skills. We believe that transformation cannot happen without a holistic approach to serving our clients.

In addition to loans, we have applied for a license from the Central Bank to include savings and other important financial products. With these tools, we will be better able to empower our clients, helping to improve their lives and their communities.

Since opening our Masina Branch to the public in January this year, we have granted more than $800,000 in loans to over 5,000 customers, 65% of whom are women. The vast majority of our clients now have access to banking services for the first time in their lives.

Last month we opened our second branch in Kasa-Vubu, a section of Kinshasa with 190,000 inhabitants. To date, more than 332 loans have been paid out by our young team of loan officers, who have given themselves a year to reach 5,000 clients in the area, and I believe they will succeed.

At Opportunity DRC, we are guided to act from by our core values, not only in the workplace but in our personal lives. Only in this way can we experience the transformation that we seek to see in others.

Before coming to Opportunity DRC, I had only my hope in God and my desire to keep the values that allow an individual to grow inwardly first. Since joining the bank I have a place where I cannot only blossom but can share these beliefs for the development of my community.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to stand before you tonight to thank you for the commitment you have shown to those living in poverty in Democratic Republic of Congo. We will never stop thanking you for all the support and prayers you have given us.

On behalf of the staff and clients of Opportunity DRC, I would also like to thank a group of people who played a critical role in bringing Opportunity to the DRC. They have given of their finances; some have visited the country; through their conference calls, they have sought to know about our progress and challenges; and, they have continued to pray for Opportunity DRC and the Congolese people. They are known as the balami team – a Congolese word meaning “shepherd.”

Thank you Belami team, and thanks to all of you here tonight, for your generous and continued support. Merci. Merci beaucoup.

A bit about Nadine

Nadine Pembele is head of training for Opportunity International in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nadine assists with staff recruitment, manages staff training, updates current staff programs and presents modules on customer care. She also manages the induction program for new staff, facilitates company events, and with the CEO, develops training on transformation. Following her studies at Christian University of Kinshasa, she joined Opportunity DRC in July of 2010 and participated in its grand opening.

From the Lotts’ speech…

Ronnie and Karen Lott encourage the audience to give love and compassion to end global poverty.

Karen: We are grateful to be here with you today to share just a little about our story–one of community, family, and hope. Ronnie and I have always shared a love for our community, and over the years this community of ours has given us so very much.

For the last 20 years we have worked to support local kids and their families through our foundation, All Stars Helping Kids. As a parent, it breaks my heart to see children in circumstances that would bring the best of us to our knees, and they are circumstances they did not choose.

We believe that while our circumstances may not be the same, in every way that matters we are all more alike than we are different.

An Insight Trip to Malawi

Ronnie and I have promised each other to do as much as we can, whenever we can, to help others that are not able to help themselves. When I was introduced to Opportunity International through a VP of Resource Development, Michele Ruby, she told me stories of African women and children who had received loans, whose lives were being transformed.

We decided to see for ourselves. In 2006 we took our family on an Insight Trip to Malawi. What we saw was staggering. Poverty and AIDS were devastating the African continent. Extended families and orphanages were stretched beyond their limits. My heart broke, especially for the children, and I will never be the same.

And yet, in the midst of the despair, we saw hope. Poor but resourceful women were using loans and training from Opportunity to empower themselves financially. And it was working. It made them better able to protect themselves and their children from HIV and AIDS.

It was in Malawi that we met Talekeleni Kagaso, the woman you saw in the video. She lived in a slum outside the capital. She and her husband, both Opportunity clients, ran a small grocery store. Their two small children were in school, and the success of their small enterprise made their lives and outlook radically different from their neighbors.

Their transformation has not just been economic. Because of the confidence and security Talekeleni gained from her small business, Ronnie and I could see that she was a source of strength in her community. Standing tall against a backdrop of poverty and desolation, she and her “village of hope” were–and, with God’s grace, will continue to be–the future of Africa.

As a mom, I continue to see the need to encourage and support all children regardless of where their community is, whether here or in Africa. And with Opportunity supporting women and mothers in the developing world, I know their children will be cared for.

Ronnie: This takes you back to the understanding of what love is all about. We’re all neighbors, whether across the street or across the continent.

We believe in “localizing love.” When you’re in a foreign land, and somebody loves you, it makes you “local” right away. I want to thank all of you for being here. Always extend your love, give of your love, and give of your financial resources. You will make a difference. Thank you very much.

A bit about Ronnie & Karen Lott

Ronnie Lott, NFL Hall of Fame Inductee; Co-founder, All Stars Helping Kids

Ronnie Lott’s legendary career included four Super Bowl titles and 10 Pro Bowl appearances. Ronnie retired from professional football in 1994 after having played 10 seasons with the 49ers, plus additional years with the Oakland Raiders and New York Jets. In 1994, he was selected as the safety for the NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002. Ronnie is co-founder of All Stars Helping Kids, which supports disadvantaged youth in the Bay Area and throughout the nation. He has traveled to Africa three times to learn about and represent Opportunity’s work.

Karen Lott, Co-founder, All Stars Helping Kids

Karen Lott is an active community leader, volunteer and a dedicated advocate for the work of Opportunity International. She serves on Opportunity’s Board of Governors as well as the board of directors of All Stars Helping Kids, a charity founded by her husband, Ronnie Lott. An active member of Saratoga Federated Church, Karen led her church’s response to the economic and AIDS crisis in 2003 by traveling to Ghana as the featured actress and narrator in Opportunity’s video, “Race Against the Fire.” Karen has been to Africa three times to learn about and represent Opportunity’s work in Kenya, Malawi and Ghana. Prior to being a full-time volunteer and parent, Karen was a professional model. She has a degree in secondary art education from Oregon State University.

This session was streamed live at opportunity.org/live. Visit opportunity.org/live throughout the conference to watch the sessions live.

Here are just a few of the plenary and breakout session speakers on Friday and Saturday who will share their expertise and experiences in reducing global poverty—and inspire you to become part of something big:

• Steven Levy, author, “In The Plex: How Google Thinks, Works, and Shapes Our Lives”
• Bill Draper, author, “The Startup Game: Inside the Partnership Between Venture Capitalists and Entrepreneurs”
• Laura Pincus Hartman, professor of business ethics, DePaul University, and director of external partnerships, Zynga.org
• Ambassador Tony Hall, executive director, Alliance to End Hunger
• Dr. Julie Howard, U.S. government deputy coordinator for development, Feed the Future
• Reeta Roy, president and CEO, The MasterCard Foundation
• Daryl Collins, author, “Portfolios of the Poor”
• John Ortberg, pastor and author, “When the Game is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box”
• Jeffrey Spector, chief of staff for Melinda Gates, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

For a complete schedule of speakers, click here.

Watch our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for reminders and updates on the sessions at #OIC2011. Plus, subscribe to the Opportunity Blog for our complete coverage of the conference breakout and plenary sessions Friday and Saturday.

Visit opportunity.org/live to watch the live stream.

Ann is carrying only 20 pounds of supplies on her back and staying in rustic hostels along the way. “Trusting that my daily needs will be met by the community along the Camino,” she says, “I will be living a simple life of faith, not unlike the women who are members of Opportunity Trust Groups.”

Explaining her motivation, Ann says, “For over seven years, I have been dedicated to supporting Opportunity International as it empowers women living in poverty in the developing world to create and grow businesses so that they may support, educate, and nurture their families. I am inspired by the miraculous changes that occur in the lives of these courageous women and in their families and communities.” Last year, Ann and her husband Steven Brooks, who live in Baltimore, Md., joined the Board of Governors in order to even further deepen their commitment to Opportunity.

Ann has the generous support of the T. Rowe Price Associates Foundation, which will match any funds (up to $10,000) donated by T. Rowe Price employees to her online fundraiser. Show your support for Ann’s pilgrimage by contributing to her online fundraiser, which is still accepting donations, and by sharing words of encouragement on her fundraiser page.

Want to put your faith into action? Support Opportunity through a walk, run, birthday, or any other event or life challenge. Go to opportunity.org/fundraiser to start your own online fundraiser today.

Daniel Ryumugabe (second from right) and attendees of Monday's book discussion. From left: Jill Dailey Smith, Edna Schade, DeeDee Spence, Darlene Hanson, Kim Stephens, Daniel, & Linda Vander Weele.

Left to Tell is the story of how Immaculée Ilibagiza’s life in Rwanda was upended dramatically one day in 1994 when she and seven other women huddled silently in a cramped bathroom in a local pastor’s home for 91 days to escape the violence of the Rwandan genocide. When it was all over, Ilibagiza had lost most of her family, but she survived to share the miraculous story of her transition into forgiveness and a profound relationship with God. She now works for the United Nations in New York City and has established the Left to Tell Charitable Fund to help others heal from the long-term effects of genocide and war.

The group of women at Monday’s meeting is always eager to participate in an intellectual discussion about a gripping book like Left to Tell. But with Daniel in attendance, his inside knowledge of life in Rwanda today, as well as his daily work with people rebuilding their lives, helped bring the events in the book into tangible relief and put them in historical context.

Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, by Immaculée Ilibagiza

Together, we explored the meaning and the impact of the events in the book, examining them in light of the post-colonial history of Rwanda since its liberation from Belgium in 1962, including violent military coups and cycles of conflict, culminating in 1994′s genocide. For Ilibagiza, we discussed what helped her survive her ordeal, and the aftermath of her experience, including what she terms “the pain of freedom.” We also spent time exploring the power of forgiveness, and how reconciliation within a nation can contribute to development and ultimately a more stable culture.

Daniel shared that Rwanda has been healing since the genocide through improved economic development, with solutions like microfinance and an emphasis on education for all in order to add to the stability of the country. He shared that Rwandan president Paul Kagame has set a bold goal for Rwanda, striving to graduate from being a developing country, and establish a middle class, by 2020. An ambitious goal given that 90% of the country lives on $2 a day. Kagame is also working to build a national identity that does not focus on fractious labels or disparate groups, but on reconciliation and unity.

Ultimately, Daniel acknowledged the horror and long-term impact of the Rwandan genocide, but he also helped us more deeply understand the journey that the country has been on since then and their collective hopes for the future. What a privilege it was to gain Daniel’s insight on this impactful book, lending our discussion an even greater resonance and richness.

At Opportunity, we’re always looking for our next good read. Do you have suggestions for great books about global development or issues faced by people in the developing world? Tell us about them in the comment field below.

“I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.”
-Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky

Panel (from left): Carol Adelman, Byron Johnson, Susan Raymond, Dennis Whittle and David Simms.

Panelists included:

• David Simms, Chair, Board of Directors, Opportunity International Network Services Organization
• Byron Johnson, Director, Baylor University Institute for Studies of Religion
• Susan Raymond, Executive Vice President, Changing our World, Inc.
• Dennis Whittle, President, The Whittle Group; and Co-founder, GlobalGiving
• Carol Adelman (moderator), Senior Fellow and Director, Hudson Institute’s Center for Global Prosperity

Each panelist offered their unique perspective on philanthropy with respect to their fields of work and individual passions for changing the world for the better through charitable action. Common threads ran through the discussion including the need for greater transparency and accountability, the role of technology in propelling philanthropic action, and the new generation of philanthropists who are increasingly focused on positive, sustainable outcomes.

Opportunity International‘s David Simms spoke about the important role that microfinance plays in the future and the sustainability of philanthropy, making a practical impact on poverty alleviation efforts. He told the group about his long-running affiliation with Opportunity, and how a trip to meet the people of Jamaica solidified his assertion that financial inclusion empowers individuals to build themselves up and out of poverty.

Opportunity's David Simms addresses the audience on the power of microfinance.

Based on his work with Opportunity, David shared his predictions for the future of philanthropy saying, “I think philanthropy will continue to drive innovation. In the absence of philanthropy, Opportunity International would not have started banks; we would not have had the courage to do the things we’ve done over the last 40 years. Without philanthropy we couldn’t fund schools, protect farmers, etc. Philanthropy will drive increasing accountability, there is now a business model being applied to social outcomes. Philanthropy will drive a learning agenda because there is a willingness to collaborate across philanthropic and research organizations. I also believe that philanthropy will become increasingly personal. Through Opportunity International, a person can pick a loan they want to support and track the progress of the person they’ve funded.”

The event concluded with a Q&A session, which was a chance for individuals who work in philanthropy to learn more from the panel. Among the audience members there to hear from David Simms and his fellow panelists were Carrie Slease, Opportunity International Regional Director; Bruce Smith, member of Opportunity’s Board of Governors; and Emily Egan, co-chair of the DC chapter of Young Ambassadors for Opportunity.

Watch the full-length video of the Hudson Institute’s May 12 panel discussion:

Betty Jane Hess addresses the attendees of Tuesday's Joy in Giving event.

On Tuesday, more than 150 women gathered at the Joy in Giving event in Minneapolis, Minn. to learn and share why giving changes the world and changes you. The event was sponsored by Opportunity International, the Minneapolis Foundation and Riverbridge Partners. The evening brought together women of all ages to share inspiration and actionable ideas for making their own giving journeys more meaningful and more effective.

Women in the U.S. are acquiring wealth at a rapid pace through income, inheritance and business ownership. We are interested in using our wealth to make a difference in the world–the potential for philanthropic impact is huge. And we know that women are collaborative, enjoy the exchange of ideas, and recognize that they can learn a lot from one another. The Joy in Giving event provided an opportunity to hear from significant women leaders and to learn how giving has enriched their lives.

Betty Jane Hess, chair of Opportunity’s Board of Directors, provided the keynote address and shared her professional and personal life story. She told the audience, “To understand my motivations for giving, it is not enough to know what I have done by doing a Google search on my accomplishments. Instead, it helps if you know me and what defines my life values.”

Panel: (from left) Polly McCrea, Krista Carroll, Penny George, Barbara Lupient and moderator Mary Lynn Staley

Betty Jane’s speech was followed by a dynamic four-person panel discussion moderated by Mary Lynn Staley, chair of Opportunity’s Board of Governors and a Minneapolis leader serving on the boards of several nonprofits.

Throughout the evening, business leaders and philanthropists shared inspiring pearls of wisdom with the audience:

Barbara Lupient, Former CEO, Lupient Enterprises & Lupient Automotive Group

• “Joy given is joy received. When you are the giver, you are always the receiver as well.”
• “Giving comes from the heart.”

Penny George, President, The George Family Foundation

• “Success has many mothers. It is amazing what you can accomplish when no one has to take the credit.”
• “Start where you are–be open to the possibilities.”

Betty Jane Hess and Barbara Lupient

Krista Carroll, Co-owner, Print 4 Change (which donates 50% of its revenue to nonprofits eradicating poverty)

• “When you get out of your comfort zone and take a leap of faith, you will experience the greatest blessings.”
• “Focus on the needs of others, not yourself. Trust God and let Him lead.”

Polly McCrea, Retired Business Owner, The Needle Nest & Collector’s Gallery, Former Chair of Opportunity’s Board of Directors

• “If a problem seems too big, don’t turn your back on it.”
• “Giving also equals volunteering. As a volunteer, you show others how they can also give.”

Betty Jane Hess, Keynote speaker

• “Sometimes doing your best isn’t enough. Sometimes you must do what is required.” – from Winston Churchill
• “Generosity begins with giving of yourself. And most of the time, it takes courage and tenacity.”

As the Joy in Giving event came to a close, the room buzzed with conversation as these engaged women shared with one another what they learned and what they hoped to do tomorrow to make the world a better place, each in her own way.

When Ben Chelf and Kim Whittaker got engaged, they knew they wanted to do something a little different for their wedding.

“We’re in our 30′s,” Ben says, “so we’re more established than when we were younger. We don’t necessarily need to get a bunch of gifts, so we thought it would be great to give people the option to give money to a charity instead.”

Ben Chelf and Kim Whittaker's engagement photo from their Better Than a Blender fundraiser

So Ben and Kim put a link on their wedding website to the Better Than a Blender fundraiser they created on opportunity.org. For guests who really want to send a traditional gift, the couple lists a few stores where they’re registered, but for friends who want to give something a little different, Ben and Kim offer them a chance to support a great cause: Opportunity’s work to end poverty through microfinance. Adding to the appeal, the couple says they “saw how easy the online fundraiser is to set up and promote.” They’re also offering a match for all donations so that their fundraiser will make an even greater impact.

For other couples considering launching a fundraiser for their nuptials, Ben and Kim say they encourage it. “A wedding is a good time to think about how you’re allocating your time as a couple,” says Ben. “You’re bringing two lives together, and this is a good opportunity to get off on the right foot, choosing what you want to value together.”

To contribute to Ben and Kim’s Better Than a Blender fundraiser, click here. To start your own fundraiser for your wedding, birthday, graduation or other occasion, visit opportunity.org/fundraisers today.