A Message from our Global CEO
Each year, this report offers a welcome period of reflection for me. This year, more than at any time since I joined Opportunity, I am filled with reverence for the organization’s steadfast commitment to serving those living in poverty. Simply put, Opportunity’s heart beats for our clients. We are nothing if not working in service to them, and to our donors who fuel our clients’ ability to transform their lives.
A Message from the Global Board Chair
When the Global Board was created in 2014, one of our key promises to you was to make wise investment decisions. No sooner did we make that promise than it was tested. Our banks in Africa—originally established to fill a vast gulf in financial inclusion—were reaching a critical mass. We found ourselves at a crossroads asking: If we maintain sole ownership of our banks in Africa, given the associated costs and risks, are we most effectively marching toward our vision of helping people achieve a life free from poverty?
2015 Impact
2015 was an incredible year of client impact, all stemming from your commitment to join us on our mission of empowering people living in poverty to transform their lives, their children’s futures and their communities.
Partners
We are grateful for the invaluable support provided by our partners at corporations, organizations, foundations, as well as those providing gifts in kind, whose partnerships are creating sustainable impact for millions of people living in poverty.
Supporters
Our community of Governors and Ambassadors contribute generously to the organization because they are committed to ending extreme poverty and giving people everywhere the chance to lives their lives with dignity and purpose.
U.S. and Global Board
Opportunity’s Global and U.S. Board of Directors combines their extensive professional experience with their passion and dedication to ensure Opportunity achieves its mission of empowering people living in poverty to transform their lives, their children's futures and their communities.
Financials
Opportunity International achieved significant growth in client impact across our global operations in 2015. The number of clients served worldwide rose 21 percent year-over-year to 14.3 million. We loaned more than $1.4 billion to total clients, and we provided savings accounts to nearly five million clients, helping them build a safety net for their futures.
Title Photo: Monica Kasalu Banda stands in her grocery store in Malawi, which she grew from a small roadside stand with the help of Opportunity’s services and training.
