Why We Love
International Women's Day
Opportunity International was founded with a vision that everyone should have the chance to live a life free from poverty, with dignity and purpose. Everyone. This ambitious goal requires dedicated attention to one of the most marginalized groups in the developing world—women. It is our collective responsibility to address the inequalities that currently prevent women from triggering positive generational changes and contributing billions of dollars to the economy. We believe that increasing opportunities for women and girls is our essential response to this global challenge—and one that creates health, security and prosperity for families and society as a whole.
We empower women entrepreneurs with critical financial services that they otherwise would not receive. Things like loans to build their businesses, savings accounts to protect their hard-earned income, and financial skills training so they have the confidence and knowledge to effectively manage their money. With access to these services, a voiceless mother can bloom into a confident leader in her family and her community. Together we are empowering women to fulfill their potential, lift themselves and their families out of poverty, educate their children, and transform their lives.
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Creating Jobs Through Technology
Cisco Foundation
The Cisco Foundation has been working with Opportunity to bring digital solutions to the developing world that will make it easier for women to use financial services, many for the first time in their lives. We’ve used technology to simplify and tailor our services for underserved groups like women and low-literacy clients, which is helping them grow their businesses and even hire neighbors. In fact, through our partnership, Cisco has helped create or sustain more than 1 million jobs in 2017 alone.
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Getting Girls Access to Water at School
Caterpillar Foundation
The Caterpillar Foundation strongly believes in the power of women and girls and the importance of breaking down gender barriers, especially in an effort to alleviate poverty. In their latest drive to spark economic growth and empower 50 million people to rise out of poverty by 2020, Caterpillar is partnering with Opportunity to provide financial services that are making clean water accessible to students—a critical foundation to building a healthy future.
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Making Dreams Come True with Sister Entrepreneurs
Heart of cabi Foundation
The Heart of cabi Foundation is powered by more than 3,400 cabi Stylists who bring uniquely styled clothing to women around the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Every time a new cabi Stylist begins her business, cabi funds a loan on her behalf for a woman starting another business in a developing country—creating Sister Entrepreneurs who are on the same journey, just in a different place. Their unique partnership with Opportunity has empowered 3,750 women to get business loans and start their path out of poverty.
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Powering Women with Business
Seven Bar Foundation
Seven Bar Foundation is using business in the U.S. to power business in the developing world. Ten percent of net sales from EBY, a women’s intimates company, go to Seven Bar to lift women out of poverty through Opportunity's microfinance programs. Helping fearless women fund their own businesses is part of their mantra, because they know that when women thrive in the economy, the paradigm shifts—not just for them, but also for women everywhere.