News
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…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MoreIntroducing #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…
Read MoreDevelopment 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…
Read MoreOpportunity International Gives Thanks for Dedicated…
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…
Read MoreRabia Mwakasaka’s New Beginning
As we jump into 2010 with both feet, I am reminded of Rabia Mwakasaka’s story. Rabia is a widow with three children. Before she came to Opportunity Tanzania, she worked out of her home, but could not…
Read MoreTop 5 Reasons Urbana Rocks!
I just spent a week with 16,000 amazing people, sharing about microfinance, listening to countless stories, and enjoying the energy that comes with being around people who want to make an impact. I’d…
Read MoreOpportunity International at Urbana 2009
Hello from St. Louis! To create some context, on Sunday, the downtown area of St. Louis nearly doubled in size. And a couple of us from Opportunity International are spending this week with over 16,000…
Read MoreCreating New Traditions
We are always encouraged when we hear stories about Opportunity International’s initiatives that are becoming part of families’ traditions, such as OptINnow holiday gift cards and the One Hen book…
Read MoreGuest Post: Believe in Sheela
The following is a guest post by Desiree Adaway, Sr. Director of Volunteer Mobilization at Habitat for Humanity. It was first posted on her personal blog. I want you to believe in Sheela. She is …
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