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Carol Stream, Illinois 60132

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© 2024 Opportunity Internationala 501(c)3 nonprofit. EIN: 540907624.

News Blog

50 for 50: Looking Back at 50 Years

by Atul Tandon

When Al Whittaker made a tiny loan to Carlos Moreno a street spice seller, in Colombia in 1971, he could not have imagined the tidal waves of impact his one small action would spark. Al’s start in Latin America, combined with David Bussau’s similar efforts in Asia, launched Opportunity International—which now has reached nearly 250 million people over the past 50 years. Carlos Moreno, Colombia For five decades, Opportunity has stayed committed to its founding principles: serving those…

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50 for 50: Back to the Beginning - David Bussau

by Alexis Beggs Olsen

This essay is a selection from the special edition of UnPoverty by Mark Lutz. The new edition has been released in celebration of Opportunity International’s 50th Anniversary, featuring new chapters from leaders throughout Opportunity’s history. To receive a copy, simply make a donation of any size to Opportunity and we’ll send it to you. David Bussau always knew that having “enough” was about more than financial success.   Throughout his life, David would grow in his understanding…

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50 for 50: Back to the Beginning: Al Whittaker

by Don Whittaker

This essay is a selection from the special edition of UnPoverty by Mark Lutz. The new edition has been released in celebration of Opportunity International’s 50th Anniversary, featuring new chapters from leaders throughout Opportunity’s history. To receive a copy, simply make a donation of any size to Opportunity and we’ll send it to you. Dad told enough stories about his work with Opportunity International to fill an entire book. What I want to share in the next few pages is the way God called…

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50 for 50: Origin Stories - Africa

by Larry Reed

This essay is a selection from the special edition of UnPoverty by Mark Lutz. The new edition has been released in celebration of Opportunity International’s 50th Anniversary, featuring new chapters from leaders throughout Opportunity’s history. To receive a copy, simply make a donation of any size to Opportunity and we’ll send it to you. The board of Opportunity’s partner Zambuko Trust in Zimbabwe had a special guest one evening. Theresa, her hair gray, her dress modest and traditional,…

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This book is on us

by Allison Kooser

In celebration of Opportunity International’s 50th Anniversary this year, long-time staff member Mark Lutz has released a special edition of UnPoverty. Featuring new chapters from Opportunity’s program leads, stories from our founders, and an inside look at the impact people just like you have had on families around the world, this new release adds even more insight to a book that has inspired us for years. This December, as we close out another great year of reading, we invite you to revisit…

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50 for 50: Partnering for Impact

by Allison Kooser

Throughout our history, Opportunity International has relied on incredible partners to help us launch initiatives, grow programs, develop new strategies, and better serve our clients and their families. With the support of remarkable individuals, foundations, government partners, and corporations, we have built a robust global community that works together to help families break the cycle of poverty. Join us as we look back at some of our pivotal moments of collaboration over the last 50 years, and…

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50 for 50: Why I've Spent My Career at Opportunity

by Allison Kooser

Several of Opportunity International’s longest-serving staff members looked back at their careers and reflected on what makes Opportunity special. We are honored to share their reflections and grateful for their decades of service. Cindy Schwab-Salem (far right) joins staff, donors, and international visitors at an Opportunity women’s event in Arizona in 2011. “In my opinion, there is no greater cause than raising money to support hard-working entrepreneurs around the world to lift themselves…

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50 for 50: 7 Fundraisers We’ll Never Forget

by Allison Kooser

Opportunity’s work for the last 50 years has been made possible by an incredible community. From corporate partners to family foundations to individual donors, our supporters have invested in and created opportunities for hard-working people around the world.  Occasionally, these generous people—people just like you!—decide to get creative with their giving and rally their friends and family to join them. Through peer-to-peer fundraisers, community giving, and wild challenges, Opportunity…

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When one plus one equals three: A tale of a unique collaboration to reach more children living in poverty

by Mauricio Rincon

For 50 years, Opportunity International has been a waymaker for individuals, foundations, churches, and corporations to share in our mission to serve the most marginalized people in the world, empower them to build their livelihoods, and enable them to break free from poverty. A significant milestone in our journey was announced on November 1, when we unveiled a $100 million collaboration with Oikocredit, a Netherlands-based social impact investor and worldwide cooperative promoting sustainable…

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50 for 50: Understanding Opportunity's Refugee Initiatives

by Tineyi Mawocha

This essay is a selection from the special edition of UnPoverty by Mark Lutz. The new edition has been released in celebration of Opportunity International’s 50th Anniversary, featuring new chapters from leaders throughout Opportunity’s history. To receive a copy, simply make a donation of any size to Opportunity and we’ll send it to you. Alex Mango Ishingwa is a contractor who lives in Nakivale, Western Uganda, along with his wife and two children. He founded the Wakati Foundation to…

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