Donate

Menu

Donate

Follow Us

Search

PO Box 2826
Carol Stream, Illinois 60132

Toll Free: 1-800-793-9455

© 2026 Opportunity Internationala 501(c)3 nonprofit. EIN: 540907624.

News Blog

Mompreneurs

by Lydia Baldridge Meier

I am blessed to be able to work for Opportunity International, a job I love, from a home office.  My search for advice for moms with home offices introduced me to a new term: Mompreneur.  There is a burgeoning industry of tools, advice, support and networking for moms creating their own income opportunities, while also caring for their family full time. This didn’t apply to me, but it certainly made me think of the Opportunity International clients I write about every day. They are the ultimate…

Read More

Carly Fiorina Steps Down as Global Board Chair of Opportunity International

by Opportunity International

US Board Chair Mark Thompson to assume new role effective immediately Opportunity International Global Board Chair Carly Fiorina today formally announced her U.S. Presidential candidacy. As a result, she is resigning from Opportunity’s Global Board. “Opportunity is unique among nonprofits for their businesslike approach and sustainable client impact,” Fiorina said. “It has been my privilege to serve as their first Global Board Chair. They are in good hands with the many fine global leaders…

Read More

Thank You, Mom

by Allison Kooser

My mom is superwoman.  She is brilliant and funny and compassionate and adventerous. Sure, she drives me crazy some days. And sure, we are both equally bossy and uncompromising. But at the end of the day, I love her and she loves me.  My mom taught me just how powerful moms are. She showed me how hard and beautiful and frustrating and wonderful raising little humans can be. She showed me what unconditional love looks like. What true generosity looks like. What it looks like to sacrifice your own…

Read More

Why LBL is About So Much More than Food

by Allison Kooser

I spent this week taking the Live Below the Line challenge - eating and drinking on less than $1.50 a day for five days in honor of the 1.2 billion people living below the extreme poverty line around the world. Let me tell you, the challenge is hard. But it is also incredibly eye-opening. Each day, I recorded my insights - the little things I was learning through because of the challenge. And what I quickly realized was that hunger and extreme poverty are about so much more than food.  Day…

Read More

Thoughts on Living #BelowtheLine

by Opportunity International

This week, hundreds of Opportunity International staff, supporters and friends are participating in the Live Below the Line challenge - a challenge to eat and drink on less than $1.50 a day for five days in honor of the 1.2 billion people who live below the extreme poverty line every day. We are excited to celebrate a few of our LBL participants and their insights from the week.  Why I'm Trying Not to Cheat by Samantha Snabes Whelp, here it goes. My third year living below the line. Even as I…

Read More

The Challenge Begins

by Allison Kooser

This week, hundreds of Opportunity International staff, supporters and friends are taking the Live Below the Line Challenge - spending five days eating and drinking on less than $1.50 a day in honor of the 1.2 billion people living below the extreme poverty line around the world. Together, we are learning more about the daily realities of Opportunity's clients, building awareness about extreme poverty and raising support for Opportunity's life-changing products and programs.  This is my third year…

Read More

Meet David Gardner

by Opportunity International

David Gardner is a software entrepreneur and early stage investor to new entrepreneurs. This month, as we celebrate entrepreneurship, we asked entrepreneurs to share their insights with us.  David, tell us a little bit about yourself.  After spending nearly thirty years starting software companies, I have now become an early stage investor and advisor to first time entrepreneurs.  What has been one of the most challenging elements of starting your own business? Funding is always difficult.  And…

Read More

Meet Kaelen McCrane

by Allison Kooser

In 2014, Opportunity's Manager of Outreach Allison Kooser sat down with Kaelen McCrane, Young Ambassador for Opportunity and founder of acclaimed fashion company The West is Dead. Kaelen shared his personal journey of entrepreneurship - and offered his lessons learned from creating a business from the ground up.  Allison: Kaelen, tell us a little bit about yourself and your business. Kaelen: The company I started with my business partner Will is called the West is Dead. I started it just over three…

Read More

Schools Are Not Just For Children

by Brad Skeba

People assume that the most important thing a quality school can do is to equip the next generation of children with the relevant skills they need to find gainful and meaningful employment. Children learn to read and write in the classroom - they learn to think, analyze and present information. They learn the skills they need to work and provide for themselves as they grow. But while the future employment potential of each child is indeed a very important and noble cause, it is not the only benefit…

Read More

Transforming the Next Generation

by Allison Kooser

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to travel to Uganda to meet our clients and staff. While there I met Rwamubende, an Opportunity client and cattle farmer in rural Uganda. Rwamubende has a serious exterior but a big heart. He proudly showed us his ever-growing farm and introduced us to the many farmhands he employs. When we took his photo, we teased, “Seca! Seca!” (“Smile!” in Luganda) and he laughed at our accents. He explained how Opportunity allowed him to build a new home to replace…

Read More

Filters

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Subscribe to receive Opportunity International microfinance news and updates via email or RSS.

Subscribe via RSS

Subscribe to our Newsletter