Issue no. 4 - 2014 Governor Community Connection

Dear Governors:

Our moment is now!

I was thrilled to see many of you at the Opportunity International 2014 National Summit, in Chicago. The event, themed Creating Momentum, brought together more than 350 supporters from around the world, including leaders of major philanthropic corporate and nonprofit foundations, individual donors, entrepreneurs, business executives and media.

Among the highlights of the Summit, we heard personal insights from Governors, including Kevin Compton, Liesel Pritzker Simmons, Megan Tamte, Barbara Lupient and Ted Moser. We also listened to the story of Opportunity client, Remy and her daughter Amina from the Philippines who broke the cycle of poverty in their family with help from us.

Several of our program directors were also at the Summit, including Nathan Byrd, Head of Education Finance, who discussed how our program has had an impact on more than a million children in the last three years alone. Rosa Wang, Director of Mobile Money, announced our new goal of reaching 1.5 million clients through cell phone banking within the next three years. John Magnay, Head of Agriculture, discussed how African smallholder farmers are increasing productivity by as much as 200 percent. We were also excited to hear from K.C. Ranjani, Executive Director of Opportunity programs in India, who discussed how the organization is financing water, sanitation, solar energy and literacy efforts for women.

During one of my Summit presentations, I shared a quote from Dr. Jim Yong Kim, president of the World Bank Group, that underscores the urgency of our work: "Whatever you do, please remember that the time is now for all of us to work together to bend the arc of history toward justice.”

Beyond sharing highlights of our Summit, this issue takes a closer look at how Governors like you are creating a lasting legacy of philanthropy in their families. You’ll also meet Rev. Laura Truax, a Governor whose ten-year partnership with Opportunity helped inspire her to make headlines by introducing a “reverse tithe” to her congregation.

On a related note, I'm delighted to announce that Wendy Cox has accepted our invitation to serve as volunteer Vice Chair of the Governors Community. We are fortunate to have Wendy’s insights—as well as those of Karen Cope Robinson, the current Chair of the Governors and a member of our Board of Directors—as we embark on this new chapter in the evolution of our Governors Community and build on our momentum around the world.

Thanks to your support, this Christmas season is a time of hope and rejoicing for us all.

“The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord’” (Luke 2:10-11).

Blessings,

Vicki

P.S. To help celebrate this Christmas season, we have sent each Governors Community family five Opportunity gift cards that are loaded with funds to help our clients. Please be sure to use these cards to introduce your friends and family to our work this holiday season. When they visit our website to redeem their card, they can choose a client loan to fund, or an Opportunity initiative to support. This is a wonderful way for you to provide others with the joy of giving! Again, thank you.