WHAT WE DO

Grameen Foundation helps the world’s poorest, especially women, improve their lives and escape poverty through access to microfinance and technology.

We create economic opportunities for the world’s poorest.

Grameen Foundation provides micro-lenders in poor communities access to the capital they need to make micro-loans to women who are working to develop or expand a small business.  In many of the poorest regions in the world, micro business creation is the only way for families to escape poverty and build a better future for their children.

We build large scale, easy-to-replicate solutions to end the cycle of poverty in developing countries around the world.

As clients repay their micro-loans, the funds are recycled into new loans, thus multiplying the number of poor people who can begin their journey out of poverty. Grameen Foundation develops and spreads technology and open source software that can be used by professionals serving the poor to enhance efficiency and lower operating costs.  Our technology projects also provide business opportunities for poor entrepreneurs.  For more information on our work, please feel free to explore our 2008-2009 Annual Report

We leverage the knowledge and expertise of local partners to create the most effective programs possible.

Grameen Foundation enhances the effectiveness of our funding and impact on communities by strengthening and supporting local organizations. We respect local ways of life by building poverty-ending programs in partnership with local organizations and leaders, rather than imposing external ideas on developing communities.

We lead the industry in measuring impact and delivering results.

Our Progress Out of Poverty Index^TM simply but accurately measures poverty levels of those we serve in 23 countries.   It allows us to better determine our clients’ needs, the effectiveness and efficiency of programs, and how quickly we are able to help people move from poverty to financial self-sufficiency.  We also measure our own efficiency and receive high marks from the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator and other raters.