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FINCA International has been a driving force in empowering communities across the globe. With a presence in 23 countries, FINCA International has been making a tangible difference in the lives of millions of people.
FINCA International's mission is to provide financial services to low-income individuals and families, helping them to build a better life for themselves and their communities. This mission is reflected in the organization's commitment to microfinance, which provides small loans to entrepreneurs and small business owners.
FINCA International's approach is centered around the needs of the communities they serve, and they have developed a range of financial products and services that cater to these needs. From savings accounts to microloans, FINCA International's offerings are designed to help people achieve financial stability and security.
About FINCA
FINCA International was founded in 1985 by John Caskey, a renowned economist and microfinance expert, with the goal of providing financial services to the world's most underserved communities.
FINCA International is a non-profit organization that has grown to serve over 1 million clients across 23 countries in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
FINCA's mission is to create economic opportunities and improve the lives of the poor by providing financial services and promoting economic development.
About Us
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FINCA International was founded in 1984 with a bold idea: giving small loans to the poor can transform entire communities. This pioneering approach has led to significant impact.
FINCA International is a global network of 20 community-based microfinance institutions and banks, serving over two million low-income clients in Africa, Eurasia, Latin America, the Middle East, and South Asia. This network has been in operation for over 35 years.
FINCA International is headquartered in Washington, DC, and is registered as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation in the State of New York (Tax ID: 13-3240109). This designation ensures that the organization is committed to its mission.
FINCA International's work is focused on microfinance and social enterprise, with a goal of creating greater resilience and opportunity for low-income families. By providing access to financial services and innovative solutions, FINCA International is helping to alleviate poverty and promote economic growth.
Here are some of the social enterprise programs that FINCA International supports:
- BrightLife: a social enterprise in Uganda providing last-mile distribution and end-user financing for solar home systems, improved cookstoves, and other basic service products.
- FINCA Ventures: an impact investing initiative that provides patient capital and pre- and post-investment support to early-stage social enterprises serving the base of the pyramid (BOP).
- FINCA Forward: an innovation platform for early-stage fintechs to access financial institutions and pilot new products with an established customer base.
Nonprofit Overview
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FINCA International is a nonprofit organization with a mission to alleviate poverty through lasting solutions that help people build assets, create jobs, and raise their standard of living.
They achieve this by enabling access to financial services to over 2 million clients in 20 countries across the globe. With total loans disbursed in excess of $1 billion and total voluntary savings approaching $400 million, FINCA clients are empowered to build small businesses, create jobs, and invest in their futures.
More than 80 percent of FINCA borrowers report meeting their goal to start or expand a business or improve their home thanks to a FINCA loan. This suggests that the organization's approach is having a tangible impact on the lives of its clients.
FINCA International also operates a social enterprise called BrightLife, which offers high-quality and affordable clean energy products in Uganda. To date, BrightLife has impacted over 100,000 lives with energy products that create healthier and safer homes, increase productivity, reduce household expenses, and provide additional income-generating opportunities.
FINCA Ventures, the organization's impact investing initiative, has invested in early-stage companies that are improving access to basic services for poor and low-income families. Combined, these investees have impacted more than 2 million lives in the areas of energy, sanitation, education, health, and agriculture, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa.
Countries Where Operates
FINCA International operates in over 20 countries across the globe. These countries are spread across different regions, including Latin America and the Caribbean, Newly independent states in Eurasia, Africa, and the Middle East and South Asia.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, you can find FINCA operations in Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, and others. These countries have been part of FINCA's network since the 1980s and 1990s.
Here's a breakdown of the countries where FINCA operates:
FINCA International has a significant presence in Africa, with operations in countries like DR Congo, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Volunteering
Volunteering with FINCA International is a rewarding way to make a difference in the lives of people in developing countries. FINCA International has a long history of empowering women and men to improve their economic well-being.
FINCA International has a strong presence in 23 countries, with over 900 staff members working together to achieve a common goal.
As a volunteer with FINCA International, you'll have the opportunity to work on the ground with local communities, gaining valuable experience and skills in areas such as microfinance, financial inclusion, and sustainable livelihoods.
FINCA International's volunteer program offers flexible opportunities, from short-term assignments to long-term placements, allowing you to choose a duration that suits your schedule and goals.
By volunteering with FINCA International, you'll be contributing to the organization's mission to create a world where everyone has equal access to financial opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FINCA a reputable charity?
FINCA has earned a Four-Star rating from a reputable charity evaluator, indicating a high level of transparency and accountability. This rating suggests that FINCA is a trustworthy organization.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FINCA_International
- https://www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit/631d50994e5e4781938031515a86601b-finca-international-washington
- https://greatnonprofits.org/org/finca-international-inc
- https://charity.org/success-story/finca-international-inc-help-women-small-business-owners-achieve-big-dreams/
- https://www.cbinsights.com/company/finca-international
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