MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: New Criteria Announced for Social Performance Reporting Awards from CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor), Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, Ford Foundation, Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX)

The Social Performance Reporting Awards, instituted in 2009 to recognize microfinance institutions (MFIs) committed to “transparent social performance monitoring and management,” recently announced that this year, in addition to promoting MFIs on the basis on transparency, the award will also recognize “good practices in social performance management” [1]. A new Platinum level of awards has also been added to the existing levels of Gold and Silver awards.

The awards were initiated by US-based nonprofits CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor), the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation and the Ford Foundation and are administered by a fourth US-based nonprofit, Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX). In 2010, 29 Gold Awards and 82 Silver Awards were bestowed upon MFIs, while 12 networks also received awards based on the number of their members reporting social performance data.

To qualify, MFIs must provide reports on a set of social performance monitoring indicators that have been developed by the Social Performance Task Force (SPTF), an initiative created in 2005 by CGAP, the Argidius Foundation and the Ford Foundation. SPTF defines social performance as “the effective translation of a microfinance organization’s mission into practice, in line with social values including serving more poor and excluded people sustainably.” To be eligible for the 2011 Social Performance Reporting Awards, MFIs must report to MIX by September 30, 2011.

For more information about the Social Performance Reporting Awards, you may contact Ms Micol Pistelli by email at mpistelli@themix.org or via telephone at +1 202 659 9094.

By Nisha Koul, Research Associate

About Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP): CGAP is an independent policy and research center dedicated to providing financial access for the world’s poor. CGAP is supported by approximately thirty development agencies and private foundations. Its mission is to provide market intelligence, to promote standards and to offer advisory services to governments, microfinance providers, donors and investors.

About the Ford Foundation: The Ford Foundation provides grants and loans that address the issues of democratic and accountable government, human rights, social justice, economic fairness, metropolitan opportunity (jobs, schools transportation, housing), sustainable development, educational opportunity and scholarship, freedom of expression, and sexuality and reproductive health and rights. The foundation was chartered in 1936 by Edsel Ford. As of 2010 it reported total assets of USD 10.7 million.

About the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation: The US-based nonprofit Michael and Susan Dell Foundation was established in 1999 to provide grants to organizations that focus on education, childhood health, and family economic stability. As of 2009, the foundation reported total assets of USD 981 million.

About Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX): Established in 2002, Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) is a nonprofit organization with its headquarters in Washington, DC, and regional offices in Peru, Morocco and India. MIX provides financial and social performance information from microfinance institutions (MFIs), as well as business information from market facilitators, donor organizations and investors in microfinance. As of 2011, MIX Market, the arm of MIX that analyzes MFI information, provides data on approximately 2,000 MFIs as well as information about funders, networks and service providers. MIX was founded by CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) and is sponsored by Citi Foundation, Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Omidyar Network.

About the Social Performance Task Force (SPTF): SPTF was created in 2005 by CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor), the Argidius Foundation and the Ford Foundation with the purpose of defining social performance and addressing questions about measuring and managing social performance. SPTF is made up of approximately 650 microfinance practitioners, donors, investors, networks, technical assistance providers, rating agencies and academics.

Sources and Additional Resources:

[1] Press Release, MIX, http://www.themix.org/press-release/recognizing-microfinance-practitioners-outstanding-social-performance-practices#ixzz1UUWfhVFX

MicroCapital.org, July 23, 2010, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) Announces 300 Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) So Far Registered to Submit Performance Record to “Second Annual Social Performance Reporting Awards” in 2011,” https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-gcap-consultative-group-to-assist-the-poor-announces-300-microfinance-institutions-mfis-so-far-registered-to-submit-performance-record-to-%E2%80%9Csecond-annual-social-performa/

MicroCapital.org, December 13, 2010, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: 350 Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) Report to Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) Social Performance Reporting Awards,” https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-350-microfinance-institutions-mfis-report-to-microfinance-information-exchange-mix-social-performance-reporting-awards/

MicroCapital.org, May 14, 2010, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) Seeks Nominations for Social Performance Reporting Awards 2010,” https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-microfinance-information-exchange-mix-seeks-nominations-for-social-performance-reporting-awards-2010/

MicroCapital Universe profile: Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=CGAP+%28Consultative+Group+to+Assist+the+Poor%29

MicroCapital Universe profile: Ford Foundation, https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Ford+Foundation

MicroCapital Universe profile: Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Michael+and+Susan+Dell+Foundation

MicroCapital Universe profile: Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX), https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Microfinance+Information+Exchange+(MIX)

Browse the MicroCapital Universe and add your entry to the wiki at: https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/

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