The One Woman Initiative (OWI), a US-based organization that focuses on empowering women, has come under the umbrella of Opportunity International, a US-based nonprofit organization with a focus on microfinance. OWI’s CEO Carly Fiorina will serve as a Global Ambassador to Opportunity International in an effort to build a network of “women investing in women.” According to Opportunity International CEO Vicki Escarra, “we hope to engage women in the United States to serve as passionate advocates to address the needs and expand the choices of women in developing countries.” Opportunity International plans to raise USD 50 million for OWI by 2015, which will be used to fund loans to 2 million women.
The One Woman Initiative was launched in 2008 by Ms Fiorina, former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), a US government agency that provides international economic and humanitarian assistance. Financial information for the initiative is not available. As of December 31, 2011, Opportunity International reported total assets of USD 207 million and operations in 24 countries.
By Charlotte Newman, Research Associate
About Opportunity International
Based in the United States, Opportunity International is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1971. Opportunity International provides small business loans, savings, insurance and training to approximately two million poor people in 24 countries in Africa, Asia, South America and Eastern Europe. As of December 31, 2011, Opportunity International reported total assets of USD 207 million.
Sources and Additional Resources:
Opportunity International Press Release: “Opportunity International Joins Forces with Carly Fiorina’s One Woman Initiative,” http://www.opportunity.org/press-releases/opportunity-international-joins-forces-with-carly-fiorinas-one-woman-initiative/#.UR685FrF3VQ
MicroCapital.org story, January 23, 2013, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Telenor Participates in Launch of MicroEnsure Asia, Opportunity International Sells Stakes in MicroEnsure to International Finance Corporation (IFC), Omidyar Network,” https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-telenor-participates-in-launch-of-microensure-asia-opportunity-international-sells-stakes-in-microensure-to-international-finance-corporation-ifc-omidyar-network/
MicroCapital.org story, November 23, 2012, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Opportunity International Adds Savings Services in Colombia by Converting Into Microfinance Bank with Funding from Citi Foundation,” https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-opportunity-international-adds-savings-services-in-colombia-by-converting-into-microfinance-bank-with-funding-from-citi-foundation/
MicroCapital Universe Profile: Opportunity International https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Opportunity+International
MicroCapital Universe Profile: United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=United+States+Agency+for+International+Development+%28USAID%29
Do you know that MicroCapital publishes the MicroCapital Monitor newspaper each month? Find out more at https://www.microcapital.org/products-page/
Similar Posts:
- MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Opportunity International, UPS Foundation Announce “Unstoppable Women Initiative” to Expand Financial Services in Colombia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria
- MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Visa Foundation Donates $2m to Opportunity International to Support Microfinance, Small-business Lending to Women in Africa
- MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Al-Qutaibi Funding Renewable Energy Products, Climate Adaptation Strategies for SMEs, Farmers in Yemen in Collaboration with USAID
- MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Opportunity EduFinance Partners with 7 FSPs to Invest in Education in Africa, India
- MICROFINANCE PAPER WRAP-UP: “Digital Finance Campaign Replication Guide,” Published by USAID
