The Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX), the US-based provider of data relating to microfinance, now offers social performance data on microfinance institutions (MFIs) directly from each MFI profile on mixmarket.org. MIX argues that recent debate surrounding the microfinance industry has made it apparent that MFIs should not only be evaluated based on financial data, but that social performance data is equally important in assessing success. The improvements to the MIX Market website were made with financial support from US-based funders the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation and the Ford Foundation.
In collaboration with the Social Performance Task Force (SPTF), which consists of 850 microfinance professionals, MIX developed eleven indicators with which to measure the social performance of MFIs. The indicators are mission and social goals, governance, range of products and services, client outreach by lending methodologies, client retention, social responsibility to clients, transparency of client pricing, human resources and staff incentives, employment creation and enterprises financed, environmental responsibility and poverty outreach.
By Julie Moksim, Research Associate
About the Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX): Established in 2002, Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) is a nonprofit organization with headquarters in Washington, DC, and regional offices in Peru, Senegal, India and Indonesia. MIX provides detailed financial and social performance information from microfinance institutions (MFIs), as well as business information from market facilitators, donor organizations and investors in microfinance. 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) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
About the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation: The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation was established in 1999 to provide grants to organizations that focus on education, childhood health, and family economic stability. The organization, which is based in the US state of Texas, reported total assets as of December 2009 of USD 945 million.
About the Ford Foundation: The Ford Foundation provides grants and loans that address the issues of democratic and accountable government, human rights, social justice philanthropy, economic fairness, metropolitan opportunity (jobs, schools transportation, housing), sustainable development, educational opportunity and scholarship, freedom of expression, and reproductive health. The foundation was chartered in 1936 by Edsel Ford in New York. As of 2009, approximately USD 15.6 billion has been distributed worldwide. Ford Foundation’s assets were valued at USD 10.2 billion for the 2009 fiscal year.
About the Social Performance Task Force (SPTF): The Social Performance Task Force (SPTF) was created in 2005 as an initiative of CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor), Argidius Foundation and Ford Foundation. As of February 2011 SPTF consists of approximately 850 leaders from microfinance stakeholder groups including practitioners, donors and investors (multilateral, bilateral and private), national and regional networks, technical assistance providers, rating agencies, academics, researchers and others. It has been charged with clearly defining social performance and addressing questions about measuring and managing social performance. According to SPTF, social performance includes operating “in line with accepted social values that relate to serving larger numbers of poor and excluded people.”
Sources and Additional Resources:
Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX): “MIX Brings Social Performance to the Forefront of Microfinance” by Arielle Gart, February 23, 2011, http://www.themix.org/press-release/mix-brings-social-performance-forefr…
MicroCapital’s Microfinance Universe Profile: The Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX)
https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Mic…
MicroCapital’s Microfinance Universe Profile: The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation
https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Mic…
MicroCapital’s Microfinance Universe Profile: Ford Foundation
https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=For…
MicroCapital’s Microfinance Universe Profile: Social Performance Task Force (SPTF)
https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Soc…
Browse the MicroCapital Universe and add your entry to the wiki at: https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/
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