Opportunity International

BizWorld Names Tech Diplomacy Leader Keith Krach 2023 Riskmaster of the Year

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 30, 2023

BizWorld.org, a global non-profit that provides entrepreneurship education programs to youth, has named Keith Krach , Chairman of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue , former Under Secretary of State and Silicon Valley entrepreneur its 2023 Riskmaster of the Year.

Key Points: 
  • BizWorld.org, a global non-profit that provides entrepreneurship education programs to youth, has named Keith Krach , Chairman of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue , former Under Secretary of State and Silicon Valley entrepreneur its 2023 Riskmaster of the Year.
  • The award is in recognition of Krach's fearless leadership and transformative impact, spanning business, technology, academia, mentorship, economic diplomacy, social causes and national security.
  • “Keith embodies the essential qualities of a Riskmaster through his historic achievements, including architecting the Bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act that secured a $280 billion in funding for the tech industry.
  • Krach continues to shape the future of technology and public policy as leader of the congressionally mandated Global Tech Security Commission and co-founder and chairman of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue.

PayPal Announces Investments to Advance Economic Empowerment for Women and Girls

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 18, 2023

The investments are part of PayPal's 2021 $108 million commitment under the UN Generation Equality Forum to advance financial inclusion and economic empowerment for women and girls.

Key Points: 
  • The investments are part of PayPal's 2021 $108 million commitment under the UN Generation Equality Forum to advance financial inclusion and economic empowerment for women and girls.
  • They are the first of the company's forthcoming $100 million in capital investments into funds and other initiatives that are led by women or focused on serving women.
  • In addition to these investments, PayPal continues to advance several pillars of its $108 million commitment through key partnerships.
  • PayPal employees have long supported women entrepreneurs around the globe through the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women 's "Mentoring Women in Business" program.

Microfinance Market size to grow by USD 122.46 billion from 2021 to 2026, The market is fragmented due to the presence of prominent companies like Accion International, Al Amana Microfinance & AL BARAKAH MICROFINANCE BANK, and many more - Technavio

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 8, 2023

The microfinance market is fragmented owing to the presence of many global and regional companies.

Key Points: 
  • The microfinance market is fragmented owing to the presence of many global and regional companies.
  • Cashpor Micro Credit - The company offers microfinance services such as Green Micro Credit Initiative which is a modified microfinance loan product to promote tree plantation.
  • The growing online lending and the presence of global and regional providers are contributing to the growth of the microfinance market.
  • One of the key factors driving the wealth management market growth is the rising demand for alternative investment support from the government.

Global Microfinance Index announces early insights, Top Impact Award Winners and 3 new tools to access the data

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 13, 2023

LONDON, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Microfinance is improving the quality of life, increasing the resilience of low-income customers to withstand economic shocks, and reaching people without prior access to financial services without creating over-indebtedness. By providing small loans, savings accounts, and other financial services tailored to the needs of marginalized communities, FSPs empower individuals to improve their livelihoods and break the cycle of poverty.

Key Points: 
  • Clients with group loans report a better experience with their Financial Service Provider (FSP) than those with individual loans.
  • The 60 Decibels Microfinance (MFI) Index is a groundbreaking financial inclusion initiative that exists to measure and benchmark the impact of the microfinance industry – providing high-quality, comparable social performance data for Africa, Asia and Latin America.
  • More info on the 3 MFI Index data tools can be found at https://60decibels.com/insights/mfi-data/ .
  • Full details of the winners and award criteria can be found at https://60decibels.com/mfi-awards/ .

Global Microfinance Index announces early insights, Top Impact Award Winners and 3 new tools to access the data

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 13, 2023

LONDON, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Microfinance is improving the quality of life, increasing the resilience of low-income customers to withstand economic shocks, and reaching people without prior access to financial services without creating over-indebtedness. By providing small loans, savings accounts, and other financial services tailored to the needs of marginalized communities, FSPs empower individuals to improve their livelihoods and break the cycle of poverty.

Key Points: 
  • Clients with group loans report a better experience with their Financial Service Provider (FSP) than those with individual loans.
  • The 60 Decibels Microfinance (MFI) Index is a groundbreaking financial inclusion initiative that exists to measure and benchmark the impact of the microfinance industry – providing high-quality, comparable social performance data for Africa, Asia and Latin America.
  • More info on the 3 MFI Index data tools can be found at https://60decibels.com/insights/mfi-data/ .
  • Full details of the winners and award criteria can be found at https://60decibels.com/mfi-awards/ .

FORMER MICROSOFT EXECUTIVE JOINS OPPORTUNITY INTERNATIONAL AS CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 10, 2023

CHICAGO, July 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Opportunity International announced today that Greg Nelson has joined the organization as its next Chief Technology Officer.

Key Points: 
  • CHICAGO, July 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Opportunity International announced today that Greg Nelson has joined the organization as its next Chief Technology Officer.
  • "Greg's addition to our ranks at Opportunity marks an important next step in our strategy to end extreme poverty," said Atul Tandon, Opportunity's CEO.
  • Prior to joining Opportunity, Greg spent 26 years at Microsoft and was based in Seattle, London and Paris.
  • He holds an MBA from Harvard, as well as degrees from the University of Cape Town and Seattle Pacific University.

Global financial inclusion initiative expands to collect over 1 million unique data points in 2023

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 6, 2023

LONDON, June 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 60 Decibels, a global impact measurement company, is excited to announce the 2023 Microfinance Index (MFI Index), gathering over 1 million unique data points. The Microfinance Index is a groundbreaking financial inclusion initiative that provides high-quality, comparable impact data for the microfinance industry, driven entirely by client voices.

Key Points: 
  • The Microfinance Index is a groundbreaking financial inclusion initiative that provides high-quality, comparable impact data for the microfinance industry, driven entirely by client voices.
  • The Index is designed to complement and integrate with existing frameworks and standards in microfinance, impact investing, and international development.
  • The 2023 MFI Index provides data aligned to IRIS+ metrics and the five dimensions of impact guidance established by the Impact Management Project.
  • To learn more and sign up to receive the 2023 Microfinance Index, please visit https://60decibels.com/mfi-index/

Global financial inclusion initiative expands to collect over 1 million unique data points in 2023

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 6, 2023

LONDON, June 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 60 Decibels, a global impact measurement company, is excited to announce the 2023 Microfinance Index (MFI Index), gathering over 1 million unique data points. The Microfinance Index is a groundbreaking financial inclusion initiative that provides high-quality, comparable impact data for the microfinance industry, driven entirely by client voices.

Key Points: 
  • The Microfinance Index is a groundbreaking financial inclusion initiative that provides high-quality, comparable impact data for the microfinance industry, driven entirely by client voices.
  • The Index is designed to complement and integrate with existing frameworks and standards in microfinance, impact investing, and international development.
  • The 2023 MFI Index provides data aligned to IRIS+ metrics and the five dimensions of impact guidance established by the Impact Management Project.
  • To learn more and sign up to receive the 2023 Microfinance Index, please visit https://60decibels.com/mfi-index/

Marillac St. Vincent Family Services Appoints Michael S. Chitwood as New Chief Executive Officer

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 16, 2023

CHICAGO, May 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Marillac St. Vincent Family Services is pleased to announce that Michael S. Chitwood has been named as the organization's new Chief Executive Officer.

Key Points: 
  • Proven Leader With 16+ Years' Experience in Social Services, Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation in Chicago and Internationally
    CHICAGO, May 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Marillac St. Vincent Family Services is pleased to announce that Michael S. Chitwood has been named as the organization's new Chief Executive Officer.
  • Chitwood previously served as Chief Philanthropy Officer of Chicago-based nonprofit Opportunity International and joined MSV Family Services in the role of CEO effective May 1, 2023, assuming responsibilities from Interim CEO and longstanding Board of Trustees leader Michael J. Condron.
  • "It has been my pleasure to serve Marillac St. Vincent Family Services as Interim CEO.
  • "Now, it is with great excitement that we welcome to our organization a leader with Michael Chitwood's enthusiasm and proven track record."

OPPORTUNITY INTERNATIONAL SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDES WAYMAKER CAMPAIGN RAISING $101 MILLION OF PHILANTHROPIC FUNDS TO RELEASE $1 BILLION OF RESOURCES AND IMPACT THE LIVES OF 25 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 2, 2023

The organization's focus is on reaching high-need groups like women, girls and people living in extreme poverty.

Key Points: 
  • The organization's focus is on reaching high-need groups like women, girls and people living in extreme poverty.
  • "The exponential outreach these funds will enable in communities of extreme poverty is a much-needed beacon of hope in this world."
  • Warren Staley, former Chairman and CEO of Cargill, Inc., also co-chaired the campaign alongside his wife Mary Lynn Staley.
  • "In addition to the generous support of our private donors, several corporations and foundations and the United States government have supported Opportunity to exceed the Waymaker Campaign's fundraising and impact goals."