Kiva Launches Online Microfinance in the United States
About ACCION USA (AUSA)
ACCION USA is a nonprofit microfinance organization that provides access to capital and financial education to low- and moderate-income individuals, primarily minorities and women. A pioneer and recognized leader in U.S. microfinance, AUSA empowers individuals to create sustainable businesses, increase family incomes, and contribute to the economic development of cities across the U.S. Since inception in 1991, ACCION USA has provided nearly $115 million in small business loans ranging from $500 to $50,000, offered nationwide via the AUSA online lending platform. For more information about small business loans, visit www.accionusa.org.
About Opportunity Fund
Opportunity Fund (formerly Lenders for Community Development) is California's largest not-for-profit microlender and offers a unique blend of microfinance products and services to help residents of underserved communities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area work toward economic stability. Opportunity Fund is a not-for-profit financial institution that advances the economic well-being of working people by helping them earn, save, and invest in their future. Since 1995, Opportunity Fund has used an innovative model to direct $150 million, and more than 40,000 hours of financial and business assistance, into neglected neighborhoods, improving the lives of 10,000 households. For more information, please visit www.opportunityfund.org.
About The Women's Conference
Under the leadership of California First Lady Maria Shriver, The Women's Conference has become the nation's premier forum for women. The mission of The Women's Conference is to inspire, empower and educate women from all walks of life to be Architects of Change in their own lives, in their communities and around the world. Every year, the non-partisan, 2-day conference event gathers the greatest hearts and minds to unite thousands of diverse women -- 20,000 in person and many more online -- with a shared conversation and a collective sense of purpose. The Women's Conference has formed partnerships with established and respected organizations in California, throughout the U.S. and abroad to develop far-reaching women's empowerment programs and initiatives. WE Invest, a program of The Women's Conference, has already been investing in women entrepreneurs in California, linking them to business training, mentoring, and a support network which gives them the tools to either start or expand their own business. This new partnership with Kiva will allow The Women's Conference to empower thousands of women across the country to become more financially independent. Founding WE Invest partners include Chevron, Visa, Wells Fargo and The Women's Self Worth Foundation. For more information about The Women's Conference and its other WE Programs, visit www.womensconference.org.
