WMI borrowers receive business training WMI borrower signing loan documents WMI staff meeting with borrowers Potential borrowers wait for their turn

Women's Microfinance Initiative

Org #1025
Vetted since 2008 Top Ranked Effective Nonprofit Site Visit Verified
2007
year founded
$374,343
raised on GlobalGiving
15
years fundraising
2
projects funded
* Amounts in US Dollars

Mission

WMI was founded in November, 2007 by seven Washington DC area professional women to address women's economic disenfranchisement in rural East Africa. Two board members were working with a rural women's association in Sironko District, Uganda through a church project, and the village women asked for help to establish a loan program. WMI, unlike conventional aid initiatives, preserves its capital basis by providing loans rather than subsidies. WMI makes loans to impoverished women in developing nations who have no access to banks. Issuing affordable, collateral-free loans for as little as $50, WMI promotes women's economic empowerment to reduce global poverty. WMI's goal is... read more

Projects (3)

Project Leaders
Robyn Nietert
Robyn Nietert
Deborah Smith
Deborah Smith
Organization Information
8609 Fenway Drive
Bethesda, MD 20818
United States
301 520 0865
Organization Information
8609 Fenway Drive
Bethesda, MD 20818
United States
301 520 0865

Project Reports

Each of GlobalGiving’s nonprofit partners is required to send quarterly donor reports detailing the impact of their work. Here are some of their recent updates:

Reporting from East Africa

By Robyn Nietert | President

Dear Donors, I’ve spent the past six weeks in East Africa on my annual field trip visiting loans hubs in all three countries where WMI works: Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. As I travel, I jot notes... Read the full report ›

WMI's Sheema Loan Hub Is Off to A Great Start!

By Deborah Smith | Treasurer

Dear Program Supporter, It has been 6 months since we opened our newest loan hub in Sheema District in the far western part of Uganda. The first 40 members received their first loans in April 2023... Read the full report ›

Just A Building or Building a Dream?

By Deborah Smith | WMI Board Member and Treasurer

The rural areas where WMI works still operate primarily on a cash economy. Banks typically operate only in the larger towns and cities, which makes accessing them difficult for our typical rural loan... Read the full report ›
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