Sunday Foundation

The Sunday Foundation is a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on financial inclusion, economic development, and poverty alleviation.

History

The foundation unofficially began its journey in 2013 when its founder, Bryan Greenwood, was working in banking and felt a void in his career. This led him to lend through Kiva to a small business owner in the Philippines, setting the stage for his future endeavors. However, the foundation officially came into existence in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the vision of making microfinance more accessible and equitable.

Mission

The Sunday Foundation aims to support small businesses, which are seen as the backbone of local communities, by providing safe, affordable, zero-interest loans. This approach seeks to address the well-documented issues of high-interest debt and financial exclusion faced by many entrepreneurs in underserved areas.

Operations

The organization operates directly with entrepreneurs, bypassing intermediaries to minimize costs. It also collaborates with platforms like Kiva and Care to amplify its impact. By maintaining a transparent "build-in-public" philosophy, the foundation engages stakeholders in its activities and shares detailed impact reports.

Impact

As of February 2023, the Sunday Foundation had made significant strides:

• Total Lending Impact: $3,958,543
• Number of Loans: 1661
• Female Entrepreneurs Supported: 81%
• Average Loan Size: $2,383
• Average Loan Term: 16 months
• Repayment Rate: 98.09%
• Default Rate: 1.91%
• Countries Served: 46

The foundation began offering microgrants alongside microloans in 2024 and started direct lending online in 2022.

Funding and Recognition

Donations to the Sunday Foundation are tax-deductible for U.S. taxpayers. The foundation relies on the support of generous donors and partners and invites others to replicate its model of kinder microfinance practices. It has been recognized as a public charity, not a private foundation, and is listed in databases like GuideStar and the IRS.

[1] https://sundayfunds.com [2] https://sundayfunds.com/donate [3] https://www.sundayfriends.org [4] https://www.sundayfriends.org/how-we-help/our-programs [5] https://bigsunday.org