Oikocredit USA

Oikocredit is organized as a cooperative and is one of the world’s largest sources of private funding to the microfinance sector. As a social investor, Oikocredit and its members finance locally-based microfinance institutions and provide credit to trade cooperatives, fair trade organizations and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the developing world. We have $890 million in outstanding loans to over 800 organizations in 63 countries. Nearly $40 million of this comes from US investors. With these funds, our project partners dispense loans to the poor and disadvantaged, with a special emphasis on rural areas and women. Oikocredit is also at the forefront of social performance management, integrating environmental, social and governance factors into investment decisions.With partners in over 60 countries, Oikocredit primarily serves Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Oikocredit receives the capital to make loans from socially responsible investments; it offers a dual return to its investors: financial and social. In addition to earning modest financial returns, investors are secure in the knowledge that their money is being used to fight poverty, promote fair trade and respect our planet’s natural resources.Oikocredit USA is the representative office of the Oikocredit cooperative based in Washington, DC. Oikocredit USA attracts capital from new investors, engages with existing investors, and educates the public about global poverty alleviation and economic empowerment. The DC office does not disburse loans.