Category: Update

Self-reliance realized for isolated tribal villagers in India

January 23, 2012 Update

Unitus Labs publishes new in-depth case study report on SKS NGO ultra poor program in Orissa, India.  Report describes new tools developed to overcome physical, cultural obstacles of working with isolated ultra poor communities. Looking beyond progress made during an ultra poor intervention, the success of an ultra poor program must also be judged by… Read more >

Early introduction of livelihoods found to be critical factor in moving large numbers out of extreme poverty

October 14, 2011 Update

For years, ultra poor interventions built around subsidies and skill-building activities have helped to move households living below the extreme poverty line toward some productive activity or eligibility for microfinance schemes. For all their individual successes, these interventions have also struggled with high cost-per-beneficiary and an inability to sustain programs after donor funds run out.… Read more >

New Kriti ultra poor case study offers insights on livelihood development

September 9, 2011 Update

With higher cost of living and little access to arable land, ultra poor households in urban areas face very different obstacles than their rural counterparts. To respond to these needs, in 2009 Hyderabad-based Kriti Social Initiatives joined the Sorenson-Unitus Ultra Poor Initiative to pilot a program that paired livelihood development with cost-effective provision of basic… Read more >

New UPna sapna ultra-poor case study highlights 9 key learnings

August 12, 2011 Update

UPna sapna case study finds new strategies for selecting and enrolling ultra poor households in programs to promote self-reliance Unitus Labs today released its first Sorenson-Unitus Ultra Poor Initiative case study which explores the Jharkhand, India-based UPna sapna project experience researching more scalable ways to provide opportunities for families to lift themselves out of extreme poverty. The case… Read more >

Update to Supporters: Unitus announces new strategic focus

June 15, 2011 Update

Dear Unitus Supporters, I am excited to announce that Unitus is initiating a new strategy to tackle global poverty. Our new strategy is to accelerate the growth and effectiveness of income generating “livelihood opportunities.” We will support projects that directly and significantly increase income-generating potential for millions of people battling poverty. We will do so… Read more >

Unitus Labs announces new strategic focus to improve incomes of millions battling poverty

June 13, 2011 Update

Unitus Labs (formerly Unitus, Inc.) announces a new strategic alliance with Unitus Impact to catalyze new markets for livelihood ventures in Asia and Africa, creating significant income-generating opportunities for millions battling poverty. Seattle and Bangalore (June 13, 2011) – Unitus Labs announced today that it is supporting a new initiative to build income-generating opportunities for millions… Read more >

Unitus non-profit changes name to Unitus Labs

June 13, 2011 Update

Unitus, Inc. has officially changed its name from “Unitus, Inc” to “Unitus Labs” to better reflect its historical approach and current and going forward focus to engage in early-stage research on and the support for market-based solutions that reduce global poverty. The Unitus Family consists of 4 independently managed entities: Unitus Labs — Non-profit focused on… Read more >

Unitus, Inc. announces funding for four microfinance innovations projects

May 1, 2011 Update

Unitus, Inc. has provided $227,000 to fund four innovative microfinance pilot projects at leading India MFIs As part of Unitus Inc.’s commitment to fulfill existing Microfinance Acceleration commitments, we are pleased to announce USD$227,000 funding of four innovation projects at leading India microfinance institutions (MFIs). We believe that these initiatives will help improve microfinance operations by creating robust… Read more >

Unitus, Inc. announces new CEO

March 1, 2011 Update

Unitus, Inc.’s board of directors has appointed Dave Richards as CEO of Unitus, Inc.  Richards will assume responsibility for overseeing strategy and operations for the Unitus, Inc. and Unitus Investment Management (UIM) non-profits reporting to the respective Unitus, Inc. and UIM boards. Richards has been a board member of Unitus, Inc. since 2006 and board… Read more >

Unitus, Inc. funds loan guarantee for Kenyan microfinance bank

January 31, 2011 Update

Unitus, Inc. partners with Financial Sector Deepening Kenya to provide guarantee for a $400,000 loan facility to Yehu Microfinance based in Mombasa, Kenya Unitus, Inc. has provided a grant of USD$350,000 to Financial Sector Deepening Kenya (FSDK) in support of a loan guarantee which FSDK is providing for a new USD$400,000 loan facility extended to Yehu… Read more >

Update to Supporters: Unitus Progress in 2010

December 22, 2010 Update

Dear Unitus Supporters, This is a follow-up to our July 2 announcement that we would redirect our efforts toward new poverty alleviation strategies and initiate no new microcredit acceleration projects. We want to keep you informed about what we’re doing to fulfill our commitments. This letter serves as a stewardship report from our board to… Read more >

Unitus-Hewitt Microfinance Compensation & Benefits Survey 2010

June 6, 2010 Update

Successful microfinance institutions are made up of successful individuals, and as Unitus discovered in its 2009 Compensation Benchmarking study, well-designed compensation programs play a significant role in crafting a high-performing staff. As such, Unitus is proud to announce the launch of the second annual Unitus-Hewitt Microfinance Compensation & Benefits Survey. Open to MFIs throughout India, the Survey… Read more >