Category: Update

Elizabeth Funk Receives TiEcon 2008 Female Entrepreneur Award

June 1, 2008 Update

Unitus Board Chair Elizabeth Funk received the 2008 Female Entrepreneur Award at TiEcon, the annual conference for TiE, a global nonprofit dedicated to fostering entrepreneurs across its international network. The award honors Elizabeth for pushing the boundaries of innovation, quality, and creativity in entrepreneurship. In addition to serving as chairman of the board at Unitus,… Read more >

On the Road with The Police and Unitus

June 1, 2008 Update

Unitus supporters and fans of The Police have been channeling their inner rock star at recent concerts. Winners of our exclusive ticket packages have had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sing with Sting and jam with Stewart and Andy, all while supporting the fight against global poverty! To date, our partnership with The Police has helped raise… Read more >

Leadership Transition at Unitus

June 1, 2008 Update

As many of you know, Unitus co-founder and CEO Geoff Davis has been on a brief leave of absence due to a health matter that’s been lingering for some time. We are happy to report that Geoff is on the mend, and is expected to make a complete recovery, but his doctor recommends an extended… Read more >

World Economic Forum Announces Geoff Davis as a 2008 Young Global Leader

March 11, 2008 Update

On March 11, the World Economic Forum announced that Unitus President and CEO Geoff Davis had been selected as a Young Global Leader for 2008. This honor is bestowed each year to recognize and acknowledge the top 200 to 300 young leaders from around the world for their professional accomplishments, commitment to society, and potential… Read more >

Unitus Guarantees Loan; Partner IIRM Launches on MicroPlace

February 1, 2008 Update

On December 20th, Unitus successfully closed a $550,000 guarantee facility for partner IIRM, enabling the microfinance institution to access local (Indian) currency from Citigroup. By guaranteeing repayment, Unitus is helping IIRM provide 4,000 loans to new and existing microfinance clients. To help underwrite this guarantee, Unitus received a $250,000 facility from Calvert Foundation, which is… Read more >

Third-Year “Social Capitalist Award” Win for Unitus

February 1, 2008 Update

For the third year in a row, Fast Company magazine and Monitor Group announced that Unitus has won a Social Capitalist Award The 2008 awards feature 45 nonprofits who use the tools of business to solve the world’s most pressing social problems—ranging from poor healthcare in developing nations to unequal education access, homelessness, unemployment and substance… Read more >

Unitus Partners Shine in New Microfinance Rankings

February 1, 2008 Update

Unitus is proud to congratulate its partners Bandhan, Grameen Koota, and SKS for ranking among Forbes Magazine’s top 50 microfinance institutions in December. Forbes Magazine’s first-ever list of the “World’s Top 50 Microfinance Institutions” surveyed and ranked a field of 641 micro-credit providers according to scale, efficiency, portfolio risk, and profitability. Using this rating system, Bandhan ranked… Read more >

Social Entrepreneur Spotlight: Harsha Moily

February 1, 2008 Update

Harsha MoilyPosition: Founder and CEOOrganization: Moksha Yug AccessUnitus Partner Since: 2007 Moksha Yug Access joined the Unitus portfolio of partners in October 2007. Harsha Moily, the founder and CEO of the organization, is one of 20 dynamic, visionary leaders who are working with Unitus to catalyze growth and innovation in the field of microfinance. What… Read more >

Unitus Supporters Inspired by Trip to India

November 1, 2007 Update

This September, a group of 11 Unitus supporters and several staff members set out for Bangalore, India, embarking on an unforgettable week of learning, discovery, and adventure. The 2007 Partner Expedition was led by Unitus board member Dave Richards and his wife Sharon, COO Ed Bland, Donor & Investor Relations VP Diana Reid, and Campaign… Read more >

Innovations in Microfinance: Africa

November 1, 2007 Update

Claudio Sissa, a Solutions Consultant from our Efficiency Team, recently traveled to Uganda and Kenya to study the African microfinance market. While there, Claudio visited Jamii Bora, a Unitus partner in Nairobi that is leading the way in innovative microfinance practices. Claudio was particularly interested in learning about their implementation of biometric POS (point of sale)… Read more >