WOMEN ARE
LIMITLESS
ANNUAL REPORT 2022
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
HER
SUCCESS
LIFTS
AMERICA
"THROUGH THE GRAMEEN AMERICA PROGRAM, I HAVE MADE FRIENDS, MADE NEW PEOPLE, AND LEARNED FROM OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS."
HEATHER
HARLEM, NY
In the most rigorous, independent, third-party evaluation of microfinance in the United States to date, top-tier research organization MDRC is assessing Grameen America’s program in Union City, New Jersey. MDRC used a randomized controlled trial design—the gold standard of research methods that uses the same rigorous methods as pharmaceutical trials. While there have been several evaluations of international microfinance programs, few robust studies, and no randomized controlled trials, have been conducted of U.S. microfinance programs—until now.
THE FIRST-EVER RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF MICROFINANCE IN THE U.S.
ANNUAL REPORT 2022
WOMEN
ARE
LIMITLESS
UNLOCKING THE FINANCIAL POWER OF FUTURE LEADERS
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
HER
SUCCESS
LIFTS
AMERICA
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
HER
SUCCESS
LIFTS
AMERICA
Grameen America is dedicated to helping entrepreneurial women who live in poverty build businesses to enable financial mobility.
A special message from our National Ambassador
The Elevating Black Women Entrepreneurs initiative is a dedicated program offering loan capital, business development training, and asset and credit-building tools to Black women business owners in financially underserved communities. The initiative, which has already reached 1,221 women in New York City, Newark, NJ, Memphis, TN, and Atlanta, GA, aims to expand to more than 80,000 Black women entrepreneurs by 2030, investing $1.3 billion in their small businesses.
Closing the financial gap for Black business women
Grameen America is designing an improved savings program available to current members with an active loan. We will pilot the new Grameen America Savings Program aimed at supporting long-term asset-building in 2023. Our goal is to promote positive money-saving habits and offer a product that is tailored to the specific needs of the low-income women entrepreneurs we serve.
Piloting a new, innovative savings solution
OUR VISION
Grameen America envisions an inclusive society in which all entrepreneurs, regardless of gender, race, or income, have access to fair and affordable financial services to support upword economic mobility.
"What I love most is having a sisterhood of other women who understand my challenges."
Nicole Event Business Owner in Newark, NJ
First-of-its-kind study determines Grameen America’s micro-lending program reduces material hardship and increases creditworthiness, business ownership and earnings among women in poverty. It marks the first time a microfinance institution in the United States has been evaluated using a randomized controlled trial, the gold standard of evaluations.
36-Month Impact Snapshot
"Always be optimistic, and keep striving. Always stay consistent, and execute on every goal that you can."
Jasmine Creative Studio Owner in Newark, NJ
New Study Affirms Grameen America's Efficacy in Advancing Financial Inclusion
"Entrepreneurship has given me a fresh start. As a Latina, I've felt invisible in many ways, but with Grameen America, I feel seen."
Lissette Spa Owner in The Bronx, NY
2022 New Expansions
UNLOCKING THE FINANCIAL POWER OF FUTURE LEADERS
JENNIFER LOPEZ
25
U.S. CITIES
99%
REPAYMENT RATE
859,810
TOTAL LOANS
166,154
WOMEN SERVED
$2.96 Billion
TOTAL DOLLARS DISBURSED
580,000
WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS SERVED
50+
BRANCH LOCATIONS
$20 Billion
LOAN CAPITAL INVESTED IN WOMEN
OUR IMPACT
OUR PROVEN IMPACT
"Before Grameen America, I found no other doors to affordable capital. This program allows me to grow my business while building my motivation and discipline."
Karina Furniture Store Owner in Los Angeles, CA
With a focus on empowerment and transparency, Grameen America is piloting a new mobile application that allows members to take ownership of their business journey. Available in both English and Spanish, the application automates several administrative steps, allowing staff to prioritize relationship building.
Digitizing the member experience
In partnership with our sister organization, Grameen PrimaCare, the Promotoras program aims to overcome barriers low-income women of color face when accessing affordable, quality healthcare. Low-income women of color are disproportionately affected by diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and other chronic health conditions, yet many of these health concerns go untreated due to cost.
Bridging the link between health and financial mobility
OUR STRATEGIC
INITIATIVES
OUR COMMUNITIES
Our bold 10-year goals to uplift women, families, and communities:
More than ever before, Grameen America is committed to driving lasting change for women of color with dreams to be financially independent. Building off the success of Lifting America, we are evolving the campaign to expand our 10 year vision with bigger and bolder goals.
SCALING TO
$20 BILLION
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHT
ANNUAL REPORT 2022
CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
WITH JENNIFER LOPEZ
On September 17, 2022, we were proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Grameen America’s National Ambassador Jennifer Lopez and nearly 300 Latina entrepreneurs with businesses supported by Grameen America in the Los Angeles community.
Raising Latina Voices celebrated and recognized the many accomplishments of the Latina community, and especially the ingenuity and resilience of small businesses led by Latina women in underserved communities across the country.