Donor Stories

Create Lasting Impact through FINCA’s Legacy Society

Bill Raiford has dedicated his life to working in the developing world. Over the course of his career, he visited more than 40 countries as a member of the United Nations Development Program, and he observed that programs providing women with access to financial services tended to have more long-lasting effects not only on the women, but on their communities. So it was no surprise that, when he heard about FINCA’s work, he knew he’d found a cause worth investing in.

Bizarre Bazaar Builds Banks

The Northville First United Methodist Church in Northville, MI has become one of the leading sponsors of FINCA’s Village Banks, thanks to its annual “Bizarre Bazaar” fundraising event. Since 2008, when the Church chose FINCA as one of its “mission projects,” it has sponsored a total of nine Village Banks in Afghanistan, Haiti, Jordan, Malawi, Tajikistan and Zambia...

Mile High Friends of FINCA Shop for Fundraising

In Denver, 50 families have jointly raised more than $70,000 for FINCA in 16 years—without spending a dollar. Postage stamps are their biggest expense. How do they do it? By taking advantage of grocery store programs that sell gift certificates at discounts to charitable organizations.

Fiddling for FINCA

Inspired by the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti in January, Sandra Wong, who plays the fiddle and the nyckelharpa—a 16-stringed, keyed, bowed instrument from Sweden—came together with several fellow musicians to put on the “World Music Benefit Concert” in Colorado.

Coffee Break Funds Support FINCA

Christine, a loyal supporter from suburban Boston, recently wrote us that she has placed a postcard of FINCA Tanzania client Sherida Mkama on her refrigerator to remind her every day of the transformative power of FINCA loans. Inspired by Sherida’s story, Christine is forgoing her daily coffee breaks, and contributing her savings to FINCA...

People of All Ages Digging Deep for Haiti

A proud mother wrote us awhile ago that her 13-year-old son Dante “handed me $20 today and said that he wanted to find a good organization to give money to for Haiti. Dante told me that he had looked up the exchange rate and figured this would be really worth something for people in Haiti.”

Bar Mitzvah Gift Helps Transform Lives

A generous young man from Illinois recently wrote us that his grandfather told him, “whatever I gave, he would match it plus add 50% more. I really like how you help people that can’t help themselves.

To the left is the card we received from our young donor.

Yoga Class Stretches to Give

Suzanne W. wrote recently to tell us that “all proceeds” from the bi-weekly yoga class she teaches in Monsey, NY “are being donated to you"...

Happy Birthday Jo Ann…and Many More

Jo Ann Field of Kansas City, a long-time member of FINCA’s Board of Directors, and the first chair of its Advisory Board, recently celebrated her birthday in a fun and unique fashion. In honor of her 75th birthday, Jo Ann asked family and friends to make donations to FINCA in lieu of birthday presents. More than $5,000 was raised in Jo Ann’s honor.

On the photo, R to L: Laura Welch, Jo Ann Field, Debbie Starke, Patty Garney, and Roxie Jerde - responsible for successfully launching KCWGG with Stacey Lorence's help

Seventh Grader’s Basketball Tournament Scores for Village Banking Campaign

While opening the mail recently, we were startled when—along with a check for $3,335.50—out tumbled a photograph of one of our most amazing new supporters: a seventh grader from New Jersey named Daniel, cradling a basketball in one hand and a Village Banking Campaign brochure in the other. 

We contacted Daniel’s mother to find out how he had been able to contribute so generously to FINCA...

Mahalo Nui, Wise Old Women

In August of 2009, we received a letter that started “Aloha from the Big Island of Hawaii” and a money order for $135 from the WOW (Wise Old Women) of Puna, Hawaii.

Jewelry Sales Support FINCA Jordan Village Bank

"Enclosed please find checks totaling $5,000 (plus a few cents) for a Village Bank in Jordan," started a wonderful letter we received from Alyson D. of Bedford, PA. Alyson joined with her mother and daughter to create and sell jewelry to support FINCA Jordan...

To the left: Alyson D., mother and daugther

A 13-Year Old Pays It Forward for FINCA

A couple of weeks ago, we received a letter from an obviously proud father in Minnesota, who told us about his son Paul, a seventh grader at St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights. His letter said, “Paul received a $100 grant of seed money from the Pay It Forward Foundation with the general mandate to do something good that would keep doing good.”