Does Aid Really Work? The Case for Microfinance
February 25, 2026
Sustainable change requires working with institutions on the ground and trusting people to shape their own economic futures.
WorldWise Microfinance Blog
This Black History Month, Reflect on the Past and Build for the Future
February 17, 2026
WorldWise is committed to breaking the generational cycle of poverty that all too often began with a government that did not represent its people. There is no better way to honor Black History than by empowering current generations of Haitians, […]
Introducing Spring Intern: Molly McCormack
February 1, 2026
I am excited to join the WorldWise Microfinance team as an intern this spring. I am currently a senior at UW-Madison studying Economics, International Studies, and Data Science. My work at WorldWise allows me to combine my degrees, applying economic […]
Introducing Spring Intern: Tony McGill
January 29, 2026
I am a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I am working towards a degree in International Studies, Economics, and History. I am passionate about creating opportunities for people and communities around the world to advance economically regardless of […]
Introducing Fall Intern: Katherine Langan
November 26, 2025
I’m so excited to join WorldWise Microfinance this fall as an intern! I’m currently a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where I’m pursuing a degree in International Studies and Economics.
Nonprofit Leader of the Year - Reflections
August 6, 2025
The recognition I received only came about because of our donors, our volunteers, our partners across six countries, and most importantly, the individuals and families whose lives have been touched by WorldWise Microfinance.
Why We Sometimes Freeze a Program and What That Really Means
July 7, 2025
WorldWise Microfinance works in places where systems and infrastructure simply don’t exist. It is typical that the communities we serve are under-resourced, remote, and, at times, unstable. But that choice brings unexpected challenges: Governments falter, economies shift, and safety becomes […]
Why June 12 Matters: Important Lessons from Philippine Independence Day and the Power of Economic Freedom
June 30, 2025
On June 12, we reflected on Philippine Independence Day. We were reminded of the enduring values of freedom, resilience, and national pride. It is an opportunity to examine history, identity, and the universal pursuit of self-determination.
Celebrating Muhammad Yunus: Pioneer of Global Microfinance
June 28, 2025
Today, WorldWise Microfinance celebrates the birthday of Muhammad Yunus, a visionary economist, social entrepreneur, current head of Bangladesh, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate whose work has transformed lives around the globe. Best known as the founder of Grameen Bank and […]
WorldWise Microfinance Grows Its Community-Led Impact in Rural Ghana
June 19, 2025
Expanded Microlending Initiative Provides Women Access to Capital. MADISON, WI (June 2025) – WorldWise Microfinance, a Madison-based nonprofit organization focused on providing access to capital for women, is expanding its programming in Ghana through a new initiative in the northwestern […]
Microfinance - A sustainable path to economic empowerment when aid is cut.
June 1, 2025
A recent ProPublica investigation underscored the unfortunate impact of abrupt U.S. foreign aid withdrawals in Africa. Microfinance initiatives have emerged as a attractive alternative to reductions in aid. By fostering self-reliance and resilience, microfinance can cushion the blow when aid […]
Building Resilience Though Microfinance in the Philippines
May 17, 2025
In the Philippines, where millions live below the poverty line and many more hover just above it, access to basic financial services remains limited. Traditional banks often require collateral, formal employment, or urban residency—barriers that exclude many rural and low-income […]
Mission Driven Leadership - Deciding to Change Our Name
April 19, 2025
WMF has evolved a lot in the last 15 years, but our board is always working hard to stay true to our mission. Our mission-driven leadership ultimately led us to make a hard, but crucial, decision to change our name.
We Are Now WorldWise Microfinance
April 15, 2025
Over the past 15 years, Wisconsin Microfinance has grown, evolved, and expanded, but our mission has never wavered. As we looked forward, we recognized the need for a name that better reflected our mission, the range of the work we do, and […]
Welcome Tom Boyd - New Director of Development
April 10, 2025
We are thrilled to welcome our very first paid employee, Tom Boyd, as our new Director of Development. A seasoned leader in the nonprofit world, Tom brings decades of experience in strategic planning, resource development, and communications.
Microfinance is Empowering Possibility, Even When Global Aid is at Risk
April 5, 2025
As we mark Worldwide Microfinance Month, we celebrate not just a financial tool, but a profound act of empowerment. Microfinance is the act of providing small loans and financial services to those traditionally excluded from the formal banking sector. It […]
New Program in Uganda!
March 10, 2025
Wisconsin Microfinance is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Nsimbi Impact in Uganda. Nsimbi Impact supports female entrepreneurs and fosters sustainable growth across Sub-Saharan Africa.
A Lifeline for Women
March 5, 2025
March is Women's History Month, when we reflect on the accomplishments of women around the world. We celebrate our women loan recipients and their hard work to create a better future for themselves and their families.
Board Spotlight: Women of WorldWise Microfinance
October 17, 2024
Here at WorldWise Microfinance, we think it is important to lift up women's voices all around the world, and also here at home. That is why we are so proud to have 9 wonderful women on our board. We can […]
On the Ground in Ghana - Board Member Trevor Franda visits Moree, Site of New Microfinance Program
May 19, 2024
Driving down the two-lane highway that connects Ghana’s capital city of Accra with the historic city of Cape Coast, Nana Obokese picks up the phone, put it down, and tells his driver to stop the car at the side of […]
Microfinance and Sustainable Development - Cassidy Fish
April 28, 2024
The WorldWise Microfinance mission is deeply rooted in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. While we focus on many of the economic goals, we also recognize and honor the environmental goals. The benefits of a clean, safe, and sustainable world […]
New Member Introduction - Meet Cassidy Fish!
April 23, 2024
I have recently joined the team at WorldWise Microfinance as the Admin/Marketing Assistant. I am currently a student at UW Madison majoring in Economics, International Studies, and French. My work at WorldWise Microfinance allows me to pursue my passion for […]
Traveling to the Dominican Republic - Evan Lory
June 21, 2023
I traveled to the Dominican Republic in March as a representative of WorldWise Microfinance. It was my first trip to a developing country. Upon arrival, I quickly realized how much I take for granted, where necessities like clean water, electricity, […]
Loan Recipients in the Dominican Republic - Evan Lory
June 21, 2023
I recently had the privilege of traveling to the Dominican Republic to deliver funding for loans for female business women. While there, I met many loan recipients and learned about the kinds of businesses that are being funded.
New Member Introduction: Evan Lory
January 31, 2023
Hi, I’m Evan Lory a junior at Waunakee High School outside Madison. I am part of the Dane County Youth Apprenticeship Program which coordinates opportunities for high school students seeking hands on experiences with a local organization. Apparently, I’m one […]
Does Microfinance Actually Improve Lives?
December 5, 2022
Microfinance, once hailed as a miracle solution, has become the subject of skepticism in the last several years. There is no doubt that repayment rates are as high or higher than traditional financing, but many questioned whether these loans actually […]
Microfinance Shown to Improve Quality of Life
August 23, 2022
WorldWise Microfinance’s loan programs are improving borrowers’ overall quality of life. We are now able to demonstrate a significant and marked improvement in measures of quality of life, including number of daily meals, the presence of meat in meals and […]
We R uS: WorldWise Microfinance's Partner in Ghana
August 23, 2022
WorldWise Microfinance is extremely excited to work with We R uS, a non-profit dedicated to creating dynamic, sustainable rural communities in Ghana. Created to support economic development in rural, traditional Ghanaian communities, they are an ideal partner. By working at […]
WorldWise Microfinance's New Program in Ghana
July 26, 2022
WorldWise Microfinance is proud to announce that we have launched our first loan program on the African continent. We will be working with We R uS, a US based non-profit that serves traditional villages in Ghana. Ghana is situated on […]
Our Progress in the Dominican Republic
July 1, 2022
We are thrilled to announce that WorldWise Microfinance’s microloan program in the Dominican Republic has been officially started in La Piedra! Applicants for our loans have been selected and received their first loan in June, providing opportunities to hard-working entrepreneurs […]
Stories from the Phillipines
June 11, 2022
At WorldWise Microfinance, we pay a lot of attention to numbers. Everything we do supports and empowers loan recipients in Haiti and the Philippines. Often, we feel that the best way to measure our success is using the data we’ve […]
WorldWise Microfinance in the Dominican Republic
May 20, 2022
In 2010, WorldWise Microfinance launched our first program in Haiti. Shortly after, operations were expanded to the Philippines. And now, WorldWise Microfinance will be traveling to the Dominican Republic to provide more small, low interest loans to aspiring entrepreneurs in […]
Women and Microfinance: A Winning Combination
May 8, 2022
WorldWise Microfinance targets 80% of our loans to women, but why exactly is that? Countless studies have proven that when we lift up women, we lift up their families and their communities. Women tend to be more careful decision makers, […]
The Philippines: Struggle and Resilience
January 22, 2022
The idea of ‘Filipino Resilience’ has long been touted as something for the Philippines, and for citizens of the country, to be proud of. And maybe it is. The Philippines has a history of enduring and bouncing back from hardships; […]
A Reflection on Haiti's 2021
January 15, 2022
As we enter a new year, it is easy to focus on our own past and future; this is a time of new beginnings and reflection, centered around our efforts to make our own year better. But, in doing this, […]
New Member Introduction: Linnea Teske
January 7, 2022
Hi! On this blog, you’ll be hearing a lot more from me, Linnea Teske. I’m a freshman studying political science, and I just joined the WorldWise Microfinance team as the new Media Intern! I feel so lucky to be able […]
Borrower Spotlight: Destinvil Sherline
August 3, 2021
Destinvil Sherline is a 33-year-old mother of two. She and her husband have always put all of their time and energy into their farm. Though they practiced crop rotation and seasonal planting, their harvest and subsequent income would vary greatly […]
The Father of Microfinance
June 28, 2021
Born in 1940 in a Bangladeshi village, Muhammad Yunus has consistently challenged current economic theories and created new ways to empower the poor and underserved.
Brief History of the Philippines
June 21, 2021
In honor of Philippines Independence Day on June 12, it is important to look back on the trajectory of the Philippines. The history of the Philippines is marked by an uneven journey for self-determination.
COVID-19 and the Developing World
June 4, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted major inequalities in standards of living and access to medical care between the global north and global south. The countries WorldWise Microfinance operates in, Haiti and the Philippines, have had incredible struggles in fighting both […]
Natural Disasters and Microfinance
May 15, 2021
The role of microfinance is clearest in countries suffering from the impact of natural disasters. Natural disasters in Haiti and the Philippines presented a need for new and innovative ways of assisting in recovery.
Sharing Stories
May 10, 2021
In this week’s blog, we are going to look back at the lives of some of WorldWise Microfinance’s loan recipients in the Philippines. These two stories are representative of the stories of loan recipients from around the world.
Changing Access to Capital
April 22, 2021
WorldWise Microfinance is dedicated to providing access to capital for marginalized communities in Haiti and the Philippines. Access to capital in the developing world is often limited to those with wealth that live in cities. The poor lack of both […]
Current Events in Haiti
March 18, 2021
WorldWise Microfinance has an incredibly special relationship with the country of Haiti. After the earthquake in 2010, we developed a program that made small loans to people who lost their businesses and livelihoods. During a visit to the country in […]
WorldWise Microfinance and Sustainable Development
March 4, 2021
According to the UN’s Brundtland Commission, “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Women: The Champions of Microfinance
February 22, 2021
The role of women in the developing world is vital to the health and wellbeing of families. According to Muhammed Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank “money entering a household through a woman brings more benefits to the family as […]
Rehashing the Basics
February 11, 2021
What is Microfinance? Making small loans to individuals that lack collateral and that are not able to take out a loan from a bank, credit union or other traditional financial institution is the purpose of microfinance. Access to banking systems […]
Webinar Series: Microfinance 101
May 8, 2020
The first in a series of webinars, Why Microfinance explores the importance of microfinance as a tool for alleviating poverty. WorldWise Microfinance founder and president Tom Eggert explains what microfinance is and why we’ve chosen to employ it.
Notes from the Philippines | Entry 5
December 20, 2019
As we approach the end of our time here in the Philippines, we have had a lot to reflect upon. Looking back on the past two and a half months, we are very grateful for the people we’ve met, the […]
With Gratitude
November 26, 2019
Because of you…When an earthquake hit Sagbayan, Philippines in 2013, Jessica Basi’s store and home were completely destroyed, leaving her unable to continue her business. In the aftermath, many people with destroyed homes had to relocate to another barangay (village), […]
Notes from the Philippines | Entry 4
November 12, 2019
Morgan and Natalia with WMF beneficiaries and friends on the islet of Lapinig. Hi (again)! Morgan and Natalia here. Part of our role here in the Philippines has been to help our local partners assess the impact of WorldWise Microfinance […]
Notes from the Philippines | Entry 3
October 27, 2019
Hi again! This week we are writing to you all from the island of Bohol. The island is in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines and approximately a two hour ferry ride from Cebu City. For those of you […]
Notes from the Philippines | Entry 2
October 6, 2019
Hi everyone! As we traveled around Cebu and the island of Bohol this week to visit some WI Microfinance beneficiaries and co-op partners, here’s what was on our minds:
Notes from the Philippines | Entry 1
September 26, 2019
Hi, all! Morgan and Natalia here. We are happy to share that our first week in the Philippines has been absolutely incredible. Since the moment we landed in Mactan International Airport in Cebu, we have had the privilege of experiencing […]
Fall in the Philippines
September 6, 2019
Thank You For the Difference You’ve Made! Because of you, Lorna Villa, mother of seven and grandmother of three, was able to hold on to her snack business during a health crisis when she was unable to work the grueling […]
This Holiday Season
November 29, 2018
Each and every year it rolls around…the Holiday Season. Some of us dread it, while some of us couldn’t be more excited for it’s arrival. A time for family, friends, giving and love, can often turn into a time of […]
After Haiyan
November 7, 2018
In November of 2013, the Philippines were shook by the catastrophic effects of Typhoon Haiyan. One of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded, Haiyan left over 4,000 people dead or missing. It damaged or completely destroyed more than 1.1 million […]
Donor Spotlight: Kathy Donovan
October 22, 2018
This month, we would like to honor a special donor of ours, Kathy Donovan. Her generous donations to our organization are greatly appreciated by each and every one of us at WorldWise Microfinance, so we are thrilled to share a […]
Since the Prize
October 4, 2018
Born on June 28, 1940, Muhammad Yunus entered the world as young Muslim boy in a country where not many individuals see economic prosperity. As a developing nation, Bangladesh ranks 43rd in terms of nominal gross domestic product, and is […]
Donor Spotlight: Kristin Holman-Steffel and Mike Steffel
September 26, 2018
As the school year gets back into full swing, we excitedly bring back our Donor of the Month blog post! September is winding down, but we would love to take a moment to recognize two of our generous donors, Kristin […]
Microfinance's Role in Disaster Recovery
May 31, 2018
The Earth is changing. That is for certain. Though the future is undefined, especially on a climate scale, it is sure to contain an increase in both the frequency and intensity of storms. According to the National Weather Service, the […]
Mother's Day Microfinance
May 13, 2018
Every year on Mother’s day, we take time out to recognize and appreciate the mothers who have given and nurtured life in all of us. However, this adoration should not be reserved to just one day. Around the world, especially […]
Donor Spotlight: LeeAnn Glover
May 1, 2018
As another month begins, we would like to take a moment to once again recognize another one of our wonderful donors, LeeAnn Glover.
Why I Believe in Microfinance
April 23, 2018
Around the world, there are thousands upon thousands of charities doing wonderful work for worthy causes. There is never a shortage of need. In almost every community, both local and global, there is work that needs to be done. However, […]
Logistics of Microfinance: The How
April 8, 2018
In this blog, we often write about the benefits that microfinance is able to offer to communities to fight poverty, balance gender disparities, avoid environmental degradation, etc. However, the logistics of how microfinance itself functions is sometimes lost in the […]
Overcrowding and Underfunding: Microfinance and Slowing Urban Concentration
March 19, 2018
Around 75% of the developing world’s poor still live in rural areas. However, urban growth in these same countries accounts for much of the United Nation’s predicted global population increases. Not only are these levels of urban migration increasing every […]
The Role of Microfinance in Mitigating Gender Inquality
March 11, 2018
One of the main pillars of microfinance is its focus on women. In terms of financial institutions, microfinance stands alone in its prioritization of the economic health of women. In fact, over 80% of all microloans are afforded to women. […]
Donor Spotlight: Ruth Ohlrogge
March 5, 2018
As we begin to recognize more and more of our donors for the integral help that they provide in assisting our programs and our mission, we would like to recognize one person who has an intensely personal connection to WorldWise […]
The Problem With Predatory Lenders and The Microfinance Solution
February 25, 2018
Many times on this blog, we have brought up microfinance’s role in breaking the “cycle of poverty.” We place a great deal of importance on this issue as the repetitive nature of poverty means that breaking the chain for one […]
Microfinance and the Environment: Where Responsibility Meets Sustainability
February 19, 2018
Usually, business development and environmental health are talked about as being mutually exclusive entities. Stories of clear-cutting rainforest for soybeans and livestock or mountaintop removal mines in West Virginia certainly reflect a reality in which, too frequently, short-term profits spell […]
Microloans and Mobile Phones: Technology's Impact on the Future of Microfinance
February 9, 2018
Without a doubt, the greatest advancement of the last 50 years has been the revelation of the internet. Paired with the rising tide of globalization, technology has linked the world like never before. With the increased spread of communication has […]
Donor Spotlight: Theresa Rooney
February 1, 2018
As we finish the first month of 2018, we are provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress of New Year’s resolutions and appreciate the growth that has occurred. At this moment, we would like to take this opportunity to […]
Haiti Non-Profits: The Madison Connection
January 21, 2018
For the past few years in mid-January, Madison area non-profits with operations in Haiti have been getting together for a “Haiti roundtable.” The annual meeting was created to help the organizations better cooperate about current goals and initiatives in the […]
The 2010 Haitian Earthquake: 8 Years Later
January 12, 2018
Eight years ago today, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck just west of Haiti’s capital, Port Au Prince. Twelve days and 52 aftershocks later, an estimated 160,000 people were dead. Although there have been stronger earthquakes that have had much lower […]
Donor Spotlight: Aaron Gary
December 27, 2017
As we round out the holiday season, it is important to reflect on the sentiments that make this time of year so special: giving, family, and reflection. This month, we turn our donor spotlight to a more recent addition to […]
What Makes A Gift?
December 17, 2017
There’s the old adage that goes “It is better to give than to receive” that we all have heard from our parents and one we all will likely pass on the same. When I was a child, I did not […]
The Loanees of WorldWise Microfinance
December 2, 2017
Although the importance of microfinance has grown exponentially in the past few decades, it is not itself an end all solution. In truth, a loan is worth nothing without a headstrong recipient. At WorldWise Microfinance, we are lucky enough to […]
Donor Spotlight: Alana McKeever
November 25, 2017
Because WorldWise Microfinance relies entirely on our supporter base for funds, our donors are especially important to us and our success. Any advances made, any people or families lifted out of abject poverty, in fact, any programs at all are […]
Development Snapshot: Haiti and the Philippines
November 18, 2017
The phrase “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps” is a classic American phrase that highlights the idea of personal self-reliance that the US so loves to harp on. However, how does one improve their situation when they don’t even […]
The Necessity of Hope
November 11, 2017
Every day, it seems, there is a new crisis somewhere in the world. Especially as of late, news cycles are so often dominated by doom and gloom. Hurricanes destroying the Caribbean, political unrest in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, and […]
Remembering Typhoon Haiyan
November 5, 2017
Four years ago, the Philippines was utterly devastated by the strongest landfalling tropical cyclone on record, Typhoon Haiyan. The 30th storm of the 2013 Pacific Typhoon season, Haiyan originally seemed to be just another strong tropical storm. However, as it […]
Donor Spotlight: Tom Kenney
October 29, 2017
This past week, we at WorldWise Microfinance received one of the largest single donations we have ever had in our eight years of operations, made in memory of Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Tom Kenny. We were so touched by Tom’s […]
Closing the Gap: Issues with Global Agriculture and the Need for Increased Funding
October 20, 2017
Globally, one in seven people are hungry. In Africa, one in four people are hungry, and populations are only continuing to climb exponentially. However, in the same place, farmers are only producing at 40% capacity. There are a multitude of […]
The Necessity of Sustainability
October 14, 2017
What does it mean to be sustainable? When applied to the environment, sustainability refers to a state in which the strain put on the environment can be met without reducing its capacity to allow all people to live well into […]
Muhammad Yunus: The Architect of Microfinance
October 6, 2017
Every year, the first week of October serves as a global celebration of knowledge and understanding as the Nobel prizes are awarded in recognition of academic, cultural, and scientific advances. Past prize winners include Kofi Annan, Nelson Mandela, and most […]
A Spotlight on Mozayik
September 29, 2017
Imagine that your entire community has been destroyed: houses leveled, lives forced to start again in a new and unfamiliar location. Imagine that you straggled to whatever patch of land you could find and attempted to regain some sense of […]
WorldWise Microfinance: After the Storm
September 23, 2017
This week, Hurricane Irma ravaged the Caribbean while her contemporaries, Harvey and Maria, made devastating landfalls of their own, creating a three-pronged path of destruction. Antigua and Barbuda, one of the small island nations affected, reported having up to 95% […]
WorldWise Microfinance: Empowering Women
April 3, 2017
WorldWise Microfinance was founded in 2010 in response to the earthquake in Haiti that killed hundreds of thousands of people and destroyed the livelihoods of the vast majority of people in and around Port au Prince. Our original mandate for […]
Our Commitment to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals
March 29, 2017
Today, there are 836 million people living in extreme poverty, and while a great amount of work has already been done to decrease that number, a lot still must be done. In 2015, under the direction of the United Nations […]
Introducing the New Co-Executive Directors!
February 21, 2017
Hello! We are Meg DiPoto and Jane McCurry and we are the new co-executive directors of WorldWise Microfinance! We are excited to take on this role and increase the visibility of WorldWise Microfinance.