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What is Oikocredit?

Oikocredit is a worldwide financial cooperative that promotes global justice by empowering disadvantaged people with credit.

Our global membership and spirit of voluntarism sets us apart as a social investment fund. For over 35 years, Oikocredit has enabled socially conscious investors – both individuals and institutions – to invest easily in microfinance institutions, trade cooperatives, fair trade organizations, and small-to-medium sized enterprises, making a difference in the lives of the poor and disenfranchised around the world.

Active Commitment & Patient Capital

The active commitment of our members motivates us to provide long-term, patient investment capital to our partners and strengthen their capacity to reach poor and low-income communities in emerging economies around the world.  We believe in people-powered solutions to the challenges brought on by poverty.

Members of the cooperative take a vote at the 2011 Annual General Meeting in Tanzania.

Redistributing Wealth to Credit-Worthy Partners

Oikocredit aggregates investor money from people primarily in the developed world and then re-distributes those investments to responsible microfinance institutions and development-oriented organizations, mostly in the developing world.

In the process, we have proven that entrepreneurs, cooperatives, and small businesses in developing countries are credit-worthy partners that continuously attract social investors.

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Mission

As a worldwide cooperative society Oikocredit promotes global justice by challenging people, churches and others to share their resources through socially responsible investments and by empowering disadvantaged people with credit. 

Values

People

All people are created equal. Oikocredit thus extends credit to marginalized people irrespective of their faith, culture, age or gender and favors the initiatives of women, as they are the backbone of their families and thus society as a whole.

Sharing

An uneven distribution of resources, wealth and power leads to a world of conflict. When people in the North, South, East and West are prepared to share what they have, respect each other and cooperate together, justice and peace can rule in the world. Oikocredit provides a mechanism for meaningful sharing.

Ecumenical spirit

Around the world people of faith are willing to share their resources. Oikocredit forms part of that worldwide coalition of solidarity.

Grassroots

Development is most effective when it stems from the grassroots. In the cooperative culture of Oikocredit, people's initiatives and participation are central to all acts and policies.

Integrity

Respect between people implies honesty and truthfulness. Oikocredit's determination is to listen with an open mind and communicate in full transparency on all parameters of its own policies. A code of conduct for those who determine the Oikocredit course is part and parcel of this principle.

Creation

A wholesome ecosystem is the basis for life. Animals, species and biodiversity should thus be preserved. Oikocredit believes that a healthy balance in nature can only be achieved in a world where resources and power are evenly spread.

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United States

Regional volunteer groups

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Oikocredit Northwest Oikocredit Western Pennsylvania

Why volunteer groups?

Oikocredit Support Associations are collectives of volunteers whose members are engaged in promoting Oikocredit’s mission. Volunteer associations are part of a long-standing tradition in Oikocredit’s work. In addition to being active volunteers for Oikocredit, Support Associations are members of the Oikocredit International cooperative.

Oikocredit has two Support Associations based in the US – the Western Pennsylvania Support Association and the Oikocredit Northwest Support Association based in Seattle. Click on the regions to learn more about how you can get involved in your local Support Association.
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Get in touch

Oikocredit USA
1701 K Street NW - Suite 1201
Washington, DC 20006
workT: +1 (202) 728-4140
faxF: +1 (202) 204-5856