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Global Movement of Investors

Oikocredit is about people investing in people.

It is a movement within a movement:  a worldwide financial cooperative that promotes global justice by empowering disadvantaged people with financial inclusion, and a worldwide network of investors who make it possible.

Today Oikocredit works with partners in nearly 70 countries and has grown to be the largest private financier of microfinance in the world.  There are now 48,000 investors internationally, about 7,000 of those based in the U.S.   The vast majority are retail, or individual, investors; with institutional investors —churches and church-related organizations, Support Associations and other organizations—playing key roles in making investments as well as organizing and educating individual investors.

Investors Reflect a Range of Occupations

Investors range from financial advisors and portfolio managers acting on behalf of their clients to ministers to students and families who are social justice advocates—all seeking to make a difference in alleviating poverty.

  • Randy Rice is a community investment manager for an independent investment management firm devoted to sustainable and responsible investing.  He guides his clients to high social impact community investment opportunities, and Oikocredit is a prime vehicle.
  • Andy Loving is an ordained minister and a certified financial planner.  He has a dual goal for his investors:  social and financial.  And he believes that investing in Oikocredit is “an empowering way to put your money to work.”
  • Corinne Florek, a sister with the Adrian Dominican order, is director of the two funds representing women religious, both of which invest in Oikocredit. She currently serves on the board of directors of Oikocredit USA.
  • Rose Feerick is executive director of an ecumenical Christian ministry that invites wealthy Christians to understand and explore how their monetary resources can be used to promote social justice. She and her 12-year-old son both invest in Oikocredit.

Volunteers: Key to Outreach

Oikocredit volunteers, especially throughout Europe and the U.S., also play a critical role in reaching potential investors. Volunteers recruit investors through their personal networks of family and friends, and they work through churches, development and fair trade organizations to promote awareness of Oikocredit’s work.  More often than not, they are investors themselves.

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National Director Sharlene Brown with Washington DC area investors.

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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