Microeconomics

This year, we are bringing you People Power Microcredit, a newsletter series that goes behind the scenes to show you the incredible people driving our mission forward.

Learn more about Whole Planet Foundation microfinance partners and our global poverty alleviation in 75 countries and 17 U.S. cities in our 2018 Annual Report.

At Sappi North America (SNA), we keep sustainability at the forefront of our operations. Together with the 2020Vision— Sappi’s global growth strategy—we use our sustainability goals program to set targets, initiate improvement actions, and monitor our commitment to progress. Our goals are reflective of the desires of our employees, customers, and investors.

Each month, we will take you behind the scenes to introduce you to the teams that are dedicated to empowering the world’s poorest people to become entrepreneurs. You will meet Field Officers, volunteers, and Whole Planet Foundation staff. Through their stories you will get a glimpse into a day on the job—whether it is in Austin, Texas or Huehuetenango, Guatemala.

WPF’s Field Officer Appreciation Award is an initiative to support our partners to recognize the hard work done by field staff on the front lines of microfinance. During quarter one, WPF disbursed prizes to the field officers who were nominated by our microfinance partners at the end of 2018. Here are some highlights from this group of nominees from the Asia/Pacific region and some lovely award ceremonies that our partners have shared. Even with personalized recognition, all the staff chose to share their prize with their colleagues and/or the clients they serve!

With the tremendous support of Whole Foods Market shoppers, team members and volunteers, donors, and corporate partners, the Whole Planet Foundation Annual Prosperity Campaign raised $4,249,706 during the month of March. These efforts will support more than 128,000 people with the chance to lift themselves out of poverty through microcredit. Each year, Whole Foods Market shoppers can round up their bill or make a donation of their choice to fund microloans for people living in poverty in countries around the world where Whole Foods Market sources products. Since 2006, shoppers have contributed $45 million, close to half of the Foundation’s revenue since inception.

The brand has been a proud supporter of Whole Planet Foundation since 2012, donating more than $460,000 to alleviate global poverty through microcredit and renewing their membership in the $100,000 Fund in 2019.

Numi supports people through initiatives like Whole Planet Foundation and Together for H2OPE, a Numi Foundation nonprofit program bringing clean water and sanitation education to its family communities.

Every quarter Whole Planet Foundation aggregates field metrics from our microfinance partners who are disbursing and collecting microcredit loans to people living in poverty. With a small loan – the current average first size is $178 - an impoverished entrepreneur has the opportunity to create or expand a home-based business and generate income for herself and her family.