ABOUT FEED THE HUNGER FOUNDATION:
Feed The Hunger exists to give poor people the opportunity to rise out of poverty and servitude. By partnering with organizations already serving those most in need, FTH will provide small loans and grants to organizations working with poor people throughout the world.
During the past 30 years microcredit has demonstrated that poor people consistently repay their loans, women are a better credit risk, entire families benefit from the success and engaging in microfinance can be profitable for the financier. While globally microfinance loans total $15 billion, the current demand is an estimated $300 billion.
Acknowledging this lack of funding, FTH Foundation was created by two women who have collectively spent the last 40 years working on behalf of low income, at risk, and homeless women and youth.
The Foundation will provide loans and grants to microfinance institutions, prompting the flow of capital growth and technical support, and encouraging the institutions to build their capacity. Outside of the United States, the Foundation will create its niche by funding organizations in countries without a high concentration of microfinance services. Within the United States, the Foundation will identify those populations and communities having the greatest difficulty in accessing loans. Through the Foundation’s selection process, which will include site visits and an analysis of potential borrowing organizations’ financial performance and practices, the Foundation will make certain the institution is working with the poorest of the poor in inaccessible areas. The Foundation will not solely focus on the financial performance of the organizations, but will work with them to help enhance their social impact in the local communities.
Funding began in Asia, with plans to expand into Latin America and Africa. A pilot lending program is being developed in the United States for 2009.
The foundation does its work in conjunction with individual investors, donors, and financial institutions.