Grameen America

For people all over the world, Los Angeles is viewed as a place where dreams come true. And every one of our 300,000 women-owned businesses is the product of a hard-working dreamer with innovative ideas and a desire to take control of her own destiny. Yet despite L.A.’s status as one of the world’s largest economies, 40 percent of our female-headed households live in poverty.

Grameen America understands that success for low-income women often rests on a small amount of capital. With initial loans of up to $1,500, these borrowers are able invest in their businesses, access financial education and gain peer support. Over time, they also build a credit history that helps them become eligible for larger loans.

Launched in partnership with CCF, Grameen America’s Los Angeles program has provided nearly 10,000 L.A. women entrepreneurs with loan capital, training and support. Since 2012, it has made more than 35,000 loans and invested over $63 million in Angeleno businesses. In turn, this new generation of female entrepreneurs has been empowered to build businesses, create more than 10,000 jobs and support their families while upholding an astounding 99.8 percent repayment rate.

To join in empowering entrepreneurs to lift their families out of poverty, create jobs and transform their communities, visit grameenamerica.org.