Fostering economic growth and financial inclusion in underserved communities worldwide.
Explore Our InitiativesOur microenterprise support network has helped over 50,000 small business owners in underserved communities access the capital, training, and markets they need to grow sustainable businesses. Participating businesses have created over 75,000 jobs in their communities.
The network combines multiple elements designed to address the complex challenges faced by small entrepreneurs in underserved markets. At its core is a flexible financing mechanism that provides appropriately sized capital through a combination of microloans, revenue-based financing, and targeted grants. These financial products are designed to accommodate various business models and stages of growth, with terms that align with business cash flows.
Beyond financing, the program provides structured business training, personalized mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, and technical assistance in areas such as digital marketing, financial management, and operational efficiency. A critical component is the market access platform that connects participating businesses to broader supply chains, online marketplaces, and procurement opportunities. This comprehensive approach has resulted in a 68% three-year survival rate for participating businesses, significantly higher than national averages for small enterprises.
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Our Digital Financial Inclusion Lab develops and tests innovative approaches to expand financial services access in underserved communities. Working with financial institutions, technology providers, and community organizations, we're creating solutions that overcome traditional barriers to financial inclusion such as geographic isolation, documentation requirements, and financial literacy gaps.
Key initiatives include a simplified mobile banking platform designed specifically for first-time financial service users, community-based agent networks that provide in-person support for digital financial services, and financial education tools integrated directly into payment applications. These solutions have helped 285,000 previously unbanked individuals access formal financial services, with 65% demonstrating active usage of savings accounts and other financial products.
The Workforce Development Partnership addresses the skills gap affecting both job seekers and employers in rapidly evolving sectors. Our approach involves close collaboration with industry partners to identify high-demand skills, develop targeted training programs, and create pathways to quality employment for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds.
We've established training centers in 12 cities, focusing on fields such as healthcare technology, advanced manufacturing, and digital services. The programs combine technical skills development with essential workplace capabilities and ongoing career support. To date, over 8,500 participants have completed training programs, with 82% securing employment in their field of study within six months at an average salary increase of 43% compared to previous employment.
This initiative tests and scales models for building community wealth and economic resilience in historically marginalized areas. Rather than focusing solely on individual economic mobility, we support structures that create collectively owned assets and anchor wealth within communities.
Projects include worker-owned cooperatives in sectors from home care to solar installation, community land trusts that preserve affordable housing and commercial space, and procurement strategies that redirect institutional spending to local businesses. We provide both technical assistance and capital to help establish these models, while documenting and sharing effective practices. Early results show that participating worker-owned businesses provide wages 30% higher than industry averages while demonstrating greater stability during economic downturns.
Partner with PRZC Philanthropies to create lasting positive impact through innovation and collaboration in economic development.
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