October 20, 2010
Washington, D.C.- Today the Rumsfeld Foundation announced its 2010 global microfinance grants. This year's grants, totaling $225,000, will support four global microfinance organizations.
- $125,000 grant to FINCA International to support its microfinance partners in Afghanistan, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Honduras. The grant will support staff training and the opening of new training centers and branches.
- $60,000 grant to Opportunity International to support the microfinance technology expansion efforts in Colombia and to rebuild microfinance infrastructure in Haiti following the devastation of January's earthquake.
- $25,000 grant to ACCION International's microfinance programs in India, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru, focusing on improving educational programs on microfinance as well as the expansion of rural microfinance.
- $15,000 grant to the Grameen Foundation to support microfinance in Pakistan.
Donald Rumsfeld, President of the Rumsfeld Foundation, said, "For millions around the world, microfinance is a proven route out of poverty. It creates opportunities for entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency. The Trustees and I are delighted to continue to support the microfinance organizations with which we have partnered over the last three years."
The Rumsfeld Foundation, established in 2007, rewards leadership and public service at home and supports the growth of free political and free economic systems abroad. To this end, the foundation has four focus areas: supporting charities that benefit the men and women of the U.S. military and their families, graduate fellowships for students interested in public service, building linkages between young leaders from Central Asia to the United States, and global microfinance.
Proceeds from the sales of the forthcoming memoir, Known and Unknown, will go to the veterans' charities supported by the Rumsfeld Foundation.
For more information about the Rumsfeld Foundation, please visit www.rumsfeldfoundation.org or email contact@rumsfeldfoundation.org.
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Media Contact:
Keith Urbahn
Office of Donald Rumsfeld
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k.m.urbahn@dhrllc.net