Blog — Grameen America

<!doctype html> <html xmlns:og="http://opengraphprotocol.org/schema/" xmlns:fb="http://www.facebook.com/2008/fbml" lang="en-US" > <head> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1"> <meta name="viewport" content="initial-scale=1">  <base href=""> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <title>Blog — Grameen America </title> <meta http-equiv="Accept-CH" content="Sec-CH-UA-Platform-Version, Sec-CH-UA-Model" /><link rel="icon" type="image/x-icon" href="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1536870643175-DS2LJ22CHBL8YGSWLKZ1/favicon.ico?format=100w"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.grameenamerica.org/blog"/> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Grameen America "/> <meta property="og:title" content="Blog — Grameen America "/> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.grameenamerica.org/blog"/> <meta property="og:type" content="website"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Our Blog&nbsp;"/> <meta itemprop="name" content="Blog — Grameen America "/> <meta itemprop="url" content="https://www.grameenamerica.org/blog"/> <meta itemprop="description" content="Our Blog&nbsp;"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Blog — Grameen America "/> <meta name="twitter:url" content="https://www.grameenamerica.org/blog"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Our Blog&nbsp;"/> <meta name="description" content="Our Blog " /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://use.typekit.net" crossorigin> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://p.typekit.net" crossorigin> <script type="text/javascript" src="//use.typekit.net/ik/C32iqukFGqD-gDLDCYQ8cr6NmCT7e9LsKZgFTXNAHfCfeGqBfFHN4UJLFRbh52jhWDmyjABRwcwUZ2JaFeFKFDIX5QSawDbDwg7pMkG0jAFu-WsoShFGZAsude80ZkoRdhXCHKoyjamTiY8Djhy8ZYmC-Ao1Oco8if37OcBDOcu8OfG0-cBDdhtlZa4zj1FXZA80OWy3FeI0SaBujW48Sagyjh90jhNlOfG0SaBujW48SagyjhmDjhy8ZYmC-Ao1OcFzdPUyjamTiY8Djhy8ZYmC-Ao1OcFzdPUyjamTiY8Djhy8ZYmC-Ao1Oco8ifUySkolZPU1ScBlZAm0jAu8Sc8RjPozScSC-cBDdhtlZa4zj1FXZA80OWy3FeI0SaBujW48Sagyjh90jhNlOeUzjhBC-eNDifUDSWmyScmDSeBRZWFR-emqiAUTdcS0jhNlOYiaikoyjamTiY8Djhy8ZYmC-Ao1OcFzdPUaiaS0jAFu-WsoShFGZAsude80Zko0ZWbCiaiaOcBDOcu8OYiaiko1ScBlZAm0jAu8Sc8RjPozScSCiaiaOcTyShN0OAikdh4DiemTdKutS2syO1FUiABkZWF3jAF8OcFzdPUaiaS0SaBujW48SagyjhmDjhy8ZYmC-Ao1OcFzdPJwSY4zpe8ljPu0daZyJ68DdhZTjPu3Scv7fbRKHyMMeMw6MKG4fHvgIMMjgfMfH6GJCwbgIMMjgPMfH6qJK3IbMg6YJMJ7fbRRHyMMeMX6MKG4fJ3gIMMjIPMfH6GJa_vgIMIjMkMfH6GJt_vgIMIjgfMfH6GJtdvgIMIjgPMfH6GJodvgIMIjgKMfH6GJh_vgIMIjgkMfH6GJoOvgIMIj2KMfH6GJEOvgIMIjIfMfH6GJaOvgIMIjIPMfqMYYtzLXgb.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript">try{Typekit.load();}catch(e){}</script> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Alice:wght@400&family=Montserrat:ital,wght@0,700;1,700"> <script type="text/javascript" crossorigin="anonymous" nomodule="nomodule" src="//assets.squarespace.com/@sqs/polyfiller/1.6/legacy.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" crossorigin="anonymous" src="//assets.squarespace.com/@sqs/polyfiller/1.6/modern.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript">SQUARESPACE_ROLLUPS = {};</script> <script>(function(rollups, name) { if (!rollups[name]) { rollups[name] = {}; } rollups[name].js = ["//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/extract-css-runtime-3931186c5cb46439-min.en-US.js"]; })(SQUARESPACE_ROLLUPS, 'squarespace-extract_css_runtime');</script> <script crossorigin="anonymous" src="//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/extract-css-runtime-3931186c5cb46439-min.en-US.js" ></script><script>(function(rollups, name) { if (!rollups[name]) { rollups[name] = {}; } rollups[name].js = ["//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/extract-css-moment-js-vendor-b60fc53b12f6d6c5-min.en-US.js"]; })(SQUARESPACE_ROLLUPS, 'squarespace-extract_css_moment_js_vendor');</script> <script crossorigin="anonymous" src="//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/extract-css-moment-js-vendor-b60fc53b12f6d6c5-min.en-US.js" ></script><script>(function(rollups, name) { if (!rollups[name]) { rollups[name] = {}; } rollups[name].js = ["//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/cldr-resource-pack-8968cadc5fe02fa1-min.en-US.js"]; })(SQUARESPACE_ROLLUPS, 'squarespace-cldr_resource_pack');</script> <script crossorigin="anonymous" src="//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/cldr-resource-pack-8968cadc5fe02fa1-min.en-US.js" ></script><script>(function(rollups, name) { if (!rollups[name]) { rollups[name] = {}; } rollups[name].js = ["//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/common-vendors-stable-51880dc0d7a0158c-min.en-US.js"]; })(SQUARESPACE_ROLLUPS, 'squarespace-common_vendors_stable');</script> <script crossorigin="anonymous" src="//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/common-vendors-stable-51880dc0d7a0158c-min.en-US.js" ></script><script>(function(rollups, name) { if (!rollups[name]) { rollups[name] = {}; } rollups[name].js = ["//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/common-vendors-3b1539fa1b6f30bd-min.en-US.js"]; })(SQUARESPACE_ROLLUPS, 'squarespace-common_vendors');</script> <script crossorigin="anonymous" src="//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/common-vendors-3b1539fa1b6f30bd-min.en-US.js" ></script><script>(function(rollups, name) { if (!rollups[name]) { rollups[name] = {}; } rollups[name].js = ["//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/common-aa1097cae3f58e4a-min.en-US.js"]; })(SQUARESPACE_ROLLUPS, 'squarespace-common');</script> <script crossorigin="anonymous" src="//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/common-aa1097cae3f58e4a-min.en-US.js" ></script><script>(function(rollups, name) { if (!rollups[name]) { rollups[name] = {}; } rollups[name].js = ["//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/performance-3d12b5603000c0d7-min.en-US.js"]; })(SQUARESPACE_ROLLUPS, 'squarespace-performance');</script> <script crossorigin="anonymous" src="//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/performance-3d12b5603000c0d7-min.en-US.js" defer ></script><script data-name="static-context">Static = window.Static || {}; Static.SQUARESPACE_CONTEXT = {"betaFeatureFlags":["campaigns_discount_section_in_blasts","order_status_page_checkout_landing_enabled","contacts_and_campaigns_redesign","campaigns_import_discounts","i18n_beta_website_locales","marketing_landing_page","marketing_automations","campaigns_new_image_layout_picker","campaigns_thumbnail_layout","campaigns_discount_section_in_automations"],"facebookAppId":"314192535267336","facebookApiVersion":"v6.0","rollups":{"squarespace-announcement-bar":{"js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/announcement-bar-d9140c26764dada7-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-audio-player":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/audio-player-5d864aadea1060d1-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/audio-player-4add723bec515bc1-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-blog-collection-list":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/blog-collection-list-b4046463b72f34e2-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/blog-collection-list-2bc8ffced79434c2-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-calendar-block-renderer":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/calendar-block-renderer-b72d08ba4421f5a0-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/calendar-block-renderer-e78e4c7c89d060b8-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-chartjs-helpers":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/chartjs-helpers-96b256171ee039c1-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/chartjs-helpers-985dc0e898ac717d-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-comments":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/comments-01eecf660cca1c8d-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/comments-f40ec57a1a87ed09-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-custom-css-popup":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/custom-css-popup-99329fa14fe9f9fd-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/custom-css-popup-70cd8746c4655783-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-dialog":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/dialog-f9093f2d526b94df-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/dialog-4c145699a6035592-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-events-collection":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/events-collection-b72d08ba4421f5a0-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/events-collection-fa38ef21dd3d6e82-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-form-rendering-utils":{"js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/form-rendering-utils-2422fab4c25882f9-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-forms":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/forms-0afd3c6ac30bbab1-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/forms-095d49fe2cf3edae-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-gallery-collection-list":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/gallery-collection-list-b4046463b72f34e2-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/gallery-collection-list-5b231f1a80a493f8-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-image-zoom":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/image-zoom-b4046463b72f34e2-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/image-zoom-ba4f5ef19694c5c5-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-pinterest":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/pinterest-b4046463b72f34e2-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/pinterest-59fc05e9ffe9afe8-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-popup-overlay":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/popup-overlay-b742b752f5880972-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/popup-overlay-9ce3a2f0ee3aceba-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-product-quick-view":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/product-quick-view-0ba5bac716923b8e-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/product-quick-view-25cdca407e3d26d2-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-products-collection-item-v2":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/products-collection-item-v2-b4046463b72f34e2-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/products-collection-item-v2-35df7fa418f0d809-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-products-collection-list-v2":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/products-collection-list-v2-b4046463b72f34e2-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/products-collection-list-v2-b261208474097065-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-search-page":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/search-page-90a67fc09b9b32c6-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/search-page-31860270cdc8e91c-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-search-preview":{"js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/search-preview-d0719fce70a60269-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-simple-liking":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/simple-liking-701bf8bbc05ec6aa-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/simple-liking-3214405663ad2a02-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-social-buttons":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/social-buttons-95032e5fa98e47a5-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/social-buttons-ae7e03db577a159f-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-tourdates":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/tourdates-b4046463b72f34e2-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/tourdates-69d8ac39d2409870-min.en-US.js"},"squarespace-website-overlays-manager":{"css":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/styles-compressed/website-overlays-manager-07ea5a4e004e6710-min.en-US.css","js":"//assets.squarespace.com/universal/scripts-compressed/website-overlays-manager-d21f8179e743734d-min.en-US.js"}},"pageType":1,"website":{"id":"5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430","identifier":"jason-grobstein-xp4a","websiteType":1,"contentModifiedOn":1741983087511,"cloneable":false,"hasBeenCloneable":false,"siteStatus":{},"language":"en-US","timeZone":"America/New_York","machineTimeZoneOffset":-14400000,"timeZoneOffset":-14400000,"timeZoneAbbr":"EDT","siteTitle":"Grameen America ","fullSiteTitle":"Blog \u2014 Grameen America ","siteDescription":"","logoImageId":"5dc2e5c9a0127258c71ffb73","shareButtonOptions":{"6":true,"1":true,"4":true,"8":true,"7":true,"2":true,"3":true},"logoImageUrl":"//images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1573053897491-3X0K1T2XNJO30644KAF9/Standard-Teal_JPG_WEB_R.jpg","authenticUrl":"https://www.grameenamerica.org","internalUrl":"https://jason-grobstein-xp4a.squarespace.com","baseUrl":"https://www.grameenamerica.org","primaryDomain":"www.grameenamerica.org","sslSetting":3,"isHstsEnabled":false,"socialAccounts":[{"serviceId":2,"userId":"371831519997993","screenname":"Jason Soloman","addedOn":1523295955517,"profileUrl":"https://www.facebook.com/GrameenAmerica/","iconUrl":"http://graph.facebook.com/371831519997993/picture?type=square","metaData":{"service":"facebook"},"iconEnabled":true,"serviceName":"facebook"},{"serviceId":4,"userId":"49749731","userName":"GrameenAmerica","screenname":"Grameen America","addedOn":1521491552818,"profileUrl":"https://twitter.com/GrameenAmerica","iconUrl":"http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/909892146936844291/OQONDTxY_normal.jpg","collectionId":"5ab01e6085ede1d9006c2667","iconEnabled":true,"serviceName":"twitter"},{"serviceId":10,"userId":"237301555","userName":"grameenamerica","screenname":"Grameen America","addedOn":1521491512872,"profileUrl":"http://instagram.com/grameenamerica","iconUrl":"https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/vp/629870a83c02cb0524f199e22e1bd06d/5B3D7D05/t51.2885-19/s150x150/21879142_558936174497864_2816533247981256704_n.jpg","collectionId":"5ab01e38f407b4cc6d566bb5","iconEnabled":true,"serviceName":"instagram"},{"serviceId":12,"userId":"14102286","userName":"grameenamerica","screenname":"Grameen America","addedOn":1523296009416,"profileUrl":"http://vimeo.com/grameenamerica","iconEnabled":true,"serviceName":"vimeo"},{"serviceId":65,"screenname":"LinkedIn","addedOn":1659710663845,"profileUrl":"https://www.linkedin.com/company/grameen-america-inc-/","iconEnabled":true,"serviceName":"linkedin-unauth"}],"typekitId":"","statsMigrated":false,"imageMetadataProcessingEnabled":false,"screenshotId":"d4fa43f909afe2b0abd79480ce2c16c6e0161313a2da948f4658050f93f5736e","captchaSettings":{"enabledForDonations":false},"showOwnerLogin":false},"websiteSettings":{"id":"5aaac2c1d274cb7149773433","websiteId":"5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430","subjects":[],"country":"US","state":"NY","simpleLikingEnabled":true,"mobileInfoBarSettings":{"isContactEmailEnabled":false,"isContactPhoneNumberEnabled":false,"isLocationEnabled":false,"isBusinessHoursEnabled":false},"popupOverlaySettings":{"style":1,"showOnScroll":true,"scrollPercentage":25,"showOnTimer":true,"timerDelay":0,"showUntilSignup":false,"displayFrequency":1,"enableMobile":true,"enabledPages":["5ad643e770a6adc555d36b9a","5ad4c82baa4a9938c7f1b852","5b5f1bbaaa4a99bb71a67693","5acf715b6d2a73de6792d027","5ab12bed03ce640c3c5463fa","5afdea14562fa72829f82422","5aaac6cb758d46ff02cf319a","5accd71df950b742526bbf9c","5ab01af4575d1f1af46dd617","5ab01b65575d1f1af46df266","5ad6459b0e2e720b81d3bbb6","5b0469c98a922d98a3cd70b2","5b0572b1758d46cab845b074","5b05a279562fa7dc52bcffc1","5ad645b670a6adc555d3d9ed","5ade1c182b6a28b721d68add","5ade1e611ae6cf728f820552","5ad8bf5bf950b72c7fba13f6","5ade18d02b6a28b721d5b985","5ade174003ce645c4bb431a1","5ade16776d2a7303c2618d13","5b992fad758d466394226ab1"],"showOnAllPages":false,"version":1},"commentLikesAllowed":true,"commentAnonAllowed":true,"commentThreaded":true,"commentApprovalRequired":false,"commentAvatarsOn":true,"commentSortType":2,"commentFlagThreshold":0,"commentFlagsAllowed":true,"commentEnableByDefault":true,"commentDisableAfterDaysDefault":0,"disqusShortname":"","commentsEnabled":false,"contactPhoneNumber":"","storeSettings":{"returnPolicy":null,"termsOfService":null,"privacyPolicy":null,"expressCheckout":false,"continueShoppingLinkUrl":"/","useLightCart":false,"showNoteField":false,"shippingCountryDefaultValue":"US","billToShippingDefaultValue":false,"showShippingPhoneNumber":true,"isShippingPhoneRequired":false,"showBillingPhoneNumber":true,"isBillingPhoneRequired":false,"currenciesSupported":["CHF","HKD","MXN","EUR","DKK","USD","CAD","MYR","NOK","THB","AUD","SGD","ILS","PLN","GBP","CZK","SEK","NZD","PHP","RUB"],"defaultCurrency":"USD","selectedCurrency":"USD","measurementStandard":1,"showCustomCheckoutForm":false,"checkoutPageMarketingOptInEnabled":false,"enableMailingListOptInByDefault":false,"sameAsRetailLocation":false,"merchandisingSettings":{"scarcityEnabledOnProductItems":false,"scarcityEnabledOnProductBlocks":false,"scarcityMessageType":"DEFAULT_SCARCITY_MESSAGE","scarcityThreshold":10,"multipleQuantityAllowedForServices":true,"restockNotificationsEnabled":false,"restockNotificationsSuccessText":"","restockNotificationsMailingListSignUpEnabled":false,"relatedProductsEnabled":false,"relatedProductsOrdering":"random","soldOutVariantsDropdownDisabled":false,"productComposerOptedIn":false,"productComposerABTestOptedOut":false,"productReviewsEnabled":false,"displayImportedProductReviewsEnabled":false,"hasOptedToCollectNativeReviews":false},"minimumOrderSubtotalEnabled":false,"minimumOrderSubtotal":{"currency":"USD","value":"0.00"},"isLive":false,"multipleQuantityAllowedForServices":true},"useEscapeKeyToLogin":true,"ssBadgeType":1,"ssBadgePosition":4,"ssBadgeVisibility":1,"ssBadgeDevices":1,"pinterestOverlayOptions":{"mode":"disabled"},"ampEnabled":false,"userAccountsSettings":{"loginAllowed":false,"signupAllowed":false}},"cookieSettings":{"isCookieBannerEnabled":true,"isRestrictiveCookiePolicyEnabled":false,"cookieBannerText":"By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. We use cookies to provide you with a great experience and to help our website run effectively.","cookieBannerTheme":"LIGHT","cookieBannerThemeName":"white","cookieBannerVariant":"BAR","cookieBannerPosition":"BOTTOM","cookieBannerCtaVariant":"ICON","cookieBannerCtaText":"OK","cookieBannerAcceptType":"OPT_IN","cookieBannerHasOptOut":false,"cookieBannerHasManageCookies":false,"cookieBannerSavedPreferencesLayout":"PILL"},"websiteCloneable":false,"collection":{"title":"Blog","id":"5ab12bed03ce640c3c5463fa","fullUrl":"/blog","type":1,"permissionType":1},"subscribed":false,"appDomain":"squarespace.com","templateTweakable":true,"tweakJSON":{"aspect-ratio":"Auto","gallery-arrow-style":"No Background","gallery-aspect-ratio":"3:2 Standard","gallery-auto-crop":"true","gallery-autoplay":"false","gallery-design":"Slideshow","gallery-info-overlay":"Show on Hover","gallery-loop":"false","gallery-navigation":"Bullets","gallery-show-arrows":"true","gallery-transitions":"Fade","galleryArrowBackground":"rgba(34,34,34,1)","galleryArrowColor":"rgba(255,255,255,1)","galleryAutoplaySpeed":"3","galleryCircleColor":"rgba(255,255,255,1)","galleryInfoBackground":"rgba(0, 0, 0, .7)","galleryThumbnailSize":"100px","gridSize":"350px","gridSpacing":"20px","tweak-blog-list-columns":"3","tweak-blog-list-item-image-aspect-ratio-grid":"4:3 Four-Three","tweak-blog-list-item-image-aspect-ratio-stacked":"3:2 Standard","tweak-blog-list-item-image-show":"true","tweak-blog-list-spacing":"68px","tweak-blog-list-style":"Grid","tweak-footer-layout":"Columns","tweak-header-bottom-overlay-on-index-gallery":"false","tweak-index-gallery-apply-bottom-spacing":"true","tweak-index-gallery-autoplay-duration":"2","tweak-index-gallery-autoplay-enable":"true","tweak-index-gallery-fixed-height":"true","tweak-index-gallery-height":"100vh","tweak-index-gallery-indicators":"Lines","tweak-index-gallery-layout":"Grid","tweak-index-gallery-transition":"Fade","tweak-index-gallery-transition-duration":"500","tweak-index-nav-position":"Right","tweak-index-page-apply-bottom-spacing":"false","tweak-index-page-fullscreen":"Pages with Backgrounds Only","tweak-index-page-min-height":"74vh","tweak-mobile-breakpoint":"640px","tweak-overlay-parallax-enabled":"true","tweak-overlay-parallax-new-math":"true","tweak-product-item-image-zoom-factor":"2","tweak-product-list-item-hover-behavior":"Fade","tweak-product-list-items-per-row":"2","tweak-related-products-items-per-row":"3","tweak-related-products-title-spacing":"50px","tweak-site-ajax-loading-enable":"false","tweak-site-border-show":"false","tweak-site-border-width":"10px"},"templateId":"55f0aac0e4b0f0a5b7e0b22e","templateVersion":"7","pageFeatures":[1,2,4],"gmRenderKey":"QUl6YVN5Q0JUUk9xNkx1dkZfSUUxcjQ2LVQ0QWVUU1YtMGQ3bXk4","templateScriptsRootUrl":"https://static1.squarespace.com/static/ta/55f0a9b0e4b0f3eb70352f6d/354/scripts/","impersonatedSession":false,"demoCollections":[{"collectionId":"59e77875b1ffb6b9f6f03b12","deleted":false}],"tzData":{"zones":[[-300,"US","E%sT",null]],"rules":{"US":[[1967,2006,null,"Oct","lastSun","2:00","0","S"],[1987,2006,null,"Apr","Sun>=1","2:00","1:00","D"],[2007,"max",null,"Mar","Sun>=8","2:00","1:00","D"],[2007,"max",null,"Nov","Sun>=1","2:00","0","S"]]}},"showAnnouncementBar":false,"recaptchaEnterpriseContext":{"recaptchaEnterpriseSiteKey":"6LdDFQwjAAAAAPigEvvPgEVbb7QBm-TkVJdDTlAv"},"i18nContext":{"timeZoneData":{"id":"America/New_York","name":"Eastern Time"}},"env":"PRODUCTION"};</script><script>Squarespace.load(window);</script> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="RSS Feed" href="https://www.grameenamerica.org/blog?format=rss" /> <script type="application/ld+json">{"url":"https://www.grameenamerica.org","name":"Grameen America ","description":"","image":"//images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1573053897491-3X0K1T2XNJO30644KAF9/Standard-Teal_JPG_WEB_R.jpg","@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"WebSite"}</script><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/sitecss/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/260/55f0aac0e4b0f0a5b7e0b22e/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773445/354/site.css"/><script data-sqs-type="cookiepreferencesgetter">(function(){window.getSquarespaceCookies = function() { const getCookiesAllowed = function(cookieName){ return ('; '+document.cookie).split('; ' + cookieName + '=').pop().split(';')[0] === 'true'}; return { performance: getCookiesAllowed('ss_performanceCookiesAllowed') ? 'accepted' : 'declined', marketing: getCookiesAllowed('ss_marketingCookiesAllowed') ? 'accepted' : 'declined' }}})()</script><script src="https://bd1ef347c2a641d68c807c70757874e7.js.ubembed.com" async></script> <script src="https://bd1ef347c2a641d68c807c70757874e7.js.ubembed.com" async></script> <script src="//ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.1/jquery.min.js"></script> <squarespace:script src="plugin.js" combo="true" /> <squarespace:script src="site.js" combo="true" /><script>Static.COOKIE_BANNER_CAPABLE = true;</script> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-38325582-1"></script><script>window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}gtag('js', new Date());gtag('set', 'developer_id.dZjQwMz', true);gtag('config', 'UA-38325582-1');</script><script>!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.agent='plsquarespace';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js');fbq('init', '456686332683909');fbq('track', "PageView");</script> </head> <body id="collection-5ab12bed03ce640c3c5463fa" class="tweak-social-icons-style-regular tweak-social-icons-shape-square tweak-site-width-option-full-width tweak-icon-weight-light tweak-site-ajax-loading-bar-show ancillary-header-top-left-layout-horizontal ancillary-header-top-center-layout-horizontal ancillary-header-top-right-layout-horizontal ancillary-header-bottom-left-layout-horizontal ancillary-header-bottom-center-layout-horizontal ancillary-header-bottom-right-layout-horizontal ancillary-header-branding-position-top-left ancillary-header-tagline-position-hide ancillary-header-primary-nav-position-top-right ancillary-header-secondary-nav-position-top-right ancillary-header-social-position-hide ancillary-header-search-position-top-right ancillary-header-cart-position-hide ancillary-header-account-position-hide tweak-header-primary-nav-hover-style-fade tweak-header-primary-nav-button-style-solid tweak-header-primary-nav-button-shape-square tweak-header-secondary-nav-hover-style-button tweak-header-secondary-nav-button-style-outline tweak-header-secondary-nav-button-shape-pill tweak-header-search-style-icon-only tweak-header-search-placeholder-show tweak-header-cart-style-text tweak-header-account-style-text tweak-overlay-parallax-enabled tweak-overlay-parallax-new-math tweak-index-nav-style-none tweak-index-nav-position-right tweak-index-nav-text-show tweak-index-page-fullscreen-pages-with-backgrounds-only tweak-index-page-scroll-indicator-none tweak-index-page-scroll-indicator-icon-arrow tweak-index-page-scroll-indicator-icon-weight-light tweak-index-gallery-layout-grid tweak-index-gallery-fixed-height tweak-index-gallery-apply-bottom-spacing tweak-index-gallery-hover-style-fade tweak-index-gallery-controls-small-arrows tweak-index-gallery-controls-icon-weight-hairline tweak-index-gallery-indicators-lines tweak-index-gallery-autoplay-enable tweak-index-gallery-transition-fade tweak-index-gallery-content-position-middle-center tweak-index-gallery-content-text-alignment-left tweak-footer-show tweak-footer-layout-columns tweak-footer-layout-columns-auto tweak-footer-stacked-alignment-center tweak-mobile-bar-top-fixed ancillary-mobile-bar-branding-position-top-left ancillary-mobile-bar-menu-icon-position-top-right tweak-mobile-bar-menu-icon-hamburger ancillary-mobile-bar-search-icon-position-top-right ancillary-mobile-bar-cart-position-hide tweak-mobile-bar-cart-style-text ancillary-mobile-bar-account-position-hide tweak-mobile-bar-account-style-text tweak-mobile-overlay-slide-origin-left tweak-mobile-overlay-close-show tweak-mobile-overlay-menu-primary-button-style-outline tweak-mobile-overlay-menu-primary-button-shape-pill tweak-mobile-overlay-menu-secondary-style-button tweak-mobile-overlay-menu-secondary-button-style-outline tweak-mobile-overlay-menu-secondary-button-shape-pill tweak-quote-block-alignment-center tweak-blog-meta-primary-category tweak-blog-meta-secondary-date tweak-blog-list-style-grid tweak-blog-list-alignment-center tweak-blog-list-item-image-show tweak-blog-list-item-image-aspect-ratio-grid-43-four-three tweak-blog-list-item-image-aspect-ratio-stacked-32-standard tweak-blog-list-item-title-show tweak-blog-list-item-excerpt-show tweak-blog-list-item-body-show tweak-blog-list-item-readmore-below-excerpt tweak-blog-list-item-meta-position-above-title tweak-blog-list-pagination-link-label-show tweak-blog-list-pagination-link-icon-show tweak-blog-list-pagination-link-icon-weight-light tweak-blog-item-alignment-center tweak-blog-item-meta-position-below-title tweak-blog-item-share-position-below-content tweak-blog-item-pagination-link-label-show tweak-blog-item-pagination-link-title-show tweak-blog-item-pagination-link-meta-hide tweak-blog-item-pagination-link-icon-weight-light event-thumbnails event-thumbnail-size-32-standard event-date-label event-list-show-cats event-list-date event-list-time event-list-address event-excerpts event-item-back-link gallery-design-slideshow aspect-ratio-auto lightbox-style-dark gallery-navigation-bullets gallery-info-overlay-show-on-hover gallery-aspect-ratio-32-standard gallery-arrow-style-no-background gallery-transitions-fade gallery-show-arrows gallery-auto-crop tweak-product-list-image-aspect-ratio-11-square tweak-product-list-item-hover-behavior-fade tweak-product-list-meta-position-under tweak-product-list-mobile-meta-position-under tweak-product-list-meta-alignment-under-center tweak-product-list-meta-alignment-overlay-center-center tweak-product-list-show-title tweak-product-list-filter-display-top tweak-product-list-filter-alignment-center tweak-product-item-nav-show-none tweak-product-item-nav-pagination-style-previousnext tweak-product-item-nav-breadcrumb-alignment-left tweak-product-item-nav-pagination-alignment-split tweak-product-item-gallery-position-right tweak-product-item-gallery-design-stacked tweak-product-item-gallery-aspect-ratio-11-square tweak-product-item-gallery-thumbnail-alignment-left tweak-product-item-details-alignment-left tweak-product-item-details-show-title tweak-product-item-details-show-price tweak-product-item-details-show-excerpt tweak-product-item-details-excerpt-position-below-price tweak-product-item-details-show-share-buttons tweak-product-item-details-show-variants tweak-product-item-details-show-quantity tweak-product-item-details-options-style-pill tweak-product-item-details-show-add-to-cart-button tweak-product-item-details-add-to-cart-button-style-solid tweak-product-item-details-add-to-cart-button-shape-pill tweak-product-item-details-add-to-cart-button-padding-medium tweak-product-item-image-zoom-behavior-hover tweak-related-products-image-aspect-ratio-11-square tweak-related-products-meta-alignment-under-center tweak-product-badge-style-none tweak-product-badge-position-top-right tweak-product-badge-inset-floating newsletter-style-light hide-opentable-icons opentable-style-dark small-button-style-outline small-button-shape-pill medium-button-style-outline medium-button-shape-pill large-button-style-outline large-button-shape-pill image-block-poster-text-alignment-center image-block-card-content-position-center image-block-card-text-alignment-left image-block-overlap-content-position-center image-block-overlap-text-alignment-left image-block-collage-content-position-center image-block-collage-text-alignment-left image-block-stack-dynamic-font-sizing image-block-stack-text-alignment-left button-style-outline button-corner-style-pill tweak-product-quick-view-button-style-docked tweak-product-quick-view-button-position-center tweak-product-quick-view-lightbox-excerpt-display-truncate tweak-product-quick-view-lightbox-show-arrows tweak-product-quick-view-lightbox-show-close-button tweak-product-quick-view-lightbox-controls-weight-light tweak-share-buttons-style-icon-only tweak-share-buttons-icons-show tweak-share-buttons-standard-background-color native-currency-code-usd collection-type-blog collection-layout-default collection-5ab12bed03ce640c3c5463fa view-list mobile-style-available sqs-has-custom-cart has-logo-image has-social enable-load-effects has-primary-nav has-secondary-nav" data-controller="HashManager, SiteLoader, MobileClassname"> <div class="Loader"></div> <div class="Mobile" data-nc-base="mobile-bar" data-controller="AncillaryLayout"> <div class="Mobile-bar Mobile-bar--top" data-nc-group="top" data-controller="MobileOffset"> <div data-nc-container="top-left"> <a href="/" class="Mobile-bar-branding" data-nc-element="branding" data-content-field="site-title"> <img src="//images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1573053897491-3X0K1T2XNJO30644KAF9/Standard-Teal_JPG_WEB_R.jpg" alt="Grameen America " sizes="240px" class="Mobile-bar-branding-logo" style="display:block" srcset="//images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1573053897491-3X0K1T2XNJO30644KAF9/Standard-Teal_JPG_WEB_R.jpg?format=100w 100w, //images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1573053897491-3X0K1T2XNJO30644KAF9/Standard-Teal_JPG_WEB_R.jpg?format=300w 300w, //images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1573053897491-3X0K1T2XNJO30644KAF9/Standard-Teal_JPG_WEB_R.jpg?format=500w 500w, //images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1573053897491-3X0K1T2XNJO30644KAF9/Standard-Teal_JPG_WEB_R.jpg?format=750w 750w, //images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1573053897491-3X0K1T2XNJO30644KAF9/Standard-Teal_JPG_WEB_R.jpg?format=1000w 1000w, //images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1573053897491-3X0K1T2XNJO30644KAF9/Standard-Teal_JPG_WEB_R.jpg?format=1500w 1500w, //images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1573053897491-3X0K1T2XNJO30644KAF9/Standard-Teal_JPG_WEB_R.jpg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> </a> </div> <div data-nc-container="top-center"></div> <div data-nc-container="top-right"></div> </div> <div class="Mobile-bar Mobile-bar--bottom" data-nc-group="bottom" data-controller="MobileOffset"> <div data-nc-container="bottom-left"> <button class="Mobile-bar-menu" data-nc-element="menu-icon" data-controller-overlay="menu" data-controller="MobileOverlayToggle" aria-label="Open navigation menu" > <svg class="Icon Icon--hamburger" viewBox="0 0 24 18"> <use xlink:href="/assets/ui-icons.svg#hamburger-icon--even" class="use--even"></use> <use xlink:href="/assets/ui-icons.svg#hamburger-icon--odd" class="use--odd"></use> </svg> <svg class="Icon Icon--hotdog" viewBox="0 0 24 14"> <use xlink:href="/assets/ui-icons.svg#hotdog-icon--even" class="use--even"></use> <use xlink:href="/assets/ui-icons.svg#hotdog-icon--odd" class="use--odd"></use> </svg> <svg class="Icon Icon--plus" viewBox="0 0 20 20"> <use xlink:href="/assets/ui-icons.svg#plus-icon--even" class="use--even"></use> <use xlink:href="/assets/ui-icons.svg#plus-icon--odd" class="use--odd"></use> </svg> <svg class="Icon Icon--dots-horizontal" viewBox="0 0 25 7"> <use xlink:href="/assets/ui-icons.svg#dots-horizontal-icon--even" class="use--even"></use> <use xlink:href="/assets/ui-icons.svg#dots-horizontal-icon--odd" class="use--odd"></use> </svg> <svg class="Icon Icon--dots-vertical" viewBox="0 0 7 25"> <use xlink:href="/assets/ui-icons.svg#dots-vertical-icon--even" class="use--even"></use> <use xlink:href="/assets/ui-icons.svg#dots-vertical-icon--odd" class="use--odd"></use> </svg> <svg class="Icon Icon--squares-horizontal" viewBox="0 0 25 7"> <use xlink:href="/assets/ui-icons.svg#squares-horizontal-icon--even" class="use--even"></use> <use xlink:href="/assets/ui-icons.svg#squares-horizontal-icon--odd" class="use--odd"></use> </svg> <svg class="Icon Icon--squares-vertical" viewBox="0 0 7 25"> <use xlink:href="/assets/ui-icons.svg#squares-vertical-icon--even" class="use--even"></use> <use xlink:href="/assets/ui-icons.svg#squares-vertical-icon--odd" class="use--odd"></use> </svg> </button> </div> <div data-nc-container="bottom-center"> </div> <div data-nc-container="bottom-right"> <a href="/search" class="Mobile-bar-search" data-nc-element="search-icon" aria-label="Search"> <svg class="Icon Icon--search" viewBox="0 0 20 20"> <use xlink:href="/assets/ui-icons.svg#search-icon"></use> </svg> </a> </div> </div> <div class="Mobile-overlay"> <div class="Mobile-overlay-menu" data-controller="MobileOverlayFolders"> <div class="Mobile-overlay-menu-main"> <nav class="Mobile-overlay-nav Mobile-overlay-nav--primary" data-content-field="navigation"> <button class="Mobile-overlay-nav-item Mobile-overlay-nav-item--folder" data-controller-folder-toggle="aboutus"> <span class="Mobile-overlay-nav-item--folder-label">About Us</span> </button> <button class="Mobile-overlay-nav-item Mobile-overlay-nav-item--folder" data-controller-folder-toggle="our-impact"> <span class="Mobile-overlay-nav-item--folder-label">Our Impact</span> </button> <a href="/news" class="Mobile-overlay-nav-item"> Recent News </a> <a href="/blog" class="Mobile-overlay-nav-item"> Blog </a> <button class="Mobile-overlay-nav-item Mobile-overlay-nav-item--folder" data-controller-folder-toggle="our-partners-1"> <span class="Mobile-overlay-nav-item--folder-label">Our Partners</span> </button> <a href="/careers" class="Mobile-overlay-nav-item"> Careers </a> </nav> <nav class="Mobile-overlay-nav Mobile-overlay-nav--secondary" data-content-field="navigation"> <a href="/request-a-loan" class="Mobile-overlay-nav-item"> Inquire About A Loan </a> <a href="https://secure.givelively.org/donate/grameen-america-inc" target="_blank" class="Mobile-overlay-nav-item"> Donate </a> <a href="http://eepurl.com/h2Q0g" target="_blank" class="Mobile-overlay-nav-item"> Subscribe </a> </nav> </div> <div class="Mobile-overlay-folders" data-content-field="navigation"> <div class="Mobile-overlay-folder" data-controller-folder="aboutus"> <button class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item Mobile-overlay-folder-item--toggle" data-controller-folder-toggle="aboutus"> <span class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item--toggle-label">Back</span> </button> <a href="/program" class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item"> Who We Are </a> <a href="https://www.elevate.grameenamerica.org" class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item"> Elevate Initiative </a> <a href="/ways-to-give" class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item"> Ways To Give </a> <a href="/communityhealthinitiative" class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item"> Community Health Initiative </a> <a href="/board" class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item"> Board Of Directors </a> <a href="/staff" class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item"> Staff </a> <a href="/financialinformation" class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item"> Financial Information </a> </div> <div class="Mobile-overlay-folder" data-controller-folder="our-impact"> <button class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item Mobile-overlay-folder-item--toggle" data-controller-folder-toggle="our-impact"> <span class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item--toggle-label">Back</span> </button> <a href="/impact" class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item"> Impact Report </a> <a href="/annual-reports" class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item"> Annual Reports </a> <a href="/mdrc-study" class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item"> MDRC Study </a> </div> <div class="Mobile-overlay-folder" data-controller-folder="our-partners-1"> <button class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item Mobile-overlay-folder-item--toggle" data-controller-folder-toggle="our-partners-1"> <span class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item--toggle-label">Back</span> </button> <a href="/corporate-partners" class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item"> Corporate Partners </a> <a href="/institutional-partners" class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item"> Institutional Partners </a> <a href="/lending-partners" class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item"> Lending Partners </a> <a href="/jenniferlopez" class="Mobile-overlay-folder-item"> Grameen America & Jennifer Lopez </a> </div> </div> </div> <button class="Mobile-overlay-close" data-controller="MobileOverlayToggle" aria-label="Close navigation menu"> <svg class="Icon Icon--close" viewBox="0 0 16 16"> <use xlink:href="/assets/ui-icons.svg#close-icon"></use> </svg> </button> <div class="Mobile-overlay-back" data-controller="MobileOverlayToggle"></div> </div> </div> <div class="Parallax-host-outer"> <div class="Parallax-host" data-parallax-host> </div> </div> <div class="Site" data-nc-base="header" data-controller="AncillaryLayout"> <div class="sqs-announcement-bar-dropzone"></div> <header class="Header Header--top"> <div class="Header-inner Header-inner--top" data-nc-group="top"> <div data-nc-container="top-left"> <div class="Header-search" data-nc-element="search"> <form class="Header-search-form" action="/search" method="get"> <input class="Header-search-form-input" name="q" type="text" spellcheck="false" value="" autocomplete="off" placeholder="Search" /> <button class="Header-search-form-submit" type="submit" data-test="template-search"> <svg class="Icon Icon--search--small" viewBox="0 0 15 15"> <use xlink:href="/assets/ui-icons.svg#search-icon--small"></use> </svg> <svg class="Icon Icon--search" viewBox="0 0 20 20"> <use xlink:href="/assets/ui-icons.svg#search-icon"></use> </svg> </button> </form> </div> </div> <div data-nc-container="top-center"> <div class="Header-social" data-nc-element="social"> <nav class="SocialLinks" data-content-field="connected-accounts"> <div class="SocialLinks-inner"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GrameenAmerica/" target="_blank" class="SocialLinks-link facebook" style=""> <div> <svg class="SocialLinks-link-svg" viewBox="0 0 64 64"> <use class="SocialLinks-link-icon" xlink:href="#facebook-icon"></use> <use class="SocialLinks-link-mask" xlink:href="#facebook-mask"></use> </svg> </div> </a><a href="https://twitter.com/GrameenAmerica" target="_blank" class="SocialLinks-link twitter" style=""> <div> <svg class="SocialLinks-link-svg" viewBox="0 0 64 64"> <use class="SocialLinks-link-icon" xlink:href="#twitter-icon"></use> <use class="SocialLinks-link-mask" xlink:href="#twitter-mask"></use> </svg> </div> </a><a href="http://instagram.com/grameenamerica" target="_blank" class="SocialLinks-link instagram" style=""> <div> <svg class="SocialLinks-link-svg" viewBox="0 0 64 64"> <use class="SocialLinks-link-icon" xlink:href="#instagram-icon"></use> <use class="SocialLinks-link-mask" xlink:href="#instagram-mask"></use> </svg> </div> </a><a href="http://vimeo.com/grameenamerica" target="_blank" class="SocialLinks-link vimeo" style=""> <div> <svg class="SocialLinks-link-svg" viewBox="0 0 64 64"> <use class="SocialLinks-link-icon" xlink:href="#vimeo-icon"></use> <use class="SocialLinks-link-mask" xlink:href="#vimeo-mask"></use> </svg> </div> </a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/grameen-america-inc-/" target="_blank" class="SocialLinks-link linkedin-unauth" style=""> <div> <svg class="SocialLinks-link-svg" viewBox="0 0 64 64"> <use class="SocialLinks-link-icon" xlink:href="#linkedin-unauth-icon"></use> <use class="SocialLinks-link-mask" xlink:href="#linkedin-unauth-mask"></use> </svg> </div> </a> </div> </nav> </div> </div> <div data-nc-container="top-right"> </div> </div> </header> <div class="Site-inner"> <header class="Header Header--bottom"> <div class="Header-inner Header-inner--bottom" data-nc-group="bottom"> <div data-nc-container="bottom-left"> <nav class="Header-nav Header-nav--primary" data-nc-element="primary-nav" data-content-field="navigation"> <div class="Header-nav-inner"> <span class="Header-nav-item Header-nav-item--folder"> <a href="/aboutus" class="Header-nav-folder-title" data-controller="HeaderNavFolderTouch">About Us</a> <span class="Header-nav-folder"> <a href="/program" class="Header-nav-folder-item">Who We Are</a> <a href="https://www.elevate.grameenamerica.org" class="Header-nav-folder-item">Elevate Initiative</a> <a href="/ways-to-give" class="Header-nav-folder-item" data-test="template-nav">Ways To Give</a> <a href="/communityhealthinitiative" class="Header-nav-folder-item">Community Health Initiative </a> <a href="/board" class="Header-nav-folder-item" data-test="template-nav">Board Of Directors</a> <a href="/staff" class="Header-nav-folder-item" data-test="template-nav">Staff</a> <a href="/financialinformation" class="Header-nav-folder-item" data-test="template-nav">Financial Information</a> </span> </span><span class="Header-nav-item Header-nav-item--folder"> <a href="/our-impact" class="Header-nav-folder-title" data-controller="HeaderNavFolderTouch">Our Impact</a> <span class="Header-nav-folder"> <a href="/impact" class="Header-nav-folder-item">Impact Report</a> <a href="/annual-reports" class="Header-nav-folder-item" data-test="template-nav">Annual Reports</a> <a href="/mdrc-study" class="Header-nav-folder-item" data-test="template-nav">MDRC Study</a> </span> </span><a href="/news" class="Header-nav-item" data-test="template-nav">Recent News</a><a href="/blog" class="Header-nav-item Header-nav-item--active" data-test="template-nav">Blog</a><span class="Header-nav-item Header-nav-item--folder"> <a href="/our-partners-1" class="Header-nav-folder-title" data-controller="HeaderNavFolderTouch">Our Partners</a> <span class="Header-nav-folder"> <a href="/corporate-partners" class="Header-nav-folder-item" data-test="template-nav">Corporate Partners</a> <a href="/institutional-partners" class="Header-nav-folder-item" data-test="template-nav">Institutional Partners</a> <a href="/lending-partners" class="Header-nav-folder-item" data-test="template-nav">Lending Partners</a> <a href="/jenniferlopez" class="Header-nav-folder-item">Grameen America & Jennifer Lopez</a> </span> </span><a href="/careers" class="Header-nav-item">Careers</a> </div> </nav> </div> <div data-nc-container="bottom-center"> <a href="/" class="Header-branding" data-nc-element="branding" data-content-field="site-title"> <img src="//images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1573053897491-3X0K1T2XNJO30644KAF9/Standard-Teal_JPG_WEB_R.jpg" alt="Grameen America " sizes="320px" class="Header-branding-logo" style="display:block" srcset="//images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1573053897491-3X0K1T2XNJO30644KAF9/Standard-Teal_JPG_WEB_R.jpg?format=100w 100w, //images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1573053897491-3X0K1T2XNJO30644KAF9/Standard-Teal_JPG_WEB_R.jpg?format=300w 300w, //images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1573053897491-3X0K1T2XNJO30644KAF9/Standard-Teal_JPG_WEB_R.jpg?format=500w 500w, //images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1573053897491-3X0K1T2XNJO30644KAF9/Standard-Teal_JPG_WEB_R.jpg?format=750w 750w, //images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1573053897491-3X0K1T2XNJO30644KAF9/Standard-Teal_JPG_WEB_R.jpg?format=1000w 1000w, //images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1573053897491-3X0K1T2XNJO30644KAF9/Standard-Teal_JPG_WEB_R.jpg?format=1500w 1500w, //images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1573053897491-3X0K1T2XNJO30644KAF9/Standard-Teal_JPG_WEB_R.jpg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> </a> </div> <div data-nc-container="bottom-right"> <nav class="Header-nav Header-nav--secondary" data-nc-element="secondary-nav" data-content-field="navigation"> <div class="Header-nav-inner"> <a href="/request-a-loan" class="Header-nav-item">Inquire About A Loan</a><a href="https://secure.givelively.org/donate/grameen-america-inc" target="_blank" class="Header-nav-item">Donate</a><a href="http://eepurl.com/h2Q0g" target="_blank" class="Header-nav-item">Subscribe</a> </div> </nav> </div> </div> </header> <div class="Content-outer"> <section class="Intro" data-parallax-original-element data-parallax-id="5ab12bed03ce640c3c5463fa"> <div class="sqs-layout sqs-grid-12 columns-12 Intro-content empty" data-layout-label="Intro" data-type="block-field" data-updated-on="1547738733397" id="5ab12bed03ce640c3c5463fa_intro"><div class="row sqs-row"><div class="col sqs-col-12 span-12"></div></div></div> </section> <main class="Main Main--blog-list" > <section class="Main-content" data-content-field="main-content"> <section class="BlogList BlogList--posts-excerpt sqs-blog-list clear" data-columns="1"> <article id="post-67b507455df0bd13adfafbbc" class="BlogList-item hentry category-member-story category-featured-member author-grameen-america post-type-text article-index-1 featured has-categories" data-item-id="67b507455df0bd13adfafbbc"> <div class="BlogList-item-image"> <a href="/blog/2025/3/7/meet-dulce" class="BlogList-item-image-link"> <img data-src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1739917379968-BA0Z5MF3ALNZAXWXT6JT/3L2A2376.jpg" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1739917379968-BA0Z5MF3ALNZAXWXT6JT/3L2A2376.jpg" data-image-dimensions="6720x4480" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Meet Dulce" data-load="false" /> </a> </div> <a href="/blog/2025/3/7/meet-dulce" class="BlogList-item-title" data-content-field="title">Meet Dulce</a> <div class="BlogList-item-excerpt"> <p class="" style="text-align: center; ; white-space:pre-wrap;" data-rte-preserve-empty="true">Dulce is an esthetician who has lived in Phoenix, AZ her entire life. Growing up, Dulce faced the hardships of living on minimum wage, which fueled her ambition to become an entrepreneur and, in 2022, open her own spa business.</p> <a href="/blog/2025/3/7/meet-dulce" class="BlogList-item-readmore"> <span>Read More</span> </a> </div> <div class="Blog-meta BlogList-item-meta"> <span class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--categories"><a href="/blog/category/Member+Story" class="Blog-meta-item-category">Member Story</a>, <a href="/blog/category/Featured+Member" class="Blog-meta-item-category">Featured Member</a></span><a href="/blog?author=5aaabb6549bad6531ed6f15d" class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--author">Grameen America</a><time class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--date" datetime="2025-03-07">March 7, 2025</time> </div> </article> <article id="post-6780258b7405ea2ee929c0cf" class="BlogList-item hentry category-member-story category-featured-member author-grameen-america post-type-text article-index-2 featured has-categories" data-item-id="6780258b7405ea2ee929c0cf"> <div class="BlogList-item-image"> <a href="/blog/2025/2/1/meet-khadijah" class="BlogList-item-image-link"> <img data-src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1736454196299-IX1MXGEHCARO9VRB476Z/1V4A4189-2.jpg" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1736454196299-IX1MXGEHCARO9VRB476Z/1V4A4189-2.jpg" data-image-dimensions="1418x945" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Meet Khadijah" data-load="false" /> </a> </div> <a href="/blog/2025/2/1/meet-khadijah" class="BlogList-item-title" data-content-field="title">Meet Khadijah</a> <div class="BlogList-item-excerpt"> <p style="text-align: center; ; white-space:pre-wrap;" data-rte-preserve-empty="true">In the heart of Atlanta, GA, Khadijah runs a salon business that puts her neighborhood and community first. For Khadijah, entrepreneurship has always been about more than her passion for hair—it’s been a way to express her creativity, channel her inner work ethic, and beautify her community.</p> <a href="/blog/2025/2/1/meet-khadijah" class="BlogList-item-readmore"> <span>Read More</span> </a> </div> <div class="Blog-meta BlogList-item-meta"> <span class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--categories"><a href="/blog/category/Member+Story" class="Blog-meta-item-category">Member Story</a>, <a href="/blog/category/Featured+Member" class="Blog-meta-item-category">Featured Member</a></span><a href="/blog?author=5aaabb6549bad6531ed6f15d" class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--author">Grameen America</a><time class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--date" datetime="2025-02-01">February 1, 2025</time> </div> </article> <article id="post-6650c477edca075c54cdde34" class="BlogList-item hentry category-member-story category-featured-member author-grameen-america post-type-text article-index-3 featured has-categories" data-item-id="6650c477edca075c54cdde34"> <div class="BlogList-item-image"> <a href="/blog/2025/1/1/marias-entrepreneurial-journey" class="BlogList-item-image-link"> <img data-src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1716569340907-2HE7ZEDJ04RTAAR4T71M/IMG_8680.jpg" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1716569340907-2HE7ZEDJ04RTAAR4T71M/IMG_8680.jpg" data-image-dimensions="1824x1216" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Maria's Entrepreneurial Journey" data-load="false" /> </a> </div> <a href="/blog/2025/1/1/marias-entrepreneurial-journey" class="BlogList-item-title" data-content-field="title">Maria's Entrepreneurial Journey</a> <div class="BlogList-item-excerpt"> <p class="" style="text-align: center; ; white-space:pre-wrap;" data-rte-preserve-empty="true">Our team has visited Maria, a florist in Jackson Heights, NY, at various steps of her entrepreneurial journey to document her business growth. Since 2011, Grameen America has supported Maria through 27 loans, totaling $200,000 in loan capital invested in her thriving flower business.</p> <a href="/blog/2025/1/1/marias-entrepreneurial-journey" class="BlogList-item-readmore"> <span>Read More</span> </a> </div> <div class="Blog-meta BlogList-item-meta"> <span class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--categories"><a href="/blog/category/Member+Story" class="Blog-meta-item-category">Member Story</a>, <a href="/blog/category/Featured+Member" class="Blog-meta-item-category">Featured Member</a></span><a href="/blog?author=5aaabb6549bad6531ed6f15d" class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--author">Grameen America</a><time class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--date" datetime="2025-01-01">January 1, 2025</time> </div> </article> <article id="post-669938d2c9238f6e1883e36d" class="BlogList-item hentry category-member-story category-featured-member author-grameen-america post-type-text article-index-4 featured has-categories" data-item-id="669938d2c9238f6e1883e36d"> <div class="BlogList-item-image"> <a href="/blog/2024/12/3/meet-elizabeth" class="BlogList-item-image-link"> <img data-src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1721317690798-J6SPALQXN55SWAO4904I/IMG_3242.jpg" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1721317690798-J6SPALQXN55SWAO4904I/IMG_3242.jpg" data-image-dimensions="1995x1329" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Meet Elizabeth" data-load="false" /> </a> </div> <a href="/blog/2024/12/3/meet-elizabeth" class="BlogList-item-title" data-content-field="title">Meet Elizabeth</a> <div class="BlogList-item-excerpt"> <p style="text-align:center;" class="">Entrepreneurship runs in Elizabeth’s family. Following her mother’s example as a businesswoman, Elizabeth runs her own multi-service business offering tax, accounting, and legal resources in Newark, NJ.</p> <a href="/blog/2024/12/3/meet-elizabeth" class="BlogList-item-readmore"> <span>Read More</span> </a> </div> <div class="Blog-meta BlogList-item-meta"> <span class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--categories"><a href="/blog/category/Member+Story" class="Blog-meta-item-category">Member Story</a>, <a href="/blog/category/Featured+Member" class="Blog-meta-item-category">Featured Member</a></span><a href="/blog?author=5aaabb6549bad6531ed6f15d" class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--author">Grameen America</a><time class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--date" datetime="2024-12-03">December 3, 2024</time> </div> </article> <article id="post-66a155f1e0ba7472e1049b3d" class="BlogList-item hentry category-member-story category-featured-member author-grameen-america post-type-text article-index-5 featured has-categories" data-item-id="66a155f1e0ba7472e1049b3d"> <div class="BlogList-item-image"> <a href="/blog/2024/11/30/meet-ava" class="BlogList-item-image-link"> <img data-src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/803e2e2a-4ce5-44ba-bb43-423502020b05/PDP_9620-Enhanced-NR.jpg" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/803e2e2a-4ce5-44ba-bb43-423502020b05/PDP_9620-Enhanced-NR.jpg" data-image-dimensions="1946x1557" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Meet Ava" data-load="false" /> </a> </div> <a href="/blog/2024/11/30/meet-ava" class="BlogList-item-title" data-content-field="title">Meet Ava</a> <div class="BlogList-item-excerpt"> <p style="text-align: center; ">Ava turned her crafting hobby into a business making affordable Afro-centric products in Harlem, NY. Ava’s handmade accessories and clothing are one-of-a-kind designs made from mixed mediums.</p> <a href="/blog/2024/11/30/meet-ava" class="BlogList-item-readmore"> <span>Read More</span> </a> </div> <div class="Blog-meta BlogList-item-meta"> <span class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--categories"><a href="/blog/category/Member+Story" class="Blog-meta-item-category">Member Story</a>, <a href="/blog/category/Featured+Member" class="Blog-meta-item-category">Featured Member</a></span><a href="/blog?author=5aaabb6549bad6531ed6f15d" class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--author">Grameen America</a><time class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--date" datetime="2024-11-30">November 30, 2024</time> </div> </article> <article id="post-66b0ebbc7529366330621353" class="BlogList-item hentry category-member-story category-featured-member author-grameen-america post-type-text article-index-6 featured has-categories" data-item-id="66b0ebbc7529366330621353"> <div class="BlogList-item-image"> <a href="/blog/2024/11/28/meet-alma" class="BlogList-item-image-link"> <img data-src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1722870798144-48FN8O53CU034DKNQ59R/IMG_1436.jpg" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1722870798144-48FN8O53CU034DKNQ59R/IMG_1436.jpg" data-image-dimensions="6720x4480" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Meet Alma" data-load="false" /> </a> </div> <a href="/blog/2024/11/28/meet-alma" class="BlogList-item-title" data-content-field="title">Meet Alma</a> <div class="BlogList-item-excerpt"> <p style="text-align: center; ">Alma joined Grameen America fifteen years ago with a first-time loan of $500 to support her mobile food cart in New York, NY. In 2015, Alma decided to take her business to the next level, using a larger loan size to purchase a food truck.</p> <a href="/blog/2024/11/28/meet-alma" class="BlogList-item-readmore"> <span>Read More</span> </a> </div> <div class="Blog-meta BlogList-item-meta"> <span class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--categories"><a href="/blog/category/Member+Story" class="Blog-meta-item-category">Member Story</a>, <a href="/blog/category/Featured+Member" class="Blog-meta-item-category">Featured Member</a></span><a href="/blog?author=5aaabb6549bad6531ed6f15d" class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--author">Grameen America</a><time class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--date" datetime="2024-11-28">November 28, 2024</time> </div> </article> <article id="post-672a7f71e45979453e03f6f2" class="BlogList-item hentry author-grameen-america post-type-text article-index-7 featured" data-item-id="672a7f71e45979453e03f6f2"> <div class="BlogList-item-image"> <a href="/blog/2024/11/21/mileyka-burgos-flores" class="BlogList-item-image-link"> <img data-src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1730925066929-MN9ER7JF4B17MYQL10T7/Mileyka+headshot2023.jpg" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/1730925066929-MN9ER7JF4B17MYQL10T7/Mileyka+headshot2023.jpg" data-image-dimensions="2692x2505" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Championing Women Through Community Development: An Interview with Mileyka Burgos-Flores:" data-load="false" /> </a> </div> <a href="/blog/2024/11/21/mileyka-burgos-flores" class="BlogList-item-title" data-content-field="title">Championing Women Through Community Development: An Interview with Mileyka Burgos-Flores:</a> <div class="BlogList-item-excerpt"> <p class="sqsrte-large" style="text-align: center; ">As a Dominican-American activist and founding Executive Director & CEO of The Allapattah Collaborative, Mileyka Burgos-Flores brings extensive expertise in community development and wealth-building within marginalized communities.</p> <a href="/blog/2024/11/21/mileyka-burgos-flores" class="BlogList-item-readmore"> <span>Read More</span> </a> </div> <div class="Blog-meta BlogList-item-meta"> <a href="/blog?author=5aaabb6549bad6531ed6f15d" class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--author">Grameen America</a><time class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--date" datetime="2024-11-21">November 21, 2024</time> </div> </article> <article id="post-669e925e5d1641398bfbef09" class="BlogList-item hentry category-member-story category-featured-member author-grameen-america post-type-text article-index-8 featured has-categories" data-item-id="669e925e5d1641398bfbef09"> <div class="BlogList-item-image"> <a href="/blog/2024/11/19/meet-bertha" class="BlogList-item-image-link"> <img data-src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/d0b6d9b3-7785-49c9-a320-2a619df95360/CMF_9043.jpg" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/d0b6d9b3-7785-49c9-a320-2a619df95360/CMF_9043.jpg" data-image-dimensions="5462x3641" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Meet Bertha" data-load="false" /> </a> </div> <a href="/blog/2024/11/19/meet-bertha" class="BlogList-item-title" data-content-field="title">Meet Bertha</a> <div class="BlogList-item-excerpt"> <p style="text-align:center;" class="">Bertha owns a new and used car parts shop in Houston, TX, which has grown through word of mouth in the community and prides itself on fair and affordable pricing. In 2023, Bertha joined Grameen America to support her business.</p> <a href="/blog/2024/11/19/meet-bertha" class="BlogList-item-readmore"> <span>Read More</span> </a> </div> <div class="Blog-meta BlogList-item-meta"> <span class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--categories"><a href="/blog/category/Member+Story" class="Blog-meta-item-category">Member Story</a>, <a href="/blog/category/Featured+Member" class="Blog-meta-item-category">Featured Member</a></span><a href="/blog?author=5aaabb6549bad6531ed6f15d" class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--author">Grameen America</a><time class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--date" datetime="2024-11-19">November 19, 2024</time> </div> </article> <article id="post-66aa584aad1a7501ff4db070" class="BlogList-item hentry category-member-story category-featured-member author-grameen-america post-type-text article-index-9 featured has-categories" data-item-id="66aa584aad1a7501ff4db070"> <div class="BlogList-item-image"> <a href="/blog/2024/10/21/meet-tatiane" class="BlogList-item-image-link"> <img data-src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/6a05da0b-dab0-4997-9eaf-14ef81141b0c/IMG_3314.jpg" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aaac2c1d274cb7149773430/6a05da0b-dab0-4997-9eaf-14ef81141b0c/IMG_3314.jpg" data-image-dimensions="1829x1219" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Meet Tatiane" data-load="false" /> </a> </div> <a href="/blog/2024/10/21/meet-tatiane" class="BlogList-item-title" data-content-field="title">Meet Tatiane</a> <div class="BlogList-item-excerpt"> <p style="text-align:center;" class="">Specializing in eyelash services for years, Tatiane opened her own lash studio in Newark, NJ with support from Grameen America.</p> <a href="/blog/2024/10/21/meet-tatiane" class="BlogList-item-readmore"> <span>Read More</span> </a> </div> <div class="Blog-meta BlogList-item-meta"> <span class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--categories"><a href="/blog/category/Member+Story" class="Blog-meta-item-category">Member Story</a>, <a href="/blog/category/Featured+Member" class="Blog-meta-item-category">Featured Member</a></span><a href="/blog?author=5aaabb6549bad6531ed6f15d" class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--author">Grameen America</a><time class="Blog-meta-item Blog-meta-item--date" datetime="2024-10-21">October 21, 2024</time> </div> </article> </section> <nav class="BlogList-pagination"> <a href="/blog?offset=1729526400610" class="BlogList-pagination-link"> <span class="BlogList-pagination-link-label">Older</span><svg class="BlogList-pagination-link-icon" viewBox="0 0 9 16"> <g class="svg-icon"> <polyline fill="none" stroke-miterlimit="10" points="1.6,1.2 6.5,7.9 1.6,14.7 "/> </g> </svg> </a> </nav> </section> </main> </div> </div> <footer class="Footer" role="contentinfo" data-controller="FooterBreakpoints"> <div class="Footer-inner clear"> <div class="sqs-layout sqs-grid-12 columns-12 Footer-blocks Footer-blocks--top sqs-alternate-block-style-container" data-layout-label="Footer Top Blocks" data-type="block-field" data-updated-on="1668711772954" id="footerBlocksTop"><div class="row sqs-row"><div class="col sqs-col-6 span-6"><div class="sqs-block button-block sqs-block-button" data-block-type="53" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1655221172137_4313"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <div class="sqs-block-button-container sqs-block-button-container--right" data-animation-role="button" data-alignment="right" data-button-size="medium" data-button-type="primary" > <a href="/request-a-loan" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" > Inquire About A Loan </a> </div> </div></div></div><div class="col sqs-col-6 span-6"><div class="sqs-block button-block sqs-block-button" data-block-type="53" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1524495341470_131504"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <div class="sqs-block-button-container sqs-block-button-container--left" data-animation-role="button" data-alignment="left" data-button-size="medium" data-button-type="primary" > <a href="https://secure.givelively.org/donate/grameen-america-inc" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" target="_blank" > Donate </a> </div> </div></div></div></div><div class="row sqs-row"><div class="col sqs-col-12 span-12"><div class="sqs-block spacer-block sqs-block-spacer" data-aspect-ratio="0.06963788300835655" data-block-type="21" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1659710408729_4762"><div class="sqs-block-content"> </div></div><div class="sqs-block socialaccountlinks-v2-block sqs-block-socialaccountlinks-v2" data-block-type="54" id="block-yui_3_17_2_14_1508259365927_6344"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <div class="sqs-svg-icon--outer social-icon-alignment-center social-icons-color-white social-icons-size-large social-icons-shape-circle social-icons-style-solid" > <style> #block-yui_3_17_2_14_1508259365927_6344 .social-icons-style-border .sqs-svg-icon--wrapper { box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px inset; border: none; } </style> <nav class="sqs-svg-icon--list"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GrameenAmerica/" target="_blank" class="sqs-svg-icon--wrapper facebook" aria-label="Jason Soloman"> <div> <svg class="sqs-svg-icon--social" viewBox="0 0 64 64"> <use class="sqs-use--icon" xlink:href="#facebook-icon"></use> <use class="sqs-use--mask" xlink:href="#facebook-mask"></use> </svg> </div> </a><a href="https://twitter.com/GrameenAmerica" target="_blank" class="sqs-svg-icon--wrapper twitter" aria-label="Grameen America"> <div> <svg class="sqs-svg-icon--social" viewBox="0 0 64 64"> <use class="sqs-use--icon" xlink:href="#twitter-icon"></use> <use class="sqs-use--mask" xlink:href="#twitter-mask"></use> </svg> </div> </a><a href="http://instagram.com/grameenamerica" target="_blank" class="sqs-svg-icon--wrapper instagram" aria-label="Grameen America"> <div> <svg class="sqs-svg-icon--social" viewBox="0 0 64 64"> <use class="sqs-use--icon" xlink:href="#instagram-icon"></use> <use class="sqs-use--mask" xlink:href="#instagram-mask"></use> </svg> </div> </a><a href="http://vimeo.com/grameenamerica" target="_blank" class="sqs-svg-icon--wrapper vimeo" aria-label="Grameen America"> <div> <svg class="sqs-svg-icon--social" viewBox="0 0 64 64"> <use class="sqs-use--icon" xlink:href="#vimeo-icon"></use> <use class="sqs-use--mask" xlink:href="#vimeo-mask"></use> </svg> </div> </a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/grameen-america-inc-/" target="_blank" class="sqs-svg-icon--wrapper linkedin-unauth" aria-label="LinkedIn"> <div> <svg class="sqs-svg-icon--social" viewBox="0 0 64 64"> <use class="sqs-use--icon" xlink:href="#linkedin-unauth-icon"></use> <use class="sqs-use--mask" xlink:href="#linkedin-unauth-mask"></use> </svg> </div> </a> </nav> </div> </div></div><div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" data-border-radii="{"topLeft":{"unit":"px","value":0.0},"topRight":{"unit":"px","value":0.0},"bottomLeft":{"unit":"px","value":0.0},"bottomRight":{"unit":"px","value":0.0}}" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1524495341470_205364"><div class="sqs-block-content"> <div class="sqs-html-content"> <h3 style="text-align:center;white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="/careers">Careers</a>    <a href="/contact">Contact</a>   <a href="/faq">FAQ</a>    <a href="/privacy-policy">Privacy Policy</a> <a href="/gift-acceptance">Gift Acceptance Policy</a>  <a href="/terms-of-use">Terms of Use</a></h3><p style="text-align:center;white-space:pre-wrap;" class=""><strong>Grameen America is a registered 501(c)(3) charity.<br></strong> </p> </div> </div></div></div></div></div> <div class="Footer-middle"> <div class="Footer-business"> </div> <div class="sqs-layout sqs-grid-12 columns-12 Footer-blocks Footer-blocks--middle sqs-alternate-block-style-container empty" data-layout-label="Footer Middle Blocks" data-type="block-field" data-updated-on="1452386857557" id="footerBlocksMiddle"><div class="row sqs-row"><div class="col sqs-col-12 span-12"></div></div></div> </div> <div class="sqs-layout sqs-grid-12 columns-12 Footer-blocks Footer-blocks--bottom sqs-alternate-block-style-container empty" data-layout-label="Footer Bottom Blocks" data-type="block-field" data-updated-on="1536353749195" id="footerBlocksBottom"><div class="row sqs-row"><div class="col sqs-col-12 span-12"></div></div></div> </div> </footer> </div> <script src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/ta/55f0a9b0e4b0f3eb70352f6d/354/scripts/site-bundle.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script data-sqs-type="imageloader-bootstrapper">if(window.ImageLoader) window.ImageLoader.bootstrap({}, document);</script><script>Squarespace.afterBodyLoad(Y);</script><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1" style="display:none" data-usage="social-icons-svg"><symbol id="facebook-icon" viewBox="0 0 64 64"><path d="M34.1,47V33.3h4.6l0.7-5.3h-5.3v-3.4c0-1.5,0.4-2.6,2.6-2.6l2.8,0v-4.8c-0.5-0.1-2.2-0.2-4.1-0.2 c-4.1,0-6.9,2.5-6.9,7V28H24v5.3h4.6V47H34.1z"/></symbol><symbol id="facebook-mask" viewBox="0 0 64 64"><path d="M0,0v64h64V0H0z M39.6,22l-2.8,0c-2.2,0-2.6,1.1-2.6,2.6V28h5.3l-0.7,5.3h-4.6V47h-5.5V33.3H24V28h4.6V24 c0-4.6,2.8-7,6.9-7c2,0,3.6,0.1,4.1,0.2V22z"/></symbol><symbol id="twitter-icon" viewBox="0 0 64 64"><path d="M48,22.1c-1.2,0.5-2.4,0.9-3.8,1c1.4-0.8,2.4-2.1,2.9-3.6c-1.3,0.8-2.7,1.3-4.2,1.6 C41.7,19.8,40,19,38.2,19c-3.6,0-6.6,2.9-6.6,6.6c0,0.5,0.1,1,0.2,1.5c-5.5-0.3-10.3-2.9-13.5-6.9c-0.6,1-0.9,2.1-0.9,3.3 c0,2.3,1.2,4.3,2.9,5.5c-1.1,0-2.1-0.3-3-0.8c0,0,0,0.1,0,0.1c0,3.2,2.3,5.8,5.3,6.4c-0.6,0.1-1.1,0.2-1.7,0.2c-0.4,0-0.8,0-1.2-0.1 c0.8,2.6,3.3,4.5,6.1,4.6c-2.2,1.8-5.1,2.8-8.2,2.8c-0.5,0-1.1,0-1.6-0.1c2.9,1.9,6.4,2.9,10.1,2.9c12.1,0,18.7-10,18.7-18.7 c0-0.3,0-0.6,0-0.8C46,24.5,47.1,23.4,48,22.1z"/></symbol><symbol id="twitter-mask" viewBox="0 0 64 64"><path d="M0,0v64h64V0H0z M44.7,25.5c0,0.3,0,0.6,0,0.8C44.7,35,38.1,45,26.1,45c-3.7,0-7.2-1.1-10.1-2.9 c0.5,0.1,1,0.1,1.6,0.1c3.1,0,5.9-1,8.2-2.8c-2.9-0.1-5.3-2-6.1-4.6c0.4,0.1,0.8,0.1,1.2,0.1c0.6,0,1.2-0.1,1.7-0.2 c-3-0.6-5.3-3.3-5.3-6.4c0,0,0-0.1,0-0.1c0.9,0.5,1.9,0.8,3,0.8c-1.8-1.2-2.9-3.2-2.9-5.5c0-1.2,0.3-2.3,0.9-3.3 c3.2,4,8.1,6.6,13.5,6.9c-0.1-0.5-0.2-1-0.2-1.5c0-3.6,2.9-6.6,6.6-6.6c1.9,0,3.6,0.8,4.8,2.1c1.5-0.3,2.9-0.8,4.2-1.6 c-0.5,1.5-1.5,2.8-2.9,3.6c1.3-0.2,2.6-0.5,3.8-1C47.1,23.4,46,24.5,44.7,25.5z"/></symbol><symbol id="instagram-icon" viewBox="0 0 64 64"><path d="M46.91,25.816c-0.073-1.597-0.326-2.687-0.697-3.641c-0.383-0.986-0.896-1.823-1.73-2.657c-0.834-0.834-1.67-1.347-2.657-1.73c-0.954-0.371-2.045-0.624-3.641-0.697C36.585,17.017,36.074,17,32,17s-4.585,0.017-6.184,0.09c-1.597,0.073-2.687,0.326-3.641,0.697c-0.986,0.383-1.823,0.896-2.657,1.73c-0.834,0.834-1.347,1.67-1.73,2.657c-0.371,0.954-0.624,2.045-0.697,3.641C17.017,27.415,17,27.926,17,32c0,4.074,0.017,4.585,0.09,6.184c0.073,1.597,0.326,2.687,0.697,3.641c0.383,0.986,0.896,1.823,1.73,2.657c0.834,0.834,1.67,1.347,2.657,1.73c0.954,0.371,2.045,0.624,3.641,0.697C27.415,46.983,27.926,47,32,47s4.585-0.017,6.184-0.09c1.597-0.073,2.687-0.326,3.641-0.697c0.986-0.383,1.823-0.896,2.657-1.73c0.834-0.834,1.347-1.67,1.73-2.657c0.371-0.954,0.624-2.045,0.697-3.641C46.983,36.585,47,36.074,47,32S46.983,27.415,46.91,25.816z M44.21,38.061c-0.067,1.462-0.311,2.257-0.516,2.785c-0.272,0.7-0.597,1.2-1.122,1.725c-0.525,0.525-1.025,0.85-1.725,1.122c-0.529,0.205-1.323,0.45-2.785,0.516c-1.581,0.072-2.056,0.087-6.061,0.087s-4.48-0.015-6.061-0.087c-1.462-0.067-2.257-0.311-2.785-0.516c-0.7-0.272-1.2-0.597-1.725-1.122c-0.525-0.525-0.85-1.025-1.122-1.725c-0.205-0.529-0.45-1.323-0.516-2.785c-0.072-1.582-0.087-2.056-0.087-6.061s0.015-4.48,0.087-6.061c0.067-1.462,0.311-2.257,0.516-2.785c0.272-0.7,0.597-1.2,1.122-1.725c0.525-0.525,1.025-0.85,1.725-1.122c0.529-0.205,1.323-0.45,2.785-0.516c1.582-0.072,2.056-0.087,6.061-0.087s4.48,0.015,6.061,0.087c1.462,0.067,2.257,0.311,2.785,0.516c0.7,0.272,1.2,0.597,1.725,1.122c0.525,0.525,0.85,1.025,1.122,1.725c0.205,0.529,0.45,1.323,0.516,2.785c0.072,1.582,0.087,2.056,0.087,6.061S44.282,36.48,44.21,38.061z M32,24.297c-4.254,0-7.703,3.449-7.703,7.703c0,4.254,3.449,7.703,7.703,7.703c4.254,0,7.703-3.449,7.703-7.703C39.703,27.746,36.254,24.297,32,24.297z M32,37c-2.761,0-5-2.239-5-5c0-2.761,2.239-5,5-5s5,2.239,5,5C37,34.761,34.761,37,32,37z M40.007,22.193c-0.994,0-1.8,0.806-1.8,1.8c0,0.994,0.806,1.8,1.8,1.8c0.994,0,1.8-0.806,1.8-1.8C41.807,22.999,41.001,22.193,40.007,22.193z"/></symbol><symbol id="instagram-mask" viewBox="0 0 64 64"><path d="M43.693,23.153c-0.272-0.7-0.597-1.2-1.122-1.725c-0.525-0.525-1.025-0.85-1.725-1.122c-0.529-0.205-1.323-0.45-2.785-0.517c-1.582-0.072-2.056-0.087-6.061-0.087s-4.48,0.015-6.061,0.087c-1.462,0.067-2.257,0.311-2.785,0.517c-0.7,0.272-1.2,0.597-1.725,1.122c-0.525,0.525-0.85,1.025-1.122,1.725c-0.205,0.529-0.45,1.323-0.516,2.785c-0.072,1.582-0.087,2.056-0.087,6.061s0.015,4.48,0.087,6.061c0.067,1.462,0.311,2.257,0.516,2.785c0.272,0.7,0.597,1.2,1.122,1.725s1.025,0.85,1.725,1.122c0.529,0.205,1.323,0.45,2.785,0.516c1.581,0.072,2.056,0.087,6.061,0.087s4.48-0.015,6.061-0.087c1.462-0.067,2.257-0.311,2.785-0.516c0.7-0.272,1.2-0.597,1.725-1.122s0.85-1.025,1.122-1.725c0.205-0.529,0.45-1.323,0.516-2.785c0.072-1.582,0.087-2.056,0.087-6.061s-0.015-4.48-0.087-6.061C44.143,24.476,43.899,23.682,43.693,23.153z M32,39.703c-4.254,0-7.703-3.449-7.703-7.703s3.449-7.703,7.703-7.703s7.703,3.449,7.703,7.703S36.254,39.703,32,39.703z M40.007,25.793c-0.994,0-1.8-0.806-1.8-1.8c0-0.994,0.806-1.8,1.8-1.8c0.994,0,1.8,0.806,1.8,1.8C41.807,24.987,41.001,25.793,40.007,25.793z M0,0v64h64V0H0z M46.91,38.184c-0.073,1.597-0.326,2.687-0.697,3.641c-0.383,0.986-0.896,1.823-1.73,2.657c-0.834,0.834-1.67,1.347-2.657,1.73c-0.954,0.371-2.044,0.624-3.641,0.697C36.585,46.983,36.074,47,32,47s-4.585-0.017-6.184-0.09c-1.597-0.073-2.687-0.326-3.641-0.697c-0.986-0.383-1.823-0.896-2.657-1.73c-0.834-0.834-1.347-1.67-1.73-2.657c-0.371-0.954-0.624-2.044-0.697-3.641C17.017,36.585,17,36.074,17,32c0-4.074,0.017-4.585,0.09-6.185c0.073-1.597,0.326-2.687,0.697-3.641c0.383-0.986,0.896-1.823,1.73-2.657c0.834-0.834,1.67-1.347,2.657-1.73c0.954-0.371,2.045-0.624,3.641-0.697C27.415,17.017,27.926,17,32,17s4.585,0.017,6.184,0.09c1.597,0.073,2.687,0.326,3.641,0.697c0.986,0.383,1.823,0.896,2.657,1.73c0.834,0.834,1.347,1.67,1.73,2.657c0.371,0.954,0.624,2.044,0.697,3.641C46.983,27.415,47,27.926,47,32C47,36.074,46.983,36.585,46.91,38.184z M32,27c-2.761,0-5,2.239-5,5s2.239,5,5,5s5-2.239,5-5S34.761,27,32,27z"/></symbol><symbol id="vimeo-icon" viewBox="0 0 64 64"><path d="M47,25c-0.1,2.9-2.2,6.9-6.1,12c-4.1,5.3-7.5,8-10.4,8c-1.7,0-3.2-1.6-4.4-4.8 c-0.8-3-1.6-5.9-2.4-8.9c-0.9-3.2-1.9-4.8-2.9-4.8c-0.2,0-1,0.5-2.4,1.4L17,26c1.5-1.3,2.9-2.6,4.4-3.9c2-1.7,3.5-2.6,4.4-2.7 c2.3-0.2,3.8,1.4,4.3,4.8c0.6,3.7,1,6,1.2,6.9c0.7,3.1,1.4,4.6,2.2,4.6c0.6,0,1.6-1,2.8-3c1.3-2,1.9-3.5,2-4.5 c0.2-1.7-0.5-2.6-2-2.6c-0.7,0-1.5,0.2-2.2,0.5c1.5-4.8,4.3-7.2,8.4-7C45.7,19.1,47.2,21.1,47,25z"/></symbol><symbol id="vimeo-mask" viewBox="0 0 64 64"><path d="M0,0v64h64V0H0z M40.9,37c-4.1,5.3-7.5,8-10.4,8c-1.7,0-3.2-1.6-4.4-4.8c-0.8-3-1.6-5.9-2.4-8.9 c-0.9-3.2-1.9-4.8-2.9-4.8c-0.2,0-1,0.5-2.4,1.4L17,26c1.5-1.3,2.9-2.6,4.4-3.9c2-1.7,3.5-2.6,4.4-2.7c2.3-0.2,3.8,1.4,4.3,4.8 c0.6,3.7,1,6,1.2,6.9c0.7,3.1,1.4,4.6,2.2,4.6c0.6,0,1.6-1,2.8-3c1.3-2,1.9-3.5,2-4.5c0.2-1.7-0.5-2.6-2-2.6c-0.7,0-1.5,0.2-2.2,0.5 c1.5-4.8,4.3-7.2,8.4-7c3.1,0.1,4.5,2.1,4.4,6C46.9,27.9,44.8,31.9,40.9,37z"/></symbol><symbol id="linkedin-unauth-icon" viewBox="0 0 64 64"><path d="M20.4,44h5.4V26.6h-5.4V44z M23.1,18c-1.7,0-3.1,1.4-3.1,3.1c0,1.7,1.4,3.1,3.1,3.1 c1.7,0,3.1-1.4,3.1-3.1C26.2,19.4,24.8,18,23.1,18z M39.5,26.2c-2.6,0-4.4,1.4-5.1,2.8h-0.1v-2.4h-5.2V44h5.4v-8.6 c0-2.3,0.4-4.5,3.2-4.5c2.8,0,2.8,2.6,2.8,4.6V44H46v-9.5C46,29.8,45,26.2,39.5,26.2z"/></symbol><symbol id="linkedin-unauth-mask" viewBox="0 0 64 64"><path d="M0,0v64h64V0H0z M25.8,44h-5.4V26.6h5.4V44z M23.1,24.3c-1.7,0-3.1-1.4-3.1-3.1c0-1.7,1.4-3.1,3.1-3.1 c1.7,0,3.1,1.4,3.1,3.1C26.2,22.9,24.8,24.3,23.1,24.3z M46,44h-5.4v-8.4c0-2,0-4.6-2.8-4.6c-2.8,0-3.2,2.2-3.2,4.5V44h-5.4V26.6 h5.2V29h0.1c0.7-1.4,2.5-2.8,5.1-2.8c5.5,0,6.5,3.6,6.5,8.3V44z"/></symbol></svg> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Blog — Grameen America