Grameen America Partners with Whole Planet Foundation® on Annual Prosperity Campaign at Whole Foods Market® Stores Nationwide

NEW YORK, Feb. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Grameen America, a microfinance organization founded by Nobel Prize recipient Professor Muhammad Yunus, today announced it has partnered with Whole Planet Foundation, a nonprofit established by Whole Foods Market to fund poverty alleviation through microcredit in communities worldwide. To date, Whole Planet Foundation has committed $850,000 to Grameen America to help the microlender fund small business loans for borrowers living below the poverty line in the U.S. The foundation has pledged an additional $250,000 for each new market where Grameen America expands.

"Grameen America is helping thousands of borrowers living below the poverty line start and run sustainable businesses through our microloans," said Stephen A. Vogel, Chief Executive Officer of Grameen America. "We are honored to partner with Whole Planet Foundation, an organization truly committed to helping alleviate poverty worldwide. Support from Whole Planet Foundation will enable us to expand the number of markets that we serve, increase the number of loans we are able to provide and help create jobs for those living in poverty in the United States."

Grameen America's microloans provide low-income entrepreneurs an opportunity to gain financial independence and launch their own businesses. To watch how microfinance helps empower people, see the video on: http://grameenamerica.com/

Through its Prosperity Campaign – which runs through March 31, 2012 – Whole Planet Foundation aims to raise more than $4 million to fund poverty alleviation through in-store fundraising events, register donations and online at wholeplanetfoundation.org. Customers can also support Whole Planet Foundation by creating their own online fan fundraising page.

"Microcredit is proof that it doesn't take thousands of dollars to make a real, lasting difference in someone's life," said Philip Sansone, president and executive director of Whole Planet Foundation. "In addition to growing our programs in developing-world communities, we are excited to be funding projects domestically through Grameen America."  

About Whole Planet Foundation^®

Founded in 2005, Whole Planet Foundation is a Whole Foods Market foundation that funds poverty alleviation worldwide where the company sources products.  The nonprofit's mission is to empower the poor living in developing-world communities with microcredit and the chance to create or expand a home-based business and lift themselves and their families out of poverty. As of December 2011, Whole Planet Foundation is funding microlending programs through microfinance institution partners in 50 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the U.S., supporting over one million people with a chance for a better life. To date, the nonprofit has authorized more than $26.5 million and disbursed more than $15.5 million through microlending partners worldwide. Learn more and donate online at wholeplanetfoundation.org.

About Grameen America

Grameen America, a not-for-profit microfinance organization, has a mission to provide affordable microloans to financially empower low-income entrepreneurs. Founded in 2008 by Nobel Laureate recipient Muhammad Yunus, Grameen America has disbursed over $35 million in microloans to nearly 9,000 borrowers. Started in Jackson Heights, Queens, Grameen America has expanded to Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx, Indianapolis, Indiana and Omaha, Nebraska. Our vision is to help create a world free of poverty. We create a community where any individual with a dream can receive affordable financial products regardless of income, previous credit history, education, or business experience. We envision a world where burgeoning entrepreneurs are empowered to lift themselves out of poverty through hard work and determination to forge better lives for their families and future generations. www.grameenamerica.org.

Media Contact:
Amy Fathers
CJP Communications for Grameen America
212.279.3115 ext. 209
[email protected]

SOURCE Grameen America