Usually, business development and environmental health are talked about as being mutually exclusive entities. Stories of clear-cutting rainforest for soybeans and livestock or mountaintop removal mines in West Virginia certainly reflect a reality in which, too frequently, short-term profits spell the death of entire ecosystems. Of the world’s 1.3 people…...
Microloans and Mobile Phones: Technology’s Impact on the Future of Microfinance
Without a doubt, the greatest advancement of the last 50 years has been the revelation of the internet. Paired with the rising tide of globalization, technology has linked the world like never before. With the increased spread of communication has come a world without barriers or boundaries, allowing people and…...
Haiti Non-Profits: The Madison Connection
For the past few years in mid-January, Madison area non-profits with operations in Haiti have been getting together for a “Haiti roundtable.” The annual meeting was created to help the organizations better cooperate about current goals and initiatives in the country, as well as provide a space to organize ideas…...
The 2010 Haitian Earthquake: 8 Years Later
Eight years ago today, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck just west of Haiti’s capital, Port Au Prince. Twelve days and 52 aftershocks later, an estimated 160,000 people were dead. Although there have been stronger earthquakes that have had much lower casualty reports, a history of national debt, corruption, and poor…...
Donor Spotlight: Aaron Gary
As we round out the holiday season, it is important to reflect on the sentiments that make this time of year so special: giving, family, and reflection. This month, we turn our donor spotlight to a more recent addition to the Wisconsin Microfinance donor family, Aaron Gary. Originally from California,…...