Volunteer Initiatives

Grameen Foundation offers many ways for you to use your passion to help stop poverty. We offer exciting and challenging opportunities for volunteers across the globe to become part of the solution.

Bankers without Borders®

We are pleased to announce our newest initiative, Bankers without Borders®. Volunteers will dedicate their time, skills, knowledge and experience to support microfinance and technology sector developments in Asia, Africa, the Americas, the Middle East and in the United States. Whether you choose a U.S.-based opportunity or an engagement in a developing country, you will contribute to empowering the world’s poorest people, most often women, to escape poverty.

Mission Statement: Grameen Foundation's mission is to enable the poor, especially the poorest, to create a world without poverty.

Who we are

Grameen Foundation is a leader in the fight against poverty in Sub Saharan Africa, Asia, the Arab World, and the Americas. Since our beginning in 1997, our programs, resources and fresh ideas have helped more than 45 million poor people, mostly women and children, improve their lives.

Building strong local institutions that reach even more people in the poorest communities is a cornerstone of our work. We help microfinance institutions (MFIs), credit unions, cooperatives and poverty-focused organizations secure financing, develop strategies to attract and maintain a talented and dedicated workforce, and better track how quickly their clients are leaving poverty. Our technology initiatives focus on helping MFIs work more efficiently and serve more people and on providing new business opportunities and access for poor people.

Our team is guided by our values and our Grameen heritage, and our work is made possible by supporters who share our passion and commitment for defeating poverty through microfinance. We invite you to learn more about our work through our annual reports.

Awards and Recognition

Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance


Grameen Foundation was awarded the BBB Wise Giving Alliance Seal in 2007 in recognition of their outstanding industry practices. Before national charities can even apply to use the seal, they must undergo evaluation by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, the nation’s most experienced charity evaluator. The evaluation process involves rigorous scrutiny of a charity’s governance, effectiveness, finances and solicitations and informational materials. The standards go beyond what government regulators require.


SEEP Network 2007 Member of the Year
Grameen Foundation has been honored as the 2007 Member of the Year by the Small Enterprise Education and Promotion (SEEP) Network. With 67 members whose activities cover more than 140 countries, the SEEP Network is the leading international network and promoter of best practices in enterprise development and financial services geared towards reducing poverty.

Fast Company Social Capitalist Awards for 2005, 2006, and 2007

The Fast Company/Monitor Social Capitalist Awards is the only award program that quantitatively measures a non-profit group’s innovation and social impact, as well as the viability and sustainability of its business model. For three years in a row, Grameen Foundation has been recognized for its groundbreaking work in expanding the reach of microfinance around the world while applying innovative technology to increase efficiency and provide new opportunities for the poor.

American Institute of Philanthropy Top-Rated Charity

Grameen Foundation is designated a top-rated charity from American Institute of Philanthropy for maintaining high financial standards including low fundraising costs, reasonable asset reserves, and an "open book" financial record policy.



Tech Museum Awards

In October 2004, the Tech Museum of Innovation announced the 25 laureates for the 2004 Tech Museum Awards. Grameen Technology Center was awarded one of five Accenture Economic Development Awards for its work on the Village Phone Program. The Tech Awards are designed to honor individuals and for-profit, public and not-for-profit organizations from around the world who are applying technology to profoundly improve the human condition in the areas of environment, economic development, education, equality and health.

Pro-Poor Innovation Award

In recognition of innovation in financial services for very poor clients, Grameen Foundation was awarded the Pro-Poor Innovation Award by the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) for our work on the Village Phone Program. The Pro-Poor Innovation Challenge (PPIC) gives awards up to $50,000 to microfinance organizations that have developed innovative methodologies to deepen poverty outreach and impact.