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In November 2008, the “father of microfinance,” Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus spoke to Full Circle Fund with sage advice as we launched a new circle addressing economic opportunity. Since then, members of the Global Economic Opportunity Circle have engaged in a significant period of of issue-area exploration, inquiry, and research (known as the Grant Cycle). During this cycle, Members sought out a unique group of potential partner organizations that are working locally, domestically, and abroad. Through presentations, interviews, and analysis, they vetted the organizations and potential projects based on Full Circle Fund’s grant criteria for qualities such as strong leadership, a willingness to partner, and a scalable, sustainable, replicable solution. In the end, Members voted to engage with La Cocina, Self Help, and SIRUM.

“Listening to the GEO Circle’s finalists present five compelling and innovative project opportunities to a rapt audience at the end of our first Grant Cycle in September was one of my proudest moments so far,” Sarah Wigglesworth, Co-Chair of the Circle shared, “We’ve come so far in a year!”

Though it was difficult to narrow the nonprofit partners down to three, the potential projects ahead have the circle buzzing with anticipation.

> For La Cocina, members are looking forward to helping create a stronger pathway to graduation and beyond for its food entrepreneurs, possibly assisting with fundraising consultation, and exploring feasibility for scaling and replication.

> Self Help will partner with a project team to promote their micro-branch bank model (a positive alternative to predatory check cashing outfits) to underbanked individuals via brand affinity, and work on financial progression projects.

> SIRUM is a groundbreaking organization that leverages an eBay-like technology platform that helps clinics (both domestically and abroad) offer better quality health care to more people by connecting free clinics with charitable suppliers of unused medicine. Potential projects will help SIRUM build additional capacity through a number of channels and explore international expansion opportunities.

The GEO Circle’s strong leadership also includes member Co-Chair Pamela Hawley and Annette Brinton, the GEO Grant Cycle Director and Dion Ward, the co-lead for the Circle’s vision process. A huge thanks goes out to all the potential grantees who participated in the grant cycle as well as all the Inquiry Team Leads for their incredible passion and commitment. Congratulations to all the members of the GEO Circle, the leadership team, and our three newest Full Circle Fund nonprofit partners!

These new projects are kicking off now! To learn how to get involved, contact Caroline Thompson by email to talk about becoming a member and joining one of the GEO Circle’s new grant project teams.

Posted in Sarah Wigglesworth, La Cocina, SIRUM, Self Help, Pamela Hawley, Annette Brinton, grantees, Global Economic Opportunity, Muhammad Yunus, grant cycle