Root Capital
| Founded | 1999 |
|---|---|
| Founder | William Fulbright Foote |
| Type | non-profit social investment fund |
| Location |
|
Area served | Africa and Latin America[1] |
Key people |
|
| Website |
rootcapital |
Root Capital is a non-profit social investment fund operating in poor rural areas of Africa and Latin America. According to its website, Root Capital "seeks to maximize the positive social and environmental impact of [its] work through a three-pronged strategy: finance, advise, and catalyze."[3]
Operations
Root Capital claims to follow a three-step approach towards making a positive impact in the poor rural areas of Africa and Latin America where it operates. The three steps are:[3]
- Finance: This involves making loans to rural small and growing businesses, including both short-term and long-term loans.
- Advise: This involves delivering financial training to current and prospective clients.
- Catalyze: This involves innovating on their own methodology to increase their own impact.
According to its impact page,[4] Root Capital has disbursed $436 million USD between 1999 and 2012 and reached 2.6 million household members.
Root Capital is one of several money managers to pursue a gender lens investing strategy.[5]
Funding
Root Capital seeks funding from both individual donors and foundations. Foundations that have funded Root capital include Mulago Foundation,[6] Jasmine Social Investments,[7] and Peery Foundation.[8]
External reviews
Charity Navigator has given Root Capital a four-star rating (its highest possible) in its review of the organization.[9]
Charity evaluator GiveWell had a conversation with the CEO of Root Capital in September 2011,[10] and plans to publish a detailed review of Root Capital in 2013.[11]
References
- ↑ "About Us". Root Capital. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ↑ "Our Team". Root Capital. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- 1 2 "Our Approach". Root Capital. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ↑ "Our Impact". Root Capital. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ↑ Sullivan, Paul (August 14, 2015). "With an Eye to Impact, Investing Through a 'Gender Lens'". The New York Times. The New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
- ↑ "Root Capital". Mulago Foundation. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ↑ "Who We Fund". Jasmine Social Investments. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ↑ "Partners". Peery Foundation. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ↑ "Charity Navigator Rating - Root Capital". Charity Navigator. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ↑ "Conversation with Root Capital". GiveWell. 2011-09-16. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ↑ "Root Capital". GiveWell. Retrieved 2012-12-05.