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Chicago's Pullman Park Continues to Build, Create Jobs

Oscar Perry Abello

September 06, 2017 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

At the old site of Pullman railroad cars, Chicago has found some creative ways to foster development. A community bank created Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives, which uses neighborhood input to decide which projects to pursue. Emphasis is placed on projects with aligned values, such as Method, a B Corporation that manufactures soaps. Projects also aim to hire local and invest in local businesses.

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IDB Aims to Catalyze Energy Efficiency in Latin America

Abhilasha Purwar

July 03, 2017 |

Clean Energy Finance Forum |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Barriers, such as lack of standardization and information dispersion, are preventing market development for global financing of energy-efficient projects. The Inter-American Development Bank's Energy Savings Insurance Team has developed a scheme that could increase investments resulting in greater energy efficiency; through implementations such as standardized contracts, market auditors, and an engagement framework.

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This Online Lender Uses Data Analytics To Serve Borrowers Who Lack Credit Scores

Jessica Goodheart

June 29, 2017 |

FastCompany |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Redwood City, California

Historically, banks have been largely hesitant to give small loans to individuals, particularly those with little or no credit history, which includes many immigrants and minorities. But an institution called Oportun is willing to bet on the underserved while still staying profitable as a business - they provide increased access to loans by leveraging a solid screening process, online resources, and credit score support for their customers.

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Making Microcredit Charities Better

Dyan Machan

June 17, 2017 |

Barron's |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Ghana, Pokuase

Microfinance was widely lauded for decades as a surefire and promising way to break the cycle of poverty and uplift the economies of the developing world, especially when targeted for women. But hard data has shown that, on its own, micro-loans don't serve to create sustainable change without a comprehensive approach, and that there are many other factors - such as education and healthcare - to consider when leveraging these tools.

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U-Haul Invests in New England Wild Spaces

Leon Kaye

June 15, 2017 |

Triple Pundit |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Success, New Hampshire

U-Haul and supermarket supplier C&S Wholesale Grocers are striving to help offset their wood use by increasing donations to The Conservation Fund. This partnership has led to the promotion of the conservation of the Success Pond and its surrounding forest, the establishment of newly planted trees, and a significant investment in land easements that will restore and protect native habitats.

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The Philanthropy World Is Embracing Impact Investing

Ben Paynter

June 05, 2017 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Redwood City, California

The resources needed to tackle some of the world's most pressing social and environmental problems - from poverty to climate change to inequality - are generally far beyond the reach of governments and traditional philanthropies. Fortunately, the private sector is taking an increasing role in social entrepreneurship through the practice of impact investing. Organizations and individuals alike are investing funds into meaningful, scalable projects that are generally proven to also provide a return; a win-win for everyone that generates sustainable change.

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Innovators Face Challenges in Breaking Down Barriers to Capital for Underserved Entrepreneurs

Sarah Trent

June 02, 2017 |

Locavesting |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Cincinnati

Existing services and resources for entrepreneurs disproportionately do not help minorities and women, making it difficult for them to become successful. Programs such as MORTAR aim to help these under served entrepreneurs by providing capital to help their businesses take off.

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In Kenya, Phones Replace Bank Tellers

Tina Rosenberg

May 09, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Kenya

Building on the widespread use of mobile phones in Kenya, applications have been developed to provide people with financial services. Through these applications people can securely receive money, save money, and make payments increasing their fiscal stability and their ability to access assistance when adverse events happen. The applications also create a record of financial transactions resulting in people being able to establish credit, receive loans, and access pay-as-you-go programs.

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How Rang De is using crowdsourcing to make micro loans cheaper

Anu Thomas

May 04, 2017 |

The Economic Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Bengaluru, Karnataka

A husband and wife team in Bangalore (Bengaluru) have created a peer-to-peer, online micro-loan platform to help make poverty history by addressing credit needs of underserved communities. Lenders on the platform can choose the individuals and projects they loan to, and interest rates are kept low so as to be accessible for the recipients. The platform, Rang De, has seen great success and boasts a 93% repayment rate.

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How to Trick People Into Saving Money

Rob Walker

May 01, 2017 |

The Atlantic |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Salem, Illinois

A large number of Americans are "unbanked or underbanked"—meaning they are not tied to traditional financial institutions to manage their money—which makes saving difficult. Walmart has managed to serve this population with a debit card program called MoneyCard that provides financial incentives to users to regularly put aside money into a "vault." This approach effectively takes into account behavioral economics in terms of how humans approach short- versus long-term rewards. Launching in August 2016, the program's membership had grown more than 130% and savings increased by 38% by December 2016.

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