Opportunity International

Summary

Opportunity International is in the global fight against poverty. Al Whittaker founded the first Opportunity program in Latin America in 1971. In 1976, David Bussau, an Australian entrepreneur, founded a similar job creation program in Indonesia, and in 1979, the two programs united. It's mission is motivated by Christ's call to serve the poor. By the end of 2008, Opportunity International had expanded to 28 developing countries, serving over 1,250,000 loan clients, 420,000 savings clients and insuring over 1.8 million lives. Opportunity International is a nonprofit organization. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Contact Information: [ Back to top ]

Organization Details [ Back to top ]

Purpose [ Back to top ]

Opportunity International is in the global fight against poverty. Al Whittaker founded the first Opportunity program in Latin America in 1971. In 1976, David Bussau, an Australian entrepreneur, founded a similar job creation program in Indonesia, and in 1979, the two programs united. It’s mission is motivated by Christ’s call to serve the poor. By the end of 2008, Opportunity International had expanded to 28 developing countries, serving over 1,250,000 loan clients, 420,000 savings clients and insuring over 1.8 million lives.

As a microfinance organization, Opportunity provides poor entrepreneurs with capital (as little as $50 but typically around $180) and business training to start and expand small businesses. By increasing their clients’ income level, Opportunity seeks to provide improved living conditions, access to health care and education for children so that the cycle of poverty is permanently broken. Women are the most economically vulnerable people in the Developing World, and 85% of Opportunity’s loan clients are women.

The majority of Opportunity’s clients are part of Trust Groups, in which 15-40 people self-select its members and choose their leaders. The members each receive a loan and agree to co-guarantee the loans of the other members. This fosters a commitment to the success of the group, as well as social and economic development within the community. 98% of Opportunity’s clients repay their loans, and the money is then re-loaned to another client, so that the money is re-cycled and not consumed.

Opportunity is also working to build scalable, sustainable, and accessible banks throughout the developing world to provide savings and insurance products tailored to the specific needs of each region.   Savings accounts provide a secure, convenient way for clients to manage money and prepare for a crisis or business opportunity.   These savings accounts also bring stability and a means to move away from subsistence living. Opportunity’s MicroEnsure, the world’s first and largest microinsurance broker, provides protection against the many risks faced by those living in poverty.   Innovative products cover more than 800,000 policyholders with crop, loan, health, life, and property insurance-offering clients a safety net when an unexpected hardship or disaster occurs.

Opportunity seeks to transform the lives of their clients economically, socially and spiritually. Clients attend weekly Trust Groups meetings, where they receive Bible-based training on business practices, prayer and devotions. Opportunity has no denominational affiliation, and is dedicated to serving poor clients “of all faiths and no faith”.

Opportunity International is a nonprofit organization. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Mission Statement [ Back to top ]

Opportunity International uses the following to express their mission:

Our mission is to provide opportunities for people in chronic poverty to transform their lives. Our strategy is to create jobs, stimulate small business, and strengthen communities among the poor. Our method is to work through sustainable local microfinance institutions that provide small business loans, savings, insurance and training. Our commitment is motivated by Jesus Christ's call to serve the poor. Our core values are respect, commitment to the poor, integrity, and stewardship.

Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]

GLOBAL IMPACT

Loan clients: 1,250,000

Dollars loaned in 2008: $840 million

Average first loan size: $181

Loans to women: 85%

Repayment rate: 98%

Savings clients: 420,000

Savings deposits: $225 million 

Microinsurance Policyholders: 815,000

Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]

OI uses the following to express its guiding principles:

"Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from one who wants to borrow from you.” Matthew 5:42

People who care about the poor and hold scripture in high regard are not surprised to learn that several hundred verses in the Bible attest to God’s concern for the poor. In Matthew 25, Jesus says,“whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

The Oxford Declaration on Christian Faith and Economics affirms that poverty was not part of God’s original creation, and that poverty and powerlessness are an offence to God and a denial of his loving provision for his creatures. To neglect the poor reveals a lack of love that does not match God’s unlimited concern for humanity, nor Christ’s mission that portrays deep care for suffering people.

“He who oppresses a poor man insults his maker.” Proverbs 14:31

Opportunity International heeds Christ’s call to serve the poor by providing opportunities for impoverished people to transform their lives through microenterprise development—providing small business loans and training so people can work out of poverty with dignity. This strategy demonstrates that God’s concern for the poor is not just to meet their economic needs, but to empower them to meet their own needs.

History [ Back to top ]

In 1971, Al Whittaker, president of Bristol-Meyers International Corporation, asked poor people, "What do you need?" They answered, "We need work. With jobs we will solve our own problems." Whittaker acted on that answer and founded the first Opportunity program in Latin America. In 1981 Al Whittaker, President Opportunity International, retired and is Chairman Emeritus.

In 1976, David Bussau, an Australian entrepreneur, founded a similar program in Indonesia. Three years later, the two programs united. Poor people on two continents proved that with small loans to start up or expand micro-businesses and cottage industries they could support their families. The Opportunity Network now has partners in 29 countries, in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

Ministry Needs [ Back to top ]

This organization has not offered MinistryWatch.com with specific needs to be posted on the profile. At such a time that MinistryWatch.com receives a response from the ministry, it will be posted immediately.

Research Analysis

Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]

MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]

Ranking Category	Rating	Overall Rank	Relief and Development Sector
Overall Efficiency Rating		271 of 348	45 of 52
Fund Acquisition Decision		271 of 348	45 of 52
Resource Allocation Decision		of 348	32 of 52
Asset Utilization Decision		of 348	32 of 52