Our History
Founded in Queens, NY, in 2008, Grameen America builds on the legacy and proven model of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus. His revolutionary but simple idea that all people can lift themselves out of poverty through their own entrepreneurial spirit has dramatically altered how the world views global poverty.
Our Services
Grameen America provides access to affordable business capital by offering first-time loans starting at no more than $2,500. As part of the program, members receive financial education, peer support, and make weekly loan deposits. We also report loan repayments to major credit bureaus, enabling our members to build their financial mobility.
Who We Serve
Our target population is women living in underserved communities, for whom the mainstream financial system is currently out of reach. Our members are women who previously had few options for accessing capital and most lacked bank accounts and credit scores.
Our Founder
Professor Muhammad Yunus
Professor Yunus, the “father of microfinance,” founded the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh on the premise that the poor are creditworthy. In 2006, Professor Yunus and the Grameen Bank were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for their efforts to create economic and social development from below.” Professor Yunus is only one of six people in history to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal. Professor Yunus published his work on microfinance and social business in his books Banker to the Poor, Creating a World Without Poverty, and Building Social Business.