Kiva’s mission is to connect people, through lending, for the sake of alleviating poverty. Kiva empowers individuals to lend to an entrepreneur across the globe. By combining microfinance with the internet, Kiva is creating a global community of people connected through lending.

Kiva was born of the following beliefs:

People are by nature generous, and will help others if given the opportunity to do so in a transparent, accountable way.

The poor are highly motivated and can be very successful when given an opportunity.

By connecting people we can create relationships beyond financial transactions, and build a global community expressing support and encouragement of one another. As of November 2009, Kiva has facilitated over $100 million in loans.

Dermalogica, the world’s preeminent professional skin care brand, is the founding partner for FITE, and has invested all the research and development to make FITE possible. From supporting creation of the platform, to being the first partner to create a retail connection with its FITE products, to rallying its tribe of over 100,000 successful women entrepreneurs worldwide to join FITE, Dermalogica has helped make the vision of FITE a reality.

Dermalogica® revolutionized the skin care industry when it emerged into the marketplace in 1986 with innovative formulations, which excluded common irritants, including SD alcohol, lanolin, mineral oil and artificial colors and fragrances. Jane Wurwand developed the products to better support the advanced curriculum she had developed a few years earlier for The International Dermal Institute, which she also founded. By focusing on the success of professional skin therapists and their businesses, Wurwand led the company’s growth from an idea to the world’s most-requested professional skin care brand. Dermalogica has been selected as one of UK’s CoolBrands® for five years in a row.

Dermalogica’s unique focus on professional skin care has helped more than 25,000 skin treatment centers – employing upwards of 75,000 skin therapists – run successful businesses, and deliver a level of professional skin health that today’s consumers crave.

Lifetime Networks

For more than 25 years, Lifetime Networks has led the longest standing and most comprehensive public affairs efforts of any cable network in the United States, educating and empowering hundreds of millions of people each year. In addressing critical social issues affecting the lives of women and girls, Lifetime develops, creates and launches multi-year advocacy campaigns that involve public service announcements, legislative advocacy and partnerships with hundreds of non-profit organizations, women leaders, public officials and key members of the media to reach women on-air, online and in communities across the country.

Diane Keaton

I have always felt very strongly that women are the solution to so many of the world’s problems. Every woman has the right to reach her full potential regardless of age, circumstance, or what part of the world she lives in. My team stands for economic empowerment… for all women. (Photo: Firooz Zahedi/JBG Photo).

Maria Bello

As an actor and activist passionate about women’s empowerment, I lend because I believe that investments in women create an incredible ripple effect of positive change. Come join my lending team and help thousands of women reach financial independence.

Dan Levy

"Dan Levy knows funny." – Andrew Ryan, The Globe and Mail

Dan Levy, a Canadian television personality, achieved international visibility for his critically acclaimed work as a host on MTV Canada and co-host of the network’s international hit, The Hills After Show. Fresh off the success of The Hills After Show, Dan helped create The After Show, a comedy based entertainment talk show for which he produced, wrote and co-hosted. The show, which provided smart and colourful commentary on daily pop culture news, helped build upon Dan’s now-signature dry wit and self deprecating charm.

On camera and off, Dan’s unique sense of style and signature dark-rimmed glasses have turned him into an unexpected style icon leading him to jobs curating Fashion Magazine‘s music blog and on camera as the former resident style expert for eTALK, Canada’s leading entertainment show. Dan’s latest endeavors include writing a monthly column for FLARE Magazine.

Guess? Canada

Established in 1981, GUESS began as a denim company and has since successfully grown into a global lifestyle brand. Today, GUESS designs, markets and distributes full collections of women’s, men’s and children’s apparel as well as accessories. Throughout the years, the GUESS image has portrayed in unforgettable, innovative campaigns that have made the brand a household name. GUESS is distributed throughout the United States and Canada in fine department and specialty stores, its retail and factory stores, and on its online store GUESS.com. GUESS has licensees and distributors in South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Middle East. In addition to shopping online, you can find more information on GUESS at www.guess.com.

The Belinda Stronach Foundation

We know that the empowerment of girls and women is the most effective tool for development and we are committed to initiatives focused on their advancement. Economically empowered women create a ripple effect of change for themselves, their children, and their communities. The Belinda Stronach Foundation’s Girls and Women initiative is the start of a global conversation about the economic prowess of girls and women and our commitment to creating a space where girls’ voices can be heard globally.

The Belinda Stronach Foundation (TBSF) is committed to advancing human potential and achievement through individual empowerment and social change. As one of the Foundation’s pillars, TBSF Girls and Women has begun to work with the private sector and a number of national and global organizations to encourage G8 and G20 leaders to elevate the importance of political empowerment and economic freedom for girls and women in developed and developing nations. The G(irls)20 Summit brings together one girl from each of the G20 countries ten days before the official G20 Summit, with the next Summit reconvening in France this year. Please go to http://www.girlsandwomen.com/ to learn more.

 

Birds Eye View

Founded in 2002 as a positive response to the fact that only 7% of films are directed by women, Birds Eye View launched the UK’s first major festival of international women filmmakers in 2005 and has since gone from strength to
strength. This year, more than 10,000 people will visit the seventh Birds Eye View Film Festival at the ICA, BFI Southbank, Southbank Centre and selected venues across London.

Birds Eye View also works year-round to promote the role of women in film and nurture the next generation of talent, through initiatives such as the BEV Filmmaker Labs, regular national touring programmes and the First Weekenders Club.

Jason Alexander

I am the son of a powerful, successful woman who was herself the daughter of a strong, determined, independent and successful woman. I have never known a life without the presence and partnership of such women. It is exactly the kind of woman I married and have had as my partner and best friend for thirty years.

I have noted in my travels around the world that the places that are most desperate: impoverished, uneducated, lacking in technology, devoid of democratic freedoms and processes, repressed – these are all places where the subjugation of women are the common norm. Conversely, I have never seen a community in which women flourish that hasn’t been a progressive, cohesive and relatively happy community.

I am therefore honored to be a team leader with FITE and join their mission to empower women everywhere and provide them the tools to journey to their fullest potential. And I invite men everywhere to become part of this work. The women in my life, as well as my father, have shown me that much of being a man is determined by how we see and treat the women in our lives. Too many men have failed in this. So, many more need to step up. Thanks for taking a step.

Sharlene Chiu

Producer and Reporter for MTV Canada.

Sharlene Chiu was first introduced to the airwaves as an MTV News reporter on the original hour version of MTV Live. The regular weekly News segment featured Sharlene traveling around the world reporting on music events and trends. Sharlene also established an exceptional reputation for her passion in selecting and supporting new independent music through her interviews with today’s most exciting breakout artists for On the Radar, a segment that also aired within MTV Live. In 2008, MTV News developed into its own half-hour program and became the new home for Sharlene, On the Radar, and many more entertaining and informative features to come. As a FITE Team Leader, Sharlene hopes to help empower women around the world and help them realize their true potential.

ServiceNation

ServiceNation is a campaign to inspire a new era of voluntary citizen service in America. We encourage global citizens to join our lending team and help raise loans for women entrepreneurs . Let’s demonstrate the power of our collective impact to help empower women around the world! Please visit servicenation.org for more information on ServiceNation.

Shae-Lynn Bourne, Canadian Olympic Figure Skater

I owe my success in the figure skating world to the work of a strong independent woman, my Mom. Her strength, love and positive attitude was pivotal in helping me achieve my goal.
One of the most important lessons that she taught me was to never give up on your dreams. As a FITE Team Leader, I hope to help empower women around the world and help them realize theirs.
Together as one, we can make a difference!

Sandals Luxury Included® Resorts

Sandals Luxury Included® Resorts pride themselves on offering two people in love the most romantic vacation experience. With more quality inclusions than any other resorts on the planet, Sandals has 14 Luxury Included® beachfront destinations located in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia and The Bahamas – all with unrivaled views, out of the ordinary luxury and the utmost in service. To learn more about transforming the everyday vacation into something extraordinary, please visit our website at www.sandals.com.

For 30 years, corporate social responsibility has been an operations mandate at Sandals Resorts International. From sponsoring schools and conducting health screenings to supporting local farmers and cleaning up beaches, we play an active role in caring for the communities where Sandals and Beaches Resorts operate across the Caribbean. Through The Sandals Foundation, the resort company’s official philanthropic arm, we fund projects in the areas of education, community and the environment for the betterment of the Caribbean community. For more information, visit www.SandalsFoundation.org

Beaches by Sandals

Beaches Resorts are the Luxury Included® vacation destinations that include anything and everything for everyone. With four spectacular locations on the most beautiful beaches in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica, Beaches is the ultimate getaway for everyone. If you dream of fun-filled tropical escapes to pristine white-sand beaches caressed by crystal-blue seas and family vacations that offer every activity under the sun, then look no further than Beaches – the Luxury Included® Resorts for Everyone by Sandals. For more information, visit www.beaches.com.

For 30 years, corporate social responsibility has been an operations mandate at Sandals Resorts International. From sponsoring schools and conducting health screenings to supporting local farmers and cleaning up beaches, we play an active role in caring for the communities where Sandals and Beaches Resorts operate across the Caribbean. Through The Sandals Foundation, the resort company’s official philanthropic arm, we fund projects in the areas of education, community and the environment for the betterment of the Caribbean community. For more information, visit www.SandalsFoundation.org.

Team Jess

Considered this generation’s "Go to Girl" for self-esteem, Jess Weiner motivates women and girls around the globe to develop the tools for living a more confident life. She writes monthly columns for MSN.com and Seventeen and is the author of two best-selling books, "A Very Hungry Girl" and "Life Doesn’t Begin Five Pounds From Now." She currently serves as Dove’s Global Ambassador for Self-Esteem and travels the world speaking and hosting workshops on self-confidence.

Why do you care about women entrepreneurs? Women entrepreneurs are what I call the ultimate Actionists(r): someone who chooses to take action in their everyday life to make it better. They hold vision for a community, they build opportunity for others to grow, and they are wildly imaginative and passionately committed to making this a better world.

Why should someone join TEAM JESS? Because many of us on TEAM JESS are Entrepreneurs who know how hard it is to follow your dreams and see them turn into a reality. We are also a wild bunch of Actionists(r) who walk our talk! Everyone on TEAM JESS shares the same vision – to create a more confident world of Women and Girls. And we will accomplish that together by taking one small, simple step: supporting female business owners and entrepreneurs!

NAWBO-LA

NAWBO-LA understands how much a woman can accomplish with the helping hand of another woman. We believe in weaving community webs that help spring one another to greater heights. The tighter the web, the higher we can rise. "There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women." ~ Madeleine Albright

Isobel Coleman

Women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan, Pakistan and throughout the Middle East are courageously advancing their own educational, economic and political opportunities and bringing greater stability and prosperity to the region. I document their efforts in my latest book, Paradise Beneath Her Feet: How Women are Transforming the Middle East – check it out here.

This lending team is focused on women in Afghanistan, Pakistan and throughout the Middle East.

Nicholas Kristof / Half the Sky

We believe that empowering women with microloans changes oppression into opportunity and sparks generations of economic change for women worldwide. Inspired by the book Half the Sky, written by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, our team is committed to helping curb culturally accepted abuse of women around the world.

www.halftheskymovement.org

Julia Ormond

We all have a role to play in supporting solutions to combat slave labor. ASSET (the Alliance to Stop Slavery and End Trafficking), the nonprofit I founded in 2007, believes microlending is an important first step in both empowering women, enabling children to go to school, and breaking the cycle of poverty that leads to slavery. Learn more about ASSET.

Geena Davis

Founded in 2004, the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, and its programming arm See Jane, work with entertainment creators and companies, educate the next generation of content-creators, and inform the public about the need to increase the number of girls and women in media aimed at children and to reduce stereotyping of both males and females.

"Children need to see entertainment where females are valued as much as males." Founder, Geena Davis

For more information: www.seejane.org and thegeenadavisinstitute.org
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Seventh Generation

Seventh Generation supports causes that work for positive change.

Seventh Generation dedicates 10% of our pretax operating profits to non-profit groups focused on community, environment, women’s and family health, and responsible business. One of those groups is Sustainable Health Enterprises (SHE), an organization that is working with women in Rwanda to create businesses that manufacture and sell sanitary pads using locally-grown materials. Girls and adult women in Rwanda and other developing nations miss up to 50 days of school and work a year because they lack access to affordable sanitary pads.

TerraCycle

TerraCycle is the world’s leader in repurposing otherwise non-recyclable packaging and products into new consumer goods or eco-friendly building materials. TerraCycle runs free collection programs that pay schools and non-profits to collect over 35 different materials ranging from candy wrappers to glue bottles in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the UK and many other other countries worldwide. To learn more please visit our website.

To Catch a Dollar

To watch the movie trailer, click here.

To Catch a Dollar, a 2010 Sundance Film Festival selection, documents the birth of Grameen America and the effort to bring Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus’s revolutionary microfinance program to the United States. The film features stories of women borrowers from around the world – with a focus here in the United States. It depicts the genius of the Yunus model, and its promise for America. It proves it is possible to meet the needs of Americans living without access to affordable financial services, and can fuel a social movement campaign that can go even further. The campaign showcases the state of poverty in the United States, the plight of those struggling to solve and what steps can be taken toward solutions. The campaign identifies and addresses the root causes of financial inequality – why so many Americans are “unbanked” or financially unstable – in an effort to educate viewers about the potential for microfinance as a solution to a number of these pressing social challenges. Lastly, the campaign provides clear and sustainable calls to action that extend the reach of the film and its stories beyond the theater and into the lives of those who are living in poverty, those who are living on the edge of it – and those who can help.

Eileen Fisher

EILEEN FISHER creates beautifully simple clothes designed to move with real life. With pure shapes and fine fabrics, they create sophistication, comfort—and style that lasts. It’s widely known Eileen Fisher started her company with $350 and a vision. Eileen will tell you it was much more. Find out how we support women entrepreneurs at www.eileenfisher.com.

Dansko

“We give because we believe that creating opportunities for entrepreneurship enables sustainable independence.”

Established in 1990, Dansko has been a leader in providing all day comfort footwear, socks and apparel while standing at the forefront of ethical business practices. Founded by husband and wife team Mandy Cabot and Peter Kjellerup, Dansko is an employee owned company based in Pennsylvania. You can find Dansko products at over 2,500 premium US and international retail locations.