Newsletter April 2024

Global Impact

Over the past two decades Peru has had one of Latin America’s fastest growing economies. Despite this progress, poverty remains significant and highly concentrated in rural areas. Our new partner, Inclusiva Savings and Credit Cooperative, began lending in the Lima region in 2020 and has experienced significant growth. It established branches in areas that previously did not have any existing financial institutions. Its most remote branch is in Cajatambo where 28% of the population lives in extreme poverty. The Quilmaná office is the largest branch and is the only financial institution in the area. Inclusiva provides its clients with vital credit, savings, financial literacy training and capacity building. Read more

Feature Story

Envest Makes Its First Investment
in Ugandan Mobile Money Organization

By Laura Dreese

On March 19, 2024 Envest Plus, the sister fund of Envest Microfinance Fund, made its debut investment in an inspiring financial inclusion organization called FLOW Uganda (FLOW). FLOW uses a unique tech + touch approach to reach thousands of mobile money merchants with tiny loans between $60 and $1,300, allowing them to optimize their cash flows and grow their businesses. The investment in FLOW marks an expansion beyond Envest’s scope of lending exclusively to traditional microfinance institutions, paving the way for other innovative financial inclusion companies to gain financing from Envest. Read more

Investor Spotlight

Envest has a wide variety of investors located in 25 U.S. states, with Wisconsin and North Carolina holding the record for most investors. Nearly 60% of our investors come in through a financial advisor. We do have institutional investors, but the bulk of our portfolio, 86%, is funded through individual investors. These investors play a key role and are all united by a desire to make a difference in expanding financial inclusion in countries with a severe need for capital. Contact us to learn more about available investment opportunities.

You Are Invited

Register here to participate via Zoom in this webinar for investors and non-investors taking place on Wednesday, May 29 from 3:00-4:00pm CDT. We will introduce our new fund, Envest Plus, why we launched it, and how it differs from the original Envest Microfinance Fund. You will hear about investment opportunities in both funds as well as the impact the funds are having on the lives of low-income people in 11 countries. The meeting is open to everyone.

Welcome New Team Member

Bob Helmuth joined Envest as the Impact & Development Strategist in February 2024. Bob’s focus is building relationships with investment professionals, which can lead to high impact funding of global businesses with which Envest helps finance through its valued partnership network. These investments produce outcomes that uplift people in underserved communities. Bob has been a longtime leader in business development for the sustainable and impact investing community that has led to its significant growth nationally. Prior to joining Envest, he served in executive positions with Impax Asset Management (formerly Pax World Funds) and with companies in the cable television industry, including ESPN, Daniels & Associates, Cablevision Industries and Starz Encore. He is a graduate of Colgate University (BA, Social Relations) and Boston University (MS, Public Communication). You can reach Bob at bobhelmuth@envestmicrofinance.com.