About Us

Ymicro.org is a web-based platform for engaging members of the global YMCA family in support of microfinance activities in developing economies around the world. Building on the highly successful people-to-people microfinance model developed over the past five years by Kiva.org, Ymicro.org brings a proven system to the established global YMCA network while making unique YMCA improvements.

Ymicro.org is being tested in a pilot phase from July through December 2011. Partner YMCAs in Colombia, The Gambia, Liberia and Sri Lanka are the initial pilot YMCAs with other countries being added in time for a broader launch in early 2012. Members, staff, volunteers and friends of a group of Support YMCAs in developed economies are being invited to go on-line during the pilot phase to choose a specific micro loan and make a small donation to help fund that loan. Then donors will follow the story of their new entrepreneur through the Ymicro.org web site.

As Ymicro.org is envisioned, Partner YMCAs will either be collaborating with a local MFI (microfinance institution) or making loans directly. Many Partner YMCAs will be working with local Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) to surround participants with a variety of social, educational and developmental assets. The local YMCA will share in the business success of participants as loans are repaid, providing the YMCA and the MFI with a source of earned income to expand their work with vulnerable populations. Other Partner YMCAs with experience in making loans to existing target markets will be continuing and expanding that work with the support of Ymicro.org.

History - A major component of international programs in YMCAs is based on partnerships between Ys in other countries. These partnerships are intended to increase the Y's capacity to address global issues including youth empowerment and to enable youth and adults to be effective global citizens.

The idea for Ymicro.org was first suggested by Jerry Glashagel whose Y career started with an international assignment in India. Now retired, he has volunteered with the YMCA of Greater Seattle in support of its partnership with Cali, Colombia. On a visit to Cali in 2009 for a board development workshop, Jerry and Tom Horsley (international officer for the Seattle YMCA) were able to visit Y programs for families in conditions of poverty. It seemed evident that microcredit would be logical progression for many of the young people and adults. For the next 18 months consultations were held with several microfinance organizations and with the YMCA of the USA, the World Alliance of YMCAs, several YMCAs that have strong partnerships in other countries and Ys in developing countries that had expressed interest in microfinance.

The conclusion from this research was that current microfinance efforts were reaching only a small percentage of those who might benefit, and that a Y microfinance program would not only benefit those receiving the credit, but would support improved sustainability for Ys in developing economies. As the model was developed the idea of incorporating micro-philanthropy was born. This is an effort to involve those in the social media generation both in giving and in having a better understanding of global issues.