MicroLoan Foundation USA Mission
MicroLoan Foundation is a women’s empowerment and poverty alleviation non-profit organization that helps some of the poorest women in sub-Saharan Africa to become successful micro-entrepreneurs. By providing financial literacy training, business mentoring, and microfinance services to impoverished women living in remote rural areas in sub-Saharan Africa, we empower women to develop a livelihood for themselves and start earning an income. MicroLoan Foundation (MLF) operates a network of 32 branch office locations in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Since 2002, MLF has provided over 390,000 women with training and loan capital to start their own businesses. As a result, an estimated 1.6M children in their care have been given the chance of an education and the opportunity of a better future, enabling MLF to positively impact more than 2 million people.
MicroLoan Foundation USA, (MLF USA) is the US-based arm of MLF, with the primary focus of raising awareness and funding for MLF operations in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Position Details:
Board Member Position and Responsibilities
As a member of the Board of Directors of the MicroLoan Foundation USA, (MLF USA) you will bring your expertise to assist MLF USA in raising awareness of and support for MLF USA’s work at a national level.
You will:
- Be an ambassador and represent MLF USA’s values within the larger community and within business/professional circles.
- Actively support and promote MLF USA’s mission, vision, strategic goals, and policy positions.
- Regularly post MLF USA content and updates on social media (e.g., LinkedIn, Twitter, FaceBook, Instagram) to raise awareness.
- Be willing to fundraise on behalf of MLF USA, as well as introduce MLF USA to your network of friends, family, and professional contacts.
- Recognize that as a Board member you will be accountable for the organizational integrity, financial stability, and future of MLF USA.
- Be comfortable making an annual, personally significant gift to MLF USA.
- Be able to commit 5-10 hours per month to work on behalf of MLF USA.
- Attend 2 Board meetings per year, ideally in person [meetings are likely to take place in Boston or New York].
- Attend monthly operational board calls to review and direct board activities, as well as serve on a board committee(s) as requested.
Reporting Structure
MLF USA is managed by a volunteer board of experienced professionals and is led by a Chairman of the Board.
Qualifications and experience requirements:
- MLF USA is seeking Directors who have a passion for our mission of expanding financial literacy and microentrepreneurship in Africa.
- To support our mission of building awareness and raising funds, our ideal profile for additional directors would include some combination of the following:
- Marketing, social media, PR/communication, or marketing analytics experience to support expanding awareness of MLF’s work and mission, and/or
- Fundraising experience / know-how, and/or
- Personal / professional networks to help broaden awareness and support fundraising.
- Applicants with experience serving on the Board of Directors of a U.S. non-profit and a demonstrated history of effective advocacy / fundraising preferred.
- Applicants should have 8-10+ years of work experience, preferably in a leadership role.
- Applicants with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
- Knowledge and understanding of issues surrounding financial literacy, microfinance, gender inequality, and international development would be helpful but not a requirement.
- An interest and ability to travel to Malawi / Zambia / Zimbabwe (self-funded) and visit the work on the ground would be a plus.
- Ideally, candidates will be located in the Greater Boston or NY metro areas, but other locations will be considered.
Benefits:
- Working with a Board of Directors passionate about our mission in Africa, as well as the opportunity to work directly with international members of the MLF team.
- Knowledge that our work in the USA is enabling some of the poorest women in the world to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.
- The ability to drive an outsized impact via small amounts of capital.
How to Apply:
To apply, please send a resume, with cover letter to:
Steve@microloanfoundationusa.org.
You will then be sent an MLF USA application form to complete.
If you would like more information about MicroLoan Foundation USA and the Board of Directors position, please contact Steve Mark, Board Chair, at 617-816-5637 or Steve@microloanfoundationusa.org.
