Microfinance FES | Category | Michael & Susan Dell Foundation

How do Indian families living in urban poverty approach health care? To answer this question and better understand how to structure emergency health loans for India’s urban poor, the foundation recently commissioned a study of families in five Mumbai slums.

May 09, 2013

Health emergencies: Research points to practical financial solutions for India's urban poor

How do Indian families living in urban poverty approach health care? To answer this question and better understand how to structure emergency health loans for India’s urban poor, the foundation recently commissioned a study of families in five Mumbai slums.

The development world has helped shape impact investing as a potentially great tool for helping the poor. As it evolves, we must be extremely cautious about undue emphasis on the promise of attractive financial returns and make certain that we are instead showcasing social impact, clearly defined.

Mar 10, 2013

by: Geeta Goel

Impact investing: Is it becoming just another 'feel good' investment?

The development world has helped shape impact investing as a potentially great tool for helping the poor. As it evolves, we must be extremely cautious about undue emphasis on the promise of attractive financial returns and make certain that we are instead showcasing social impact, clearly defined.

This year, the foundation will hit a symbolic watershed: $1 billion committed to support education reform, better childhood health, family economic stability and other initiatives. The organizations we’ve supported have achieved enormous progress to date. But we believe that going forward, our dollars can work even harder.

Jan 14, 2013

by: Michael Dell and Susan Dell

Susan & Michael Dell issue a call to action: Ask questions. Set goals. Build markets. Exercise discipline.

This year, the foundation will hit a symbolic watershed: $1 billion committed to support education reform, better childhood health, family economic stability and other initiatives. The organizations we’ve supported have achieved enormous progress to date. But we believe that going forward, our dollars can work even harder.

Cost-intensive cash micropayments burden both customers and microfinance institutions. A new mobile payment pilot from Swadhaar, Airtel and Axis bank may streamline costs if regulatory complexities can be overcome.

Jan 09, 2013

by: Rahil Rangwala

Microfinance in India: Will mobile micropayments take off?

Cost-intensive cash micropayments burden both customers and microfinance institutions. A new mobile payment pilot from Swadhaar, Airtel and Axis bank may streamline costs if regulatory complexities can be overcome.

Market-based solutions aren't the only (or the best) means of addressing the many problems facing India’s urban poor. But alongside the public and philanthropic sectors, the market is one key to addressing the escalating scale and depth of urban poverty in India. Our job now is figuring out how to do it responsibly, effectively and scalably.

Nov 05, 2012

by: Geeta Goel

Aspiration Versus Need: The Puzzle of Urban Poverty in India

Market-based solutions aren't the only (or the best) means of addressing the many problems facing India’s urban poor. But alongside the public and philanthropic sectors, the market is one key to addressing the escalating scale and depth of urban poverty in India. Our job now is figuring out how to do it responsibly, effectively and scalably.

India’s cities are home to roughly 377 million people. An estimated 26 percent – 97 million – are officially poor. That’s equivalent to the combined populations of Canada and the U.K. Now, imagine half the expecting mothers in Canada and the U.K. don’t have access to safe delivery options, 71 percent of the children are anemic, and 47 percent are malnourished.

Oct 29, 2012

by: Rahil Rangwala

Giving Is not Enough: Increased Urbanization Demands That Indian Philanthropy Shift Focus

India’s cities are home to roughly 377 million people. An estimated 26 percent – 97 million – are officially poor. That’s equivalent to the combined populations of Canada and the U.K. Now, imagine half the expecting mothers in Canada and the U.K. don’t have access to safe delivery options, 71 percent of the children are anemic, and 47 percent are malnourished.

“We don’t need subsidies” is not what India’s Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) was expecting to hear at a recent Affordable Housing Workshop. But that’s exactly what housing developers catering to the needs of the urban poor had to say.

Aug 19, 2012

by: Rahil Rangwala

India's urban housing shortage: Subsidies for the poor left unused

“We don’t need subsidies” is not what India’s Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) was expecting to hear at a recent Affordable Housing Workshop. But that’s exactly what housing developers catering to the needs of the urban poor had to say.

The conversation about the need for MFI boards to focus more heavily on governance of social objectives misses the real question: Whether the boards of MFIs are adequately fulfilling the role of company board, period.

Aug 15, 2012

by: Geeta Goel

Do we need a new standard of microfinance governance? Or do boards just need to do their jobs?

The conversation about the need for MFI boards to focus more heavily on governance of social objectives misses the real question: Whether the boards of MFIs are adequately fulfilling the role of company board, period.

The next phase of hard work for microfinance - instilling a consistent framework for effective social performance management - is just beginning.

Jul 19, 2012

by: Rahil Rangwala

Microfinance and social performance: Are universal industry standards possible?

The next phase of hard work for microfinance - instilling a consistent framework for effective social performance management - is just beginning.

Unless housing finance companies, developers and builders serving low-income buyers take the time to understand their customers, our nation's nascent – and desperately needed – affordable housing market will fail to take off.

Jun 26, 2012

by: Rahil Rangwala

What will it take for India's affordable housing market to grow?

Unless housing finance companies, developers and builders serving low-income buyers take the time to understand their customers, our nation's nascent – and desperately needed – affordable housing market will fail to take off.