One Percent for America
One Percent for America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers 1% interest installment loans ($380–$1,385) to eligible immigrants to cover USCIS citizenship application fees, operating across 10 U.S. states via a TurnKey Lender-powered digital platform with pay-it-forward recycling of repaid principal.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersBoston, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What One Percent for America does
One Percent for America (OPA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2022 and affiliated with BlueHub Capital, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The organization operates a digital lending platform that offers a 1% fixed APR personal installment loan ranging from $380 to $1,385 to help eligible immigrants cover USCIS citizenship application fees (Form N-400 or N-600). Approved loan funds are disbursed via a virtual payment card restricted to USCIS fee payment, and the platform is built on TurnKey Lender for loan origination, servicing, and borrower account management. OPA reports having supported over 2,300 citizenship journeys since launch and is licensed to lend in 10 states (CA, FL, IL, KS, MA, ME, NJ, NY, SC, TX).
OPA's business model combines subsidized lending with philanthropic support. Loan interest revenue at 1% APR is intentionally modest (approximately $7–$14 lifetime interest per borrower on a $1,385, 12-month loan), while the capital base is sustained through Program Related Investments from foundations (e.g., a $250,000 PRI from Eastern Bank Foundation in November 2023) and individual/corporate donations. The organization employs a pay-it-forward model in which repaid principal is recycled into new loans, creating a self-replenishing capital pool. Go-to-market is a hybrid of direct-to-consumer digital acquisition (content marketing through The Guide, organic social, earned media including NYT DealBook and Fast Company) and partnership-driven referral channels through immigrant-serving nonprofits, workforce development programs, and employer benefit programs.
The target customer is an adult immigrant (18+) residing in a licensed state who is eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship, holds a Social Security Number and U.S. debit card, and meets minimum credit requirements (or qualifies with an employed co-borrower). OPA reports 11–50 employees, bilingual English/Spanish support, and leadership continuity drawn from BlueHub Capital, including CEO and Board President Elyse Cherry (BlueHub CEO since 1997) and General Manager Autumn McLaughlin. Customer segments also include employer partners and institutional donors, though individual borrowers represent the primary user base.
One Percent for America firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- One Percent for America
- Legal name
- One Percent for America, Inc.
- Website
- https://onepercentforamerica.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- One Percent for America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers 1% interest installment loans ($380–$1,385) to eligible immigrants to cover USCIS citizenship application fees, operating across 10 U.S. states via a TurnKey Lender-powered digital platform with pay-it-forward recycling of repaid principal.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
One Percent for America industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Development Lending
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Insurance and Employee Benefit Funds (5251), Educational Support Services (6117)
- SIC
- Personal Credit Institutions (6141), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Government Benefit & EBT / Social Program Cards (FSAMANAF)
Keywords
Where One Percent for America is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
One Percent for America business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Loan Interest Revenue: 1% fixed annual percentage rate (APR) on loans ranging from $380 to $1,385 with a 12-month repayment term. Monthly installments begin within 45 days of loan approval.
- Donations and Philanthropic Support: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization accepting donations from individuals, organizations, and companies. Donations support the pay-it-forward model and help lower barriers to citizenship.
- Program-Related Investments (PRIs): Low-cost capital from foundations (e.g., $250,000 from Eastern Bank Foundation) to support loan programs for low-to-moderate income immigrants in specific geographic areas.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Monthly | Standard 1% Interest Loan - $380 to $1,385 |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
One Percent for America product offering
Product offeringCore offering
One Percent for America (OPA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers 1% fixed APR personal installment loans ranging from $380 to $1,385 to help eligible immigrants pay U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) application fees for Form N-400 or N-600. Approved funds are disbursed via a Virtual Payment Card usable only for USCIS fees, with a 12-month repayment term. The organization runs a pay-it-forward model in which repaid principal is recycled into new loans for future borrowers.
Product overview
One Percent for America operates a single core product—the OPA 1% Interest Loan—designed to reduce financial barriers to U.S. citizenship for immigrants. The loan is supplemented by educational resources through The Guide, a borrower management portal (Loan Center) for loan servicing and payments, and Virtual Payment Card for fee disbursement. The company uses a pay-it-forward model where repaid loans are reinvested into new loans, creating a sustainable cycle of support. Spanish language support is available throughout all offerings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- OPA 1% Interest Loan A 1% fixed APR personal installment loan designed to help adult immigrants (18+) in licensed states pay USCIS citizenship application fees for Form N-400 or N-600. Loan amounts range from $380 to $1,385 over a 12-month repayment schedule, with monthly installments beginning within 45 days of approval. Funds are loaded onto a Virtual Payment Card that can only be used with USCIS. Repayments are recycled under a pay-it-forward model to fund future borrowers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,300+ citizenship journeys supported since 2022
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use One Percent for America
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
One Percent for America technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
One Percent for America partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Immigrant-Serving OrganizationscoreOPA partners with immigrant-serving nonprofits, workforce development programs, and mission-aligned businesses to expand access to citizenship and financial opportunity through referrals and community outreach.
- Employer PartnersminorCompanies can offer OPA's 1% loan as an employee benefit for eligible employees and their family members. Program includes co-branded materials, information sessions, and impact reporting.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
One Percent for America competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Stilt: Stilt is a digital lender focused on providing personal loans and financial products to immigrants and underserved borrowers in the U.S., often without requiring a Social Security number. It is a direct competitor to OPA in serving immigrant credit needs.
- Possible Financial: Possible Financial offers small-dollar installment loans to thin- and no-credit borrowers via a mobile app. It is comparable to OPA in providing affordable, mission-driven consumer credit to financially underserved populations, though targeting a broader demographic.
- Kiva: Kiva is a nonprofit crowdfunding platform that enables 0% interest loans to underserved borrowers globally. Like OPA, it leverages a community-driven, donor-funded model to deliver affordable credit to populations excluded from mainstream finance.
- Mission Asset Fund: Mission Asset Fund operates Lending Circles, a nonprofit zero-interest social lending model for low-income immigrants. It is a direct peer to OPA's pay-it-forward, community-financed approach to immigrant financial inclusion.
- Grameen America: Grameen America is a nonprofit microfinance organization providing small loans to women entrepreneurs in low-income U.S. communities. Comparable to OPA as a mission-driven nonprofit lender using community-trust models to reach populations bypassed by mainstream banks.
- DreamSpring (formerly Opportunity Fund): DreamSpring is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution providing small business loans to underserved entrepreneurs. Comparable to OPA as a CDFI-style nonprofit lender serving immigrants and other financially excluded populations.
Others
- BlueHub Capital: BlueHub Capital is OPA's parent CDFI and operational incubator, with 40+ years of community development lending. While not a direct competitor, it is the structural and capital backbone that makes OPA's model viable.
- Immigrants Rising: Immigrants Rising is a nonprofit organization supporting immigrant professionals through legal, financial, and career resources. It is comparable to OPA as a referral and ecosystem partner serving immigrant communities pursuing citizenship and economic mobility.
Broad incumbents
- LendingClub: LendingClub is a large online consumer lending marketplace offering personal installment loans. It is comparable to OPA as a digital personal-credit provider, though it serves a much broader, higher-credit-quality borrower base.
Emerging players
- Tala: Tala is a mobile lending platform serving underbanked consumers in emerging markets using alternative credit data. It is comparable to OPA in targeting thin-file borrowers with digital-first credit products, though primarily outside the U.S.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
One Percent for America social profiles
Digital presenceOne Percent for America compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
One Percent for America financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
One Percent for America leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
One Percent for America funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
One Percent for America M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about One Percent for America
What does One Percent for America do?
One Percent for America (OPA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers 1% fixed APR personal installment loans ranging from $380 to $1,385 to help eligible immigrants pay U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) application fees for Form N-400 or N-600. Approved funds are disbursed via a Virtual Payment Card usable only for USCIS fees, with a 12-month repayment term. The organization runs a pay-it-forward model in which repaid principal is recycled into new loans for future borrowers.
Is One Percent for America a public or private company?
One Percent for America is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was One Percent for America founded?
One Percent for America was founded in 2022. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is One Percent for America based?
One Percent for America is headquartered in Boston, United States, in the North America region.
How does One Percent for America make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Loan Interest Revenue is the primary driver. The others are donations and Philanthropic Support and program-Related Investments (PRIs).
Who are One Percent for America's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Stilt, Possible Financial, Kiva, Mission Asset Fund, Grameen America and DreamSpring (formerly Opportunity Fund). Others are BlueHub Capital and Immigrants Rising. LendingClub is listed as a broad incumbent. Tala is listed as an emerging player.
Does One Percent for America have an API?
No public API is recorded for One Percent for America.
What industry is One Percent for America in?
One Percent for America's product category is Community Development Lending. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAMANAF, Government Benefit & EBT / Social Program Cards. Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 6141.