Fonkoze

What Fonkoze does

Fonkoze is a family of three legally distinct organizations — Fondasyon Kole Zepòl (Fonkoze Foundation, Haiti), Sèvis Finansye Fonkoze (SFF, Haiti's leading microfinance institution), and Fonkoze USA (a 501(c)(3) fundraising and awareness entity) — that together deliver an integrated portfolio of financial inclusion, poverty graduation, community health, and adult education services to women and families in rural Haiti. Founded in 1994 by Father Joseph Philippe and 32 grassroots leaders, the group serves more than 200,000 participants across all 10 Haitian departments through roughly 1,000 community centers and an SFF branch network where 90%+ of locations are rural and 60% sit in areas with no competing financial institution.

Its core offerings are: (1) the Chemen Lavi Miyò (CLM) 18-month poverty graduation program, which combines asset transfers, weekly case-manager coaching, business training, and cash transfers and reports a 96% graduation rate; (2) the SFF microfinance stack of micro/small business loans ($230-$500+ initial ticket sizes), savings, money transfers, currency exchange, mobile money, and payroll services, with $15.7M disbursed across 38,546 clients in 2024; (3) the Boutik Sante community health entrepreneur program delivering basic screenings (blood pressure, child malnutrition, diabetes); and (4) the EdTek digital adult-education platform for literacy and life skills. The most recent technology addition is the Bousol stablecoin digital wallet built on the Stellar network, piloted with Mercy Corps Ventures and Paon Bleu in 2026 to deliver USDC cash transfers with full blockchain traceability to 200 ultra-poor women in Northwest Haiti.

The revenue model blends three streams: loan portfolio interest income from SFF, donations and grants raised primarily through Fonkoze USA (501(c)(3), Tax ID 52-2022113), and planned giving (bequests, charitable trusts, appreciated securities). Distribution is direct-to-community through SFF branches, CLM case managers, trained Community Health Entrepreneurs, and a small online donation channel. Program-level fees are not publicly disclosed; pricing is mission-aligned and varies by loan size and credit assessment. Fonkoze USA operates from Washington, DC; SFF and Fonkoze Foundation are headquartered in Port-au-Prince (the latter's central office was burned in May 2026 due to gang violence, with operations continuing from alternate locations).

Name

Fonkoze

Legal name

Fonkoze USA

Website

https://fonkoze.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Fonkoze is a Haitian-led nonprofit family of organizations operating microfinance, an 18-month poverty graduation program (CLM), community health entrepreneurs, and digital education for rural women and ultra-poor families across all 10 departments of Haiti.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Microfinance and Poverty Reduction Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Savings Institution, Federally Chartered (6035)

akta.pro primary industry

Financial Inclusion & Consumer Empowerment (Banking Access, Credit Building) (BPAGALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nutrition & Food Security (Global Health) NGOs (HLAJAKAH), Emergency, Stabilization & Crisis Response Financing (BPADACAM)

Keywords

• Microfinance services
• Poverty reduction programs
• Micro-lending products
• Financial inclusion services
• Community health programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Micro-loan Interest Income: SFF provides micro and small business loans to rural entrepreneurs, primarily women. Interest income from loan portfolio supports operational sustainability with double bottom line approach.
2. Donations and Grants: Fonkoze USA raises funds from donors, institutions, corporations, and Haitian diaspora to support programs. 501(c)(3) nonprofit with Tax ID 52-2022113.
3. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts including bequests, beneficiary designations, charitable trusts, and appreciated securities support long-term sustainability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fonkoze is a family of three nonprofit organizations delivering an integrated suite of financial and development services to rural Haitian women and their families. Core offerings include the 18-month Chemen Lavi Miyò (CLM) poverty graduation program with asset transfers and coaching, Sèvis Finansye Fonkoze (SFF) microfinance (micro-loans, savings, money transfers, currency exchange, mobile money, payroll), the Boutik Sante community health social enterprise, and the EdTek digital adult education platform. Together these programs form a holistic "staircase out of poverty" combining financial services, health, education, and social support.

Product overview

Fonkoze is a family of three organizations (Fonkoze Foundation, Sèvis Finansye Fonkoze, and Fonkoze USA) offering an integrated suite of financial and development services designed for women living in ultra-poverty in rural Haiti. The core product portfolio centers on the Chemen Lavi Miyò (CLM) poverty graduation program, the Sèvis Finansye Fonkoze (SFF) microfinance institution, and the Solidarity micro-lending program, complemented by the Boutik Sante community health program, EdTek digital education platform, and the Bousol digital wallet (in pilot phase). These programs work together as a holistic 'staircase out of poverty,' combining financial services with health, education, and social support services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Chemen Lavi Miyò (CLM): An 18-month poverty graduation program designed for families living in ultra-poverty, combining asset transfers, skills training, and dedicated case manager support to build sustainable livelihoods.
• Boutik Sante
• EdTek

Products and services

• Chemen Lavi Miyò (CLM) An 18-month poverty graduation program for ultra-poor rural Haitian women combining asset transfers, skills training, weekly coaching, savings support, cash transfers, and dedicated case manager accompaniment to build sustainable livelihoods. The program reports a 96% graduation rate with 13,745 family members having graduated.
• Sèvis Finansye Fonkoze (SFF) Haiti's leading microfinance institution offering micro and small business loans, savings products, money transfers, currency exchange, mobile money, and payroll services to rural and underserved communities. Over 90% of branches are in rural Haiti and 60% are in areas with no other financial institutions; $15.7M in micro-loans were disbursed to 38,546 clients in 2024.
• Boutik Sante Community health store program where trained local women become Community Health Entrepreneurs (CHEs) offering health products, basic health screenings (blood pressure, child malnutrition, diabetes), and health education in rural communities. Operates as a social enterprise that integrates health products into existing women-led micro-businesses.
• EdTek Digital education platform providing story-based training modules that teach participants to read and write, manage businesses, and develop essential life skills through adult education courses. Tailored for low-literacy populations in rural Haiti.
• Solidarity Fonkoze's core micro-lending program providing small loans to women entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, with accompanying development services including business skills training and one-on-one support. Loan sizes range from initial $230 (15,000 HTG) loans to $500 (32,500 HTG) loans.
• Bousol Blockchain-based digital wallet built on the Stellar network designed for fragile, low-connectivity environments with user experience tailored for low-literacy populations. Enables USDC stablecoin transactions with full blockchain traceability and cash offramp through SFF accounts; pilot disbursed USD 80,000 in USDC to 200 extremely vulnerable rural women.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% graduation rate from CLM (Chemen Lavi Miyò) poverty graduation program
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Caribbean ApparelminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2026Houston-based apparel company partnering with Fonkoze for 'Senkantde – 52' limited edition shirt collaboration honoring Haiti's World Cup qualification. $2 from every shirt sold supports Fonkoze's work.
• Mathieu Jean BaptisteminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2026Houston-based artist whose artwork is featured on the Senkantde – 52 limited edition shirt. Work has been exhibited globally and featured on soccer ball installation at Houston Hobby Airport. Art reflects hope, connection, and possibility of a better world.
• Opportunity InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Long-time partner that convened peer organizations for international exchanges in Madagascar and Malawi where Fonkoze's CLM team shared expertise on poverty graduation approaches. Facilitates knowledge sharing on what works in helping families move out of extreme poverty.
• Mercy Corps VenturescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Mercy Corps Ventures provided the conceptual and design foundation for the blockchain-based stablecoin pilot, identifying the opportunity to embed blockchain-based payment tools within the CLM program. Brings portfolio of blockchain and stablecoin pilots across emerging markets including Syria, Afghanistan, Colombia, Nepal, and Senegal.
• Paon Bleu / BousolcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 April 2026Paon Bleu designed and operates the Bousol digital wallet, specifically designed for fragile, low-connectivity environments with user experience tailored for low-literacy populations. Leads platform deployment, liquidity risk management, user training delivery, and customer service for the pilot.
• Stellar Development FoundationcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 April 2026Non-profit organization supporting the development and growth of the Stellar network—an open-source, public blockchain designed for fast, low-cost payments. SDF's support positions the pilot within broader efforts to expand access to digital financial infrastructure for underserved populations globally.
• Fonkoze FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Haitian organization delivering social protection and social promotion programs to extremely poor women, implementing the CLM program since 2007. Provides operational backbone managing participant onboarding, case manager training, field research, and vendor identification.
• Mercy Focus on HaiticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry of Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. Collaborates with Fonkoze on virtual partner presentations about the CLM program. Supports Fonkoze's mission through fundraising and awareness.
• Food for the PoorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided additional hygiene kit support enabling Community Health Entrepreneurs to share kits with families in need.
• Haitian Timoun FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization led by Danette Miller, Executive Director. Faith-based partner supporting Fonkoze's Chemen Lavi Miyò program through advocacy and fundraising.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BRAC: BRAC operates the world's largest poverty graduation program alongside microfinance, similar to Fonkoze's CLM approach. BRAC Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative is the global benchmark for the methodology Fonkoze adopted, making it the most directly comparable peer.
• Heifer International: Heifer combines livestock asset transfers with rural livelihoods training—directly comparable to CLM's productive asset transfer approach (goats, commerce inventory) that drives graduation outcomes.
• FINCA International: FINCA operates microfinance institutions across Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East serving low-income entrepreneurs—closely mirroring SFF's micro-loan model and rural distribution strategy.
• Pro Mujer: Pro Mujer combines microfinance with health and education services for women in Latin America, paralleling Fonkoze's integrated financial-services-plus-Boutik-Sante-plus-EdTek model.
• Grameen Bank: Grameen pioneered micro-lending to rural women, the same core offering as Fonkoze's SFF and Solidarity products. Both target asset-poor borrowers in underserved rural communities with group-based lending models.
• Accion: Accion operates a global network of microfinance institutions serving low-income entrepreneurs, comparable in mission and product mix to Fonkoze's SFF and the CLM poverty graduation overlay.
• Opportunity International: Opportunity International is a long-time Fonkoze partner that runs microfinance and agriculture finance programs in developing markets. It shares the same target customer and Christian-affiliated mission framing.

Emerging players

• Kiva: Kiva enables crowdfunded micro-loans to underserved entrepreneurs globally, including Haitian borrowers served through partner MFIs. Comparable target segment but operates as a digital crowdfunding platform rather than direct lender.
• Trickle Up: Trickle Up focuses exclusively on the ultra-poor graduation methodology used in Fonkoze's CLM program. Smaller scale but methodologically aligned, targeting the same ultra-poor rural women cohort.

Broad incumbents

• Mercy Corps: Mercy Corps is a major humanitarian NGO and Fonkoze's partner through Mercy Corps Ventures. Operates cash-transfer programs in Haiti (part of the $56M Cash Working Group) overlapping with Fonkoze's last-mile delivery model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Fonkoze
• Facebookfacebook.com/Fonkoze
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fonkozeusa
• Instagraminstagram.com/fonkoze

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fonkoze