Below is the full text of the email that Wokai sent out today (also is currently on their home page):

Dear Wokai Contributors,

We regret to tell you that we are starting the process of winding down Wokai and concluding operations.

Wokai has been actively searching for a new CEO to take the organization to the next level in China. However, as of our application deadline, no clear candidate came to the fore. In addition, we have met unexpected funding road blocks, which have left us without the reserves necessary to extend the search further.

Considering Wokai’s current situation, our Board of Directors has unanimously decided to take the resources that we currently have and wind down Wokai’s operations. This approach will ensure that all of the resources that we have built up are used to continue our mission of growing microfinance in China.

Over the last 5 years since starting Wokai and 3.5 years since the launch of our website, our team and global supporter community has raised over a half a million dollars in loan capital for micro-entrepreneurs living under the poverty line in China. We’ve worked together to fund over 1,500 micro-loans to 961 borrowers, all at an over 98% on-time repayment rate. When you take into account the families of our micro-entrepreneurs, these funds have supported over 4,000 people to start the process of moving out of poverty. Not only have we directly impacted the lives of these individuals, but our over 30 major media features in the likes of CNN, Bloomberg, MSNBC, Phoenix TV, and China Newsweek and our global volunteer community of over 300 volunteers in 20 cities around the world has brought our cause of growing microfinance in China onto the global radar.

Moving forward, our Field Partners have committed to use the loan capital contributed to date to provide a continuous cycle of new loans to micro-entreprenuers in China’s rural Sichuan and Inner Mongolia Provinces. With this commitment, over the next ten years, over 9,000 micro-entrepreneurs should have the opportunity to lift themselves, their families, and communities out of poverty.

I cannot thank you enough for all of your support. Even as Wokai winds down, the legacy that we’ve built together will continue on, empowering a generation of micro-entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams and laying the groundwork for the future growth of microfinance in China.

Sincerely,

Casey Wilson
Co-founder & CEO, Wokai

I’m beyond impressed with what Casey and the entire Wokai team has accomplished in just 5 short years; they’ve put China on the microfinance radar in a massive way. I truly hope this announcement prompts someone to come out of the woodwork and keep Wokai going, both in terms of funding and running the organization going forward – I’d love to see the organization progress and continue to touch the lives of those in China.

About the Organization:
Trickle Up empowers people living on less than $1.25 a day to take the first steps out of poverty, providing them with resources to build sustainable livelihoods for a better quality of life. In partnership with local agencies, Trickle Up provides training and seed capital grants to launch or expand a microenterprise and savings support to build assets.

About the Job:
Trickle Up is looking for a Development Associate – Institutional Partnerships. S/he will assist with the execution of institutional fundraising and partnership development with a focus on government and multilateral grant seeking and grant management. Responsibilities include prospect research, information tracking, proposal management, budget preparation, gift processing, grants administration, and on-going cultivation and stewardship activities.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Research funding prospects with a focus on government and multilateral institutions, present research, and recommend prospects for cultivation;
• Frequently monitor donor websites for the release of new funding solicitations relevant to Trickle Up’s work;
• Coordinate management of government and multilateral grants with program and finance staff in headquarters and in regional offices. Collect and manage all information related to existing government and multilateral grants;
• Track reporting requirements for grants and coordinate with program and finance staff to ensure timely reporting. Write and edit reports as needed;
• Work with the Institutional Partnerships team and Program staff to write concept papers, proposals and reports for institutional donors with a specific focus on government and multilateral funders. Gather supplementary materials for proposals;
• Prepare proposal budgets in partnership with the program and finance teams;
• Represent Trickle Up at external meetings;
• Provide general administrative support to the institutional partnership team as necessary (e.g. updates of departmental calendar and donor records in Raiser’s Edge, donor correspondence, copy editing, filing, etc.);
• Review internal materials (e.g. field reports, monitoring and evaluation data) and conduct topical research to develop creative strategies for presenting Trickle Up’s program to donors.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required;
• Experience in or knowledge of international development, global poverty and at least one of the regions where Trickle Up works is a plus. Experience may include international study, internships or community service;
• Knowledge of US and non-US government and multilateral funders and funding environment required;
• Strong research, writing and editing skills are required for this position;
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook is essential, knowledge of Raiser’s Edge is a plus;
• French or Spanish proficiency a plus;
• Well organized person with superb written and oral communication skills, strong analytical ability and the ability to approach tasks creatively;
• Ability to work independently, as well as part of a team in a resource limited environment;
• Ability to set priorities, manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and track the development of multiple projects simultaneously, while maintaining a detail-oriented quality of work;
• Strong interest in work related to Trickle Up’s mission is required;
• Available to travel internationally and within the US;
• US work authorization required.

Source: Microfinance Gateway

Here’s the official trailer:

Description & Details
PROFESSIONALS for NONPROFITS (PNP) is pleased to notify you of a new search we are conducting in your area of expertise. If you think this opportunity may interest a qualified colleague, please forward this email. If you are interested in pursuing this opportunity, please send a resume to jgross@nonprofitstaffing.com or register at www.nonprofitstaffing.com and apply to job number 8176. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Due to the high volume of responses, we will not be able to reply to all applicants, but all resumes will be reviewed. Also, please read the entire broadcast before applying. Thank you.

TITLE: Director of Development
ORG. TYPE: International Development Organization
LOCATION: Washington, DC
SALARY: 100K-120K

SUMMARY
An International Nonprofit in Washington, DC is seeking a Director of Development to supervise and manage the fundraising unit to meet the annual fundraising targets. In addition, the incumbent will lead the prospecting, stewardship, cultivation, and day-to-day management of the domestic and international boards.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES

• Strategic Planning – 15%
• Management of all Fundraising (Restricted and Unrestricted) Programs– 50%
• Direct and e-Marketing Program Management – Value 15%
• Board Stewardship and Management – 10%
• Unit Management– 10%

KEY OUTPUTS  

• Meeting or surpassing fundraising targets for restricted and unrestricted fundraising.
• Successful maintenance of existing relationships and identification of new donors and funding opportunities.
• Successful establishment, management and stewardship of Advisory Boards.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATIONS

• Masters degree in international affairs, business, economics, finance, or equivalent work experience.
• Thorough understanding of international development.
• At least ten years of fundraising experience and five years of management experience.
• Technical skills including business planning, financial analysis, technical project design, proposal writing, budgeting.
• Experience with direct and e-marketing (hardcopy and/or electronic) is a plus.
• Experience working with USAID, and knowledge of development institutions.
• Experience in project design and proposal writing.
• Comprehensive knowledge of major gift fundraising methodologies.
• Strong diplomatic skills, and sensitivity to political issues.
• Bilingual: English-Spanish, English-Arabic or English-Russian is a plus.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally (~20% of total time).

Source: Democratic Gain

• Business Development Intern – Boston, NYC – ACCION USA
• Communications Intern – ACCION USA
• Intern/Associate Analyst – Microfinance Information eXchange
• 2012 Summer/Fall Internship – Seal of Excellence – Microcredit Summit Campaign
• Resource Development Intern – ACCION USA

To receive an invitation, please join the Bonsai People group on LinkedIn:

http://www.linkedin.com/groups?about=&gid=4278884&trk=anet_ug_grppro

About Bonsai People Documentary:
Bonsai -Celebrating the Vision of Muhammad Yunus from micro-credit to social business. What if you could harness the power of the free market to solve the problems of poverty, hunger, and inequality? To some, it sounds impossible. But Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus is doing exactly that. Yunus did his part to fight poverty by micro-lending $27 to 42 women, an effort which has now grown to 8 million women and 8 billion dollars. But he didn’t stop there; whenever he sees a problem he starts a social business – showing the world that complex problems sometimes do have simple answers. It’s not about handouts, it’s about a hand up.

Organization Description:
MIX is the premier source for objective, qualified and relevant microfinance performance data and analysis. Committed to strengthening financial inclusion and the microfinance sector by promoting transparency, MIX provides performance information on microfinance institutions (MFIs), funders, networks and service providers dedicated to serving the financial sector needs for low-income clients. www.mixmarket.org

Job Description:
Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX), a leading non-profit organization based in downtown DC, is seeking a talented and passionate Marketing Communications Associate, who can have a direct impact on our marketing and communication efforts. Specifically, we are looking for someone to:

• Produce MIX email newsletters; oversee our social media campaigns; and manage website content
• Prepare publications for delivery (e.g. tasks include copy-editing, layout design, etc.); help develop content for MIX’s Annual Report; and potentially produce original content based on MIX products
• Improve user experience by leading response efforts to user inquiries into MIX solutions
• Draft announcements, press releases, and marketing collateral to build brand and product awareness
• Moderate webinars with the aim of producing world-class online events and presentations
• Help drive user outreach and engagement through marketing channels and monitor progress
• Contribute to other marketing and communication projects as necessary

Desired Qualifications:

• Qualifications
• 0-2 years relevant work experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or related field
• Fast learner who can thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Self-starter with a strong work ethic and innovative ideas
• Strong Microsoft Office skills; working knowledge of HTML a plus
• Proficiency in Spanish and/or French plus

Skills:

• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
• Excellent writing and editing skills

How to Apply:
Qualified candidates should e-mail a cover letter and résumé to dsheth@themix.org with “Marketing Communications Associate” in the subject line.

Application Deadline:
04/15/2012

Source: Global Impact Investing Network

A. Encourage group purchase of inputs and selling of outputs
B. Better extension = higher yield
C. Higher farmgate prices and “guaranteed” market
A+B+C = D Farmer has a stronger and “more profitable” business

But the stakeholders needed for the “foundations” of a commodity exchange, are similar to those for the “creation” of a Mobile Money Transfer (MMT) ecosystem.

1. Information – input and output prices
2. Infrastructure – rural markets, warehousing, roads, communication
3. Supply chain – inputs, farmers, processors, retailers, consumer
4. Credit and saving – linkages with financial sector
5. Money transfer – secure, affordable, transparent, traceable way of financial transactions between stakeholders

The MFI is critical to the functioning of the MMT ecosystem, as the loans they disburse are often for agriculture inputs i.e. the “start” of the MMT ecosystem. Thus if the MFI disburses loans using MMT and builds partnerships within agri value chains, they can help to directly and indirectly, develop an agri business ecosystem i.e. by putting mobile money into the ecosystem in the first place. This will be advantageous (to the MFI) as their clients will benefit from the agriculture value chain ecosystem and partnerships, and so will be more able to repay their loan (and get bigger future loans) which in turn increase the sustainability of the MFI – a multiple win proposition for all – specifically MFI benefits are :

1. Reduce cash handling costs, risk and fraud
2. Transparent and traceable audit trail
3. Reduce capital expenditure through branchless banking
4. Increase outreach and loan officer efficiencies
5. New revenue opportunities (product development)
6. Back end / admin savings
7. Quicker and more accurate management reports

Implementation (for the MFI) however can be difficult, as all parts of the MFI will be affected – marketing, operations, IT, accounts, training, HR etc. There need to appropriate changes to ensure that the security of the loan portfolio remains the number one priority i.e. that loans are repaid and that the MFI remains financially viable. To achieve successful implementation, it is likely the MFI will do a MMT feasibility study, followed by a pilot then full roll out – this will take time! However, during this period of MFIs “putting their toes in the waters of MMT” the MFI can start to build the strategic partnerships with the agriculture business value chain stakeholders.

There are many challenges to partner with value chain stakeholders, the number one being cash flow, both in the business sense i.e. having cash on hand to purchase goods (rather than on credit), but also literally the flow of cash from one stakeholder to another, due to relative low levels of financial inclusion. Through increasing financial inclusion of the farmer (into formal or informal sector ) and educating them on the benefits of MMT, whilst building strategic partnerships with organisational partners i.e. MFIs, farmer associations, input supplies, processors etc then it is possible to develop the agri business value chain into a fully functioning ecosystem, with benefits for all, and start to put in place the foundations for a commodity exchange.

The agriculture value chain MMT ecosystem model

1. Farmers gets finance for agri business
2. Farmer sends emoney to agri stockists for inputs (stockist now doesn’t have credit problems)
3. Stockists makes deliver to farmer(s) or keep margin and pass order onto distributors – farmer doesn’t have time and transport costs, can benefit from economies of scale by bulk purchasing (with other farmers)
4. Farmer gives outputs to association (for aggregation) then onto processor / buyer
5. Processor makes 1st payment to farmer, (association may need a percentage)
6. Processor sells to retailers / customers through their distribution channels
7. Retailers pay processor for goods in emoney
8. Processor pays commission to distribution channel (reduces cash handling , fraud and theft opportunities)
9. Processor makes 2nd payment to farmer (association may need a percentage)
10. Farmer repays loan to financial institution.
11. Farmer may then…….

A) Send emoney into formal financial institution – savings mobilisation
B) Cash out net payment
C) Start ecosystem cycle again in new season

About the Organization:
Women’s World Banking (WWB) is an international microfinance support organization and network of 39 MFIs in 27 countries. The mission of WWB is to expand the economic assets, participation and power of low-income women and their households by helping them access financial services, knowledge and markets.

About the Job:
Women’s World Banking (WWB) is looking for a Development Manager – Foundations & Corporations who will be responsible for establishing and strengthening revenue generating and fulfilling partnerships with corporations and foundations. S/he will report directly to, and will be working closely with, WWB’s vice president. S/he will conceptualize, plan, and execute a corporate relations strategy that maximizes sponsorship and philanthropic revenue to WWB to support its annual operating budget of $10 million. S/he will also work with other areas of the development team and coordinate with other WWB departments, including programs, finance, and marketing to ensure a high degree of integration and cohesion in donor liaison and management. Regular travel and some out of hours work is required for this role.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• As a member of WWB’s senior development team and vice president to achieve the targets and expectations set;
• Identify, cultivate and steward prospective donors;
• Develop and implement strategies to expand and diversify funding resources;
• Actively pursue opportunities for funding from foundations and corporations;
• Cultivate relationships with multiple forms of communication;
• Coordinate and write grant and funding proposals;
• Manage donor reporting in a timely and effective way;
• Work closely with colleagues both within the development team and across WWB;
• Identify sources and amounts of targeted funders to support annual operating and program budget of approximately $10 million;
• Direct management of and accountability for annual corporate and foundation funding;
• Coordinate fundraising strategy for corporations and foundations;
• Budget and?identify target funding sources and levels of anticipated giving to support significant portion of annual budget;
• Continually update WWB’s CRM with details of contact with, and information about, existing and prospective foundational and corporate funders;
• Develop new business opportunities and cultivate existing funding relationships;
• In consultation with the vice president of development, coordinate all aspects of the grant seeking process;
• Consult with the vice president of development on funding strategy and approach to be adopted with each potential and existing funding partner;
• Produce and adapt budgets as required, based on information provided by WWB’s finance department;
• Manage follow up on proposals in the pipeline, in collaboration with VP of Development and WWB President where necessary;
• Manage grant contracts and agreements with foundations and corporations;
• Manage the process of finalizing contracts for new funding;
• Manage the process of requesting disbursements under existing grants;
• Liaise with WWB management and finance department on status of contracts expected disbursements and receipts;
• Develop and implement procedures to ensure funding partners receive appropriate, accurate and timely reports;
• Develop reporting formats for both narrative and financial reports;
• Oversee production of financial and narrative reporting under existing grants;
• Manage grant components earmarked for WWB network members or partners, in collaboration with relevant WWB team members where necessary;
• Monitor compliance of WWB network members or partners with contractual requirements;
• Make recommendations on disbursements and transfers.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Business or Marketing;
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in fundraising, preferably in a microfinance environment;
• Proven success in all areas of fundraising including major donor solicitation, grant writing and management, and corporate sponsorship;
• Strong interpersonal, networking, analytical, organizational, presentation and multi-tasking skills;
• Computer literacy (spreadsheet, word processing, database);
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to meet deadlines and to manage multiple projects;
• Impeccable writing and oral communication skills;
• Experience with sales force, an integrated CRM system and with social media;
• Experience working in both the not for profit and corporate sectors.

Source: Microfinance Gateway