Awards and Recognition

While we are most proud of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize won by Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank, Grameen Foundation has received numerous awards and recognition over the years.  Our focus on accountability, transparency and excellence has earned us numerous awards from the philanthropic community, among them a Top-Rated Charity designation from the American Institute of Philanthropy, Better Business Bureau’s Accredited Charity designation, and a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.

2006 Nobel Peace Prize: Muhammad Yunus & Grameen Bank

Professor Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 in Oslo, Norway, for their pioneering work in fighting global poverty through loans and other financial services for the poor.  Microcredit involves the lending of small amounts of money to the world’s poorest people to start micro-businesses and move themselves away from poverty.

Known as “the father of microcredit” and “banker to the poor,” Professor Yunus started the microcredit revolution with only $27 in 1976. Since then, he and Grameen Bank have helped more than 7.5 million borrowers, 97 percent of whom are women. The Nobel Peace Prize committee sent a powerful message to the world: we cannot have peace if billions live in abject poverty. Recognizing Yunus’ accomplishment brings us closer to eradicating poverty as a global menace. In announcing its decision to award the prize jointly to Muhammad Yunus and to Grameen Bank, the Nobel Peace Prize Committee cited microcredit as “one such means” to breaking out of poverty and credited Yunus and Grameen Bank for showing “that even the poorest of the poor can work to bring about their own development.”

When the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded, one of the largest global viewing audiences in the ceremony’s history watched via satellite and the Internet. In the United States, events were held in 18 states and in Washington, DC.  Other gatherings were held in cities throughout Europe, as well as parts of Africa, Latin America, Asia, the Arab World and in Bangladesh, Professor Yunus’ home.  “Muhammad Yunus is a leader whose practical actions benefit millions of people not only in Bangladesh but in many other countries,” Grameen Foundation President Alex Counts said. “As people gather all over the world to celebrate his remarkable accomplishments, we hope it inspires them to take real action to support microcredit and its mission of empowering the poor, especially women, to build new lives for their families.”

Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance

Grameen Foundation was awarded the BBB Wise Giving Alliance Seal in 2007 in recognition of their outstanding industry practices. Before national charities can even apply to use the seal, they must undergo evaluation by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, the nation’s most experienced charity evaluator. The evaluation process involves rigorous scrutiny of a charity’s governance, effectiveness, finances and solicitations and informational materials. The standards go beyond what government regulators require. 

Charity Navigator

Charity Navigator helps individuals give wisely by providing information on non-profit organizations’ efficiency, capacity, and operational expenses. Grameen Foundation is proud to hold this prestigious independent charity rating.

2009 AfricaCom Award for Best Solution for Rural Services
 

AppLab wins 2009 AfricaCom Award for Best Solution for Rural Services!  This award recognizes an initiative taken by an operator or a telecommunications solutions vendor, which significantly improved access to telecommunications in rural areas.  The award was received together with MTN Uganda and Google SMS.

SEEP Network 2007 Member of the Year

Grameen Foundation has been honored as the 2007 Member of the Year by the Small Enterprise Education and Promotion (SEEP) Network. With 67 members whose activities cover more than 140 countries, the SEEP Network is the leading international network and promoter of best practices in enterprise development and financial services geared towards reducing poverty.

Fast Company Social Capitalist Awards for 2005, 2006, and 2007

The Fast Company/Monitor Social Capitalist Awards is the only award program that quantitatively measures a non-profit group’s innovation and social impact, as well as the viability and sustainability of its business model. For three years in a row, Grameen Foundation has been recognized for its groundbreaking work in expanding the reach of microfinance around the world while applying innovative technology to increase efficiency and provide new opportunities for the poor.

American Institute of Philanthropy Top-Rated Charity

Grameen Foundation is designated a top-rated charity from American Institute of Philanthropy for maintaining high financial standards including low fundraising costs, reasonable asset reserves, and an "open book" financial record policy. 

Tech Museum Awards

In October 2004, the Tech Museum of Innovation announced the 25 laureates for the 2004 Tech Museum Awards. Grameen Technology Center was awarded one of five Accenture Economic Development Awards for its work on the Village Phone Program. The Tech Awards are designed to honor individuals and for-profit, public and not-for-profit organizations from around the world who are applying technology to profoundly improve the human condition in the areas of environment, economic development, education, equality and health. 

Pro-Poor Innovation Award

In recognition of innovation in financial services for very poor clients, Grameen Foundation was awarded the Pro-Poor Innovation Award by the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) for our work on the Village Phone Program. The Pro-Poor Innovation Challenge (PPIC) gives awards up to $50,000 to microfinance organizations that have developed innovative methodologies to deepen poverty outreach and impact.

The Motley Fool

See what The Motley Fool personal finance website, a frequent supporter of Grameen Foundation, has to say about the "return on investment" you can get by contributing to Grameen Foundation microfinance programs:

Examine, as a good Foolish investor should, what kind of return you can expect to receive for each dollar you contribute. For example, here's what another charity we supported in 2000 (and other years), Grameen Foundation, could do with $100,000: They could offer loans for small businesses to 1,750 borrowers. According to a study, within 4.2 years, some 70% of those borrowers would have lifted themselves out of poverty. That's more than 1,200 people (and their families). Better still, Grameen loans are just that -- loans. They get repaid, and the money is loaned out again, helping more people. As you can see, every dollar you give goes a long, long way.