FINCA Mexico: Stories of Hope

FINCA Mexico: Stories of Hope features Academy Award winner Natalie Portman—FINCA's Ambassador of Hope—visiting clients of the FINCA program in Mexico to learn of their struggles, triumphs, and determination to craft a better future for their families. The film was directed by Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize-winning documentary director Juan Carlos Rulfo.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Natalie Portman
• small loans
• FINCA
• FINCA Mexico
• Mexico
• micro-finance
• poverty

[notthorns]

Global microfinancing is indeed a great idea. But can anyone tell me why FINCA has an overhead of 29.1%... that is to say that only 70% of the donations are directly used. Does the rest go into huge salaries for the CEOs?

[Villagebanking2009]

@notthorns Thanks for the comment! The figures you cite are based just on FINCA's US-based entities. FINCA's non-US businesses in 21 countries account for more than two thirds of our programmatic expenses. Looking at our entire organization on a consolidated basis (as in our Annual Reports and audited Financial Statements), 93% of our 2009 expenses went towards program services and just 7% went into overhead (general and administrative plus fundraising).

[chewy15]

Microfinancing is much more effective then more traditional charities, its renewable and empowers people and communties rather then humbling them with bucket loads of sympathetic money. What a great cause, great job FINCA

[Villagebanking2009]

Thank you very much for the wonderful comment!

[retiredranger1999]

I am hugely encouraged to see that much of this program is doing exactly that, empowering women, leading to a more educated populous.

My main concern is that a wonderful program like this is paired with population planning assistance. Without it, we may be facilitating unsustainable population growth. This could be likened to providing the paint and brushes to paint ourselves into a corner that we can't get out of.

These comments are not meant to diminish the outstanding work being done.

[eddiemendez28]

I WORK IN FINCA MEXICO, GREAT PLACE TO WORK

[InVanilaSky]

I work in FINCA ARMENIA!!!

I'm so proud!

[noentiendonada80]

love her so much

[notthorns]

Thank you for the clarification. I wanted to donate to FINCA from my office, but the US book (you are right it is in the US one) lists the overhead at 29.1 so I didn't feel good about donating. funnily enough I just got something in the mail so I will probably reconsider and send a one time contribution.

[ColorBlind2000]

Amazing story of hope. Natalie Portman is incredible individual. No Celebrity done so much to reach to others with practical help, no charities... This video makes me filled with hope. The Country should be so proud of people like her. Wish her attitude will be more contagious!

[michirucarrera]

What an incredible story.

[portman19mx]

Amo a Natalie Portman y sus labores por la sociedad, es mas una actriz, es una persona comun y corriente con deseos y ganas de ayudar a los demas... bien por ella....

natalie es la mejor actriz .......