As California’s largest not-for-profit microlender, Opportunity Fund offers a unique blend of microfinance products, business advising, financial education, and community investments to help low-income families work toward economic stability. Since 1995, Opportunity Fund has provided $19.5 million in capital to more than 1,700 entrepreneurs, and offered thousands of hours of financial education to over 3,600 low-income Californians. Three-quarters of our clients are minorities, and 60% are women.

Microlending in the U.S.

For many U.S. workers, a job is not enough to provide economic self-sufficiency. For some, wage employment isn’t even a realistic option because of language barriers or family circumstances. Many of these enterprising individuals start small businesses to generate income and support their families – home daycare centers, hair salons, janitorial services, small retail stores, and more. These entrepreneurs often need small amounts of capital to start or expand their businesses, but can’t qualify for a bank loan. Opportunity Fund looks beyond the numbers on our clients' credit reports and loan applications; we see their potential as successful entrepreneurs and supply the financing and advising they need to get there. Find out more about how Opportunity Fund helps small business owners.

Our Results

As part of Opportunity Fund’s commitment to measurement and accountability, we track a variety of community impact metrics through data analysis and client surveys.

--90% historical repayment rate
--90% business survival rate
--95% of surveyed clients reported an increased ability to manage their business
--Borrowers’ income rise by 30%, on average.
--Each loan keeps or creates 2.4  jobs
--Every $1 invested spurs nearly $2 in additional annual economic revenue through new spending, new tax revenue, and new wages for workers

Our Products and Services

We support low-income entrepreneurs by meeting their small capital needs. We lend to small business owners so they can support their families and create jobs for their neighbors.

--Median loan size: $7,000
--Interest Rates: 8% -12% fixed + loan fees
--Typical businesses: auto mechanics; hair salons; dry cleaners.

Get Involved with Microfinance in California

--Meet more of Opportunity Fund’s clients through stories and videos
--Keep in touch with Opportunity Fund: sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Facebook or Twitter
--Join Opportunity Funders, a membership group of people who want to engage with microfinance in the San Francisco Bay Area though events and strategic volunteer opportunities.

Need a Small Business Loan?

Find out if Opportunity Fund can help you grow your business! Visit our website for more information on our Small Business Loans program.

What Else Does Opportunity Fund Do?

Opportunity Fund provides more than microloans. We are the nation’s largest microsavings provider, helping over 3,600 families save for education, small business, home ownership, citizenship, retirement, and emergencies. We are also a community real estate lender, providing loans for affordable housing and community facilities throughout California. Learn more about our other programs at www.opportunityfund.org.

September 11, 2011

As part of an ongoing effort to fully migrate risk ratings to our new and enhanced risk rating system, Kiva has conducted a re-assessment of the level of risk posed by this institution.

During this re-assessment, our analysts were able to gather updated operational and financial information about the institution, as well as speak with key members of the staff.  

Kiva's new risk rating system, which now includes half stars, has enabled us to display Opportunity Fund's risk rating with a higher level of granularity. As a result, Opportunity Fund's risk rating will now be displayed as 3.5 stars instead of 3 stars. 

We have prepared a blog post with more information on Kiva's new and enhanced risk rating system, along with a chart showing the relative magnitude of the overall changes for Kiva's portfolio.  To view that, please go here: http://www.kiva.org/updates/kiva/2011/09/07/kiva-risk-ratings-now-with-half-stars.html.

Opportunity Fund has been informed of the change in the display of their rating on Kiva's website.