Shared Interest News

Spring 2008 In Focus Newsletter

Spring 2008 In Focus Newsletter 

Shared Interest 8th Awards Dinner on March 17, 2008: A Million Reasons to Celebrate

This year, Shared Interest has 1 million reasons to celebrate.

On March 17, 2008, we ask you to join us in celebrating Shared Interest’s 1 millionth beneficiary. Held at Capitale Ballroom in New York City, this gala contributes 25% of Shared Interest’s operating budget, making it a critical pillar of its ongoing sustainability - and that of the families and communities that depend on its funds.  This year’s honorees are Debra Lee, Chairman and CEO of BET Networks, Justice Albie Sachs, South African Constitutional Court Justice, and Nadine Hack and Jerry Dunfey, contributors to South Africa’s ongoing work for economic democracy. 

Gala tickets can be purchased through NYCharities by clicking here or by contacting Alicia Kingue, Director of External Relations at 646-442-0186 or Alicia@sharedinterest.org.

You can also print the clicking on the invitation below and fax back to Shared Interest at fax# 212-337-8548

 8th Annual Gala Invitation  (print and fax to 212-337-8548)

Shared Interest Honored Archbishop Tutu in Pittsburgh - October 24, 2007

On Wednesday, October 24, 2007, at 6 p.m., Shared Interest and its Board Members and friends from Pittsburgh and Chicago honored Archibishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu during our A Million Ripples Gala. The theme of the evening,  From one touch - a million ripples. Friends raising hope in South Africa, inspired and uniquely entertained guest as Archbishop Tutu shared his wisdom on how we can become ripples of hope for South Africa through Shared Interest.

 tutu

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Fall 2007 In Focus Newsletter

 

Fall 2007 In Focus Newsletter  

 

Shared Interest Update: NPR Broadcast on South African Women’s Day

Today, South African Women’s Day, we are thrilled to share with you a radio segment that aired last night on Marketplace (http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2007/08/08/PM200708087.html a leading business and financial radio program, featuring Shared Interest’s innovative model to expand credit and banking to impoverished communities in South Africa. Marketplace is currently broadcast by more than 330 public radio stations nationwide with more than 8 million listeners.

With reporting in the U.S. and South Africa, this radio segment highlights the passionate commitment of the Carlisle investor group to raise resources for Shared Interest and entrepreneurs from the successful Hands-On Fishing project in the Western Cape.

 To hear the segment please click on http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2007/08/08/PM200708087.html.

(Please consult the market place website www.marketplace.org) to find out when the radio program is aired on your local station.) Please also feel free to share this email with at least five other people, so they too will be inspired to build support for economic justice and democracy in South Africa. For more information on Shared Interest and how you can advance this work, please visit Shared Interest us at http://www.sharedinterest.org.

In the article below, we are pleased to spotlight Neo Mogape, Production Manager of Tropical Mushrooms – one of the unsung heroines of South Africa’s small business sector.  She is one of the 750,000 women who have benefited from our work since 1994.  One of the many who are leading South African women’s daily struggle to sustain their families and communities, and reshape their country’s economy.  We invite you to celebrate this day with us – and with them.

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Shared Interest’s $1million investment featured in SocialFund.com article

Helping Close the Capital Gap in Africa: Two Big Investments in African Microfinance 

Shared Interest, a non-profit investment fund that guarantees bank loans for South Africa’s poorest communities, in SocialFunds.com, the largest personal finance site devoted to socially responsible investing. Read a recent SocialFunds.com article on how Shared Interest’s recent $1million investment from the United Methodist General Board of Pension and Health Benefits will help thousands of South Africans gain access to capital for small and micro-enterprises, affordable housing and rural community businesses and cooperatives. Click here: http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2332.html 

Largest Faith-based Pension Fund Invests $1 Million

CONTACT: Shanta Bryant Gyan 646-290-8211; shanta@sbgcommunications.com * www.sharedinterest.org

Largest Faith-based Pension Fund Invests $1 Million for Small and Micro-enterprise Development in South African Low-Income Communities
Investment seeks to alleviate poverty and build wealth in South Africa’s economically marginalized communities

NEW YORK, July 5, 2007 – Shared Interest, a leading New York-based social investment fund, has received a $1 million investment from The United Methodist General Board of Pension and Health Benefits to support small and micro-enterprise development in South Africa’s most impoverished communities, signifying the pension fund’s commitment to invest in economically marginalized communities like those served by their African clergy.

The five-year investment, which is Shared Interest’s largest single investment, is one of the first U.S. pension fund investments in African communities. continued…

Shared Interest Update: 2006 Annual Report and Youth Day

If we do not deal with the issues of youth development in the rural areas, we will not meet the challenge of improving the quality of life of our people. Essop Pahad, the Minister in the Presidency, June 3, 2007

2006 has been a year of breakthroughs for Shared Interest and its partners in South Africa. During those 12 months, as you will see in our annual report, we have more than doubled the number of people we have served during our first 12 years. As of December 31, 2006, Shared Interest’s work had benefited more than 975,000 low-income black South Africans. continued…

2006 Annual Report

2006 Annual Report

Shared Interest Update: Microfinance for Housing - Spring 2007

Buoyed by a budget surplus, the South African government has increased spending on housing to nearly triple the level three years ago. But the backlog in housing, particularly for low-income South Africans, still stands at homes for approximately 2 and a half million families. 

Even if government efforts continue to increase, bringing affordable housing to all South Africans, as is their right under the constitution, remains a formidable task. Shared Interest is committed to doing its part by reinforcing South Africa’s efforts with the multiplier effect of micro-finance loan guarantees. continued…

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