Grameen America: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
Grameen America (GAI) is dedicated to helping low-income entrepreneurial women build businesses to enable financial mobility. GAI envisions an inclusive society in which all entrepreneurs, regardless of race, gender, or income, have access to fair and affordable financial services to support upward economic mobility.
Founded in Queens, NY, in 2008, Grameen America, Inc. (GAI) carries forward the visionary model of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus. Yunus’s transformative concept—that every individual can break the cycle of poverty through their entrepreneurial spirit—has reshaped global perspectives on poverty eradication. A Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Grameen America empowers aspiring women entrepreneurs with accessible business capital, starting with initial loans of up to $2,500. Beyond financial support, their comprehensive program includes financial literacy training, peer networking, and weekly loan repayments reported to major credit bureaus, fostering financial independence. Grameen’s focus remains steadfast on women in underserved communities who often face barriers within the traditional financial system, lacking access to bank loans and credit histories.
Women entrepreneurs account for only 4% of all conventional small business loans (roughly $1 out of every $23)
More than 1 in 8 women live in poverty (nearly 21 million women)
30% of low-income consumers have no credit history
More than half of low-income children live in female-headed households
Nearly half of Americans have less than $500 in savings.
Women have the potential to serve as powerful economic engines, but many are shut out of the mainstream financial system.
GAI Overview 2025
Since its inception, Grameen America has disbursed more than $5 billion, impacting over 220,000 women across the US, maintaining an exceptional repayment rate of 99.9%. Notably, California holds a significant portion of their portfolio, with more than 41,000 women entrepreneurs having received cumulative loan disbursements of nearly $1 billion.
In addition to microfinancing, their initiatives encompass credit-building, savings programs, educational workshops, peer support, and healthcare navigation, ensuring holistic empowerment for its members.
Our unique group-lending model, in which women support, lead and learn from each other, allows us to disburse large numbers of small loans to reach the most vulnerable populations with reasonable and accessible financial services. – GAI Overview 2025
“Sobrato serves as a significant partner to Grameen, playing dual roles in lending and philanthropy. Partnering with Sobrato enhances Grameen’s philanthropic endeavors by securing catalytic grant capital that boosts lender confidence and strengthens our commitment to sustainable growth initiatives.”
Lucas Ramirez
Reflecting on his role, Lucas shared, “As CFO, much of my work is behind the scenes, but visiting our members is incredibly inspiring. Witnessing firsthand how Grameen America transforms lives reaffirms the profound impact of our mission. Our success lies in changing life trajectories—one woman, one entrepreneur at a time.”
You can read stories about the entrepreneurs that Grameen has supported on their blog.