Opportunity Fund Go to Program

Small
Business
Loans

IDA
Savings

Community
Real
Estate

In the News

Press

 

August 2010

"Bay Area Non-Profits Help Create Jobs by Supporting Micro-Enterprise" by Li Miao Lovett

August 10, 2010
Making Contact, National Radio Project

Half-hour radio program discussing how a tough economy compells people to get creative as entrepreneurs.  This 9-minute segment focuses on the role of microenterprise development and the challenges entrepreneurs faces to finance their dreams, a challenge Opportunity Fund is poised to help these small business owners address. This story aired on independent radio stations nationwide, and locally on 94.1 KPFA FM.
Featuring Eric Weaver, Opportunity Fund Founder and CEO, discussing our work as a local microlender to support business growth in our communities that, in turns, creates jobs and expands our economy.

 "How to Let Go of the Financial Fears that Hold You Back" by Donna Freedman

August 3, 2010
MSN Money

Financial adivce from MSN Money reporter Donna Freedman regarding the psychology of financial behavior and the roots of our financial personality.
Featuring IDA Savings program alumna, Karla Reyes, describing how the financial education she acquired through the IDA Savings program helped her craft a new financial future for herself as she obtains her college diploma.

 

 

July 2010

 

"With Credit Tight, Microlending Blossoms" by Kristina Shevory
July 28, 2010
The New York Times

Article in Small Business section of The New York Times describing how a tight business credit market brings a boom to the U.S. microlending industry just in time to help many small business owners who are locked out from the traditional credit markets.
Featuring Opportunity Fund client and owner of Mandy's Korner, Amanda Keppert, along with Premal Shah of Kiva and Gina Harman of ACCION USA.  

"Microloans Helping Bay Area Small Businesses" by Jackson West
July 6, 2010
NBC Bay Area

Brief profile describing Opportunity Fund's work to invest in local small businesses. 

"Revitalizing the American Dream: Why Microfinancing Works" by Adam Bluestein and Amy Barrett
July 1, 2010
Inc. Magazine

The cover of Inc. Magazine's July/August 2010 issue proclaims, "Bring on the Entrepreneurs!" and in this special report the magazine describes the role of microlenders across the nation, including Opportunity Fund, to support small business growth and entrepreneurship throughout the credit crunch.

 

June 2010

 

"Microfinance Goes Where Banks Fear to Tread" by Karen E. Klein
June 24, 2010
Bloomberg BusinessWeek

Overview of U.S. microlending field and its role funding small businesses throughout the credit crunch. This article also appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Featuring Opportunity Fund CEO, Eric Weaver, and Opportunity Fund clients Simonida (CEO of Bay Area Medical Academy) and William (Owner of Gentle Parking), plus Elaine Edgcomb of Aspen Institute Microenterprise FIELD prorgram.

 

"Microfinance" on Beyond the Headlines

 

June 6, 2010
KGO ABC-7 news

Host Cheryl Jennings interviews Opportunity Fund CEO Eric Weaver in studio for an in-depth look at how our microlending helps Bay Area small businesses grow by providing capital and business advice.  Simonida Cvejic, Opportunity Fund client and Founder & CEO of Bay Area Medical Academy, is also interviewed and shares her experience as an entrepreneur who used Opportunity Fund loans to finance her business's remarkable growth.

 

"Gifts that Grow" by Nina Brentlinger
June, 2010
Gentry Magazine

Article profiling Opportunity Fund's work to advance the economic well-being of low-income people in the Bay Area. See page 110 for the story.

"IDAs Offer Small Boost To Aspiring Entrepreneurs" by Jonelle Marte
June 2, 2010
Wall Street Journal

Overview of Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) and U.S. Matched Savings field's role in supporting small businesses to save and invest in their growth.
Featuring Opportunity Fund CEO, Eric Weaver, and Opportunity Fund IDA Saver and Owner of Victory Coaching, Vicci Smith, as well as Andrea Levere of CFED and Ben Mangan of EARN.


May 2010

 

 

"State First Lady Adds Good Humor to Conference" by Andrew Ross
May 21, 2010
The San Francisco Chronicle

Article covering the Microfinance USA 2010 conference in San Francisco.

"Lending Partnership Focuses on Helping Women" by Erin Sherbert
May 21, 2010
The San Francisco Examiner

Article covering the Microfinance USA 2010 conference in San Francisco.
Featuring California First Lady Maria Shriver, Opportunity Fund CEO Eric Weaver, and Kiva President Premal Shah.

"Microfinancing Making Big Impact Across Bay Area Communities"
May 20, 2010
KGO ABC-7 news

Teresa Garcia reports on how microlending is helping stimulate economic growth in the Bay Area. Featuring interviews with Opportunity Fund CEO, Eric Weaver, and Opportunity Fund client, Zonia Torres (owner of Shining Star Daycare).


"Microfinance Conference" on California Money
May 20, 2010
KQED Public Radio

Stephanie Martin, host of KQED Public Radio's California Money, interviews Opportunity Fund client William Ortiz-Cartanega (owner of Gentle Parking) and discusses our newly released "Ripple Effect" report on the macro-economic impact of 15 years (and $10 million) in lending.

"Little Engines That Can" by Andrew Ross
May 20, 2010
San Francisco Chronicle

Article covering the Microfinance USA 2010 conference in San Francisco.

"Shriver Talks About Importance of Microfinance"
May 20, 2010
ABC-7 news

Covering the Microfinance USA 2010 conference in San Francisco.

 "Microfinance" on Forum
May 19, 2010
KQED Public Radio

Host Michael Krasny interviews Opportunity Fund CEO Eric Weaver, New York Times Bureau Chief Neil MacFarquhar, SVMN Board Member Sean Foote, and Opportunity Fund client and Gentle Parking owner William Ortiz-Cartagena. This program discusses microfinance in the U.S. and abroad.

"Can Small Loans Really Change Lives?"
May 17, 2010
The Chronicle of Philanthropy

The Chronicle of Philanthropy hosts Opportunity Fund CEO Eric Weaver for an online discussion regarding our work to improve the economic well-being of working people in the Bay Area by increasing access to financial services. Read the discussion summary and full chat transcript.

"Too Small To Fail: Domestic Microfinance, Real Help for Small Businesses and the Economy" by Eric Weaver
May 17, 2010
The Huffington Post

Opportunity Fund CEO, Eric Weaver, writes about the domestic microfinance industry. 

"Our 2010 Small Business Awards" by Tim Redmond
May 5, 2010
San Francisco Bay Guardian

Opportunity Fund wins the Good Neighbor Award for CEO Eric Weaver's work pioneering microlending in the Bay Area.


April 2010

"A Financial Plan for the Poor" by Jennifer Pence
April 2, 2010
Mountain View Voice

Article profiling Opportunity Fund's Small Business and IDA Savings programs to help low-income Bay Area residents plan for the future.
Featuring interviews with Opportunity Fund CEO, Eric Weaver, and Opportunity Fund client, Mali Sehrgosha (owner of Express Cuts).

February 2010

 

"Truckers Scramble to Retrofit" on California Money
February 8, 2010
KQED Public Radio

Host Stephanie Martin discusses new EPA air emissions regulations and the struggle of self-employed commercial truck drivers to find capital to retrofit their engines.
Featuring interviews with Opportunity Fund CEO Eric Weaver and Opportunity Fund client, Mamdoh Ibrahim (self-employed trucker operating out of the Port of Oakland).


January 2010


"Growing Source of Business Financing: CDFIs" by Mark Calvey

January 22, 2010
San Francisco Business Times

Article profiling the growing role of Community Development Financial Institutions in granting loans to small business owners.
Featuring Opportunity Fund client, William
Ortiz-Cartagena (owner of Gentle Parking), and an interview with Opportunity Fund CEO, Eric Weaver.


December 2009

"Community lenders hit the funding jackpot," by Catherine Clifford
December 23, 2009
CNNmoney.com

Article addressing increased investment in CDFI's by the federal government and Goldman Sachs.
Featuring Opportunity Fund client, William Ortiz-Cartagena(owner of Gentle Parking), and Opportunity Fund CEO, Eric Weaver.

"It's a Small World," by Maggie Fazeli Fard
December, 2009
Easy Bay Monthly Magazine

Featuring interviews with Opportunity Fund clients Obdulia Loera (owner of Family Auto Repair), Amato Loma (owner of Village d'Afrique), and Caroll Fife (owner of Shule Vista Academy), with Opportunity Fund CEO, Eric Weaver. 

 


November 2009



"Geithner: 'The Credit Crunch is Not Over'" by Catherine Clifford
November 19, 2009
CNNmoney.com

Featuring Opportunity Fund client, William Ortiz-Cartagena (owner of Gentle Parking), and Opportunity Fund CEO, Eric Weaver.

 


"Geithner: Small Businesses' Tight Credit Hurts Recovery" by David Lawder
November 18, 2009
Reuters

Featuring Opportunity Fund client, William Ortiz-Cartagena (owner of Gentle Parking).

 


August 2009

Now Kiva is Making Loans in the U.S., by Amy Barrett
August 7, 2009
Businessweek

Article covering Kiva's new U.S. field partnerships with Opportunity Fund and ACCION USA.

  


July 2009


 



Radio Talk Show: Loans Changing Lives
July, 2009
The Travis Smiley Show

Featuring Opportunity Fund client, Amanda Keppert (owner of Mandy's Korner).

"Opinion: In this recession, let's work together to give credit to small businesses," by Premal Shah and Eric Weaver

July 4, 2009
Mercury News

Premal Shah, president of Kiva, and Eric Weaver, CEO of Opportunity Fund write about the importance of providing credit to U.S. small business owners.


"Kerfuffle at Kiva", by Mike Cassidy, Mercury News, July 3, 2009
July 3, 2009
Mercury News

An article covering the debate around Kiva's decision to begin partnering with microfinance institutions in the United States.

 


June 2009
 

KALW Radio "Newsmaker: Eric Weaver CEO of Opportunity Fund."  June 29, 2009

"Kiva, Microlending Site, Expands to New York,"  by Allen Salkin, The New York Times, June 15, 2009

"Microlending taking off in U.S., too," by Mike Cassidy, San Jose Mercury News, June 12, 2009

"Open Forum: Online Microlending Comes to the Bay Area," by Eric Weaver, San Francisco Chronicle, June 11, 2009

ABC World News With Charles Gibson: "Networking Micro-loans with Kiva," June 10, 2009
Featuring Opportunity Fund clients Emergency BBQ, Village D'Afrique, and CA Window Washing

 

"Kiva lets users loan to U.S. businesses Marketplace", American Public Radio, June 10, 2009

Video: ABC Good Morning America
Featuring Opportunity Fund clients Mandy's Korner, Just Awesome, and Village D'Afrique

 

ABC News: "Kiva Brings Life-Changing Loans to the U.S.", June 10, 2009

 

Microfinance site expands to U.S. businesses, San Francisco Chronicle, June 10, 2009

"American Entrepreneurs Get Help from a Popular International Charity."  The Chronicle of Philanthropy, June 10, 2009

 



May 2009

 

How Microlending Helps Communities, San Francisco Chronicle, May 29, 2009.

Bay Area 'Microbusinesses' Get Financial Help, CBS-5 Local News, May 28, 2009

Micro-lenders Ready to Loan, San Francisco Chronicle, May 8, 2009.



 

 

Early 2009

 

Cassidy: Internet Model could help booast savings-matching programs, San Jose Mercury News, April 16, 2009.

Immigrant Groups, Santa Clara County to Hold Citizenship Day on Saturday, San Jose Mercury News, March 17, 2009.

"Microfinance business thriving." by Andrew Ross, San Francisco Chronicle, March 15, 2009

The 3-Minute Interview: Evelyn Huang, The Examiner, March 9, 2009.

New Program, first in the U.S., Helps Immigrants Save for Citizenship, San Jose Mercury News, February 14, 2009.

As Credit Dries Up, More Owners Seek Microloans, Business Week, February 13, 2009.

"Where Federal Banking Money Should Go." Op-Ed by Eric Weaver, San Francisco Bay Guardian, January 27, 2009. 

 



2008

 


"Foundation Helps Immigrants Become Citizens."  ABC7News/KGO-TV, Tuesday, June 24, 2008

$1.85 million Knight Foundation Grant Will Help 500 Silicon Valley Immigrants Become Citizens, San Jose Mercury News, June 24, 2008

"Knight Foundation Provides $1.85M to Help Silicon Valley Immigrants Get Citizenship."  San Jose Business Journal, June 24, 2008

Read Full Press Release: Knight Foundation and Opportunity Fund Launch Innovative “Saving for Citizenship” Program



 



Press as Lenders for Community Development


"A Group Called WANDA. Single Mothers in San Mateo Band Together to Break the Cycle of Poverty ." Gentry Magazine, May 2008

"Low Income Savings ."  KQED Morning News, January 14, 2008

"Single Mom Saves in Age of Big Spender." San Jose Mercury News, December 5, 2007

"Small Loans and Education Help Finance Big Dreams."
San Jose Business Journal The Giving Guide, 2007-2008

"Silicon Valley Moguls Support Microlenders, Just Not in the U.S."
Wall Street Journal, December 6, 2006

"Seed Money: Microfinance Improves Lives By Turning Ideas Into Businesses"
San Jose Mercury News, November 10, 2006

KALW’s “Your Call Radio: Escaping Poverty” posted on December 13, 2006.

KALW’s “Up Front Radio: An economical Peace Prize, but no peace in Africa” posted on October 20, 2006.





 

 

 

 

 



Home | Contact | Site Map

Copyright 2010 OpportunityFund.org