Trickle Up works with people who, because they have so little, other microenterprise organizations cannot reach. Our local partners commit to helping us identify people most in need of a grant: those unable or unwilling to take on the risks wrought by a microloan, as well as people who, because they are not considered credit-worthy, do not qualify for one.

The typical Trickle Up participant is a woman under 40 years of age who is responsible for raising children and paying for their schooling. Some participants have a disability or are living with HIV/AIDS. All – male or female, old or young – are hard-working and resourceful.

Most Trickle Up participants have a responsibility to and for other family members. That's why each participant we help start or expand a business translates into a better life for an average of five other people.

In numbers, that means that the 11,000 businesses Trickle Up will launch in 2009 will improve more than 55,000 lives.

In real life terms, that means thousands of children are no longer missing meals.