Locally-led for over 30 years.

Fonkoze (pronounced Fon-koe-ZAY) is a Kreyòl acronym for Fondasyon Kole Zèpol, “Shoulder to Shoulder Foundation.” We stand shoulder-to-shoulder, in solidarity, with our clients and members.

Who We Are

Fonkoze (The Foundation) was created over 30 years ago to bring financial inclusion and development services to Haiti’s poorest and most vulnerable – providing women a viable way to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. Today, we are a family of 3 organizations – Fonkoze Financial Services (SFF), Fonkoze Foundation and Fonkoze USA – that work together toward this shared mission.

Fonkoze Foundation (Fondasyon Kole Zepòl):

 The foundation is a Haitian non-profit institution that provides development services and programs to support the ultra-poor and Fonkoze’s microfinance clients with the resources and skills they need to overcome obstacles and become successful on their climb up Fonkoze’s staircase out of poverty.

Fonkoze Financial Services (SFF):

SFF is Haiti’s leading microfinance institution with a double bottom line: they aim to lift families and communities out of poverty while operating in a financially self‐sustaining manner. 

Fonkoze USA: 

Fonkoze is an American 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to securing financial and technical support for its Haitian partners. It educates the American public about Fonkoze’s work in Haiti, facilitates technical assistance for the two Haitian entities and raises funds to support Fonkoze’s programs. Fonkoze USA also acts as a channel for socially responsible investors who want to “invest” in Fonkoze’s loan fund by lending their money at subsidized interest rates.

Fonkoze USA gives American donors access to tax advantages available to the fullest extent allowed, and conducts the necessary due diligence on Fonkoze’s operations.

What We Do

Fonkoze knows that poverty’s many challenges are interconnected, and the solutions are as well. Our financial services and accompanying development programs are built to address the various levels and complexities of poverty to help our clients break the intergenerational cycle of poverty.

The Fonkoze Family works in an integrated manner to offer a holistic approach to reducing poverty in Haiti. Together with other stakeholders and partners, we work kole zepòl (shoulder‐to‐shoulder) to provide financial and non‐financial services to empower Haitians — primarily women — to lift their families out of poverty.