Fonkoze’s History

We Shall Rise

Haiti was in the midst of a struggle for freedom and equality. Its first democratically elected president was living in exile, and a brutal military regime ruled the country. The organized rural and urban poor (the hundreds of grassroots organizations that worked tirelessly in the late eighties and early nineties for democracy in Haiti) were especially the targets of repression. Thousands were killed during this time, and many more were living in hiding or constant fear of reprisal. A group of grassroots leaders – led by Father Joseph Philippe, a Spiritan Priest from Fondwa – envisioned a Haiti where individuals were not only given a chance at political democracy but at economic democracy as well. They had confidence their President, Jean Bertrand Aristide, would soon be restored to power and the military regime would depart. Fr. Joseph recognized that the grassroots movement organized to bring about historic political change could also be harnessed to bring about economic change on behalf of Haiti’s poor.

Although the majority of Haiti’s poor now knew how to organize themselves politically, they knew nothing about how to organize themselves economically. The poor were not allowed access to banks or to the financial services they needed to rebuild their lives. Ti machann (rural market women), for example, who had no collateral and could not read or write were not welcome in commercial banks – making it virtually impossible for them to grow their businesses and rise above their state of poverty. Fonkoze was founded in this context. Over the years, Fonkoze has expanded its reach and impact every year since inception.

Fonkoze Timeline

1994
Fr. Joseph Philippe and 32 grassroots leaders draw up the official papers to launch Fonkoze.

1995
Fonkoze (Fondasyon Kole Zepòl / “Shoulder-to-Shoulder Foundation”) is officially recognized as a foundation under Haitian law.

1996
Fonkoze convenes a conference in Miami to bring together micro-credit practitioners, Haitian-Americans, and Haiti advocates to shape the launch—and to figure out sustainable financing.

Fall 1996
From those early discussions, Fonkoze USA is conceived to support the mission through fundraising, awareness, and technical assistance.

January 1997
Fonkoze USA holds its founding board meeting.

1998
Fonkoze opens its first 15 branches and begins pairing micro-lending with development programs like literacy and business skills training.

1998–2000
Fueled by donated and invested funds, Fonkoze (in Haiti) and Fonkoze USA experience major growth—expanding reach and capacity nationwide.

End of 2000
Fonkoze is empowering tens of thousands of people across Haiti.

2000–2003
Fonkoze becomes widely known in Haiti’s microfinance sector and earns an international reputation for rural microfinance services.

December 2003
Fonkoze is selected as one of five institutions to receive CGAP’s Pro-Poor Innovation Award (from a pool of 300 applicants).

Mid-2000s
The “Fonkoze movement” evolves into three organizations—Fonkoze Foundation, Fonkoze Financial Services (SFF), and Fonkoze USA—working together under one mission to eliminate poverty in Haiti.

2007 (date added for clarity)
Fonkoze Foundation launches Chemen Lavi Miyò (CLM / Pathway to a Better Life) to support families in ultra-poverty using the Graduation approach.

Today
Fonkoze reaches 200,000+ participants across its Staircase Out of Poverty programs—and its health program Boutik Sante has benefited 1,000,000+ households in rural Haiti.