Root Capital is a nonprofit social investment fund that provides finance for grassroots businesses in rural areas of the developing world. The fund provides capital and market connections to small and growing businesses, such as farmer and artisan associations, that are too large for microfinance and too small for traditional banking. In addition, the fund seeks to build local talent and business skills so that people with little or no formal education can compete in the global marketplace.

The fund’s loans range from $25,000 to $1 million for working capital and investment in equipment and infrastructure.

Since launching operations, Root Capital has:

• Loaned $100 million to 210 grassroots businesses worldwide

• Financed the cultivation of 2 million acres of organic agriculture

• Served 340,000 farmers and artisans

• Provided financial education and training to 55 grassroots businesses representing 27,000 small-scale producers

• Worked in 30 countries across Latin America, Africa, and Asia

The V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation has provided funds to support core operating expenses of Root Capital.

For more information visit: www.rootcapital.org