Lending to entrepreneurs in developing countries Growing Together in the community - IMPACT story from the UK

As part of Grant Thornton’s 2015 global CSR event, Growing Together in the community, we The firm’s people have increased their wanted to get more of our people lending to lending by 985% since year one. global entrepreneurs in developing countries. We had two aims: Our microfinance support reaches 14 countries across three continents: • to share the concept of microfinance lending more widely across the firm • to increase our loans to global entrepreneurs Ecuador Microfinance brings entrepreneurs in developing Ghana countries together with people who have the Malawi power to help grow their businesses through small seed investment loans. These loans help the Rwanda entrepreneurs to access capital and grow their South Africa business. This can often not only benefit their South Sudan livelihood but also their families and their local community. The Vietnam Launched in 2012 our microfinance Zambia initiative has enabled Zimbabwe individuals, leadership, business teams, and These loans have supported people like The whole offices to come Goal Getter ladies, traders in bananas, avocados together and support and yams in Zimbabwe. Chhuoert a farmer global entrepreneurs. in Cambodia and Prosper an animal rearer in Rwanda. All their lives like many others have been transformed by the microfinance loans. Thanks to all the loans made so far entrepreneurs, families and communities now have access to safe Together we can help to support finance and business growth, employment and entrepreneurs in developing countries skills, development opportunities, education and and enrich their lives and those who healthcare and nutritious food and clean water. depend on them.

More partners across the UK firm are embracing how microfinance can help shape a vibrant economy and six London partners share a lending account making 25 loans to entrepreneurs around the world. And our summer interns have so far It’s a simple idea where you truly get raised £1,200 supporting 112 entrepreneurs more out than what you put in. To be through shared loans. able to help entrepreneurs to grow their businesses is brilliant. It’s a sustainable For 2016’s global CSR event, UK Internal solution which means more people, Sustainability Representatives across 25 offices businesses and communities benefit will engage our people with a new short-film globally as a result. capturing the growth in loans and success in 2015, together with YouTube videos depicting Perry Burton lendwithcare.org entrepreneurs and how easy it Head of London audit is to invest. As well as encouraging new lending Grant Thornton UK or boosting personal lending pots we aim to raise awareness through social media channels sharing globally the success we have achieved with this Please contact Jayne Brownridge microfinance initiative. for further information

© 2016 Grant Thornton UK All rights reserved. “Grant Thornton” refers to the brand under which the Grant Thornton member firms provide assurance, tax and advisory services to their clients and/or refers to one or more member firms, as the context requires. Grant Thornton UK is a member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. GTIL and each member firm is a separate legal entity. Services are delivered by the member firms. GTIL does not provide services to clients. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate, one another and re not liable for one another’s acts or omissions.