ON THE FRONTLINE of impact
Our borrowers are growing social enterprises that use market-based approaches to improve society and the environment
EOS INTERNATIONAL
NICARAGUA AND HONDURAS EOS International brings clean drinking water to more than 600,000 people living in more than one thousand small communities in Honduras and Nicaragua. EOS’ water purification technology is a low-cost, low-maintenance solution that attaches to a community’s water tank and releases a controlled dosage of chlorine that costs only pennies per week for each household. EOS communities have better health and lower rates of infant mortality. Half of EOS’ budget is earned through the sale of chlorine tablets. Beneficial Returns’ loan enabled EOS to import chlorine in greater volumes which increased the profitability of their operations.
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CHACHA
THAILAND Chacha is a producer of organic rice and chia-based pasta and retailer of the Perfect Earth Foods brand. Chacha sources from marginalized hilltribe communities in the Northwest of Thailand, near the Burma border. They train these communities on sustainable farming with the goal of at least doubling their income while respecting and preserving their unique way of life. Through their work, Chacha is able to restore community health as it provides stable income to families and staves off migration to cities out of economic necessity, and is simultaneously able to restore planet health as it replaces conventional farming with organic practices.
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ECOFILTRO
GUATEMALA Manufactures and sells ceramic water filters in Guatemala providing its users cost-efficient drinking water with improved health outcomes. It also impacts the environment positively as urban customers normally drinking bottled water reduce their plastic consumption, and rural customers who typically boil their drinking water over wood fires reduce their firewood use. With $225,000 from Beneficial Returns, the business is doubling the size of their factory and acquiring production equipment that will increase the consistency of their filters. EcoFiltro and its CEO were recognized in 2012 by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.
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ANANAS ANAM
PHILIPPINES Ananas Anam is the inventor of Piñatex, a leather alternative made from pineapple leaves that are normally discarded as agricultural waste. Ananas Anam aims to provide a more humane and sustainable option to leather while providing pineapple farmers - primarily in the Philippines - an additional source of income. With applications in clothing, automotive upholstery, and footwear, its customers include Hugo Boss, H&M, and Skoda. Beneficial Returns provided a $36,000 loan to finance new fiber extraction equipment.
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GUAYAKI
BRAZIL Sells yerba mate beverages which are distributed widely throughout the US in its goal of protecting 200,000 acres of South American rainforest and creating over 1,000 living-wage jobs before the year 2020. Yerba mate is a caffeinated plant native to the rainforests of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Guayaki’s suppliers sustainably harvest organic yerba mate from rainforest-grown cultivations and reforestation projects, generating a renewable income stream which enables these communities to improve their lives and restore their lands. Beneficial Returns’ $500,000 loan helped finance a yerba mate drying and processing facility in Brazil.
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NAZAVA
INDONESIA Sells affordable and easy-to-use water filters in Indonesia where the majority do not have access to potable water and thus, resort to boiling water and purchasing bottled water. Through its filter, Nazava is able to provide the cheapest and most environmentally friendly clean water solution. To date, Nazava has provided over 130,000 filters and savings of over $14.5 million to households. Beneficial Returns provided Nazava a $50,000 loan to assist with the company’s expansion.
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ALTITUD
MEXICO Altitud helps low-income women in Monterrey, Mexico launch their own home-based sewing businesses. Since its inception, Altitud has helped more than one thousand women purchase sewing machines through small loans paid back over a period of 6-12 months. Altitud's holistic approach also provides free training and connects women entrepreneurs with large commercial sewing contracts, while women earn a higher income and can watch their children while working from home. Beneficial Returns provided Altitud a $50,000 loan to launch additional sewing micro-enterprises in Nuevo Laredo State, Mexico.
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ALIET GREEN
INDONESIA Aliet Green produces organic, Fair Trade coconut sugar and other food products. As a woman-owned business with a focus on empowerment, over 70% of the employees are female and a majority are single mothers or widows. Aliet Green sells products at a premium price and pays its farmers a living wage. The 1,300 employees ensure high environmental standards by living and working on naturally forested farmland that absorbs more carbon than is released. Beneficial Returns provided Aliet Green a $350,000 loan to support the creation of another production line.
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THE RECIPROCITY FUND
Beneficial Returns also has a special mandate to invest in social enterprises that promote prosperity for indigenous communities in Latin America and Southeast Asia