The Senegal Ecovillage
Microfinance Fund

SEM began in 2004 as a pilot program to test the effectiveness of microfinance lending in a rural subsistence farming village. It was started by John Fay, who had recently finished an MBA and was volunteering in Senegal through the John Nixon Fellowship from Cornell University's Johnson School. Over the next two years, the project expanded providing loans in two more villages. In early 2006 John Fay partnered with Nan Guslander and Julia Blue to move the project beyond the pilot phase, founding the Senegal Ecovillage Microfinance Fund. SEM's board of directors and international network of volunteers provide technical expertise, fundraising, ensure transparency, and develop partnerships with other microfinance operations such as Kiva. SEM's in-country management team ensures effective day-to-day administration of the lending program through its local expertise and dedicated staff.

In 2009 Matteo Bigoni joined SEM to lead our Environmental Programs, focusing on innovative solutions to reduce environmental degradation and mitigate climate change.

In 2011, Sire Diallo joined SEM to manage and restructure SEM’s microfinance initiatives. Under his management SEM Fund plans to remain a key player in microfinance industry by diversifying and expanding its financial portfolio to the rural communities.

The SEM Fund adheres to the core principle that in order to generate the greatest impact, all funding received should be used to advance the mission of the organization.  Therefore, all donations to the SEM Fund go directly to supporting the activities in Senegal. As part of our commitment to complete transparency, the SEM Fund has had its operational information and financial reports independently audited since its creation.