Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Microfinancing Partners in Africa

EIN 86-1171133 · Saint Louis, MO

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MICROFINANCING PARTNERS IN AFRICA (MPA) PROVIDES GRANTS FOR THE STRENGTHENING AND EXPANSION OF MICROFINANCING PROGRAMS IN AFRICA, TO EMPOWER THOSE LIVING IN EXTREME POVERTY TO LIFT THEMSELVES UP WITH DIGNITY THROUGH ACCESS TO FINANCIAL SERVICES AND EDUCATION.

Income
$700,717
Spending
$758,341
Spent on programs
57%
Reserves
8.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
5
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$32,188, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    57% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $119,356 spent. EDUCATION PROGRAM - WE AIM TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF INTERGENERATIONAL POVERTY THROUGH LEVERAGING THE POWER OF EDUCATION. EDUCATORS IDENTIFY AND AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS FACING EXTREME POVERTY, PROVIDE THEM WITH MENTORS, INTEGRATE MICROFINANCING INTO THE CURRICULUM, AND GUIDE THEM THROUGH PAY-IT-FORWARD ACTIVITIES. OTHER PROGRAM BENEFICIARIES RECEIVE ACCESS TO PROFESSIONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND VOCATIONAL TRAININGS.
  2. $68,000 spent. LIVING LOANS PROGRAM - IN MANY RURAL AREAS OF AFRICA, LIVESTOCK FARMING, PARTICULARLY COW REARING, OFFERS A PROMISING INCOME-GENERATING OPPORTUNITY FOR FARMERS. OUR PROGRAM TRAINS FARMERS IN AGRICULTURAL BEST PRACTICES AND HELPS THEM PREPARE TO RECEIVE A COW. THE COWS PROVIDE A STEADY SUPPLY OF MILK, WHICH CAN BE SOLD TO A LOCAL DAIRY FOR PROFIT.
  3. $59,500 spent. LOANS PROGRAM - MICROFINANCE LOAN PROGRAMS ARE A POWERFUL TOOL IN BREAKING THE CYCLE OF EXTREME POVERTY, OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES TO GENERATE SUSTAINABLE INCOME AND ACHIEVE FINANCIAL STABILITY. ONE IN THREE AFRICANS LIVE BELOW THE GLOBAL POVERTY LINE WHICH IS CURRENTLY $2.15 USD/DAY. POVERTY MEANS DAILY HUNGER; CHILD MALNUTRITION; LACK OF ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER, SHELTER, AND HEALTHCARE; LITTLE OR NO OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO SCHOOL OR LEARN A TRADE; CONSTANT FEAR FOR THE FUTURE; AND INCREASED RISK OF EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE. OUR MICROFINANCE PROGRAM CHALLENGES MEMBERS TO INVEST OR SAVE FIRST, CREATE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY BY HELPING GROUP MEMBERS OVERCOME OBSTACLES WHILE MANAGING INCOME PROJECTS, AND MANAGE CLEAR AND FIXED REPAYMENT TERMS.
  4. $188,343 spent. THE TWO OTHER PROGRAMS ARE THE HEALTH PROGRAM AND THE CLEAN WATER PROGRAM. MICROFINANCING PARTNERS IN AFRICA'S SAFE WOMAN/HEALTH PROGRAM HELPS MOTHERS THRIVE VIA ACCESS TO PRE-NATAL CARE, EDUCATION AND MICROFINANCING. MICROFINANCING PARTNERS IN AFRICA EQUIPS MIDWIVES WITH ULTRASOUNDS TO IDENTIFY THREE HIGH-RISK OBSTETRIC CONDITIONS THAT WOULD MANDATE REFERRAL TO A HEALTH FACILITY WITH AN OBSTETRICIAN AND EDUCATING THE MOTHERS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF DELIVERING AT THE VILLAGE HEALTH CENTER. MICROFINANCING PARTNERS IN AFRICA'S WATER PROGRAM FUNDS BORE HOLES AND EASY-TO-MAINTAIN WATER FILTERS TO SUPPORT GROUPS TO MANAGE CLEAN WATER AS GROUP INCOME PROJECTS, HELP FAMILIES IN POVERTY AFFORD CLEAN WATER VIA SMALL LOANS OR PAY-IT-FORWARD PLANS, AND EMPOWERS MEMBERS TO TRAIN OTHERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 2006.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.