Across the globe, women are the backbone of small-scale farming and food production, yet far too often they are the last to access credit, training, or ownership of their own enterprises. Limited access to financing holds back countless talented entrepreneurs from reaching their full potential. That’s why initiatives like the Credit for Women Microfinance Fundraiser, hosted by Benevolent Bean, the mission-driven coffee company founded by Grow to Market board member Candy, are so important. 

On November 1, Benevolent Bean will bring together coffee lovers, changemakers, and partners to support the Credit for Women Fund, a revolving microfinance initiative that empowers women entrepreneurs with the credit, business literacy, and confidence they need to build sustainable livelihoods. 

Through partnerships with the International Women in Coffee Alliance (IWCA) and local organizations, the fund helps women take their first steps toward financial independence. For many, it is the first time they have ever had access to a loan in their own name. These small but meaningful loans support business growth, improve product quality and yields, and strengthen community well-being. As the loans are repaid, they are reinvested, creating a continuous cycle of opportunity and empowerment that grows with every success story. 

Beyond its financial impact, the Credit for Women Fund promotes agroforestry and regenerative farming practices, linking women’s economic empowerment to environmental resilience. From Guatemala to Ethiopia and El Salvador, the program demonstrates how investing in women creates benefits that extend far beyond the individual, strengthening families, communities, and ecosystems. 

For Grow to Market, this initiative reflects the very heart of our mission. We believe in supporting local entrepreneurs and small enterprises that drive sustainable food systems. Access to credit is one of the most powerful tools for lasting change because it transforms potential into progress and ideas into impact. 

We are proud to stand alongside leaders like Candy and Benevolent Bean, whose passion for purpose-driven business is fueling real change for women around the world. This fundraiser is about more than coffee; it is about creating pathways to independence, dignity, and growth. 

We invite our partners, supporters, and coffee enthusiasts everywhere to join the movement. Purchase from the fundraiser, share the story, or make a direct contribution. Every cup brewed and every dollar donated helps fund a woman’s dream, turning local ambition into global impact. 

Together, we can brew a more equitable and sustainable future, one woman entrepreneur at a time. 

Benevolent Bean | Grow To Market | Credit For Women