nonprofit to help people out of a jam

November 3, 2014 10:41 AM

Hey folks, I have a memory of a non-profit that offered small loans (like under $1000) to people to help them get out of trouble. Like, if you are homeless and you have a job but you can't save enough for a security deposit, this group would help you raise the funds so you can get off the street. The funds may have been crowdfunded like Kiva. I'm pretty sure I heard about it on AskMe. Ring any bells for anyone? It's tough to google.
posted by paddingtonb to MetaFilter-Related at 10:41 AM (8 comments total)

You may be looking for Modest Needs - it long predates crowdfunding as a phenomenon, but it does exactly that and it's quite cool.
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 10:42 AM on November 3, 2014 [5 favorites]

(I learned about it lo these many years ago on the Blue)
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 10:44 AM on November 3, 2014

That's it restless_nomad! Thanks! Feel free to close this up :)
posted by paddingtonb at 10:51 AM on November 3, 2014

Yeah Modest Needs is what you're thinking of, but these days I find Small Can Be Big to do the same thing really well as a crowdfunding platform that really seems to work.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 11:03 AM on November 3, 2014

It's not a nonprofit thing in quite the same way you're talking about but microfinance is very much a thing in the US. Kiva itself lends in the US through ACCION and Opportunity Fund. Grameen Bank has Grameen America. There are lots of other examples.
posted by Wretch729 at 12:41 PM on November 3, 2014

Funnily enough I'm covered in jam just at the moment - and I could really use a couple thousand bucks to employ some sexy ferrets, or a naughty armadillo, to lick all this jam off me. It would really help me get out of this jam. So if you haven't spent all your money on selflessly helping people who need help in a beautiful display of thoughtful kindness, please send me your money, or even some more jam.
posted by the quidnunc kid at 6:17 PM on November 3, 2014 [7 favorites]

Catholic Charities sometimes offers small loans as well.
posted by Deoridhe at 1:41 AM on November 4, 2014

I know Mefi doesn't work by bumping but I would bump this thread...
posted by evil_esto at 2:54 AM on November 7, 2014