Investor Profile: Joanne Droppers
Joanne Droppers
“My contact with CEPAD (and hence with WCCN) came when I attended a talk given to a small group in Alfred, NY. Here a couple who had, I believe, traveled in Nicaragua or had at least close knowledge of CEPAD’s work, presented background information and explained the nature of the loan fund. I was taken by the loan fund idea because it was a way to actually make a positive difference and because it was long range.
Ever since, the printed material I receive has impressed me with the validity of the organization and its work. Especially impressive was the work and development with the people of Nicaragua. I regret that I was not able to participate in a visit.
I guess I was an immediate convert to the microfinance concept. For quite some time I did not discover any other vehicle for investing in community development. Fortunately that is no longer true as the “microfinance industry” has expanded. I still favor WCCN, am glad to see its growth and am happy to have some money invested there — at least until I need it to pay a nursing home.
One more plus that WCCN has for me is the Madison location. It brings back memories of the five years I lived in Madison as a bride and young mother in the 1950s, when my husband was a graduate student.”
This profile is reprinted from our 20th anniversary booklet “20 Years of Socially Responsible Investing, in their own words.” The booklet can be found on the home page of our website: www.capitalforcommunities.org.