Los Angeles-based apparel company CAbi has expanded its partnership with the nonprofit microfinance organization Opportunity International. The new initiative, Women Entrepreneurs are CAbi, or W.E. are CAbi, will make a donation to Opportunity International in the name of each new consultant who joins the company. Opportunity International will use the money to fund small business loans and training programs for female entrepreneurs in developing countries.
“CAbi has been an important partner the last eight years, and this new W.E. are CAbi program will help women around the world break the cycle of poverty, transform their lives, and strengthen their families and communities,” Opportunity International Global CEO Vicki Escarra said in a press release. “We’re grateful to CAbi for helping us expand our reach to more people in need and empowering the next generation of female leaders and entrepreneurs.”
Based in Illinois, Opportunity International works in 22 countries providing access to savings, small business loans, insurance, training and entrepreneurial support to more than 5 million people working their way out of poverty. The organization’s Board of Advisors includes The Pampered Chef Founder Doris Christopher. Since 2008, CAbi has raised $615,000 for Opportunity International through a program that allows customers to round their order amount to the nearest dollar and donate the change. CAbi says its goal is to reach more than $4 million in total giving by 2020.
Clothing designer Carol Anderson and 11 co-founders launched CAbi (Carol Anderson by invitation) in 2002. In 2012, investment firms J.H. Whitney and Irving Place Capital took equity stakes in the company. The following year, the company tapped Lynne Coté, a retail executive whose experience has included Jones New York, Anne Klein and Nine West, as CEO.
