Who We Are
Spartan Global Development Fund
Founded in 2009
501(C)(3) since 2011
Our Organization
Spartan Global Development Fund was founded in 2009 by Michigan State University undergraduate, Michael Thelen, with the help of Paulette L. Stenzel - Professor of International Business Law and Sustainability. Soon thereafter, Spartan Global became a Registered Student Organization at Michigan State run entirely by students. Our first loans were made through Kiva on July 4, 2009.
In 2011, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization was established through the State of Michigan and the Internal Revenue Service under the same name, Spartan Global Development Fund. A Board of Directors was subsequently put together to oversee business transactions of the newly formed nonprofit. Today, the two companion branches of the Spartan Global Development Fund, the Registered Student Organization and 501(c)(3) nonprofit, operate hand-in-hand to effectively facilitate microloans to entrepreneurs around the globe.
Microfinance
“Microfinance is a financial approach aimed at providing services such as loans, savings accounts, and insurance to low-income individuals, primarily in developing nations. It seeks to bridge the gap left by traditional banking systems, which often exclude the poorest due to lack of collateral or the inability to meet standard lending criteria. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) play a crucial role in this sector, administering various models that aim to empower marginalized communities, particularly women, by improving their access to financial resources.” -EBSCO
Student Development
Our students are the foundation of our future economic growth. By empowering them with knowledge, opportunities, and connections, our organization hopes to advance equity in our world while helping our students gain hands-on experience for their future careers.
Direct Loaning
Spartan Global seeks partnerships with other non-profit organizations and trusted individuals who work directly with communities worldwide. Since 2009, we have directly financed 23+ loans, totaling over $31,284. Key countries included Guatemala and Nicaragua, where we helped expand the critical agriculture sector, including working directly with the Chacaya Coffee Cooperative.
Kiva Loaning
Our largest channel, totaling $118,675+, is Kiva loans, which are funded and managed directly by Spartan Global on Kiva. Kiva is an online platform that connects verified borrowers with lenders and enables us to achieve our global reach at scale.
“Credit is a human right”
Muhammad Yunus
Economist and former Chief Adviser of Bangladesh
Pioneer of Microfinance
By The Numbers
Since 2009, the SGDF Registered Student Organization (RSO) and its team members on Kiva have made 4,400+ loans for a total of $240,464 in impact
Repayment rate through Kiva stands at 95.93%
14 months is our median loan term
Our donation multiplier for received funds is 3.66x
We have granted loans to individuals in 88 countries
Who runs the organization?
Based at Michigan State University, our operation is run by our Registered Student Organization (RSO) and our 501(c)(3) board. View more details here.
Our awards:
2025 Eli Broad College of Business Social Contributor of the Year
2024 Eli Broad College of Business Social Contributor of the Year
2017 Lewis Quality of Excellence Award | Eli Broad College of Business
2013 Outstanding Service Organization | Michigan State University
2012 Emerging Student Organization | Michigan State University
2010 Lewis Quality of Excellence Award | Eli Broad College of Business
