Facebook and Myspace are the two biggest social networking sites that people use.  Although Myspace started as the leader, Facebook is emerging as the Worldwide leader.  At first I thought it was just people in the US that used these sites, but after a recent trip to Southeast Asia, I found that people from all over the world are using Facebook.
My favorite application that Facebook has is CAUSES.  In Causes, you can join different organizations that support non-profit organziations across the World.  Recently, I have noticed that microfinance has started to emerge in the Causes application.  Here is a highlight of some of the microfinance causes that I found:
Microfinance Platforms:

• Kiva.org — Make a loan, change a life - With over 14,000 members and more than $13,000 in donations in the group, Kiva has done a great job of making microfinance a big presence in the social networking world.
• Microplace: Although far behind Kiva on the social networking scene, Microplace is fairly new, so we should hopefully see a big jump within this group as more people become aware of the things Microplace is doing.

MFIs:

• Peacework Microfinance for Education Fund - Provide Financial Capital for Students’ Education: A group started by three people from Arkansas US, this group supports the Peacework Development Fund
• U.S. Microfinance (ACCION): With 298 members and with the donations going to ACCION, this groups goal is “To improve the lives of low and moderate-income individuals in the United States by providing microloans and other financial services.”
• Microcredit and Microfinance: Economic Opportunity for All - The number 1 Facebook group under a microfinance keyword search with 656 members, this group was set up by members of RESULTS  with a strong goal to “reduce the number of people living on less than US$1 a day worldwide by granting small loans to start a business”

Other:

• Microfinance Alliance: Together, Working for Economic Opportunity - With 46 members, this groups goal is “To educate, inspire, and activate a passion for bettering the plight of the world’s poor through microfinance.”
• Bali Microfinance Initiative: With a more focused approach to a Facebook causes group, the Bali Microfinance Initiative, intended for launch in May 2008, focuses on using microfinance and education to fight global poverty, specifically in Indonesia.

I really think that Facebook has done a great job with these groups.  I know a lot of people who have joined specific causes just because their friends were in it.  This doesn’t necessarily mean that these people will become heavily involved in microfinance right away, but at least it will give them an introduction.

About Causes:

Facebook Platform presents an unprecedented opportunity to engage our generation, most of whom are on Facebook, in seizing the future and making a difference in the world around us. Our generation cares deeply, but the current system has alienated us. Causes provides the tools so that any Facebook user can leverage their network of real friends to effect positive change.