The Boston Globe has an article today on what the latest impact studies tell us about microfinance. I really do think this article is well-done---clear-eyed and clearly written. But maybe I'm biased by being quoted in it.
Coverage like this raises an old question for those who promote charities: How far is it wise to go in, well, accentuating the positive in order to raise funds for good works? At what point does going beyond the evidence risk too much backlash and disappointment? Ponder such sites as ACCION's lendtoendpoverty.org and the Grameen Foundation's stoppovertynow.org. I do not mean to insinuate through my indirectness that I have the whole answer.
Update: The Globe published a letter from Elisabeth Rhyne, head of ACCION's Center for Financial Inclusion.
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