Sara Blakely, founder and owner of Spanx, announced a multi-faceted partnership between Spanx, the Sara Blakely Foundation, and Grameen America, a nonprofit microfinance organization that supports low-income female entrepreneurs across the United States.

The Sara Blakely Foundation is an anchor sponsor of the Grameen America Social Business Fund. This is a unique U.S.-focused social impact investment opportunity that aims to raise up to $25 million in loan capital for Grameen America’s microloan portfolio. The goal of the Sara Blakely Foundation’s significant commitment is to enable Grameen America to empower more than 100,000 low-income women entrepreneurs through microloans, credit and asset-building services.

“In 2013, I joined the Giving Pledge, pledging to invest in women because I believe it offers one of the greatest returns on investment,” said Blakely. “While many of the world’s natural resources are being depleted, one is waiting to be unleashed—women.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Sara to equip women with the tools and confidence they need to become successful business owners,” said Muhammad Yunus, Grameen America Founder and Board Chair. “Sara is the ultimate champion and role model for this cause. Through her own personal journey and extraordinary accomplishments, she understands first-hand the importance and impact of empowering women entrepreneurs.”

With Grameen America microloans, these women are enabled to establish financial credit, allowing them to break the cycle of poverty and make a difference for their families, communities and cities.

In addition to sponsoring the Grameen America Social Business Fund, as part of the Spanx Leg Up Program on Spanx.com, consumers will have the opportunity to learn about the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs living at or below the poverty line and vote to allocate additional microloans to them.

“I’ve always known that I’ve wanted to help women, and am truly inspired by Grameen America’s efforts.” said Sara Blakely. “Through Leg Up, our customers can join our mission by helping us decide where to allocate these funds,” added Blakely. “Sharing the opportunity to give back with the people who helped me earn the right to do so in the first place is so important, and I’m a big believer that women supporting women is great karma.”

“Sara is the embodiment of women empowering women,” explained Andrea Jung, CEO of Grameen America. “From her company, to her foundation, to her personal life, she is deeply committed to supporting and instilling confidence in female entrepreneurs to help them achieve their dreams. Having built success from a small amount of capital combined with an innovative idea, she now wants share her empowerment journey with other female entrepreneurs.”