Pro-bono Consulting

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The Heart of What We Do

At MMI, we believe business can be a force for good. Through pro bono consulting for microfinance institutions (MFIs) and not-for-profit organisations (NFPs), we help solve organisational challenges that strengthen financial inclusion and improve the lives of underserved communities.
Our projects are delivered by the University of Melbourne's brightest students, supported by leading industry professionals, to create meaningful and lasting impact.

What we can do for you.

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  • Understanding the social impact of your organisation is essential for demonstrating value, improving programs, and making informed strategic decisions.

    MMI partners with microfinance institutions to design, evaluate, and enhance social impact measurement frameworks. We support both the development and implementation of qualitative and quantitative impact surveys tailored to your organisation and client base.

    Our work includes:

    • Social impact survey design and validation

    • Qualitative and quantitative impact analysis

    • Monitoring and evaluation frameworks

    • Recommendations to strengthen client outcomes and organisational impact

  • Effective credit risk management is fundamental to maintaining financial sustainability while continuing to serve underserved communities.

    MMI helps microfinance institutions strengthen their lending processes through comprehensive reviews of existing credit policies and risk management frameworks. We provide practical recommendations that balance prudent risk management with your social mission.

    Our work includes:

    • Credit risk policy reviews

    • Loan administration process optimisation

    • Credit scoring framework development

    • Best-practice benchmarking against industry standards

  • Strong training programs enable organisations to improve operational efficiency, maintain institutional knowledge, and deliver better outcomes for both staff and borrowers.

    MMI works with organisations to design, refine, and evaluate training programs that are engaging, practical, and aligned with organisational objectives.

    Our work includes:

    • Staff training program development

    • Borrower financial literacy and education programs

    • Training needs assessments

    • Research into learning barriers and program effectiveness

  • Developing products that respond to the evolving needs of clients is critical in today's rapidly changing microfinance landscape.

    MMI supports organisations in researching, designing, and evaluating financial products that create meaningful value for clients while supporting long-term organisational sustainability.

    Our work includes:

    • Microloan and microinsurance product development

    • Product performance evaluation

    • Market and customer research

    • Product strategy recommendations based on client needs and industry trends

  • Every organisation faces unique challenges. Beyond our core service areas, MMI welcomes projects across a broad range of strategic and operational issues.

    Our experience includes projects such as:

    • Microinsurance advisory

    • Digitisation strategies for financial service providers

    • Expansion strategies for pilot programs

    • Gender-focused financial inclusion research

    • Human resources and organisational development

    • Business operations and process improvement

    If your project falls outside these areas, we'd still love to hear from you. Our team is always excited to explore new challenges and develop tailored solutions that create meaningful social impact.

Project Trip

With the support of grants from the University of Melbourne and the Faculty of Business and Economics, selected consulting projects may include an international project trip. These trips typically last 1–2 weeks in the partner organisation's home country, with a team of five consultants travelling to work directly alongside the client. All travel expenses are covered by MMI.
In 2026, MMI successfully sent two consulting teams overseas, one to China and one to Laos. Working on-site enables our consultants to engage with clients face-to-face, gain a deeper understanding of local operating environments, conduct primary research, and validate recommendations through first-hand observations.
We believe these immersive experiences significantly enhance the quality and impact of our consulting work while fostering meaningful partnerships with the organisations and communities we serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Since 2011, MMI has delivered pro bono consulting to microfinance institutions and purpose-driven organisations across the globe. By the end of 2026, we will have completed 66 projects across 25 countries, supporting clients throughout Asia-Pacific, Africa, Latin America and Australia.

  • We've partnered with a diverse range of microfinance institutions, social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations working to improve financial inclusion and community outcomes. While many of our past clients have grown beyond needing our support, we remain committed to helping smaller, high-impact organisations build capacity and create lasting change.

  • Our work is guided by partnership, humility and respect for local expertise. We recognise that our clients understand their communities best, so every recommendation is developed collaboratively, with careful consideration of cultural context, practical implementation and long-term impact.

  • Project teams work closely with clients over the course of a year, supported by experienced project leaders and mentors. Teams deliver practical, evidence-based recommendations tailored to each client's needs.

  • Our multidisciplinary teams combine fresh perspectives with rigorous analysis to deliver practical, evidence-based recommendations. By partnering with MMI, organisations also help develop the next generation of socially conscious leaders.