Anthony Millington and Abby Sykes humbly describe the beginning of their philanthropy journey as “two dummies trying to help people.” But in truth, what set them on this path was something far more meaningful: they were paying attention. Paying attention to families navigating life without support, to young people in crisis, and to communities doing their best with too little. That instinct — to notice and to act — is what ultimately led them to FINCA.
A History of Generosity
Their giving began close to home. Through what became the Oak Tree Family Fund, Anthony and Abby focused first on expanding access to mental health care, offering scholarships for adolescents urgently needing treatment their families could not afford. What started as a deeply personal response to suffering quickly evolved into a broader mission rooted in access, dignity, and opportunity — values that stand at the heart of FINCA’s work around the world.
As they looked outward, Anthony and Abby saw those same themes repeating themselves on a larger scale: widening gaps in safety nets, increasing pressure on families living on the margins, and too many people without a path forward. They were drawn to organizations offering long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes. Through this lens, they discovered FINCA and immediately recognized an approach that mirrored their own: empowering people, especially women, through financial inclusion.
Why FINCA
FINCA’s model resonated deeply with what they believe creates lasting change. Through credit, savings tools, financial education, and entrepreneurial training, FINCA equips people to build businesses, strengthen household incomes, and expand opportunity within their own communities. “I like the idea that FINCA is empowering women entrepreneurs: teaching people how to use money, how to create jobs,” Anthony shared. For Anthony and Abby, FINCA represents impact that endures, rooted not in aid, but in economic agency.
With FINCA’s support, they saw women launching businesses, parents investing in their children’s futures, and families building resilience through stronger local economies. They saw communities moving from survival to stability, and from stability to possibility. Supporting FINCA allows them to extend the same care they show locally into a global partnership grounded in dignity, entrepreneurship, and measurable change.
Today, through the Oak Tree Family Fund, Anthony and Abby work to transform generosity into sustainable impact through supporting organizations like FINCA. They speak about giving in tangible, human terms: responsibility, solidarity, and the belief that if you have resources, you also have a role to play in making an impact.
A Partnership to Ignite Change and Fuel Impact
At FINCA, we are deeply honored to partner with Anthony and Abby. Their generosity fuels women entrepreneurs and families across the globe. Just as importantly, their belief in FINCA’s mission reminds us why this work matters. Behind every FINCA loan is a life. Behind every enterprise is a family. And behind every gift is someone who chose to believe that financial inclusion is a pathway to dignity, resilience, and lasting change.
