Santa Clara, CA | 15 July 2025 — Miller Center Capital, the impact investing arm of Miller Center for Global Impact, has extended a loan to Grupo Murlota, a Mexico-based social enterprise helping rural families build livelihoods through small-scale poultry farming. The funding, in partnership with impact investment manager Beneficial Returns, will support the launch of a new breeding and research center in Jalisco, expanding Grupo Murlota’s ability to provide healthy, productive hens to communities across the country.
Since its founding, Grupo Murlota has supported more than 65,000 people, primarily women, in starting their own egg-laying operations, from backyard flocks to small commercial farms. These microenterprises offer a practical way to generate income and improve nutrition, particularly in rural regions where job opportunities are limited and social safety nets are thin. The new facility will boost the organization’s capacity to produce vaccinated, cage-free hens, giving more families the opportunity to raise chickens and sell or consume fresh eggs at home.
“Eggs are one of the most accessible, nutrient-rich foods we have,” said Itzel Suárez Román, Grupo Murlota’s founder and CEO. “This investment allows us to raise our own chicks at scale instead of buying from expensive third parties, meaning we can reach more women, more families, and more communities.”
The Jalisco center is expected to ramp up production to around 10,000 birds per month, a major increase from the 500 birds currently raised at Grupo Murlota’s Mexico City site. Operations will be split between the two locations: Jalisco will house chick production and breeding, while Mexico City will continue managing egg packaging and distribution. The birds are specially bred for egg production, sourced through a new partnership with a Hungarian genetics firm, and are adapted to thrive in Mexico’s climate.
Grupo Murlota sells starter kits that include hens, coops, feed, and training. These kits are distributed through partnerships with government agencies, nonprofits, and companies that share a commitment to rural development. The enterprise is also expanding its reach through new corporate collaborations, including with Fieldwood Energy and Pan American Silver, which are investing in sustainable livelihoods in the communities where they operate.
“Our support for Grupo Murlota is about more than poultry. It’s about building local resilience,” said Brigit Helms, executive director of Miller Center for Global Impact. “When women can grow their own food and earn a steady income from it, they’re not just supporting their families — they’re reshaping the future of their communities.”
The investment was made through Miller Center Capital’s Innovation Fund, which uses catalytic capital to support promising social enterprises that have participated in Miller Center for Global Impact’s flagship accelerator. So far, the fund has deployed $1.3 million to 13 enterprises and mobilized more than $10.3 million in follow-on capital, providing leverage of 7.7%. The fund is currently at $3.1 million raised, putting it 62% of the way toward its $5 million target for September 2025.
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About Miller Center for Global Impact
For nearly 30 years, Miller Center for Global Impact has been a leader in advancing social entrepreneurship to end poverty and protect the planet. With a focus on climate resilience and women’s economic power, Miller Center accelerates social enterprises aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Based at Santa Clara University, the center blends the innovation of Silicon Valley with a deep commitment to social justice and global impact. Miller Center has supported more than 1,500 social enterprises across over 100 countries.
About Beneficial Returns
Beneficial Returns is an impact investment manager that finances social enterprises working to alleviate poverty and protect the natural environment. Founded in 2016, Beneficial Returns uses capital to catalyze systemic change in emerging markets. Headquartered in San Francisco, the firm brings together a diverse global team with experience across finance, social enterprise, and development.
Media Contact:
Karen Carter
Director of Marketing Communications
Miller Center for Global Impact
kcarter1@scu.eduQ
Investment Contact:
Paul Belknap
Director of Impact Investing
Miller Center for Global Impact
pbelknap@scu.edu
