Kiva: Loans that Change Lives

[Earth_First]

Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.

Kiva partners with existing microfinance institutions. In doing so, we gain access to outstanding entrepreneurs from impoverished communities world-wide. Our partners are experts in choosing qualified borrowers. That said, they are usually short on funds. Through Kiva.org, our partners upload their borrower profiles directly to the site so you can lend to them.

Kiva provides a data-rich, transparent lending platform for the poor. We are constantly working to make the system more transparent to show how money flows throughout the entire cycle. The below diagram shows briefly how money gets from you to a third-world borrower, and back!



http://www.kiva.org/app.php

[Lisa]

1. link to Clinton interview where he mentions Kiva

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21020060/page/2/

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

2. We now have 16 loans out. K&R

It's a great way to beat the "I can't do nothing" Blues.

[Warpy]

3. I've been doing loans for about a year now

ever since I first heard about them. Some of the first people I made loans to have paid them off ahead of time, so I'm lending that money back out.

So far, my loans have a 100% payback record. I know that the record across the board for microloans is about 90%.

Considering the level of poverty these people live in, I think that's just amazing. Corporate loans default at a higher rate, and let's not talk about mortgages right now.

The program has become popular enough that they limit donations for a single loan to $25.00. I'm delighted by its success.

Lending money to people at the bottom doesn't just get single people out of poverty. It changes our world, one person at a time.

[liberalla]

4. What a wonderful organization, and so accessible.

I've heard of these small banks or finance groups working directly with the people most in need, but was unsure of how they worked and how I could get involved.

Kiva makes it easy. Kiva is the bridge to connect with them. I love this idea. I really like the individual stories on each loan request. I feel like my money is going directly where I want to help.

Thank you so much for posting this info.

[liberalla]

6. Oooh, I like their calendars too!

Introducing the 2008 Kiva wall calendar featuring Kiva borrowers from around the world. This is a 13-month calendar (Jan 2008 - Jan 2009). Each month features a photo of a current Kiva borrower, a short description of their business, and a quote from selected Kiva lenders describing what Kiva means to them. See all 13 of the borrower photos featured in the calendar at KivaFriends.

Order Kiva Calendar

I like to give calendars to friends around the New Year. These would be great - and very reasonable!

P.S. they have gift certificates too!

[Mojorabbit]

5. I have four loans out

It is a wonderful thing that is set up at this site.

[blondeatlast]

7. What a great idea! I like that they are keeping the minimum loan amopunt small, too. k&r nt