What is Kiva?
Kiva is an online vehicle that crowdsources microloans to people in underserved communities around the world. I’ve been participating since 2018 and it’s one of the ways I can help female entrepreneurs in countries that I feel passionate about.
Kiva has a 93% rating on Charity Navigator and a 96.3% and my initial investment has been repaid many times. I keep relending and probably always will. As of this writing, I have lost $1.76 due to delinquent repayment.
Kiva has lending partners in 77 countries and 100% of your contribution goes directly to the borrower.
How Does Kiva Work?
Kiva loans money through partners across the globe. Here’s how it works:
- An individual applies for a loan
- A local lending partner screens the borrower, manages the administrative details, including loan repayments
- The local lender disburses the loan and uploads the loan to Kivas website
- An individual (like me or you) choses to be part of crowdfunding that persons loan
- The loan is funded
- Kiva sends the money to the lender
- The borrower invests in their livlihood
- The lender gets repaid
- I get an email that the loan was repaid and my money is ready to relend
This is a simplified explanation but you can read more about it here.
My Experience with Kiva
Kiva has a robust search criteria; causes, countries, gender, sectors, climate, actives and many more areas you can select.
I concentrate my donations on women living in Southeast Asia and Africa, they tend to be single moms, and they are trying to start or run a business to feed their families. This is where I am most passionate and it is very important to me. This will be different for all but there is definitely a giving opportunity for everyone.
I find that his is a small way to make a positive ripple in the countries that I’ve visited that left a lasting impact on my heart. It really is a simple process and if you are looking for ways to expand your reach in charitable contributions, I highly recommend Kiva.
Tell us what you think and happy giving!
