We have always found Kiva.org to be a valuable charity since it allows entrepreneurs around the world to realize their dreams and fund their small businesses. In the past they have only lent to poorer countries, but that has just changed: Kiva now lends to US entrepreneurs as well!
If you remember back to last July, we originally tried lending to Americans using Prosper.com, another micro-lending site, but found that the people there were asking for funds to pay off things like their new flat screen TV’s rather than trying to improve their communities and their lives. This wasn’t true of all the borrowers on the site, but we decided to close our account and lend to Kiva where we felt the money would do more good.
So how is this program different from Prosper’s? Kiva’s main mission is to “connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.” They also lend exclusively to entrepreneurs. This means that the borrowers in the US are often below the poverty line, trying to start or maintain a business, and improve their lives.
After reviewing the American loans available, many of them are several thousand dollars – much more than loans requested for other parts of the world. You can still only donate in $25 increments, so it will take many more donations to fully fund. It would be neat to find someone in our community who needs money and be able to loan to them directly. If we found someone local we would see the benefits of the loan first hand!
As with all Kiva loans American borrowers have to apply via a Field Partner who approves their case, and then the loan is placed online to raise funding; you cannot apply directly. A wide range of people have applied, from taxi drivers, to salon owners, to catering businesses…
Besides starting to lend in America, Kiva also started a program in Kyrgyzstan this week. Their goal is to eventually reach all countries with money flowing in all directions.
We still feel Kiva is a great organization and we are very happy that they have been able to expand to so many parts of the world. Perhaps our next loan will be to an American…
Fitness Update:
Day one of the 200 Sit-ups Challenge: 9, 9, 6, 6, 15 (max) – total 45… long way to go still.
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You should loan to one of our entreprenuers at ACCION USA!
http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&a…
I just read a one page article last night in this month's Entrepreneur Magazine about Kiva and how they are expanding into the US. I'm sure they have and will continue to see and explosion of requests for loans from people based in the US. One thing I like about Kiva over P2P lending sites is exactly what you said, it is for those that are trying to get capital to start up a business to help their community. Not to help pay off that 72" flat screen they shouldn't have bought in the first place, which is pretty commonplace on the other sites. I hope that Kiva will be able to maintain it's integrity now that it's expanded domestically. From reading the article, I'd say the guys running the show really know what their goals for Kiva are though, and it wont be headed in the direction of Lendingclub or Prosper any time soon!