How Kiva.org is changing lives
Compassionate people like you are changing the world.
Kiva is an international nonprofit founded in 2005, based in San Francisco, with offices in Nairobi and staff stationed around the world. The Kiva mission is to connect people through lending, to alleviate poverty, and also to support people looking to create a better future for themselves, their families and their communities.
Kiva has earned a 4 out of 4 star rating from Charity Navigator.
Kiva lenders crowdfund in increments of $25 or more, totaling an average of $2.5 million in loans each week, creating a unique, renewable pool of funds that is reshaping access to financial services around the world. Kiva never charges interest on loans, and never takes a fee from lenders. They cover two-thirds of operating costs through voluntary donations made by Kiva lenders. The remainder of costs are covered through grants and donations from foundations and supporters.
Kiva is able to reach so many communities and scale their impact with an extensive network of Field Partners and Trustees who help connect Kiva with borrowers in 86 countries across five continents.
Borrowers work in many industries. They may be farmers, artisans, students, shopkeepers, builders or restaurant owners.
Field Partners do incredible work; they screen borrowers, post loan requests to Kiva for funding, disburse loans on the ground and collect repayments. Most Field Partners are microfinance institutions, but they can also be schools, NGOs or social enterprises. They all share one thing in common: the desire to improve people’s lives through safe, fair access to credit. Many provide services with their loans, such as entrepreneurial training and literacy skills.
Trustees endorse loans, vouching for borrowers who want to apply for direct loans on Kiva, which are loans that aren’t administered by Field Partners.
If you are in the United States and want to see if you qualify for a Kiva loan, go here to see if you qualify: Kiva U.S. loans
Kiva is led by a dynamic leadership team dedicated to bettering lives and providing opportunities to the world. Visit www.kiva.org to learn more.