A non-profit organization helping women (people) around the world through lending to alleviate poverty.
Access to finance is a huge challenge for female entrepreneurs across the world. Two-thirds of the world’s unbanked populations are women—that makes for one billion women who do not have access to credit or financing options. Kiva provides a platform for individuals and organizations to lend to underserved communities.1
“Financial inclusion is critical to gender equality, which is why more than 80% of Kiva loans are provided to women around the world,” says Neville Crawley, Chief Executive Officer of Kiva.1
Studies of microfinance have shown that women are more reliable microfinance clients as they repay more timely and tend to default less. Moreover, women also have a proven track record of investing capital back into their families and communities.1
How Kiva works 2
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A borrower applies for a loan
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The loan goes through the underwriting and approval process
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The loan is disbursed to the borrower
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The loan is posted to Kiva for lenders to support; lenders crowdfund the loan in increments of $25 or more (up to 30 days)
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Borrower repays the loan; the lender receives repayments over time, based on the borrower's ability to repay. The repayments go into the lenders' Kiva accounts.
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Lenders use repayments to fund new loans, donate or withdraw the money.
Note: Amounts can be lent or donated
Kiva serves borrowers in more than 80 countries on 5 continents.3
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. 3
Kiva has helped 2.7 million women, their families and communities in the last 13 years. They have just reached the $1 billion dollar milestone.
The video below was produced for their 10th anniversary:
I am a lender in this organization and encourage you to be one as well.
Kiva wants to build on their progress and push to the next billion. They are celebrating with their partner The PepsiCo Foundation by offering 1 free $25 lending credit to anyone who makes a loan this week! If you've already received your credit, you can make another loan to a woman today and they'll match it.
Click here to become a lender and receive one free $25 lending credit
Women Kiva lenders have helped:
With her loan, Lindiwe was able to begin operating three businesses, incluiding a juice shop, in her village. She is a mogul in the making. Read more...
With her loan, Phearong rejected her arranged marriage, enrolled in university, and has become a leader for women's rights in Cambodia. Read more...
With her loan, Lourdes, a single mother, moved into a new, bigger shop - one with a secure gate and an attached home for her family. Read more...
Sources:
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