Kiva Reviews

Make a loan, change a life | Kiva

kiva.org
3.84
101 reviews
Great Rating
Based on 101 user experiences

Rated 3.84 out of 5 by 101 Happy Customers

58.4%
12.9%
3%
5.9%
19.8%
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P

Charitable Lending - not Investment

I have been a Kiva lender for many years I am amazed at the number of negative reviews from people who clearly do not understand the concept behind the organization This is microfinance for people who are struggling not a way to make money or get guaranteed payback It seems like Kiva needs to make certain that anyone who lends understands that concept thoroughly Chances are if you lend enough your loan will not be paid off It happens If you can t get past that risk you should not be lending on this platform - lenders should consider all loans as possible losses first then opportunities to lend again second My only quibble with Kiva is the number of times they pester their lenders to stay active and or donate their funds I should be able to decide how active I want to be given other concerns and events in my life Other than that I am a great supporter of the concept and the organization
B

I used Kiva for a few months

I used Kiva for a few months and there service is pretty good I was always able to reach out to someone for help and get a response right away Whenever I had a complaint they handled the situation for me and they would respond in a kind professional manner I would only recommend Kiva for those who are beginner business owners They can only help you with so much for your business but they offer affordable prices
L

How it works is a little confusing and

How it works is a little confusing and a real mess if you re curious But they are 100 legit I m a lender since 2019 and i did very little but i love Kiva and i ll do more in future Anyway guys For example from 25 lended i got something more than 20 back then the loan defaulted Never expect to see the 100 of your loan back in the expected time But the repay schedule is serious so fear nothing and lend if you can and really love the project
J

Grateful for the opportunity to give a hand

We love that Kiva provides us with the opportunity to give others less fortunate a hand up Knowing they can improve their life and that of their families is our reward priceless Thanks Kiva
J

Doing Good Work

I have been donating a modest amount monthly through KIVA for more than two year now the monthly amount goes into my account so I can choose the loans I wish to make rather than the going to KIVA option to disperse as they see fit The website is tricky - the autofill on the checkout page to KIVA itself rather than the loan is easy to miss and you can end up being having more deducted from your account that you planned I already make a donation to cover KIVA admin costs each month so I feel this is a bit sneaky That aside I believe this organization is doing good work and am happy to participate I love tracking the different loans I make all over the world and truly believe they are making a difference in the lives of others
C

This is a company which promotes micro-finance to provide loans to those living in poor communities unable to obtain traditional loans via a bank

This is a company which promotes micro-finance loans to those individuals who are willing to work hard to pay back loans and make a better life for themselves by their own efforts Once a loan is repaid you can then lend the funds to another borrower and help more and more people over the years I ve been doing this 11 years now and I have now loaned the equivalent of 1250 in separate 25 loans It is a very worthwhile cause to support Working with those prepared to put in the time and effort in their own country to improve lives for themselves and their families local communities
M

An easy way to help people in difficulties

It is easy to fund projects with a small amount of money I started with a gift of 200 by colleagues and till now I lent over 1700 to projects running around the world using the money I got back It makes me feel good even with a very little economic effort Almost everybody could afford it I also experienced some loss but there was always a good reason for it and Kiva explained this correctly I am happy to have at least tried to help another people in difficulties
S

Help others and learn world geography

Love the ability to choose the recipient My 8 year old nephew is learning a lot about world geography helping pick recipients in different countries We talk about different countries different language climate and yes sometimes politics He s learning that it feels good to help others Feedback from recipients could be more we love hearing from them and it makes the experience even more personal We have been doing this for 2-3 years He is also learning about hard work and money as he sees the loans get paid back We have a few who defaulted and that s a learning experience as well
E

Kiva is investing in a smart way for

Kiva is investing in a smart way for people out of reach of the traditional banks It is simple and flexible as they also invest in something they know operate and so with low risk People are supported to borrow a reasonable amount so they do not fall in insolvency of destabilize their business I am pleased to note that Kiva assist in project appraisal and proposal as well as in management This is what is needed for responsible community members starting small business
K

Sorry it s been too long since I made my last loan I remember I wrote of having a difficulty lending experience and unfortunately now it has been too long to recall Wish I could help you more

I like that there are photos of the individual seeking a loan along with a story of their need Getting update comments of how the person is getting along keeps us feeling that we are still helping someone with needs I did share on my Facebook account the link and story of how your company can make a difference by others lending money even small donations

About Kiva

Kiva is the world's first online lending platform. For as little as $25 you can lend to an entrepreneur around the world. Learn more here.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Kiva is a non-profit organization that operates an online lending platform to expand financial access for underserved communities globally. Founded in 2005, its mission is to connect individual lenders with entrepreneurs worldwide through crowdfunded microloans, fostering economic development and alleviating poverty by empowering people to create opportunity for themselves and their families.

The process involves several steps. First, lenders browse borrower profiles on Kiva's website, which detail the entrepreneur's story, business plan, and loan needs. Lenders can contribute as little as $25 toward a chosen loan. Once the loan request is fully funded by multiple lenders, the funds are sent to Kiva's local Field Partners (microfinance institutions), who disburse the capital to the borrower. As the borrower repays the loan, lenders receive their money back, which they can then relend, donate to Kiva, or withdraw.

Field Partners are local microfinance institutions or organizations that work directly with borrowers in their communities. They are responsible for vetting borrowers, disbursing loan funds, collecting repayments, and providing support services. Kiva partners with these organizations to ensure loans reach entrepreneurs effectively and to manage the lending process on the ground, leveraging their local expertise and networks.

When a borrower repays their loan, the principal amount of your contribution is returned to your Kiva account. You then have three options: you can relend the funds to support another entrepreneur, donate the amount to Kiva to support operational costs, or withdraw the money to your personal account. This revolving fund model promotes sustainable impact by allowing capital to be reused multiple times.

Kiva offers a wide range of loan categories, enabling lenders to support causes aligned with their interests. Key categories include Agriculture (for seeds, equipment, livestock), Education (for school fees and supplies), Green Initiatives (for solar power, clean water, sustainable agriculture), Small Business (for vendors, shop owners, artisans), and Women's Empowerment. The platform allows filtering by sector, region, and other traits to find specific opportunities.

About Kiva

Kiva: Empowering Global Entrepreneurs Through Microfinance

Kiva is a pioneering non-profit organization that operates an innovative online lending platform, connecting individuals around the world with entrepreneurs in underserved communities. Founded in 2005, Kiva's mission is to expand financial access to help underserved communities thrive. By facilitating small, crowdfunded loans, Kiva empowers people to create opportunity for themselves and their families, fostering economic development and alleviating poverty on a global scale.

How the Kiva Platform Works

The Kiva model is built on a simple yet powerful concept: crowdfunded microloans. Visitors to the website can browse profiles of borrowers from over 90 countries. These profiles detail the individual's story, their business plan, the loan amount needed, and how the funds will be used. Lenders can contribute as little as $25 toward a loan of their choice. Once the loan request is fully funded by a group of individual lenders, the funds are disbursed to Kiva's local Field Partners—microfinance institutions and other organizations on the ground—who then deliver the capital to the borrower.

As borrowers repay their loans, lenders receive their money back. This revolving fund model allows individuals to relend their funds to another entrepreneur, donate the amount to Kiva, or withdraw it. This cycle creates a sustainable and impactful form of philanthropy that emphasizes dignity and partnership over traditional charity.

Key Features and Impact

Kiva's website showcases a wide array of loan categories, allowing lenders to support causes they are passionate about. Key categories include:

  • Agriculture:Loans for farmers to purchase seeds, equipment, or livestock.
  • Education:Funding for school fees, supplies, or educational services.
  • Green Initiatives:Loans for solar power, clean water, and sustainable agriculture.
  • Small Business:Capital for vendors, shop owners, and artisans to grow their enterprises.
  • Women's Empowerment:A significant focus, as many loans are directed toward female entrepreneurs.

The platform provides transparent reporting on its impact, with statistics on total loans funded, repayment rates, and the number of countries served. This transparency builds trust and demonstrates the tangible results of the collective lending community.

Beyond International Loans: Kiva U.S.

Recognizing that financial exclusion exists everywhere, Kiva also operates a dedicated program for entrepreneurs within the United States. Kiva U.S. offers 0% interest loans with no credit check to small business owners who may not qualify for traditional financing. This program supports a diverse range of American entrepreneurs, furthering Kiva's mission of financial inclusion domestically.

Getting Involved

The website makes participation straightforward. Users can create a free account, browse borrower profiles filtered by region, sector, or specific traits, and start lending immediately. Kiva also offers gift cards and lending teams, enabling friends, families, or corporations to lend together. The organization is funded primarily through optional donations from lenders and grants, ensuring that 100% of every loan goes directly to funding the entrepreneurs.

In summary, Kiva.org is more than a lending website; it is a global community leveraging technology to democratize philanthropy and finance. By providing a direct, transparent, and personal connection between lenders and borrowers, Kiva enables anyone with an internet connection to become a powerful force for economic good, one small loan at a time.