Philanthropedia - Kiva nonprofit profile

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Learn more about the Microfinance Top Performing Nonprofits:

Microfinance: Kiva

Mission: Kiva’s mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.

BASIC INFORMATION	EXPERT ASSESSMENT	BENEFICIARY REVIEW

Basic Information
Social Cause: Microfinance
Issue Area: Microfinance

Year Founded: 2005
Problem

There are numerous microfinance institutions (MFI) operating in the world, which approve and disburse microloans to entrepreneurs in their community. However, MFI’s have difficulty accessing funds to help these entrepreneurs.
Solution

Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend to unique entrepreneurs around the globe.

Through strategic domestic partnerships, Kiva identifies those entrepreneurs in need and connects them with the Kiva lending community. The Kiva lending community then donates to the entrepreneurs that most interest them. Through journals and financial feedback, lenders can see the impact of their investment while the entrepreneur creates a sustainable business to support family and community members. After the typical 6-12 month lending period, the entrepreneurs then pay back the loan and the lenders receive their initial contribution.
Impact

132: microfinance institutions are Kiva’s field partners.

185: countries covered.

249,000: lenders.

$100 million: loans distributed.
Financial Breakdown

Expenses Breakdown

Program Expenses :
Administrative Expenses:
Fundraising Expenses:
Contact Information

Website: http://www.kiva.org/
Email: contactus@kiva.org
Phone:

The contents of this page are primarily from this nonprofit organization's website. The views expressed on this page are those of this organization and not necessarily those of Philanthopedia.

SummaryLearn more about these experts>>

Microfinance experts believe that Kiva is doing a great and innovative job at marketing and getting the general public engaged and informed about microfinance.

At the same time, the experts believe Kiva can increase their product offering, add additional features in their model, and increase their transparency.

Strengths

Great at Getting General Public Engaged

"They provide a direct link from funder to borrower. "
"They have a cute model. "
"They have been incredibly powerful in getting the general public engaged with and informed about microfinance. "
"They are effective at raising the general public’s awareness about microfinance. "
"They are appealing to donors. "
"They are not neglecting the US domestic poverty issue. "

Great Marketing

"They have a wide coverage of their promotion."
"They have great online marketing. "
"Their marketing is excellent. "
"They are good at marketing and awareness building. "
"They are amazing at mass marketing to teach consumers about microlending and to get them involved."

Innovative

"They are truly innovative as a capital source for microfinance institutions. "
"Kiva charges 0% interest rate on capital. "

Areas for Improvement

Increase Product Offering

"They should scale their impact and increase their product offering. "
"They should add new channels such as microsavings and microinsurance. "

Add Additional Features

"They should accredit more partners as deliverers of credit."
"They should include environmental standards in their vetting. "
"They should educate donors regarding what it takes to achieve sustainable microfinance and impact on the poor. "

Increase Collaboration

"They should partner with existing advocacy groups in DC or create their own. "
"They should encourage organizations that provide consumers offering loans to also donate to Kiva through their site. "

Increase Transparency

"They should consider the sustainability of the model for microfinance institutions, given the administrative burden of KIVA funding versus alternative wholesale funding options. "
"They should increase transparency. "
"They should stop misrepresenting how they actually work. They should answer ongoing bad publicity. "

The views expressed on this page are those of each individual expert and not necessarily those of Philanthopedia. Note that each quote represents the views of just one person and may not reflect the sentiments of the entire group. We do not disclose the names of the experts who gave each comment to protect their anonymity

" Monsieur Mamadou Koné is 29 years old, married, and father of one child. Mamadou abandoned his studies in the 3rd grade of basic school for personal reasons. He then started to learn the tailoring trade alongside his uncle for 3 years. After this stage of his apprenticeship, he decided to branch out on his own; that was 14 years ago now. He has a great reputation due to his genius for creating unique items. In an effort to improve his business, he has turned to the loan program offered by the micro-finance institution Soro Yiriwaso. This is Mamadou's first individual loan, with which he intends to buy two 20U sewing machines. He buys his supplies locally in Ségou. He makes the clothes and sells them for cash or credit to both men and women. With this loan he hopes to generate a monthly income of 100,000 FCFA, which will allow him to take care of his expenses and provide for the needs of his workshop. His ambition is to get into commercial grain storage in Ségou. (Kiva’s website)"
-Mamadou Koné (Businessman in Mali)

" Quyên Ngô Thị's main source of income comes from providing hairdressing and beauty services to members of her community. Quyên has been in her business for over 10 years and earns approximately 2.500.000 dong (VND) a month. In 2009, Quyên joined Thanh Hoa Fund for Poor Women to gain access to financial services. Quyên has successfully repaid a previous loan of 1.626.900 VND used to purchase materials for her business. She is now requesting a new loan of 6.000.000 VND. Quyên plans to use the additional revenue to improve the general living conditions of her family. (Kiva’s website)"
-Quyên Ngô Thị (Beauty Parlor Manager)

" Francisca is the coordinator for her group, Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer). She runs a small business selling clothes to her friends and neighbors for extra income for her family. Francisca will use this loan, her fourth with Esperanza International, to purchase new jeans, blouses, and t-shirts to sell. In addition to running her small business, Francisca also helps her sister with a hair salon. This gives her two jobs, and she is obviously also a full-time mother with one on the way. Francisca loves Esperanza, and is very grateful for the loan officers that she has worked with. She dreams to help her children with the profits from the loans, sending them all to get great educations. Francisca is also planning on adding on to her house, because currently she feels it is too small for her growing family. (Kiva’s website)"
-Francisca (Clothes Seller in Dominican Republic)

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