Regular readers know that a little over a year ago we told you about Kiva, an online organization that creates the ability for individuals to provide micro loans directly to entrepreneurs around the world. Instead of dumping huge sums of aid into corrupt or high admin cost governments and organizations with relatively little reaching the individuals that need it, Kiva directly touches people with the drive to improve their lives.
Kiva has done well over the past four years of its existence:
- $94 million loaned – not bad for a four year old startup
- 98% repayment rate – better than a lot of domestic loans these days
- 235,482 entrepreneurs funded – every one of them probably now inspired to do even more
- 566,765 Kiva donors – that's getting a lot of people involved in philanthropy
- 183 countries
Factory Strategies Group, which operates Superfactory and Evolving Excellence, has long donated to Kiva. If you'd like to see some of our micro loans, click here. I encourage you to check out Kiva and consider becoming a micro donor.