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1. How do I lend?
- Click on the Lend button at the top of the Kiva home page.
- You will automatically be taken to the Fundraising loans. Select an entrepreneur to whom you would like to lend.
- Click More to the right of the loan description.
- In the Make a Loan box, select the amount you would like to lend to this entrepreneur and click Loan Now.
- When you have added all the loans you would like to make, click Checkout.
- Choose a password to create an account.
- Pay for the loan through PayPal's secure website.
2. Do I have to use PayPal?
You can pay by credit card through PayPal's website, even if you don't have a PayPal account.
You will, however, need a PayPal account when you withdraw your funds, as Kiva uses PayPal to handle all financial transactions.
PayPal provides Kiva with free payment processing, which helps us to keep our operational expenses low.
PayPal provides Kiva with free payment processing, which helps us to keep our operational expenses low.
3. Why aren't there any entrepreneurs in XX country?
A list of Kiva's current Field Partners can be found on our Partner pages.
We are working hard to expand our partnerships to all regions across the globe at a pace that is healthy for both our current partners and for Kiva.
If we do not partner with an MFI in your area of interest, you can check out the Mix Market, which is a great website that collects data on microfinance institutions around the world. You may be able to find a microfinance institution in your area of interest on this site. Please refer to their website at www.mixmarket.org.
4. Was my transaction successful?
When you successfully complete a transaction, you receive a receipt confirming your purchase from PayPal. This receipt contains a transaction ID that will be referenced in your Kiva Transaction History. You can log into your Kiva Account at any time to view your transaction history or to view the loans to which you contributed. These are two great steps to take to ensure that your purchase was successful.
Simply log into your Kiva account and click "My Portfolio." Then click "Account" and "Transaction History" to view your transaction history. Or, you can click Loans to view the entrepreneurs to whom you contributed. Here, please note that you can select from the following options under the heading "My Loans:" Fundraising, Raised, Active, Paid Back, Defaulted, Refunded. Depending on the heading you chose, different loans in your portfolio will be displayed.
Simply log into your Kiva account and click "My Portfolio." Then click "Account" and "Transaction History" to view your transaction history. Or, you can click Loans to view the entrepreneurs to whom you contributed. Here, please note that you can select from the following options under the heading "My Loans:" Fundraising, Raised, Active, Paid Back, Defaulted, Refunded. Depending on the heading you chose, different loans in your portfolio will be displayed.
5. Can we lend as a group?
Many groups lend together through Kiva. However, we are still
working on a formal group feature for the website -- so at this point,
it is not possible for us to collect and aggregate payments for one
account. However, you can designate one individual to be your group's
account administrator who manages the payment process and receives all
email updates from Kiva. It is up to you how you want to pool
your money together, but please note that in an effort to keep our
operational expenses low, we only accepts checks for amounts
over $1000.
Once you have set up the account, you can share the URL for your lender page with your group members. This lender page will display the loans in your groups portfolio, and it will also display what amount of money has been repaid by each entrepreneur. And remember, from your lender page, your members will be able to click on the name of an entrepreneur and view the entrepreneur's profile page where all journal entries are posted.
You can make the URL for your lender page reflect the name of your group by entering the name of your group in the first name and last name boxes that appear during the setup process. You also have the opportunity to create a lender name that reflects the spirit of your group when you create your account.
Look at the Kivapedia Groups page to view a few of the groups who currently lend through Kiva.
Once you have set up the account, you can share the URL for your lender page with your group members. This lender page will display the loans in your groups portfolio, and it will also display what amount of money has been repaid by each entrepreneur. And remember, from your lender page, your members will be able to click on the name of an entrepreneur and view the entrepreneur's profile page where all journal entries are posted.
You can make the URL for your lender page reflect the name of your group by entering the name of your group in the first name and last name boxes that appear during the setup process. You also have the opportunity to create a lender name that reflects the spirit of your group when you create your account.
Look at the Kivapedia Groups page to view a few of the groups who currently lend through Kiva.
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