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Video introduction to Kiva
General Kiva information
How Kiva works
Kiva lets you lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world. Kiva works with microfinance institutions on five continents to provide loans to people without access to traditional banking systems. One hundred percent of your loan is sent to these microfinance institutions--our Field Partners--who administer the loans in the local area.
Kiva’s Mission
Kiva’s mission is to "connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.” We envision a world where all people--even in the most remote areas of the globe--hold the power to create opportunity for themselves and others.
How you decide who to lend to
One of the big questions people have when making their first loan is how to pick a borrower. Share your own methodology, or consider going over some different options: look for a sector they’re interested in, a country they have ties to, social performance badges they’re interested in, or maybe even a field partner that they might like.
Lending teams
Lending teams are Kiva’s way of connecting individuals around shared interests and backgrounds. We currently have over 20,000 self-organized groups where members connect with each other and rally around shared lending goals. It’s a great way to interact with fellow Kiva lenders and track your loan successes as a group. If you’re already a member of a lending team, feel free to invite people at your event. You can even create a new team for the event!
Common questions
If you want extra help in preparing for Kiva-related questions, write to us at events@kiva.org before you host the event. And for any general Kiva questions at the event that you don’t know the answer to, please see our Help Center FAQ. Although we may not be able to respond by email during your event, you can always use those questions as an opportunity to follow-up with attendees afterward!
