Finances

Kiva is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, based in California, with a 4 out of 4 star rating from Charity Navigator. Sustainability, transparency and efficiency are at the core of our work, our mission and our financial model.

100% of your loans go to borrowers

Kiva never takes a fee from lenders, which means 100% of the funds you lend on Kiva go to supporting borrowers’ loans. We also do not charge any interest or fees to borrowers or our Field Partners working on the ground in more than 80 countries.

“Neither Kiva nor Kiva lenders make any money from the loans they facilitate. Because of this, Kiva is able to partner with groups based on social motive, rather than profit motive.” Kiva's President Premal Shah in The Guardian

Additional donations cover Kiva’s operating costs

Kiva covers operating costs primarily through the generosity of our lenders, who can choose to make donations in addition to loans. We cover more than two-thirds of our operating costs through these voluntary donations from Kiva lenders. The remainder of our costs are covered through grants and donations from foundations and supporters.

This model of fundraising helps promote sustainability, by keeping our fundraising costs low and tapping into the power of the crowd to help cover our costs.

Awarded for effectiveness and efficiency

Kiva's staff and volunteers work hard to ensure every dollar donated to Kiva is used efficiently, and we’ve received recognition for our commitment.

Google Global Impact Awards

To expand financial access and share results

Charity Navigator 4 star rating

Charity Navigator’s highest rating

The Wall Street Journal Financial Inclusion Challenge Award

2015 award winner for operational effectiveness

A broad breakdown of our 2014 revenue and expenses is outlined below, with more detailed information in our IRS filings, audited financials and annual reports found at the bottom of the page.

18.6M

Revenue
Pie chart of Kiva's 2015 revenue

How Kiva receives funding

17.2M

Expenses
Pie chart of Kiva's 2015 expenses

How Kiva uses funding

Organizational structure

While making a loan on Kiva may seem like a simple thing, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes. As such, Kiva is structured as 3 separate entities:

  • Kiva Microfunds is based in California and registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations made to Kiva go to support Kiva Microfunds and are used to cover the operating costs of running Kiva.
  • Kiva User Funds LLC is a separate entity that holds all funds belonging to Kiva users in FDIC-insured, escrow-like bank accounts. These low-yielding FBO accounts were set up to ensure Kiva users’ funds (meant for lending) are protected and fully separated from Kiva’s operational funds.
  • Kiva-DAF LLC is a third entity that was created to hold donor advised funds to facilitate lending on Kiva's platform for Kiva's institutional partners (such as charitable foundations).

 

Audited financials and tax filings

Governance and policies

Annual reports