Kiva conducts regular, ongoing monitoring of all Field Partners, but only posts status updates here in response to relevant, major changes at the partner.

Status update — September 13, 2019

Kiva recently assessed the level of risk associated with loans from this Field Partner. During this process, our analysts gathered updated operational and financial information about the institution and analyzed the Field Partner’s loan products. As a result, JIMF's risk rating is now listed as 1.0 stars.

Partner Description:

Jerusalem Interest - Free Microfinance Fund (JIMF) is a charitable organization that provides loans and business development training to entrepreneurs and small business owners in Jerusalem.

Founded in 2008 by Jewish and Muslim Londoners, the organization aims to relieve financial hardship in poor communities in Jerusalem by helping people establish and to grow their own businesses. In the process, it seeks to mitigate inter-communal tensions in Jerusalem.

The overall poverty rate in the city is close to 40%, and two of its communities are particularly disadvantaged -- the ultra-orthodox Jewish (Charedi) community and the Arab community. Together they comprise about two-thirds of Jerusalem’s population and have the highest levels of poverty. Additionally, there is little or no access to microfinance for these groups, often making it very difficult for would-be entrepreneurs to obtain start-up financing.

Before providing a loan, JIMF generally requires clients to undergo 60 hours of training in business development and “soft” skills like negotiation and networking. Through microfinance and technical assistance, JIMF helps people in poor communities in Jerusalem become successful business owners.

Kiva loans will enable marginalized low-income clients in Jerusalem to take advantage of JIMF’s training support and to start or to grow their own businesses. In addition, these loans help to foster cross-cultural understanding and peaceful interactions between diverse groups.

A unique lending approach

To comply with Sharia and Halacha laws, JIMF does not charge interest on its loans and earns no income from them. Almost all JIMF’s staff works for the organization on volunteer basis. Currently the JIMF is 100% financed from charitable donations.

For each loan, JIMF provides comprehensive technical assistance through its partnership with training organisations. For example, a group of 15 women may receive 56 hours of group training workshops, 5 hours of one-on-one pre-loan mentoring, direct support for writing a business plan, interest free loans for qualifying participants, and 10 hours of one-on-one post-loan consultations.

JIMF is able to keep defaults low through business training, rigorous screening of business proposals, and through constructive relationships with clients. It is also the only microfinance organization (as far as it knows) that works with people in Jerusalem who lack Israeli citizenship.

JIMF has made loans to groups of women each year for the past three years. So far, this financing has been used to support a diverse range of businesses including a falafel store, a sewing business, a wedding dress shop, a jewelry shop, an advertising agency, a fitness center and more.

Jerusalem Interest - free Microfinance Fund joined Kiva through our Experimental Partnership Program, and has therefore received a lighter level of due diligence. Accordingly, loans associated with this partner carry a higher level of risk than typical Kiva loans.