Frequently Asked Questions

At Kiva, lending and donating go hand-in-hand to expand financial access and help underserved communities thrive. Here are the main things to know about Kiva lending vs. donating:

Lending with Kiva

  • 100% of your loans go to supporting borrowers.

  • Borrowers can use their loan to make positive changes in their lives and communities.

  • Borrowers repay loans on a schedule that encourages their success, not as an added burden.

  • Once a loan is repaid, you can relend your funds and help even more people.

Donating to Kiva

  • Donations help our team of 100+ distribute your loans in 80+ countries.

  • Kiva can invest in scaling services that meet the financial access needs of even more people in more countries.

  • Your support advances our mission to create a world where all people hold the power to improve their lives.

  • Donations are one-time gifts, eligible for a tax deduction in the U.S.

  • You can donate at any time, and can easily add a donation “tip” any time you lend!

Donations to Kiva's operating expenses are vital to the success and sustainability of Kiva. As an international non-profit, we’re committed to investing in groundbreaking programs to scale financial access for more people in more countries.Your donations help us realize this goal.

We primarily support our operations through optional donations from our lenders, who choose to donate in addition to their loans. By crowdfunding a large majority of this operational support through our lender community, we’re able to keep our fundraising costs low and to be less reliant on larger, one-off gifts. We raise additional funds through program fees, foundation and individual grants, and interest earned on our bank accounts.

Kiva's staff and volunteers work hard to ensure every dollar donated to Kiva is used efficiently.

Donations support a variety of programs, including:

  • Sending expert staff to over 80 countries to cultivate new partnerships, expand Kiva’s reach and perform due diligence and monitoring.

  • Building and maintaining the complex technical infrastructure that facilitates over $1 million in loans each week.

  • Training and supporting several hundred volunteers who translate and edit every loan posted on the Kiva website.

  • Supporting the needs of our valued lenders around the world, developing engagement programs and answering customer service inquiries.

To learn more about how we use donations, check out our most recent Annual Report.

Yes. Unlike loans made on Kiva’s website, donations to Kiva are considered tax-deductible charitable contributions in the United States.

Kiva is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, registered in the state of California. We do not have tax-deductible status in any other countries at this time.

Many companies will match charitable donations their employees make. Check here, or check directly with your company, to see if they will double your donations to Kiva's operating expenses.

If you need Kiva to fill out a matching request for your donation, send the form as an attachment to matchinggifts@kiva.org

Absolutely. To make a donation to Kiva's operating expenses by check, please do the following:

Step 1: Write your check payable to 'Kiva Microfunds.'

Step 2: On the back of the check, write 'Donate All' and the mailing address where you'd like to receive a donation receipt (if different from the address on the check)

Step 3: Mail the check to:

Kiva Attn: Finance Department 986 Mission Street, Suite #400 San Francisco, CA 94103

Unfortunately donations made offline will not be reflected in your online Kiva account. Donation receipts will be provided by mail for offline donations. If you’d like your donation to be reflected in your Kiva account, please make your donation online.

Thank you for considering such a meaningful way to contribute to Kiva.

There are 2 ways to provide lasting support to Kiva beyond your lifetime:

  1. Leave a portion of your estate as a donation to Kiva via a bequest

  2. Leave a portion of your estate as a revolving loan fund

Learn more about how to set up either of these legacy plans here.

In addition to donating directly to Kiva, there are other ways that you can support Kiva’s operations:

Dedicate your Amazon purchases to Kiva

Make Kiva Microfunds your charity of choice using Amazon Smile.

Include Kiva in your will, trust or estate planning

Thank you for considering such a meaningful way to contribute to Kiva.

There are 2 ways to provide lasting support to Kiva beyond your lifetime:

  1. Leave a portion of your estate as a donation to Kiva via a bequest

  2. Leave a portion of your estate as a revolving loan fund

Learn more about how to set up either of these legacy plans here.

Volunteer your time

Kiva volunteers are vital to the work we do! If you’re looking to give of your time, learn more about all of our volunteer and internship opportunities here: kiva.org/volunteer

Please contact our Strategic Partnerships team at: partnerships@kiva.org