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


Update on 21 August 2023:


Kiva and Opportunity Fund have agreed to end their partnership after more than $500,000 in loans raised. This partner has repaid its outstanding balance to Kiva in full, and these funds have been distributed to lenders. We thank Opportunity Fund for the years of collaboration and wish them success in their future endeavors.


Status update — April 11, 2018

Kiva and Opportunity Fund are ending their partnership after nearly 8 years. This Lending Partner has repaid its outstanding balance to Kiva in full, and these funds have been distributed to lenders. We thank Opportunity Fund for the years of collaboration and wish them success in their future endeavors.


Partner Description:


As California’s largest not-for-profit microlender, Opportunity Fund offers a unique blend of microfinance products, business advising, financial education, and community investments to help low-income families work toward economic stability. Since 1995, Opportunity Fund has provided $19.5 million in capital to more than 1,700 entrepreneurs, and offered thousands of hours of financial education to over 3,600 low-income Californians. Three-quarters of our clients are minorities, and 60% are women.


Microlending in the U.S.

For many U.S. workers, a job is not enough to provide economic self-sufficiency. For some, wage employment isn’t even a realistic option because of language barriers or family circumstances. Many of these enterprising individuals start small businesses to generate income and support their families – home daycare centers, hair salons, janitorial services, small retail stores, and more. These entrepreneurs often need small amounts of capital to start or expand their businesses, but can’t qualify for a bank loan. Opportunity Fund looks beyond the numbers on our clients' credit reports and loan applications; we see their potential as successful entrepreneurs and supply the financing and advising they need to get there. 

Our Results

As part of Opportunity Fund’s commitment to measurement and accountability, we track a variety of community impact metrics through data analysis and client surveys.

--90% historical repayment rate

--90% business survival rate

--95% of surveyed clients reported an increased ability to manage their business

--Borrowers’ income rise by 30%, on average.

--Each loan keeps or creates 2.4 jobs

--Every $1 invested spurs nearly $2 in additional annual economic revenue through new spending, new tax revenue, and new wages for workers

Our Products and Services

We support low-income entrepreneurs by meeting their small capital needs. We lend to small business owners so they can support their families and create jobs for their neighbors.

--Median loan size: $7,000

--Interest Rates: 8% -12% fixed + loan fees

--Typical businesses: auto mechanics; hair salons; dry cleaners.

Need a Small Business Loan?

Find out if Opportunity Fund can help you grow your business! Visit our website for more information on our Small Business Loans program.

What Else Does Opportunity Fund Do?

Opportunity Fund provides more than microloans. We are the nation’s largest microsavings provider, helping over 3,600 families save for education, small business, home ownership, citizenship, retirement, and emergencies. We are also a community real estate lender, providing loans for affordable housing and community facilities throughout California. Learn more about our other programs at www.opportunityfund.org.


Repayment Performance on Kiva

    This Lending Partner All Kiva Partners
  Start Date On Kiva Jun 10, 2009 Oct 12, 2005
Total Loans $538,625 $1,953,349,565
Amount of raised Inactive loans $0 $366,450
Number of raised Inactive loans 0 270
Amount of Paying Back Loans $0 $156,424,295
Number of Paying Back Loans 0 183,741
Amount of Ended Loans $538,625 $1,767,569,460
Number of Ended Loans 96 2,368,870
Delinquency Rate 0.00% 10.52%
Amount in Arrears $0 $10,018,438
Outstanding Portfolio $0 $95,254,297
Number of Loans Delinquent 0 42,626
Default Rate 0.36% 1.82%
Amount of Ended Loans Defaulted $1,926 $32,212,757
Number of Ended Loans Defaulted 1 84,634
Currency Exchange Loss Rate 0.00% 0.50%
Amount of Currency Exchange Loss $0 $11,931,838
Refund Rate 0.37% 0.54%
Amount of Refunded Loans $2,000 $10,472,500
Number of Refunded Loans 1 9,545

Loan Characteristics On Kiva

    This Lending Partner All Kiva Partners
  Loans to Women Borrowers 59.79% 78.22%
Average Loan Size $5,573 $392
Average Individual Loan Size $5,573 $589
Average Group Loan Size $0 $1,889
Average number of borrowers per group 0 8.3
Average GDP per capita (PPP) in local country $54,800 $5,598
Average Loan Size / GDP per capita (PPP) 10.17% 6.99%
Average Time to Fund a Loan 5.48 days 8.92 days
Average Dollars Raised Per Day Per Loan $1,016.49 $43.91
  Average Loan Term 26.53 months 11.46 months

Journaling Performance on Kiva

    This Lending Partner All Kiva Partners
  Total Journals 63 1,176,419
  Journaling Rate 54.17% 42.29%
  Average Number of Comments Per Journal 1.06 0.02
  Average Number of Recommendations Per Journal 1.32 0.57

Borrowing Cost Comparison (based on 2009 data)

    This Lending Partner Median for MFI's in Country All Kiva Partners
  Average Cost to Borrower N/A N/A 26.92% PY
  Profitability (return on assets) N/A N/A -3.11%
  Average Loan Size (% of per capita income) N/A N/A 0.00%

Country Fast Facts

Lending Partner Staff

Joanna DeLong
Megan McTiernan
Kimia Raafat
Marc Raifman