How to Become a Micro Lender With Kiva.org

Kiva is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people in developing countries build their own businesses. The group identifies and screens entrepreneurs, then tries to connect them to lenders who want to help. Its site asks visitors, the micro lenders, to lend a minimum of $25 to one or more of those owners. Consumers can see how much an individual needs, how much of the amount has been raised, and the repayment terms.

Things You'll Need

• Paypal account

Instructions

1. Set up a Paypal account if you do not have one. Kiva donations are only handled through that service or credit cards.

2. Visit Kiva.org and set up an account. A profile allows you to upload a picture, introduce yourself to the community and post links.

3. Click the "Lend" button on the Kiva page. The page will explain the loan options on top, and show several entrepreneurs. Each one has a profile and explains how the money will be used.

4. Click the "Loan" button when you settle on an entrepreneur or individual to help.

5. Watch for email updates from Kiva on the status of the loan. As the money is repaid, it will go back into your account with Kiva as a "Kiva Credit."

Tips & Warnings

• Here are few other resources to get you started: www.microcreditsummit.org, www.craftcenter.org, www.globalfundforwomen.org.

• Share your wealth around to more than one entrepreneur, remember drop by drop fills a bucket.

• It is possible to lose your investment. However, the default rate on Kiva loans was less than 2 percent as of 2011.

References

• Kiva