Kiva

Kiva is a nonprofit crowdfunding platform that connects individual lenders with entrepreneurs and small business owners who lack access to traditional financial services. Borrowers, often located in underserved communities across the globe, post loan requests describing their business needs, and lenders can contribute as little as $25 toward a funding goal. The platform relies on a network of local field partners and volunteer trustees who help vet borrowers and manage loan disbursement and repayment in regions where formal credit infrastructure is limited. Loans are typically interest-free for lenders, who are repaid over time as borrowers make payments, allowing capital to be recycled into new loans. Kiva also offers direct loans in some markets without intermediary field partners, expanding its reach to underbanked individuals and small businesses seeking capital for growth.