Rooted in the belief that “teaching a man to fish enables him to eat for a lifetime,” Kiva is a nonprofit that provides microloans to enterprises founded by women and refugees across more than 70 countries. Now commemorating two decades as an innovative online lending platform, Kiva is eager to enhance its influence in communities that require it the most.

Harnessing technology for positive change

The concept for Kiva emerged from newlyweds Jessica and Matt Flannery during their time in East Africa.

As explained by Brit Heiring, the organization’s Director of Communications, Kiva is built on the premise that technology can serve as a catalyst for good, fostering connections that elevate those in vulnerable communities globally. “We link ordinary individuals with proactive changemakers worldwide, enabling crowdfunding for loans that address poverty, climate challenges, gender disparities, and displacement,” Heiring shares.

Kiva is focused on optimizing loan distribution because “when resources are allocated to the right individuals, authentic change follows.” Since its inception, this tech-centric organization has broadened its philanthropic outlook, forging grant collaborations and innovative methods for lenders to engage in the lending experience.

Empowering through collective action

In contrast to typical non-profit models that depend on direct donations, Kiva utilizes loans to empower its participants, amassing over $2.2 billion in funding thus far.

Heiring emphasizes, “Our distinct approach of funding our mission through loans, as opposed to donations, enables us to maximize impact by recycling the same resources for diverse needs.” With contributions starting as low as $25, individuals can back businesses owned by refugees, empower women-led agricultural initiatives, or introduce solar energy to remote villages.

While many lenders initially invest small amounts, with most contributing $100 or less, the repayment and re-lending process allows these donations to significantly multiply their impact over time.

Lenders recognize that access to financial solutions is often concentrated among the affluent. “Kiva disrupts this dynamic by democratizing funding opportunities. By pooling resources through crowdfunded loans, numerous supporters communicate a unified message of encouragement, affirming an entrepreneur’s capacity to thrive and repay on their own terms.”

Elizabeth’s journey as a Kiva entrepreneur

After relocating from Nicaragua to San José, Costa Rica, in 2011, Elizabeth aspired to enhance her home hair salon by incorporating higher-end beauty treatments. Thanks to Kiva, her $875 microloan was promptly funded by 14 lenders, enabling her to purchase keratin treatments and premium hair dyes.

Heiring notes that Elizabeth’s financial advancement also has a broader impact: “By establishing her credit and increasing her earnings, Elizabeth ensures a brighter future for her daughter, who can now pursue education without the obstacles they faced in Nicaragua. Her story serves as a testament to the resilience and contributions of immigrant women.”

This narrative mirrors countless others within Kiva’s framework, where the “global lending community inspires investments in small-scale entrepreneurs who stimulate local job creation and fortify families. It illustrates the principle that elevating one individual uplifts entire communities, both locally and globally.”

Looking ahead

Kiva has set ambitious goals for its future as a lending application. By 2028, the organization aims to nearly double its reach, aspiring to serve 10 million individuals in need by providing $4 billion in microloans.

The organization will continue to prioritize women, refugees, climate-affected groups, and marginalized business proprietors in the U.S. Additionally, Kiva is committed to assessing the effectiveness of its lending programs through independent evaluations and feedback from its lenders.

Heiring emphasizes the importance of a strategic impact approach as Kiva progresses: “This identifies the populations we wish to serve, the futures we hope to nurture, and the broader effects our initiatives will create in communities worldwide.”

In a world where access to financial resources remains precarious for many, Kiva aims to remain a vital source of support for underserved entrepreneurs in the areas that require it most.

This article was originally published in the November 2025 issue of up7op magazine.