Kiva

What Kiva does

Kiva is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2005 and headquartered in San Francisco, operating a global crowdfunding microfinance platform that connects individual lenders with entrepreneurs in 90+ countries who lack access to traditional financial services. The platform facilitates zero-interest, zero-fee, zero-collateral microloans with a minimum lender contribution of $25, and has cumulatively deployed more than $2.4 billion to approximately 5.6 million borrowers while maintaining a 96%+ repayment rate. The technology stack centers on a self-serve web and mobile (iOS/Android) platform powered by PayPal payment processing, with a public GraphQL API enabling third-party developer integrations, and proprietary tools including a social underwriting model, the Gender Equity Assessment Rating (GEAR, 2023), and Refugee RADAR (2024).

Kiva's product suite spans the core Kiva.org crowdfunding platform, Kiva U.S. (domestic zero-interest loans of $1,000-$15,000), Kiva Capital Management (a wholly-owned impact-investment subsidiary established in 2019 that manages the Kiva Refugee Investment Fund and the Small Business Resilience Fund), Monthly Good (subscription lending), Kiva Cards (gifting), and the Kiva Store artisan marketplace. Distribution combines direct self-serve access with a network of 220+ lending partners (microfinance institutions, NGOs, schools) and a Trustee program for U.S. direct loan endorsement. As a nonprofit, Kiva funds its approximately $35 million annual operating budget (75-80% directed to programs) through voluntary lender donations, corporate and foundation grants (Walton Family Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, Hilton Foundation), program fees from certain lending partners, and modest interest income on bank balances.

Name

Kiva

Legal name

Kiva Microfunds

Website

https://kiva.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Kiva is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a global crowdfunding microfinance platform that connects 2.1 million+ individual lenders with 5.6 million+ underbanked entrepreneurs across 90+ countries, offering zero-interest microloans starting at $25 via a PayPal-powered web and mobile platform and a 220+ partner distribution network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Microfinance

NAICS

Other Services (except Public Administration) (81)

SIC

Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Microloans & Working Capital Loans (FSAKAGAA)

Keywords

• Microfinance lending
• Crowdfunding platform
• Nonprofit microlending
• Zero-interest loans
• Financial inclusion

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Voluntary Lender Donations: Lenders can choose to add voluntary donations on top of their loan amounts to support Kiva's operations. These optional contributions are a primary funding source.
2. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Kiva receives grants from corporations (Visa, Wells Fargo, Google, etc.) and foundations (Walton Family Foundation $1M, Hilton Foundation) for specific programs and capacity building.
3. Program Fees from Lending Partners: Some lending partners pay program fees to cover operational costs associated with the crowdfunding platform, due diligence, and monitoring services Kiva provides.
4. Interest Earned on Bank Accounts: Kiva earns interest on funds held in bank accounts, contributing modestly to operational revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kiva operates a global crowdfunding microfinance platform that lets individual lenders fund 0% interest, zero-fee microloans (starting at $25) to underserved entrepreneurs in 90+ countries, with local disbursement and repayment handled by 220+ lending partners. Its product suite includes the Kiva U.S. program ($1,000–$15,000 zero-interest loans to American entrepreneurs), Kiva Capital (impact investment management), Monthly Good (subscription lending), Kiva Cards, the Kiva Store artisan marketplace, and corporate Employee Engagement Programs.

Product overview

Kiva operates as a nonprofit crowdfunding microfinance platform with multiple interconnected products. The core offering is Kiva.org, a global platform facilitating crowdfunded loans to underserved entrepreneurs across 90+ countries. This is complemented by Kiva U.S., a direct lending program providing 0% interest loans to American entrepreneurs. Kiva Capital, established in 2019, extends the mission through impact-focused asset management. The product suite also includes Monthly Good (subscription lending), Kiva Cards (gift cards), the Kiva Store (artisan marketplace), Employee Engagement Programs for corporate partners, and Lending Teams for community organizing. Together, these products create a comprehensive ecosystem for financial inclusion, combining individual lending, institutional investment, and corporate engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kiva Capital: Impact investment management subsidiary that provides debt investments to mission-aligned financial service providers and social enterprises, including the Kiva Refugee Investment Fund (KRIF) and Small Business Resilience Fund (SBRF)
• Kiva Protocol
• Kiva U.S.
• Kiva Hubs
• Monthly Good
• Kiva Store

Products and services

• Kiva.org Platform Kiva's main crowdfunding microfinance platform enabling individuals to lend as little as $25 to entrepreneurs globally across 90+ countries. Facilitates 0% interest loans with a 96%+ repayment rate through 220+ lending partners.
• Kiva U.S. A direct lending program providing 0% interest, zero-fee, zero-collateral business loans between $1,000 and $15,000 to U.S.-based entrepreneurs with no minimum credit score requirement. Uses Social Underwriting prioritizing character and community impact over financial metrics.
• Kiva Capital An asset management subsidiary that provides impact-first debt investments to mission-aligned financial service providers and social enterprises supporting underserved populations. Manages the Kiva Refugee Investment Fund (KRIF) and the Small Business Resilience Fund (SBRF).
• Monthly Good A subscription-based lending program allowing users to set up recurring monthly contributions that are automatically relent to borrowers, multiplying impact over time.
• Kiva Cards Gift cards that allow recipients to lend to entrepreneurs of their choice on Kiva.org, creating an ongoing giving experience since funds can be relent multiple times.
• Kiva Store An e-commerce marketplace featuring handcrafted goods from artisans supported by Kiva borrowers, with proceeds directly supporting independent artists' livelihoods globally.
• Employee Engagement Programs Corporate social responsibility initiatives enabling companies to engage employees in microlending campaigns. Programs include Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers based on company size, featuring co-branded campaigns, impact reports, and volunteer opportunities.
• Lending Teams Self-organized community groups built around common interests, school affiliation, or location where members can rally around shared lending goals and track collective impact.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96%+ loan repayment rate across all borrowers globally
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered regional, core, flagship and minor.

• Foundry Collective (Kiva Oregon)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Foundry Collective operates Kiva Oregon hub, deploying $600,000+ in zero-interest loans to rural Oregon small businesses with 91% repayment rate. 76% of borrowers were rejected by every other lender.
• City of Kansas City and EDCKCregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Kansas City's BizCare Division and EDCKC launched Kiva KC Hub in 2024, distributing $53,500 to 8 local women/minority-owned businesses with 3-to-1 matching fund. Partnering with Entrepreneur Business Basics for technical assistance.
• Kiva Refugee Investment Fund (KRIF) - Microfund for WomencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023KRIF disbursed $4 million to Microfund for Women in Jordan to scale work with Syrian refugees in camps and urban areas, reaching an estimated 4,500+ individuals. MFW was first MFI in Jordan to lend to Syrian refugees.
• California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Kiva Capital administers The California Rebuilding Fund providing $80 million+ in affordable capital to 1,385 small businesses supporting 7,000+ jobs across 40 California counties with focus on historically under-resourced communities.
• VisaflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerVisa partnered with Kiva for employee engagement campaigns resulting in 82% employee participation, $1.2 million in loans deployed, and 19,000+ businesses supported. Partnership won 2022 Best Employee Engagement Initiative and 2023 Gold HALO Award.
• ZuoraminorGTM or Marketing PartnerZuora became a Kiva Strategic Partner providing tools to engage employees and customers in microlending. Company leaders recognized the partnership's value in amplifying positive change.
• eBayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner engaging customers in Kiva's mission through various social impact campaigns and lending programs.
• Mercy CorpsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Mercy Corps for needs assessment with Ugandan lending partners and refugee clients, resulting in Hilton Foundation funding for UGAFODE capacity building.
• PayPalcoreTechnology or IntegrationPayPal processes Kiva loan disbursements and repayments. All U.S. borrowers must have a PayPal account to receive and repay loans. PayPal powers the payment infrastructure for the entire platform.
• U.S. Women's National Team Player's AssociationflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership focusing on U.S. systemically marginalized business owners won 2023 Gold HALO Award. Players engaged fans and communities in supporting underserved entrepreneurs.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Grameen America: U.S. nonprofit microfinance organization providing small, character-based loans to low-income entrepreneurs, mirroring Kiva U.S.'s zero-interest, group-lending approach for underserved borrowers.
• Accion International: Global nonprofit focused on financial inclusion through microfinance and small-business lending; operates a similar model of partnering with local lending institutions to serve unbanked entrepreneurs worldwide.
• Opportunity International: Christian-based nonprofit microfinance network providing small loans, savings, and training to entrepreneurs in developing countries—directly comparable to Kiva's mission, partner network, and target borrowers.
• BRAC USA: Affiliate of BRAC, the world's largest development nonprofit; runs microfinance programs targeting ultra-poor women, comparable in mission and global footprint to Kiva's lending-partner model.
• Zidisha: Nonprofit peer-to-peer microlending platform connecting individual lenders directly with borrowers in developing countries—essentially a direct competitor to Kiva's crowdfunding flow with similar zero-interest structure.
• Milaap: India-based crowdfunding microfinance platform enabling individuals to fund low-cost loans for underserved borrowers; directly comparable to Kiva in business model, loan size, and end-borrower profile.

Broad incumbents

• Funding Circle: Established online small-business lending platform operating globally; a broader incumbent in the online lending space that overlaps with Kiva U.S. on borrower profile but targets for-profit SMBs at higher loan sizes.

Emerging players

• Tala: Mobile-first fintech providing underbanked consumers in emerging markets with instant credit via smartphone data—competes for Kiva's borrower base through a faster, digital-native alternative to crowdfunding-based lending.
• Lendio: U.S. small-business loan marketplace connecting borrowers to multiple lenders; overlaps with Kiva U.S. on SMB customer profile but operates as a fee-based broker rather than crowdfunded direct lender.

Regional players

• M-Kopa: Pay-as-you-go solar and financial services provider across East Africa; serves overlapping off-grid and unbanked customer segments as Kiva's African borrowers, but via asset financing rather than crowdfunding loans.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kiva
• Facebookfacebook.com/kiva
• Instagraminstagram.com/kiva.org

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds8 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments14 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kiva