Kiva
A microlending platform letting anyone fund small loans to entrepreneurs worldwide
Our editorial assessment
Kiva pioneered peer-to-peer microlending at global scale: individuals fund small loans to entrepreneurs and families, who repay over time, and repaid funds can be lent again. This recycling of capital gives contributions unusual longevity. Charity Navigator awards Kiva a four-star rating, with roughly 77% of expenses going to programmes. Microlending is not a cure-all — evidence on its poverty impact is mixed compared with direct cash transfers — but Kiva's transparency, scale, and capital-recycling model make it a compelling option for donors drawn to opportunity and entrepreneurship.
The problem they're solving
Millions of capable entrepreneurs in low-income countries lack access to affordable credit to grow a business or weather a shock. Kiva connects them with lenders worldwide, and because loans are repaid and re-lent, a single contribution can support many borrowers over time.
About Kiva
Kiva is a nonprofit platform that lets people lend as little as $25 to entrepreneurs, students, and small businesses in over 75 countries, with funds channelled through local field partners.
Where your dollar goes
How this score was produced
The GiveWise score is our own editorial assessment, produced with a weighted rubric covering program spending, transparency and governance, evidence of impact, cost-effectiveness, and leadership. It draws on publicly available reports from independent evaluators such as GiveWell, Charity Navigator, and CharityWatch, but it is not a rating issued or endorsed by any of those organisations. Read the full methodology →