Kiva

Kiva is a nonprofit organization that connects people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world. Kiva provides you with the opportunity to choose a borrower, follow your loan, receive a payment, and reinvest.
 
100% of every dollar you lend on Kiva goes directly towards funding loans; Kiva does not take a cut. As of August 1, 2012, $339 million in loans had been made through Kiva.
 
Kiva City LA works to expand access to financial services for small businesses that have the dream and the potential, but that are locked out of traditional commercial loans. For these businesses, microlending through Kiva City can serve as a bridge, providing commercial credit history and working capital to start up, expand operations, and hire or retain employees. Kiva City LA is a partnership with the Valley Economic Development Center, the Mayor’s Office of Small Business, Kiva and Visa.