Kiva is the nonprofit lending platform founded in 2005 by Jessica Jackley and Matt Flannery to connect lenders with entrepreneurs.
Kiva’s model allows people to contribute money toward loans requested by entrepreneurs and other borrowers, often through local partner organizations. The idea emerged from the founders’ interest in microfinance and in using the internet to make small-scale lending more visible and accessible to people in wealthier countries.
Kiva is frequently mistaken for Kickstarter because both use online platforms and public campaigns. Their financial models differ: Kickstarter generally funds creative projects through rewards or products, while Kiva is associated with loans that borrowers are expected to repay.
Kiva has supported borrowers in many countries, including people seeking capital for shops, farms, services, and other small enterprises. Its work illustrates how online platforms can connect local economic activity with international sources of finance.