Dec 20, 2015, 4:45 am
Last edit by: wilsnunn
The FlyerTalk Lending Team on Kiva:
improving lives a small loan at a time.
Kiva.org is the not-for-profit microlending organization that networks people willing to lend to small entrepreneurs in developing nations using available technology and international networking / collaboration, and how Kiva.org had become an approved FlyerTalk charity thanks to TalkBoard's approval June 29, 2008 <link> It is listed on the FlyerTalk Cares page.improving lives a small loan at a time.
"Kiva is a grassroots project started by a team with a big idea: one-to-one, real-time lending to the poor via the Internet. Currently, we take no cut of the loan you make through our site -- 100% goes to the entrepreneur. We suggest a 10% donation, in addition to your loan, to help us cover our costs. Kiva is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and your donation is tax-deductible for US taxpayers." (Suggested donations for administrative overhead, low though that is, are not required - you may lend 100% if you so choose.)
As of 15 May 2016 it was 607 FlyerTalk lending team who have lent $2,209,175 in 37,092 loans! And now as of 30 June 2019 it is 941 members who have lent $6,415,775 in 71,722 loans!
Our motto is: "We loan because: We want to fight global poverty while earning miles."
This is tangible evidence Flyertalk Cares! There are likely other FlyerTalkers on Kiva who have not joined - if you are one of them, do so now to show your and FT's support and involvement. If you haven't lent yet, check it out - you may want to join up. For the low-income entrepreneurs on five continents who are requesting loans, microlending is significant - and it takes a lot of drops to fill the bucket. (Read on to see updates!)
Now, we can see this sophisticated network link resources from those who can lend (no interest, sorry!) with those who are needy, worthy and screened by local NGOs and have a need to start / expand their small business to enhance their and their families' survival. And, using PayPal and your FFP/FFG linked card or account, you can earn miles or points with many loans!
FlyerTalkers are lending, and fulfilling one of FT's seminal values, that of "paying it forward."
Read more about Kiva.org, who supports and enables it (Intel, Google, Paypal, Intuit and many others,) and see if you have $25.00 (or more) you can lend someone deserving in a land you have visited and enjoyed (or not.)
This is how it works:
Add your experiences here, or if you haven't joined... won't you consider joining the FlyerTalker Lending Team?
You can see who the latest FT borrowers are (some still possibly needing loans) here
For ease, you can click here: Subscribe to FlyerTalker Lending Team on Kiva.org
FlyerTalker Lending Team on Kiva.org!
Apr 22, 2010, 4:25 pm
#241
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Gold, UA MM 1K, UK Gold, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 397
I have some very exciting news! Looks like FlyerTalk will have their very first Kiva Fellow. 
I've been told that I will be (tentatively) placed in the East Asia & Pacific region for a minimum of 12 weeks, but don't have any more info than that yet. I can't tell you how excited (and nervous) I am!
p.s. We are at $29,400, almost to $30k!
I've been told that I will be (tentatively) placed in the East Asia & Pacific region for a minimum of 12 weeks, but don't have any more info than that yet. I can't tell you how excited (and nervous) I am!
p.s. We are at $29,400, almost to $30k!
Congratulation^^^^^
Apr 23, 2010, 2:03 am
#242
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
I have some very exciting news! Looks like FlyerTalk will have their very first Kiva Fellow.
I've been told that I will be (tentatively) placed in the East Asia & Pacific region for a minimum of 12 weeks, but don't have any more info than that yet. I can't tell you how excited (and nervous) I am!
I've been told that I will be (tentatively) placed in the East Asia & Pacific region for a minimum of 12 weeks, but don't have any more info than that yet. I can't tell you how excited (and nervous) I am!
Apr 23, 2010, 6:10 am
#243
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
giblet, congratulations are indeed in order! Fantastic news!
We are up to
123 members
971 loans
$29,600 lent
OK, fellow FTers, let's put this over 125 lenders / 1,000 loans / $30,000!
FlyerTalkers paying it back... I'll be sure to put a bug in Randy's ear tomorrow when I see him!
We are up to
123 members
971 loans
$29,600 lent
OK, fellow FTers, let's put this over 125 lenders / 1,000 loans / $30,000!
FlyerTalkers paying it back... I'll be sure to put a bug in Randy's ear tomorrow when I see him!
Apr 23, 2010, 9:43 am
#245
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Nomad
Programs: AA MM EP, QF Gold, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LTT, HH Gold, National Exec, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,107
I have some very exciting news! Looks like FlyerTalk will have their very first Kiva Fellow.
I've been told that I will be (tentatively) placed in the East Asia & Pacific region for a minimum of 12 weeks, but don't have any more info than that yet. I can't tell you how excited (and nervous) I am!
p.s. We are at $29,400, almost to $30k!
I've been told that I will be (tentatively) placed in the East Asia & Pacific region for a minimum of 12 weeks, but don't have any more info than that yet. I can't tell you how excited (and nervous) I am!
p.s. We are at $29,400, almost to $30k!
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
Apr 23, 2010, 12:37 pm
#248
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: back to my roots in Scotland!
Programs: Tamsin - what else is there to say?
Posts: 47,843
I have some very exciting news! Looks like FlyerTalk will have their very first Kiva Fellow.
I've been told that I will be (tentatively) placed in the East Asia & Pacific region for a minimum of 12 weeks, but don't have any more info than that yet. I can't tell you how excited (and nervous) I am!
p.s. We are at $29,400, almost to $30k!
I've been told that I will be (tentatively) placed in the East Asia & Pacific region for a minimum of 12 weeks, but don't have any more info than that yet. I can't tell you how excited (and nervous) I am!
p.s. We are at $29,400, almost to $30k!
Apr 24, 2010, 3:49 am
#249
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: AA EXP "Life is good! Really good.""
Posts: 4,923
I have some very exciting news! Looks like FlyerTalk will have their very first Kiva Fellow.
I've been told that I will be (tentatively) placed in the East Asia & Pacific region for a minimum of 12 weeks, but don't have any more info than that yet. I can't tell you how excited (and nervous) I am!
p.s. We are at $29,400, almost to $30k!
I've been told that I will be (tentatively) placed in the East Asia & Pacific region for a minimum of 12 weeks, but don't have any more info than that yet. I can't tell you how excited (and nervous) I am!
p.s. We are at $29,400, almost to $30k!
Apr 26, 2010, 4:47 pm
#251
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Lodi, CA
Posts: 592
I just stumbled upon this thread and found it to be very interesting. I am still trying to go through so many posts. Can someone explain to me the risk factor. What are the chances that you will lose money. What if the lender defaults? How are you paid back such bad loans?
Apr 26, 2010, 5:22 pm
#252
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,745
I've been very pleasantly surprised at how many of my loans have been repaid. Honestly, I went into this feeling (and do to this day) that whatever money I put in I'll never withdraw. $25 only means skipping a couple lunches, something I likely should do anyway. It's such a trivial amount of money that I am happy to risk it in hopes that it will make a difference in someone else's life. But because I have had a very high rate of repayment, I've had a lot of fun chosing another and then another project to fund.
Apr 26, 2010, 6:03 pm
#253
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: back to my roots in Scotland!
Programs: Tamsin - what else is there to say?
Posts: 47,843
I just stumbled upon this thread and found it to be very interesting. I am still trying to go through so many posts. Can someone explain to me the risk factor. What are the chances that you will lose money. What if the lender defaults? How are you paid back such bad loans?
It hasn't happened to too many people here, but it can happen. You can lessen your risk by using 4 and 5 star partners and if lending more than once, making sure you lend in a number of different countries.
Apr 27, 2010, 5:30 am
#254
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Nomad
Programs: AA MM EP, QF Gold, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LTT, HH Gold, National Exec, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,107
If the lender defaults or (as seems to be more common) the local partner has difficulties you may not get your $25 back.
It hasn't happened to too many people here, but it can happen. You can lessen your risk by using 4 and 5 star partners and if lending more than once, making sure you lend in a number of different countries.
It hasn't happened to too many people here, but it can happen. You can lessen your risk by using 4 and 5 star partners and if lending more than once, making sure you lend in a number of different countries.
Apr 27, 2010, 5:34 am
#255
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Nomad
Programs: AA MM EP, QF Gold, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LTT, HH Gold, National Exec, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,107