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!
Jun 21, 2009, 8:02 pm
#61
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
And, why not? 
I re-lent a Benjamin that came back at me from borrowers today, and now we are up to $5,800.00
*Updated as of Jun 21, 2009 06:51 pm
boulderlaw, you've got a great idea! ^
I re-lent a Benjamin that came back at me from borrowers today, and now we are up to $5,800.00
*Updated as of Jun 21, 2009 06:51 pm
boulderlaw, you've got a great idea! ^
Jul 14, 2009, 1:03 am
#65
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: All over
Programs: AA-LTP, HH-DIA, Marriott-LT+AMB, Hyatt-Globalist, Hertz-PC, UA-GS
Posts: 6,828
Did another one tonight. Wish Kiva did more education lending.
$6,200 thus far from FT!
$6,200 thus far from FT!
Last edited by chanp; Jul 14, 2009 at 1:04 am Reason: add
Jul 15, 2009, 3:18 pm
#67
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
Wow, that would be something! And I know we could do it - it's a matter of educating other FlyerTalkers of the wonderful opportunity FT and Kiva allow us to spread the good around where we travel. Now - imagine every FTer did what the 57 members have done - the average loans per FT member is 3.75 loans!
"We want to fight global poverty while earning miles" at work.
Today we are at 57 members, $6,300.00 lent. ^
"We want to fight global poverty while earning miles" at work.
Today we are at 57 members, $6,300.00 lent. ^
We surpassed our goal of $5,000. Congratulations to all who have lent through the FT team and contributed to meeting our goal!
How about we add a few zeros to that number? Here is a global challenge for all of FlyerTalk:
If every member of FlyerTalk.com (all 197,793 members) makes at least one $25 loan on their credit card of choice through our Kiva lending team we can generate:
$4,944,825 in loans
$98,896.50 in cashback rebates (@ 2%) or
at least 4,944,825 frequent flyers miles
Right now the biggest team on Kiva has loaned a measly $500,000.
The people on this thread are off to a great start, but this concept needs to spread to every member of the FT community. Everyone on FT could use 25 miles or a little cashback, so what is stopping FT from dominating the Kiva leaderboard? As our team motto says, "We want to fight global poverty while earning miles." Let's get earning.
How about we add a few zeros to that number? Here is a global challenge for all of FlyerTalk:
If every member of FlyerTalk.com (all 197,793 members) makes at least one $25 loan on their credit card of choice through our Kiva lending team we can generate:
$4,944,825 in loans
$98,896.50 in cashback rebates (@ 2%) or
at least 4,944,825 frequent flyers miles
Right now the biggest team on Kiva has loaned a measly $500,000.
The people on this thread are off to a great start, but this concept needs to spread to every member of the FT community. Everyone on FT could use 25 miles or a little cashback, so what is stopping FT from dominating the Kiva leaderboard? As our team motto says, "We want to fight global poverty while earning miles." Let's get earning.
Jul 15, 2009, 3:52 pm
#68
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YVR
Programs: AC Aeroplan,Delta Skymiles, Avion
Posts: 451
Count me in.
I'm #58 and think this is a great cause. I'm going to forward this to my womens group!
Number of Team Members 57
Number of Loans 215
Number of Loans per Member 3.77
Total Amount Loaned $6,325.00
Number of Team Members 57
Number of Loans 215
Number of Loans per Member 3.77
Total Amount Loaned $6,325.00
Last edited by weather; Jul 15, 2009 at 3:53 pm Reason: I'm really #58
Jul 15, 2009, 4:14 pm
#69
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Venice, Italy
Programs: FlyingBlue Platinum, Miles&More Senator, bmi Diamond Club Silver, Marriott Gold Elite, SPG
Posts: 702
Just made my 8th loan. It's so easy to re-loan and it's amazingly great to see every single person I've loaned to paying back, just so that I can pay it forward again to someone else!
Jul 15, 2009, 7:28 pm
#70
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: CLT
Posts: 7,249
I made a loan. I had checked out Prosper a while ago, but it kinda just seemed like either the person wouldn't pay it back, or you wouldn't earn much interest.
With Kiva I feel more like I'm helping someone who really needs it. I donated $25 to some lady who needs money for ear piercing machines.
How is everyone doing with currency fluctuations? The one I chose said I was guaranteed my $25 back, but other loans made it sound like if the exchange rate changes that I may not get my $25 back (which would just add a little hurdle to loaning out the next $25 but not stop it).
With Kiva I feel more like I'm helping someone who really needs it. I donated $25 to some lady who needs money for ear piercing machines.
How is everyone doing with currency fluctuations? The one I chose said I was guaranteed my $25 back, but other loans made it sound like if the exchange rate changes that I may not get my $25 back (which would just add a little hurdle to loaning out the next $25 but not stop it).
Jul 15, 2009, 9:04 pm
#71
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Body in Downtown YYZ, heart and mind elsewhere
Programs: UA 50K, refugee from AC E50K, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 5,132
Oh man, you have no idea how happy I am to have come across this thread! ^^
I've joined Kiva and the FlyerTalk team and have made my first loan.
I've joined Kiva and the FlyerTalk team and have made my first loan.
Jul 18, 2009, 2:18 am
#72
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Venice, Italy
Programs: FlyingBlue Platinum, Miles&More Senator, bmi Diamond Club Silver, Marriott Gold Elite, SPG
Posts: 702
How is everyone doing with currency fluctuations? The one I chose said I was guaranteed my $25 back, but other loans made it sound like if the exchange rate changes that I may not get my $25 back (which would just add a little hurdle to loaning out the next $25 but not stop it).
As for currency fluctuations, I mean, we're talking $25 loans here, not $25000 loans. The dollar just doesn't fluctuate wildly against worldwide currencies during the short term of these loans. At the maximum, the $ could increase by 10% over one year's time. So, you've lost $2.50. That's less than the cost of 1 latte at Starbucks. What you gained in good karma, decent humanity, and self-respect is certainly more valuable than $2.50.
Jul 18, 2009, 5:21 am
#73
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: A number, but no status no more
Posts: 3,049
Hi all,
I've pretty much got the same approach as TravellinHusker. I log in every month or so, and reloan the amount that has been repaid. I've got $200 in the system, with 12 active loans right now. In total, I've made 27 loans, 15 of which were repaid in full and on time (7 loans have counted since I joined the FT team).
I would not worry too much about currency fluctuations. Yes, some country could face tremendous devaluation over time, but the loans having short terms, it typically won't show. And if it does, I'll just add the difference. I'm doing this to help others, not to protect "my investment".
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
I've pretty much got the same approach as TravellinHusker. I log in every month or so, and reloan the amount that has been repaid. I've got $200 in the system, with 12 active loans right now. In total, I've made 27 loans, 15 of which were repaid in full and on time (7 loans have counted since I joined the FT team).
I would not worry too much about currency fluctuations. Yes, some country could face tremendous devaluation over time, but the loans having short terms, it typically won't show. And if it does, I'll just add the difference. I'm doing this to help others, not to protect "my investment".
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
Jul 18, 2009, 5:29 am
#74
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Venice, Italy
Programs: FlyingBlue Platinum, Miles&More Senator, bmi Diamond Club Silver, Marriott Gold Elite, SPG
Posts: 702