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 29, 2017, 9:35 am
#1262
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
Apr 29, 2017, 4:48 pm
#1263
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: The Phoenix Desert
Programs: Hilton Cubic Zirconia, Marriott Fools Gold
Posts: 1,692
I hit the $30k milestone today 
I'm floating more than I'd like to right now, but the recent OM & Staples deals made it hard to say no. Kiva loans are much more satisfying that buying and depositing mo's... even if it takes a lot longer to get the cash back. Next stop, $40k!
I'm floating more than I'd like to right now, but the recent OM & Staples deals made it hard to say no. Kiva loans are much more satisfying that buying and depositing mo's... even if it takes a lot longer to get the cash back. Next stop, $40k!
May 1, 2017, 6:09 am
#1264
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Here and there
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,551
I hit the $30k milestone today I'm floating more than I'd like to right now, but the recent OM & Staples deals made it hard to say no. Kiva loans are much more satisfying that buying and depositing mo's... even if it takes a lot longer to get the cash back. Next stop, $40k!
I'm floating more than I'd like to right now, but the recent OM & Staples deals made it hard to say no. Kiva loans are much more satisfying that buying and depositing mo's... even if it takes a lot longer to get the cash back. Next stop, $40k!
May 1, 2017, 3:38 pm
#1265
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,967
I hit the $30k milestone today I'm floating more than I'd like to right now, but the recent OM & Staples deals made it hard to say no. Kiva loans are much more satisfying that buying and depositing mo's... even if it takes a lot longer to get the cash back. Next stop, $40k!
I'm floating more than I'd like to right now, but the recent OM & Staples deals made it hard to say no. Kiva loans are much more satisfying that buying and depositing mo's... even if it takes a lot longer to get the cash back. Next stop, $40k!
May 1, 2017, 11:28 pm
#1266
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,417
Most loans pay back monthly; some repay in a lump sum at the end of the loan term. For monthly repayment loans, you'll usually start receiving repayments after 1-2 months. Shortest loan length tends to be 6 months.
May 4, 2017, 9:12 pm
#1267
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: The Phoenix Desert
Programs: Hilton Cubic Zirconia, Marriott Fools Gold
Posts: 1,692
If you look at the FT kiva page, you can see which active loans we've participated on and you'll notice some patterns... Nothing is fool proof tho, so use your best judgment
In my $30k of loans, I've lost $250 and have about $300 more that will likely be defaulted. In my early days on Kiva, I was focused on "country collecting" and "lender collecting", so some of my choices were pretty risky and obviously didn't pan out lol.
Jun 27, 2017, 10:48 am
#1270
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
Not that I can remember. But one of our members (not very active on FT just now) served as a volunteer for the microlender in Cambodia and provided feedback (she stayed on in Cambodia; it has now been a few years).
Jun 28, 2017, 1:00 am
#1271
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,165
Jun 28, 2017, 5:09 am
#1272
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,038
Sep 4, 2017, 6:23 pm
#1273
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,222
Just did a quick and easy 3 loans this morning for seeds, chickens and a cow or two.
I have loaned to Bolivia, El Salvador, India, Kyrgystan, Rwanda, Vietnam, Camboaia, Guatemala, Kenya, Lebanon, Tajikistan.
That's my feel good buzz for this morning.
I have loaned to Bolivia, El Salvador, India, Kyrgystan, Rwanda, Vietnam, Camboaia, Guatemala, Kenya, Lebanon, Tajikistan.
That's my feel good buzz for this morning.
Sep 15, 2017, 11:05 pm
#1274
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
The FkyerTalk lending team has done a lot of good!
Where we stand today:
Team members: 750 :-:
Lent to date: $3,564,925
Loans to date: 53,739
Loans per member (average): 71.7
Rank across all teams: 9 for amount loaned (Sep 2017)
Where we stand today:
Team members: 750 :-:
Lent to date: $3,564,925
Loans to date: 53,739
Loans per member (average): 71.7
Rank across all teams: 9 for amount loaned (Sep 2017)
Sep 16, 2017, 6:47 am
#1275
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,038