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!
#91
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Body in Downtown YYZ, heart and mind elsewhere
Programs: UA 50K, refugee from AC E50K, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 5,113
A comment (but not a complaint):
I checked the Kiva website a few weeks back and noticed to my delight that some of the loans had been partially repaid. I happily topped up the payback and made another $25 loan.
Sometime last week I received an email from Kiva noting that some loans had been repaid. I checked today, and my Kiva balance is $0.
So obviously, Kiva is slow at sending out notices for repaid loans. While this isn't problematic for me at all, I do find it a trifle odd that repayments and notifications aren't more or less simultaneous.
Anyone else notice this?
I checked the Kiva website a few weeks back and noticed to my delight that some of the loans had been partially repaid. I happily topped up the payback and made another $25 loan.
Sometime last week I received an email from Kiva noting that some loans had been repaid. I checked today, and my Kiva balance is $0.
So obviously, Kiva is slow at sending out notices for repaid loans. While this isn't problematic for me at all, I do find it a trifle odd that repayments and notifications aren't more or less simultaneous.
Anyone else notice this?
#92
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Back to Florida...... bye London
Programs: Hilton, AA,, Delta
Posts: 5,105
My first loan is starting to be paid back so lent that money back out today. I'll just keep relending as it comes in.
I think I'll be giving KIVA gift certificates for Christmas!
I think I'll be giving KIVA gift certificates for Christmas!
#93
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: CLT
Posts: 7,249
A comment (but not a complaint):
I checked the Kiva website a few weeks back and noticed to my delight that some of the loans had been partially repaid. I happily topped up the payback and made another $25 loan.
Sometime last week I received an email from Kiva noting that some loans had been repaid. I checked today, and my Kiva balance is $0.
So obviously, Kiva is slow at sending out notices for repaid loans. While this isn't problematic for me at all, I do find it a trifle odd that repayments and notifications aren't more or less simultaneous.
Anyone else notice this?
I checked the Kiva website a few weeks back and noticed to my delight that some of the loans had been partially repaid. I happily topped up the payback and made another $25 loan.
Sometime last week I received an email from Kiva noting that some loans had been repaid. I checked today, and my Kiva balance is $0.
So obviously, Kiva is slow at sending out notices for repaid loans. While this isn't problematic for me at all, I do find it a trifle odd that repayments and notifications aren't more or less simultaneous.
Anyone else notice this?
#95
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New York, NY USA
Posts: 284
A comment (but not a complaint):
I checked the Kiva website a few weeks back and noticed to my delight that some of the loans had been partially repaid. I happily topped up the payback and made another $25 loan.
Sometime last week I received an email from Kiva noting that some loans had been repaid. I checked today, and my Kiva balance is $0.
So obviously, Kiva is slow at sending out notices for repaid loans. While this isn't problematic for me at all, I do find it a trifle odd that repayments and notifications aren't more or less simultaneous.
Anyone else notice this?
I checked the Kiva website a few weeks back and noticed to my delight that some of the loans had been partially repaid. I happily topped up the payback and made another $25 loan.
Sometime last week I received an email from Kiva noting that some loans had been repaid. I checked today, and my Kiva balance is $0.
So obviously, Kiva is slow at sending out notices for repaid loans. While this isn't problematic for me at all, I do find it a trifle odd that repayments and notifications aren't more or less simultaneous.
Anyone else notice this?
The credit email has sometimes been delayed for me as well, but I've learned when to look for credits. (thanks to info on the kivafriends.org forum)
The major posting of credits happens on the 15th of the month - it runs alphabetically by Field Partner (FP) throughout the day. My understanding is that on the 15th the loan payments due are netted against the funds the FP has raised on Kiva to that date and credits are posted.
If the FP owes more than they've raised, they have until the 1st of the next month to transfer payment to Kiva until the loan is considered delinquent. In a few cases, I've had credits trickle in over the last two weeks of the month.
You can click on the "show advanced" link to the right of the repayment schedule on the loan page to see the details of payments made from entrepreneur to FP and from FP to Kiva. I've had a couple of loans go delinquent - one was due to the entrepreneur getting behind (but then catching up) with payments, the other one the details show the entrepreneur has paid, but the FP has not yet paid Kiva.
If you're looking to relend - there are a whole bunch of group loans in Bolivia and Peru that have about 10 days left to be funded. These are short term loans - generally paid back in 4 or 5 payments.
#96
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,949
wildblue, thanks for the informative update! :-:
I suspect some batch processing - there are sometimes lags - even in showing how much the individual or group has loaned, though that often takes less than one half hour. In the end, I have never had any problems with Kiva itself, though one or two lenders have gone temporarily delinquent over time (85 loans, 55 in repayment, 30 paid, and I've just re-lent some repaid money.)
We are now up to
FlyerTalkers
Number of Team Members 69
Number of Loans 322
Number of Loans per Member 4.67
Total Amount Loaned $9,725.00
Can the magical $10,000 be far? ^
I suspect some batch processing - there are sometimes lags - even in showing how much the individual or group has loaned, though that often takes less than one half hour. In the end, I have never had any problems with Kiva itself, though one or two lenders have gone temporarily delinquent over time (85 loans, 55 in repayment, 30 paid, and I've just re-lent some repaid money.)
We are now up to
FlyerTalkers
Number of Team Members 69
Number of Loans 322
Number of Loans per Member 4.67
Total Amount Loaned $9,725.00
Can the magical $10,000 be far? ^

Last edited by JDiver; Sep 20, 09 at 9:46 pm Reason: add a bit
#101
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,949
Ta-DAH!
FlyerTalkers Lending Team
Number of Team Members 70
Number of Loans 333
Number of Loans per Member 4.75
Total Amount Loaned $10,025.00
In less than one year, :-: FlyerTalkers :-: have made OVER $10,000 IN LOANS to needy entrepreneurs in developing areas of the world!
Number of Team Members 70
Number of Loans 333
Number of Loans per Member 4.75
Total Amount Loaned $10,025.00
In less than one year, :-: FlyerTalkers :-: have made OVER $10,000 IN LOANS to needy entrepreneurs in developing areas of the world!
#103
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: back to my roots in Scotland!
Programs: Tamsin - what else is there to say?
Posts: 47,844
I look for female entrepreneurs, and I like to do countries I've been to. I love Uganda so my one loan (so far) was to there, and I'd probably look there first again.
#104
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,411
I, also, specifically loan to female entrepreneurs. Women simply don't have the same work opportunities as men in much of the world. Beyond that, I'd love to figure out a more systematic way to make my loans, as I'm very random at the moment. Fortunately, each loan is only the cost of a lunch or two, so I don't feel compelled to do a lot of analysis. I tend to chose a country, limit it to women, and loan to work efforts that appeal.