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!
Feb 16, 2013, 10:04 pm
#1085
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,413
When I checked the morning of Feb 15 (Eastern time zone), I was a little sad to see so few repayments trickling in. But then the tap gushed open and by evening, I was up to almost ~98.5% of my estimated repayments! 
Now off to make more loans!
Now off to make more loans!
Feb 18, 2013, 5:15 pm
#1086
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,441
Feb 20, 2013, 11:21 am
#1087
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, did I have some loans come home!
Now re-launched - and we are up to
371 team members making 27.5 loan per member (average)
$383,625 lent in 10,190 loans
Now re-launched - and we are up to
371 team members making 27.5 loan per member (average)
$383,625 lent in 10,190 loans
Feb 21, 2013, 12:44 pm
#1088
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Toronto, NYC, somewhere on planet Earth
Programs: UA 1K, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 8,289
Just a slight change in Kiva's repayment schedule - they will be loading up repayments beginning (in March 2013) on the 17th of each month.
from Brandon @ Kiva
Hey all,
Effective March 2013, we will be making a slight change to the timing in which funds begin settling out to Kiva lenders. Specifically, funds will begin to settle out to lenders on the 17th of each month instead of the 15th. This will not impact the final due date for repayments to lenders, which will remain the 1st of each month that follows the settlement start date.
By building in two additional days to review and reconcile reported repayments prior to settling funds to Kiva lenders, it enables us to better identify issues that may need special attention and ensure that potential errors in repayment reporting are minimized. Our hope is that with this small change we will be able to both better support our partners as they use Kiva's systems, and ensure full transparency and accuracy for our lenders.
We've also created a Help Center response if you're interested in more details: bit.ly/11KXTnj
Thanks!
Brandon Smith
Community Marketing Coordinator, Kiva.org
Feb 21, 2013, 9:07 pm
#1089
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,413
(Otherwise I would have been very panicked and sad on March 15 as I stared at the very lonely "$0" in my account.
)
Mar 3, 2013, 12:35 am
#1090
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MRY/SFO/SJC
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 7,784
I signed my soon-to-be 10 year old niece up for her birthday present (aka her first Kiva loan) tonight. Thanks to that referral bonus, Amos in Tanzania will get his goods. Join in, if you like: http://www.kiva.org/lend/531469
Mar 7, 2013, 7:54 am
#1092
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 120
I have a couple questions for you guys.
Is there any limit to how much you can withdraw from Kiva to your bank account each month?
Can the bonuses earned by referrals be withdrawn?
And if I already have an account, am I still able to join your team?
I'd like to start by putting a few hundred a month into the shortest term loans, until I can withdraw and deposit the same amount every month.
Is there any limit to how much you can withdraw from Kiva to your bank account each month?
Can the bonuses earned by referrals be withdrawn?
And if I already have an account, am I still able to join your team?
I'd like to start by putting a few hundred a month into the shortest term loans, until I can withdraw and deposit the same amount every month.
Mar 7, 2013, 10:45 am
#1093
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,030
I have a couple questions for you guys.
Is there any limit to how much you can withdraw from Kiva to your bank account each month?
Can the bonuses earned by referrals be withdrawn?
And if I already have an account, am I still able to join your team?
I'd like to start by putting a few hundred a month into the shortest term loans, until I can withdraw and deposit the same amount every month.
Is there any limit to how much you can withdraw from Kiva to your bank account each month?
Can the bonuses earned by referrals be withdrawn?
And if I already have an account, am I still able to join your team?
I'd like to start by putting a few hundred a month into the shortest term loans, until I can withdraw and deposit the same amount every month.
No, the bonuses earned by referrals cannot be withdrawn. You must loan the bonuses, and expire within 30 days, IIRC. Once you loan them, the repayments go back to whoever originally donated the referral bonuses.
Yes, you are still able to join the team. Just go to: http://www.kiva.org/team/flyertalkers and click Join Team.
Mar 7, 2013, 6:10 pm
#1094
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Louisville, KY, USA
Posts: 2,583
I have a couple questions for you guys.
Is there any limit to how much you can withdraw from Kiva to your bank account each month?
I'd like to start by putting a few hundred a month into the shortest term loans, until I can withdraw and deposit the same amount every month.
Is there any limit to how much you can withdraw from Kiva to your bank account each month?
I'd like to start by putting a few hundred a month into the shortest term loans, until I can withdraw and deposit the same amount every month.
DO NOT CHURN. If you want to re-lend, leave the funds with Kiva and re-lend them. If you withdraw, leave the funds with PayPal and draw on them.
If you churn -- take the money and then re-lend using a PayPal credit card account, you get points or miles BUT unfairly and at someone else's expense.
Please do not do that. PayPal provides its services free to Kiva but as Kiva grows and people churn it may stop. Kiva is very concerned about this.
That said, welcome to the team.