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!
Nov 11, 2013, 9:32 am
#1156
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: San Diego
Programs: UA Lifetime PE, Hilton Dia, WN CP, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 293
Nov 15, 2013, 12:06 pm
#1157
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,746
Groupon has a deal today where you can get $50 for $25.
http://www.groupon.com/deals/kiva?p=...on&d=deal-page
http://www.groupon.com/deals/kiva?p=...on&d=deal-page
Nov 22, 2013, 9:55 pm
#1158
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,018
Cash starting to be paid into accounts
Now I always only add to loans that other FT'ers have also funded.These needs more funding.
Go to the FT team then click on loans
Now I always only add to loans that other FT'ers have also funded.These needs more funding.
Go to the FT team then click on loans
Nov 23, 2013, 9:50 am
#1159
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Programs: Hilton Gold, SPG & IHG Plat, & every airline program that I can join
Posts: 2,279
I just made a few loans to Mongolia that pushed our team over the $500,000 mark! WTG FT!
I am just over $26K for the team. A great way to get those spending requirements down with no cost but time.
Cheers!
JudyJFLA
I am just over $26K for the team. A great way to get those spending requirements down with no cost but time.
Cheers!
JudyJFLA
Nov 28, 2013, 10:25 am
#1161
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 171
I have a bunch of Amex cards I can't seem to get to work on GCM, so I am going the Kiva route (two birds, one stone). Go through the paypal route, put it in as a credit card, but make the Kiva payment for $1 less than is on the giftcard. Pain in the ..., I know. I couldn't get use the giftcard route on paypal. That $1 will be a hold that will get returned to the gift card in a week. I then just go on to my cable companies website and make a $1 payment.
Dec 17, 2013, 4:52 pm
#1164
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,417
Just a reminder that repayments are starting to trickle in! 
I already found a few loans to use up some of the repayment money...
Current team stats:
415 Team Members
$565,475 Amount Loaned
14,115 Loans
Way to go, team! ^:-:
I already found a few loans to use up some of the repayment money...
Current team stats:
415 Team Members
$565,475 Amount Loaned
14,115 Loans
Way to go, team! ^:-:
Jan 3, 2014, 8:52 pm
#1165
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: ANC
Programs: AS 100K, UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Silver
Posts: 322
I have heard about this program, and it seems like a great way to empower many around the world. I just made my first loan and look forward to contributing to the team!
Jan 6, 2014, 4:09 pm
#1167
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: New York
Programs: AA EXP 1.0mm, not sure where I am with hotels these days
Posts: 2,795
A question however for the forum. In the list of possible borrowers, I notice none are from Brazil. There seems to be plenty of opportunity, and in one case specifically, my family made a small direct loan to some of my daughter-in law's family. The loan was used to purchase inventory and a used refrigerator for their new bakery in a city on the outskirts of Sao Paulo. The circumstances are strkingly similar to other borrowers on the site.
I know that the tax situation is different in Brazil as taxes are assessed on foreign sourced capital (debt and equity), but some of these nations have even worse issues.
Thoughts welcome.
Jan 10, 2014, 6:46 am
#1168
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New York, NY USA
Posts: 284
Jan 15, 2014, 9:30 pm
#1169
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
Sometimes, loans for a particular country are all taken up; that can mean we can wait a bit and then search again by country. At the moment, none in Argentina OR Brasil.
Nice thing is that we can keep on relending - I am up to $21,000 of loans over the years! What can we call that, an Iznop scheme?
Nice thing is that we can keep on relending - I am up to $21,000 of loans over the years! What can we call that, an Iznop scheme?
Feb 17, 2014, 1:42 am
#1170
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 49
Did you notice today that Kiva has changed its interface slightly when it comes to payment: the “pay with credit card/debit card” option is gone, and it asks you to fill in your address and phone before letting you input your credit card info. When you finish payment, say of $25 or $50, the amount does not automatically becomes a new loan, it becomes a credit on your account, and you have to click “lend” button again to lend the credit on your account to the borrower. Any thoughts?