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!
Oct 23, 2009, 10:22 am
#136
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
Thanks for the tip GenevaFlyer! ^
Oct 23, 2009, 10:30 am
#137
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: CLT
Posts: 7,249
Wow. Now I can say I've financed a liquor store!
I just added another loan to FT. I've been putting a lot towards another group i'm in, but they've passed $1mm now so I'll work on FT.
I just added another loan to FT. I've been putting a lot towards another group i'm in, but they've passed $1mm now so I'll work on FT.
Last edited by gj83; Nov 11, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Oct 24, 2009, 1:32 pm
#138
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, DL SM, HY Disc, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 12,505
Just signed up. Funded one loan for $25, but it's not clear to me that the group will hit their total funding request before the time limit comes up.
Oct 24, 2009, 5:00 pm
#139
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,009
-------
Number of Team Members 90
Number of Loans 438
Number of Loans per Member 4.87
Total Amount Loaned $13,375.00
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Oct 24, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Oct 25, 2009, 8:47 am
#140
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New York, NY USA
Posts: 284
Last month was the first time several loans (between 10 - 15) expired without fully funding. I had a few - and the $ get returned to your account immediately.
A large number of loans get added to the site on the 1st of the month. Prior to a few months ago, this number always got brought down to just a few remaining loans. In the last few months though, the amount of loans seeking funding on kiva has increased, so some of the loans posted on the first of the month keep getting buried by newer loans in kiva's default "popular" sort.
A few teams have taken up the cause of these loans in danger of expiring and work to get them onto the first page of the "popular" sort where they get seen and funded by lenders. There are about 130 loans left on the site from October 1 - just change the sort to Expiring Soon to see them. The loans get tagged with "4 days left" in red once they reach that point and count down the days and minutes until they are funded or expire.
Oct 26, 2009, 3:27 pm
#141
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: cyyz
Programs: ac ELITE,aa,nwa, Priority Club
Posts: 373
2 more loans up, hadn't checked "my portfolio" for a couple of weeks and had just about enough to do 2 more ($.66 short) so topped it up and we are now at
Number of Team Members 90
Number of Loans 441
Number of Loans per Member 4.90
Total Amount Loaned $13,450.00
Good work everyone.
Number of Team Members 90
Number of Loans 441
Number of Loans per Member 4.90
Total Amount Loaned $13,450.00
Good work everyone.
Oct 29, 2009, 1:44 pm
#144
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: AA EXP "Life is good! Really good.""
Posts: 4,923
From Feb. 27 2009:
To today, just 10 months later:
Yes, that is "good work everyone." ^^
Yes, that is "good work everyone." ^^
Oct 29, 2009, 2:43 pm
#145
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: back to my roots in Scotland!
Programs: Tamsin - what else is there to say?
Posts: 47,843
and thanks is due to the FTers who have been excellent at raising awareness of this organisation. I heard of it as a result of FTers, and though my portfolio is tiny, I'm still happy I'm doing what I can to help 
I wouldn't have been able to do that without the awareness of this charity that some FTers brought to me!
I wouldn't have been able to do that without the awareness of this charity that some FTers brought to me!
Oct 29, 2009, 9:19 pm
#146
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YVR
Programs: AC Aeroplan,Delta Skymiles, Avion
Posts: 451
Flyertalk spreading the word.
and thanks is due to the FTers who have been excellent at raising awareness of this organisation. I heard of it as a result of FTers, and though my portfolio is tiny, I'm still happy I'm doing what I can to help I wouldn't have been able to do that without the awareness of this charity that some FTers brought to me!
I wouldn't have been able to do that without the awareness of this charity that some FTers brought to me!
Nov 10, 2009, 10:45 am
#147
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
certainly interesting >
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/09/bu...09kiva.html?em
http://blogs.cgdev.org/open_book/tag/kiva
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/09/bu...09kiva.html?em
http://blogs.cgdev.org/open_book/tag/kiva
Nov 10, 2009, 11:00 am
#148
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, DL SM, HY Disc, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 12,505
Yeah, I noticed the "I'm not really lending to these 13 people" when I saw the loan repayment schedule - it was a "7 month loan" and a 4 month repayment with the first payment much higher.
It doesn't worry me much, except it limits the countries where I'd give my $25/month (and I don't really expect to get repaid, if I do that's gravy). Sure I'd prefer to give my $25 directly to the individual or small group, but that's not particularly practical from a systems perspective.
It doesn't worry me much, except it limits the countries where I'd give my $25/month (and I don't really expect to get repaid, if I do that's gravy). Sure I'd prefer to give my $25 directly to the individual or small group, but that's not particularly practical from a systems perspective.
Nov 10, 2009, 2:22 pm
#149
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: A number, but no status no more
Posts: 3,049
Hi all,
Indeed, I recently noticed that one of my loans had been gdisbursed to the borrower before it was funded on KIVA.
What it does confirm is the thing I noticed with one of my loans currently marked as late. The borrower is repaying on schedule, but the micro-finance organization is facing problems due to have many delinquent loans. As a result, the micro-finance organization is not repaying on my loan.
For now, I'll continue to lend on KIVA, as I still believe in helping people. However, I may also look at other alternatives in the future.
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
Indeed, I recently noticed that one of my loans had been gdisbursed to the borrower before it was funded on KIVA.
What it does confirm is the thing I noticed with one of my loans currently marked as late. The borrower is repaying on schedule, but the micro-finance organization is facing problems due to have many delinquent loans. As a result, the micro-finance organization is not repaying on my loan.
For now, I'll continue to lend on KIVA, as I still believe in helping people. However, I may also look at other alternatives in the future.
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
Nov 16, 2009, 6:23 pm
#150
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New York, NY USA
Posts: 284
Credits have started to come in for November although I haven't gotten an official "your credits are here" email. I added another loan to the Flyertalk team.
Getting close to $15000....
Number of Team Members 97
Number of Loans 484
Number of Loans per Member 4.99
Total Amount Loaned $14,950.00
Getting close to $15000....
Number of Team Members 97
Number of Loans 484
Number of Loans per Member 4.99
Total Amount Loaned $14,950.00