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!
Jul 18, 2010, 9:13 pm
#316
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
Got some loans paid back so I reloaned all of it and topped it off a bit. That takes me to 29 loans so far. Not bad, but I hope I can do better ...
How many of you make a donation to Kiva? I do it sporadically but certainly not with every loan.
How many of you make a donation to Kiva? I do it sporadically but certainly not with every loan.
Jul 18, 2010, 10:43 pm
#317
Join Date: May 2009
Location: GLA
Posts: 1,214
In the past I've made a lump sum donation rather than donating every time I make a loan. This makes it easier to use it as a tax deduction and is better if your company allows gift matching.
Jul 19, 2010, 1:00 am
#318
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: A number, but no status no more
Posts: 3,049
Hi,
No tax deduction for me (as I'm outside the US), but I also favor the lump sum donation once a year. Much easier to keep track of in terms of how much I have circulating in KIVA funds.
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
Jul 19, 2010, 6:49 am
#319
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Southern California
Programs: DL: 3.8 MM, Marriott: Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 24,575
Jul 23, 2010, 1:58 am
#321
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: A number, but no status no more
Posts: 3,049
Hi all,
Statistic Name FlyerTalkers
Number of Team Members 140
Number of Loans 1414
Number of Loans per Member 10.1
Total Amount Loaned $42,000
We've just hit the next milestone, $42K!
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
Statistic Name FlyerTalkers
Number of Team Members 140
Number of Loans 1414
Number of Loans per Member 10.1
Total Amount Loaned $42,000
We've just hit the next milestone, $42K!
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
Jul 23, 2010, 2:03 am
#322
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 68,925
Jul 23, 2010, 2:16 am
#323
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: A number, but no status no more
Posts: 3,049
Each loan you provide counts towards the total, regardless of whether it is "new cash" or "recycled funds". (Just like in your personal totals .. I have $400 cycling through loans, but have a total for loans of $1'450.)
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
Jul 26, 2010, 3:26 am
#324
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,158
The 500$ that came in via the Starmegado in January have now become 825$ in total loans... 
http://www.kiva.org/lender/starmegado2009
http://www.kiva.org/lender/starmegado2009
Jul 27, 2010, 8:56 am
#325
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
Fantastic!
141 FlyerTalkers have made 1,435 loans totaling $42,550.00. That's some powerful microfinance leverage from FlyerTalkers who care and make a difference, often in places they have visited. Cholula's loan is the latest... to the Repollito (Little Cabbage) Group in Nicaragua.
We have "our own" Fellow about to depart to Cambodia! giblet departs the 28th (Wednesday) to Phnom Penh via NRT and BKK on JL to spend three months with MAXIMA! Check this link to her personal Fellows blog - FTers and friends have contributed $3,515 of the $4,000 she sought to pay for her expenses (she has to pay for everything as a Fellow - it is a totally uncompensated volunteer position).
I am looking forward to giblet's reports from the field, as it is quite likely she will make field visits to some of the entrepreneurs FlyerTalk is supporting in Cambodia! (I hope she will also keep us educated on the variety of food she encounters in Cambodia on her food blog; I remember well the many interesting fruits, vegetables and leaf / salad produce available in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos from my travels there.
141 FlyerTalkers have made 1,435 loans totaling $42,550.00. That's some powerful microfinance leverage from FlyerTalkers who care and make a difference, often in places they have visited. Cholula's loan is the latest... to the Repollito (Little Cabbage) Group in Nicaragua.
We have "our own" Fellow about to depart to Cambodia! giblet departs the 28th (Wednesday) to Phnom Penh via NRT and BKK on JL to spend three months with MAXIMA! Check this link to her personal Fellows blog - FTers and friends have contributed $3,515 of the $4,000 she sought to pay for her expenses (she has to pay for everything as a Fellow - it is a totally uncompensated volunteer position).
I am looking forward to giblet's reports from the field, as it is quite likely she will make field visits to some of the entrepreneurs FlyerTalk is supporting in Cambodia! (I hope she will also keep us educated on the variety of food she encounters in Cambodia on her food blog; I remember well the many interesting fruits, vegetables and leaf / salad produce available in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos from my travels there.
The 500$ that came in via the Starmegado in January have now become 825$ in total loans...
http://www.kiva.org/lender/starmegado2009
http://www.kiva.org/lender/starmegado2009
Last edited by JDiver; Jul 27, 2010 at 2:21 pm Reason: whoops, date lag!
Jul 27, 2010, 10:45 am
#326
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 68,925
In order to avoid this, I just made one to a real, live, human (and, naturally, female) type person.
Jul 27, 2010, 10:54 am
#327
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,919
I have at least 4 more to make this month. I got a whopping $225 in repayments. I'm waiting to clear out the account so I can charge more (& get miles).
That will bring my total somewhere around 55 loans.
That will bring my total somewhere around 55 loans.
Jul 27, 2010, 11:02 am
#328
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: mountains of western NC
Programs: Life, Love and Laughter
Posts: 8,537
Jul 27, 2010, 11:07 am
#329
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: mountains of western NC
Programs: Life, Love and Laughter
Posts: 8,537
I'm making loans to as many countries as I can. Sort of reminds me of when I was a kid and I collected stamps of countries (and colonies) from all over the world. I'm up to 43 now.
Anyone else want to share their preferences for making loans?
The team is now at 1438 loans totaling $42,625.
Anyone else want to share their preferences for making loans?
The team is now at 1438 loans totaling $42,625.
Jul 27, 2010, 11:29 am
#330
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Southern California
Programs: DL: 3.8 MM, Marriott: Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 24,575
I tend to favor lending to women.
And the more impoverished and third-world a country is, the greater probability I will loan to a person living there.
So a woman looking for a loan for a fruit stand in Sierra Leone is more likely to get a loan from me than a man looking to buy some dairy cattle in Argentina.
And the more impoverished and third-world a country is, the greater probability I will loan to a person living there.
So a woman looking for a loan for a fruit stand in Sierra Leone is more likely to get a loan from me than a man looking to buy some dairy cattle in Argentina.