Hello, Kiva Community!
Today, I write to you with a heart full of gratitude and excitement as we celebrate an incredible milestone in our journey together…
Kiva has facilitated an astounding $2 billion in crowdfunded microfinance loans, and I can't express how proud and grateful I am to all of you who have made this possible.
You may have noticed a theme in my past blogs about doing more together than we can alone. This milestone is the perfect example of this philosophy in practice. Kiva was founded on a simple belief that we can all come together as a community and through the power of microfinance, make a difference in the lives of millions. Over the years, that belief has grown into a global movement which had led to this awe-inspiring milestone.
Together, we have unlocked new possibilities where opportunities were scarce, extended access to education to those who previously had none, and championed aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams. Without each and every one of our lenders, borrowers, lending teams, team captains, Lending Partners, donors, employees, volunteers, and strategic partners, none of this would have been possible.
What does $2 billion in impact look like?
Two billion is a large number—but beyond that difficult-to-imagine scale, what does $2 billion in impact through Kiva look like?
More than 5 million lives touched with Kiva loans
1 woman financially supported every three minutes for 18 years
38,095 displaced people with financial support to rebuild their lives
209,000 loans to buy pigs, chickens, and cows
123,970 single parents able to support their families
50,056 loans to support artisans and the arts
202,408 people with improved sanitation and water
Gender equity: Supporting women worldwide
Our commitment to gender equity is reflected in our impact – with over 80% of our $2 billion in loans being directed toward women.
We've witnessed women breaking barriers, defying societal norms, and proving that they are agents of change. Women like Kiran from Nepal, who used her loan, funded by 41 lenders, to pursue education to eventually open her own restaurant. Or Anatolia from Timor-Leste, who runs a vegetable farm and is now a source of inspiration in her community.
At Kiva, we firmly believe that opening financial access for women is not only the right thing to do but also a powerful force for positive change in the world.
Strengthening refugees: Rebuilding lives, restoring hope
Our commitment to supporting refugees, a focus area Kiva introduced in 2016, is another source of immense pride for the Kiva community. Refugees face unimaginable challenges when they are forced to flee their homes, leaving behind everything they've known. While the need for humanitarian aid and crisis support is critical, Kiva saw a gap in support for refugees working to rebuild their lives and was ready to respond, changing long-standing misconceptions along the way.
With support from our lenders and partners, we've helped refugees like Juvenali from Burundi, who fled to Uganda and now runs a thriving carpentry business with his family. We've stood with individuals like Xiomara, a former nurse from Venezuela, who started to rebuild with her holistic esthetician business in Ecuador.
These stories are not just about loans; they are about hope, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit. They remind us that even in the face of adversity, people can thrive when given the opportunities we all deserve.
Fighting inequality: Investing in systemically marginalized communities in the U.S.
Systemic barriers to financial access exist everywhere in the globe, even in the U.S., and these barriers prevent people from pursuing their dreams. That is why in 2011, we began offering loans to underserved entrepreneurs in the U.S. We are proud that in 2022, 71% of Kiva U.S.-supported businesses were woman-owned, 49% were Black-owned, 18% were immigrant-owned, and 2% were refugee-owned.
Through this community’s support, Kiva U.S. has provided business support for borrowers like Shannon from Portland, who opened a body-positive and queer-friendly wellness space, and Kiki from Chicago, who launched a children’s book and toy line featuring Black characters.
A heartfelt thank you and celebration
I want to take a moment to extend my deepest gratitude to every lender who has ever clicked that "Lend" button, to every borrower who has trusted us with their dreams, to every partner who has supported our mission, and to every advocate who has spread the word about Kiva. You are the heartbeat of this movement, and this milestone is as much yours as it is ours.
I also want to express my appreciation for the dedication and hard work of the entire Kiva team, both past and present. Your unwavering commitment to our mission has been instrumental in reaching this incredible milestone.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, we invite you to share your Kiva stories and experiences with us using the hashtag #ItsGood2B. Whether you're a lender, borrower, partner, or supporter, your stories are a testament to the incredible impact of our community. We’re also celebrating all of our lenders, past and present, with a $2 billion badge that will be added to your lending profile to mark your contributions to this momentous milestone.
Join the road to $3 billion and beyond
Even as we celebrate this incredible achievement, we know that our journey doesn't end here — not by a long shot. Through our loans, to date, we have reached about 5 million people. But there are over one billion people in the world today who are financially excluded. We have a lot of work to do.
So here's my call to action for each and every one of you: please continue to lend, support, and spread the word about Kiva. Invite your friends and family to join our community of changemakers. Every dollar, every loan, and every story shared matters.
Together, we can strive for a world where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential, regardless of their circumstances.
With profound gratitude and a heart full of hope,
Vishal Ghotge
CEO, Kiva
