KivaB4B Snapshot

What is the KivaB4b program?

Launched in April 2008, the KivaB4B Project is a joint initiative between Kiva, an online microfinance platform, and Advanta (through Advanta Bank Corp.), one of the nation's largest credit card issuers for the small business market. 

The main vision:  with the help from a few small businesses in the US, there can be a major impact on emerging businesses in the Third World.

So, we have created a new credit card that matches each Kiva grant - dollar for dollar - up to $200 per month per account.  We call it:  "double the capital, double the impact." Both new and existing cardholders can signup. Certain terms and limitations apply to participate. Please see our Matching Program Terms for details.

And, it's easy to use.  That is, visit the Kiva.org website and find the entrepreneurs you want to support.  Then you can make your grants with the card.

Feel free to explore the website (http://www.kivab4b.org) for more information about the Kiva B4B Project or the KivaB4B Community Blog (http://www.b4bcommunity.org) for stories related to the project.


How does it help?

It's amazing but a grant of less than $100 can greatly help entrepreneurs in the Third World.  In fact, it has become a way for people to get out of poverty. 

With millions of small businesses in the US, we think we can leverage this into a powerful force in microfinance. 


What is Kiva? 

Kiva got its start in late 2004, when Matt and Jessica Flannery took a trip to East Africa.  At the time, Matt was a programmer at Tivo and wanted to start his own company.  As for Jessica, she wanted to devote her time to microfinance.

So, they wondered:  why not build a website that allows people in the US to give money for businesses in the Third World?

There was much pushback - such as from lawyers and venture capitalists.  But, somehow, Matt and Jessica found ways to turn Kiva into a major force.


Kiva facts?

  • The Kiva.org site gets 100,000 unique visits each week.
  • Every 12 days, members send $1 million in funds.
  • A grant is made every 37 seconds.
  • The average loan size is $93.
  • $25 million has been provided in 2007, which is a 500% increase from 2006.
  • Members have given funds to 39,000 entrepreneurs in 42 countries.

Where does someone go to sign up?

Apply for a KivaB4B card (http://www.kivab4b.org/ADV/Kiva/KivaCard.page) to start "doubling the impact."


What are some references for the project?

Kiva:

KivaB4B

Advanta


What images can I use to tell others about this?

Kiva_Rectangle.jpg
Kiva B4B Logo
Disclaimer: *Kiva.org (Kiva) uses the terms "loan", "micro-loans" and "lending" to describe its and your activities through Kiva. To avoid confusion, Advanta uses the term "grant" because, unlike in a true lending situation, you have no legal right to, and there is no guarantee of, repayment of funds you provide from Kiva, the ultimate recipient of the funds or anyone else. The funds you provide through Kiva are combined with funds from others and are provided by Kiva to a microfinance institution (a foreign lender or bank) to lend to a small business or entrepreneur in a developing country. If you use your Advanta BusinessCard to make a grant, you must repay Advanta for any amounts charged as required by your cardholder agreement whether or not you are repaid. Any grant or "loan" made through Kiva is administered solely by a microfinance institution chosen by Kiva. Advanta Corp. and its affiliates have no responsibility for or control over any such grant; the use, interest charged on, repayment or collection of the loan resulting from your grant; the repayment of funds to you; any legal issues relating to the transaction, Kiva or the microfinance institution; the Kiva website; or the security and privacy policies and practices of Kiva and the Kiva website.