Donate to Kiva
and
create change.
100% of money lent on Kiva goes to funding loans. Each $25 loan costs us more than $3 to facilitate, so we rely on donations to cover that and keep innovating. Build a better future with us.
Make loans happen
Donations help our team of 100+ distribute your loans in over 80 countries.
Fund innovation
Donations support Kiva as we build lasting solutions for a more inclusive world.
Frequently asked questions
Lending and donating on Kiva are distinct actions which are easy to confuse.
Loans are made to borrowers, while donations are made to our operating expenses. When you lend to a borrower, your loans are not tax-deductible. Kiva loans are repaid at 96% repayment rates—so you can use most of your funds to lend again.
When you donate to Kiva, you help cover our costs and support innovation around the world. We wouldn’t be able to build groundbreaking loan programs without your help.
Please note that when you lend you're also given the opportunity to make a donation to Kiva in addition to your loan. You can also donate to Kiva at any time.
Donations, unlike loans, are one-time gifts that don't return to you, but are eligible for a tax-deduction in the U.S.
Donations to Kiva's operating expenses are vital to the success and sustainability of Kiva. As an organization we’re committed to sending 100% of all loan contributions to borrowers. We don’t take a cut of money lent on our website, and don’t charge a fee for lending.
Instead, we primarily support our operations through optional donations from our lenders, who choose to donate in addition to their loans. By crowdfunding a large majority of our operational revenue through our lender community, we’re able to keep our fundraising costs low and be less reliant on larger, one-off gifts to be sustainable. We also raise some funds through grants, interest earned on our bank accounts, corporate sponsors and foundations.
Kiva's staff and volunteers work hard to ensure every dollar donated to Kiva is used efficiently. For every $1 donated, Kiva facilitates $8 in loans!
Donations support a variety of programs, including:
Sending expert staff to over 80 countries to cultivate new partnerships, expand Kiva’s reach and perform due diligence and monitoring.
Building and maintaining the complex technical infrastructure that facilitates over $1 million in loans each week.
Training and supporting several hundred volunteers who translate and edit every loan posted on the Kiva website.
Supporting the needs of our valued lenders around the world, developing engagement programs and answering customer service inquiries.
To learn more about how we use donations, check out our most recent Annual Report.
Yes. Unlike loans made on Kiva’s website, donations to Kiva are considered tax-deductible charitable contributions in the United States.
Kiva is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, registered in the state of California. We, unfortunately, don't have tax-deductible status in any other countries at this time.
Many companies will match charitable donations their employees make. Check here, or check directly with your company, to see if they will double your donations to Kiva's operating expenses.
If you need Kiva to fill out a matching request for your donation, send the form as an attachment to matchinggifts@kiva.org
Absolutely. To make a donation to Kiva's operating expenses by check, please do the following:
Step 1: Write your check payable to 'Kiva Microfunds.'
Step 2: On the back of the check, write 'Donate All' and the mailing address where you'd like to receive a donation receipt (if different from the address on the check)
Step 3: Mail the check to:
Kiva Attn: Finance Department 986 Mission Street, Suite #400 San Francisco, CA 94103
Unfortunately donations made offline will not be reflected in your online Kiva account. Donation receipts will be provided by mail for offline donations. If you’d like your donation to be reflected in your Kiva account, please make your donation online.
Many donors prefer to make gifts of appreciated stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or exchange traded funds because it can have a large impact on our mission, while maximizing potential tax benefits by avoiding paying tax on capital gains.
Use our online tool to donate in less than 5 minutes or to access our transfer information for your broker to transfer stock directly.
For donations of $100,000 or more, please contact our Strategic Partnerships team at partnerships@kiva.org.
Thank you for considering such a meaningful way to contribute to Kiva.
There are 2 ways to provide lasting support to Kiva beyond your lifetime:
Leave a portion of your estate as a donation to Kiva via a bequest
Leave a portion of your estate as a revolving loan fund
Learn more about how to set up either of these legacy plans here.
In addition to donating directly to Kiva, there are other ways that you can support Kiva’s operations:
Ask your company if they match donations
Many companies will match charitable donations their employees make. Check here, or check directly with your company, to see if they will double your donations to Kiva's operating expenses.
If you need Kiva to fill out a matching request for your donation, send the form as an attachment to matchinggifts@kiva.org
Dedicate your Amazon purchases to Kiva
Make Kiva Microfunds your charity of choice using Amazon Smile.
Include Kiva in your will, trust or estate planning
Thank you for considering such a meaningful way to contribute to Kiva.
There are 2 ways to provide lasting support to Kiva beyond your lifetime:
Leave a portion of your estate as a donation to Kiva via a bequest
Leave a portion of your estate as a revolving loan fund
Learn more about how to set up either of these legacy plans here.
Volunteer your time
Kiva volunteers are vital to the work we do! If you’re looking to give of your time, learn more about all of our volunteer and internship opportunities here: kiva.org/volunteer
Please contact our Strategic Partnerships team at: partnerships@kiva.org