Kiva Zip Gains Momentum in Los Angeles

Kiva Zip is an innovative pilot program created by Kiva that uses mobile and electronic payment technology to enable direct, 0% interest loans to financially excluded and socially impactful entrepreneurs. The loans are crowd-funded on Kiva Zip’s website, where anyone with an Internet connection can lend as little as $5 to a borrower of their choice.

One of the principal aims of the program is to expand access to capital. Everyday, thousands of small business loan applications are denied by lending institutions. In contrast to traditional banks, Kiva Zip loans are made based on character and trust, rather than credit score or collateral.

In the U.S. there are millions of community-based organizations like economic development centers, technical assistance providers, non-profits, startup incubators, veteran groups, churches, local businesses, etc. who have pre-existing relationships with entrepreneurs in need of loan capital. The Kiva Zip model aims to leverage those relationships by enabling organizations to become Kiva Zip Trustees. As a Trustee, organizations are empowered with helping entrepreneurs access Kiva Zip loans by publicly vouching for their business concept and character.



Back in September I became the first-ever Kiva Zip Fellow to be placed in Los Angeles, with the primary purpose of growing the program’s reach through finding new trustees. In the past few months, I’ve met with over 50 organizations and have spoken with hundreds of inspirational people who all share a common goal - to better people’s lives and improve local communities.

Through my experience, I’ve become privy to the fact that LA is home to a significant number of pretty incredible socially impactful organizations. I’m extremely confident that Kiva Zip has the ability to make a catalytic difference in the region and seamlessly compliment the great work many people are already doing.

Here is a glimpse into some of the relationships we are currently forming in Los Angeles…

LA Food Policy Council



One of the primary goals of the LA Food Policy Council (LAFPC) is to expand access to healthy food in low-income, underserved neighborhoods where healthy food options are scarce. The Community Market Conversion program is a project of the LAFPC, which helps neighborhood market owners access the resources they need to become successful healthy food retailers in their communities.

Kiva Zip loans will assist owners transform their stores into healthy food markets by enabling them to pay for things like new refrigeration systems, internal re-model work, inventory, updated signage for branding, and much more.

Gumball Foundation



The Gumball Foundation is an organization that engages middle and high school students in an extracurricular program that teaches entrepreneurship and social business. Through the program, students run their own small-scale vending machine business, which gives them valuable hands-on experience, incentivizes them to attend college, and awards them with scholarships. Founder Ezequiel Olvera paid for a significant amount of his college tuition through savings from his personal gumball machine business as a kid, and aims to help others do the same through his social venture.

Ezequiel has strong ties to and deeply cares about his community. He is becoming a trustee to help local small businesses access Kiva Zip loans, some of which were home to his original gumball machines!

LA BusinessSource Centers



The nine Los Angeles BusinessSource Centers provide startup ventures and current small business owners various cost effective tools to make their business a success. They offer many services, including one-on-one consulting, assistance with business plan development, technical assistance with small business financing, educational business courses, and more - most of which are at zero or minimal cost.

The centers will use Kiva Zip as an additional loan product offering to help increase access to capital for entrepreneurs they work with.

RISE Financial Pathways


RISE is a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution that provides comprehensive and innovative ways to build wealth for historically underserved residents and small business owners in neighborhoods primarily ranging from South LA to East LA.

As a Kiva Zip trustee, they intend to expand access to capital for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners that aim to make a social impact and bring economic vitality to their neighborhoods.

626 Night Market



The 626 Night Market is the largest Asian night market in the U.S., featuring over 150 local restaurants, food vendors, entrepreneurs, merchandise vendors, artists, musicians, and non-profit groups. Night markets are a staple in Asian societies, and the 626 Night Market has successfully brought the energy and spirit of these markets to Southern California.

The 626 organizers view the market as a venue for entrepreneurs to test and develop new ideas. They intend to help participating vendors access Kiva Zip loans if they’ve demonstrated a commitment to quality products and customer service.

USC & Homeboy Industries



Chino is a Kiva Zip borrower in Los Angeles who recently received a $2,500 loan to start a hot dog vending business. Chino had a rough start in life and was in and out of prison at a young age. He has been at Homeboy Industries for three years, an organization that provides hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated men and women. Chino credits Homeboy Industries with giving him a second chance in life and shaping him into the person he is today.

The USC Microfinance and Business Brigade is a student club that is currently assisting Chino with strategy and advice as he looks to grow his new business. As a Kiva Zip trustee, they’ll be able to help future entrepreneurs they work with from Homeboy Industries access loan capital for their businesses.

The City of LA

San Francisco and Oakland recently became the first cities to officially sign-on as Kiva Zip trustees. We are currently in talks with the City of Los Angeles to follow suit and look forward to the positive impact it would inevitably have on the economic development landscape of Southern California.

Beyond positive social impact, Kiva Zip is all about cultivating community… and the best part is – everyone has the ability to get involved!

Want to support an entrepreneur by making a $5 loan? Click HERE to view all Kiva Zip loans currently fundraising.

Interested in becoming a Kiva Zip Trustee? Click HERE to learn more.

Interested in becoming a Kiva Zip Borrower? Click HERE to learn more.