'Tis the Season

This year everyone on my Christmas list got a gift certificate to the micofinance organization Kiva. My reason for choosing Kiva is that Kiva personalized philanthropy for the small individual donor (meet Frida my latest Kiva loan recipient who has recently paid back the full amount of her loan). Those on my Christmas list received more than notification from an organization that my tax-deductible contribution was given in their name, they received an invitation to personally engage in the giving process.

Kiva has changed the face of philanthropy by its innovative ability to draw donors into an experience that stretches beyond their day to day life through online philanthropy. Kiva has also successfully figured out a giving model to make a $25 really fee like they matter. Too often donors feel that their gift is not large enough to create real positive change but giving through Kiva you can see how a small amount of money can create a huge amount of social impact in the life of another.

Kiva’s impact model to fight global poverty has proven to be meaningful, effective and fun. Donors can see the tangible positive effects of their dollars but more importantly its a donation that keeps on giving. As recipients pay back their loans, donors can choose to reinvest their dollars in another person in need of a micro loan to improve their life.

How Kiva works:

A Fistful Of Dollars: The Story of a Kiva.org Loan from Kieran Ball on Vimeo.

Wishing you a peaceful holiday season from Funlanthropy!