Understanding Kiva

LenderEntrepreneur Understanding Kiva

Leveraging partnerships to spread the word  Market Kiva through partnerships with key online advertising and social networking websites  Google, YouTube, Yahoo!, MySpace, Facebook  Kiva spreads mission through networking communities, blogs, word of mouth, and merchandising (Kivapedia, KivaFriends, Oprah)

I think Kiva is a totally unnecessary organization that exists to please the people who are participating and isn't making any real difference. -Thomas Dichter, former U.N. and World Bank microfinance consultant Kiva has critics

SWOT Analysis StrengthsWeaknesses Frees entrepreneurs from monopolies of local money lenders who can charge interest of up to 300%/year Addresses the most damaging charges against microfinance by allowing MFI’s to lower interest rates… thanks to kiva’s lower cost of capital (2% vs. industry 12%) No new job generation… one bank loan vs. a regular paycheck Borrowers alone better off, not entire countries Misses the middle Bias when choosing who to fund OpportunitiesThreats Flood of hype… including media attention and endorsements Website/business framework easily altered Target small to medium sized enterprises that attract investors not loaners Questions/criticism surrounding all of microfinance

An integrated approach to poverty elimination: Kiva and BRAC Sudan

Kiva partners with smaller MFIs that don’t have access to low-cost capital Bubble size indicates gross loan portfolio Yellow bubble represents median level for all non-Kiva MFIs

Kiva has helped BRAC 12/31/066/30/07 1 year % Improvement Gross loan portfolio471,7322,332,375394% Total assets1,691,8673,814,465125% Operational self-sufficiency21.65%75.65%249% Profit margin %-32.19%-91% Number of active borrowers5,80819,507236% Average loan balance %

Why is Kiva great for Sudan? Bypasses the unreliable Sudanese government Helps raise and distribute capital to those who need it most Raises awareness

Kiva bypasses an unreliable Sudanese government

Kiva gives the neglected majority access to capital

Kiva raises awareness and connects Sudan with the rest of the world

So what else can you do with $50? Naomi Mensah's Kiva Website

Questions?