Have you heard of Kiva? This is a great program that I have heard of prior to sharing this information I am about to share with you. Kiva’s mission is to ” to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.” What a great concept, right? Kiva is the first person to person micro-lending website that is empowering entrepreneurs around the world!

How Kiva Works

People like you and me browse the list of entrepreneurs on the website and then lend money using credit card or PayPal for funding. The Field Partners at Kiva work hard to get all entrepreneur stories listed on the website so that you can browse the most up to date entrepreneurs who are seeking funding assistance. Over time the loan is paid back.

Uprinting is On Board

Uprinting.com is working on sharing this with everyone through their Blog Sponsorship Program as part of a blogathon. Not only is Uprinting.com a lender on Kiva, but they are offering me a chance to win $100 credit for sharing this information with you. That $100 credit, should I win will be funds I can use to lend to an entrepreneur. Just think, we can all do our little part to help entrepreneurs jumpstart their business.

Who Would You Lend To?

If you had a chance to be given $100 to lend to any entrepreneur which type of business would you be on board for supporting? Would it be a hair salon, a new family restaurant or maybe a new invention?

I think I would lend to those who are parents, because I am a strong family minded person. I know that if there is an entrepreneur out there who has  a family to support and I lent them money that they will be able to support their family with their new business. I would want to offer a micro-loan to a business that is unique, an entrepreneur who has created something new, something fantastic.

Would you invest in someone selling a product or service? I am torn between the two because I think service is important because it’s different than just another product,  services are something almost everyone currently needs, may need one day and will be around for a long time. Depending upon the product, it may be a fad that comes and goes, it may be a product no one can afford to purchase due to the recession.

I don’t know if I would base my lending practices simply on “type of entrepreneur” versus the stability and information provided. If an entrepreneur has showed the strength and determination I know it requires to be a business owner, then I would be more than happy to help boost their business through Kiva person to person micro-lending.

Kiva Rocks

I first heard about Kiva from an ad on the radio or television, not sure which. I couldn’t believe there was such a program. I am an entrepreneur trying to jumpstart my business and this program is just an absolutely wonderful way to bring out the best in people and corporations! I think people lending to people helps boost our spirits, because Kiva is showing us that people truly care about each other. There are still some fantastic givers in this world and Kiva has helped bring them out through person to person micro-lending.

Disclosure: I am participating in a blogathon as part of the Uprinting Blog Sponsorship Program and have been entered to win a $100 credit to lend on Kiva by sharing this post with you.