Kiva Loan Program

Kiva brings affordable loans to entrepreneurs that would otherwise not be able to borrow from traditional lenders

Small businesses are a major dynamo of innovation and growth in our economy—they make up more than 99 percent of U.S. enterprises and create two out of every three new jobs. A partnership between LISC and the crowdfunding platform Kiva is connecting small business entrepreneurs across the country with the capital and knowhow they need to succeed.

LISC is commited to empowering entrepreneurs who have been overlooked by traditional financing channels. By providing flexible loan options and business knowhow, LISC is driving capital to entrepreneurs in underserved neighborhoods and connecting them to critical technical assistance providers.

How it works

LISC invests in Kiva Loan Match Fund
With the support of local funders, LISC raises grant dollars to deploy to Kiva borrowers.

LISC on boards local partners as Kiva “trustees”
LISC staff work alongside CDCs, incubators and technical assistance providers to become designated trustees who help small businesses apply for Kiva loans.

Borrowers apply for a loan with the endorsement of a designated LISC Trustee
By working with a designated LISC trustee, borrowers get one-on-one support throughout the application and crowdfunding process. Trustees endorse the borrower’s loan and enable the business to qualify for LISC’s 1:1 matching fund.

LISC match fund activates
LISC matches incremental loan amounts 1:1 as they are made to a Kiva borrower. For example, when an individual Kiva lender contributes $25 towards a Kiva campaign, LISC provides an additional $25 towards the loan goal. A borrower must be endorsed by a registered LISC Trustee and will need to reach the campaign goal in order to access the Kiva loan funds.