Comments on: Kiva.org Responds http://tacticalphilanthropy.com/2008/02/kivaorg-responds Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:52:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Danielle Hamilton http://tacticalphilanthropy.com/2008/02/kivaorg-responds/comment-page-1#comment-2708 Danielle Hamilton Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:20:06 +0000 http://tacticalphilanthropy.com/2008/02/kivaorg-responds#comment-2708 For the long term, I hope they expedite their research process, streamlining their review system, allowing more researchers to be available, thereby increasing the amount of borrowers. This seems to be the hold-up, so to speak. As for the 'exclusivity' of the service, I could care less for the cool factor, whether Bill Clinton has mentioned it, or that it was featured on Oprah. I do care that they have an excellent review process, amazing repayment stats, excellent collection rates, and regularly updated business bios to let me know the status of the loan and repayment schedule. I receive regular e-mails updating me on the repayments, which prompts me to browse the site again, finding other businesses that need help. It's frustrating to see other blogs & newspapers compare Kiva to GlobalGiving or other donation sites, trying to capitalize on Kiva's success in the MicroFinance realm. These are completely different! I'm not giving a donation through Kiva. It's a loan that will be repaid, and I can plug my $25 back into another business. It's comparable to the Grameen Bank, on a smaller scale. If I wanted to give a donation, I could do that with thousands of other websites and nonprofits, including the 2,000+ nonprofits that I currently work with. (Note: There ARE currently 5 opportunities for MF through GlovalGiving, but it is obviously NOT their main focus.) ~Danielle www.HumaneFundraising.com For the long term, I hope they expedite their research process, streamlining their review system, allowing more researchers to be available, thereby increasing the amount of borrowers. This seems to be the hold-up, so to speak.

As for the ‘exclusivity’ of the service, I could care less for the cool factor, whether Bill Clinton has mentioned it, or that it was featured on Oprah. I do care that they have an excellent review process, amazing repayment stats, excellent collection rates, and regularly updated business bios to let me know the status of the loan and repayment schedule. I receive regular e-mails updating me on the repayments, which prompts me to browse the site again, finding other businesses that need help.

It’s frustrating to see other blogs & newspapers compare Kiva to GlobalGiving or other donation sites, trying to capitalize on Kiva’s success in the MicroFinance realm. These are completely different! I’m not giving a donation through Kiva. It’s a loan that will be repaid, and I can plug my $25 back into another business. It’s comparable to the Grameen Bank, on a smaller scale. If I wanted to give a donation, I could do that with thousands of other websites and nonprofits, including the 2,000+ nonprofits that I currently work with. (Note: There ARE currently 5 opportunities for MF through GlovalGiving, but it is obviously NOT their main focus.)

~Danielle
http://www.HumaneFundraising.com

]]> By: Sean Stannard-Stockton http://tacticalphilanthropy.com/2008/02/kivaorg-responds/comment-page-1#comment-2704 Sean Stannard-Stockton Sat, 09 Feb 2008 19:19:03 +0000 http://tacticalphilanthropy.com/2008/02/kivaorg-responds#comment-2704 Danielle, as a Kiva user, do you think that them being sold out makes you feel more inclined to use the service long term? Does the "exclusivity" of the sold out status increase your enjoyment of the process? Or does the fact that it is sometimes sold out make you less likely to use it in the future? Danielle, as a Kiva user, do you think that them being sold out makes you feel more inclined to use the service long term? Does the “exclusivity” of the sold out status increase your enjoyment of the process? Or does the fact that it is sometimes sold out make you less likely to use it in the future?

]]> By: Danielle Hamilton http://tacticalphilanthropy.com/2008/02/kivaorg-responds/comment-page-1#comment-2678 Danielle Hamilton Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:30:50 +0000 http://tacticalphilanthropy.com/2008/02/kivaorg-responds#comment-2678 As a repeat lender for Kiva.org, I am someone who checks back often to see what new listings are available. There are some amazing MF companies working with Kiva, including Christian Children's Fund in Sierra Leone, Africa. I appreciate the fact that Kiva spends time researching the groups and business owners to make sure the loan is in good hands and will be repaid. The bottle-necking is a difficult scenario for lenders to handle. Perhaps Kiva could institute an e-mail system that allows potential lenders to be notified when a new batch of business opportunities are uploaded. It could be divided into categories based on region of the world, types of businesses, and amounts. It usually only takes 2 or 3 days before a business opportunity is completely funded, so time is of the essence. As a repeat lender for Kiva.org, I am someone who checks back often to see what new listings are available. There are some amazing MF companies working with Kiva, including Christian Children’s Fund in Sierra Leone, Africa. I appreciate the fact that Kiva spends time researching the groups and business owners to make sure the loan is in good hands and will be repaid.

The bottle-necking is a difficult scenario for lenders to handle. Perhaps Kiva could institute an e-mail system that allows potential lenders to be notified when a new batch of business opportunities are uploaded. It could be divided into categories based on region of the world, types of businesses, and amounts. It usually only takes 2 or 3 days before a business opportunity is completely funded, so time is of the essence.

]]> By: Basti http://tacticalphilanthropy.com/2008/02/kivaorg-responds/comment-page-1#comment-2673 Basti Tue, 05 Feb 2008 09:33:40 +0000 http://tacticalphilanthropy.com/2008/02/kivaorg-responds#comment-2673 Interesting reply, although I wished she would have a say about <a href="https://www.microplace.com/" rel="nofollow">MicroPlace</a> as well since this is at least closer to a real competitor than DonorChose etc. Anyway, if not seen yet I strongly recommend to watch <a href="http://uk.intruders.tv/Premal-Shah-of-Kiva-org-on-microfinance-and-helping-poor-help-themselves_a226.html" rel="nofollow">this great video of Premal Shah (President of Kiva)</a>. I really wish that more NGOs would be run by guys like him... Interesting reply, although I wished she would have a say about MicroPlace as well since this is at least closer to a real competitor than DonorChose etc.

Anyway, if not seen yet I strongly recommend to watch this great video of Premal Shah (President of Kiva). I really wish that more NGOs would be run by guys like him…

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