To meet with our Capital Access Manager one on one:
BUILD Institute is Kiva’s longest standing combined Hub/Trustee partnership. BUILD has worked with Kiva to continue to improve the Hubs model, create efficiency, and grow volume so that Michigan residents receive the benefits of this program.
To apply for a Kiva loan: CLICK HERE
To donate to Kiva Detroit: CLICK HERE
To read more about the borrowing process: CLICK HERE
The Loan
- 0% interest loans up to $15,000
- Repayment terms of up to 36 months, grace periods are available for agriculture businesses
- Funded by hundreds of lenders from around the world in increments of $25
- You qualify for 2x your first loan if you pay it back on time and apply for a second
Who is eligible?
A Kiva U.S. borrower must…
- Be at least 18 years old
- Not currently be in bankruptcy or foreclosure
- Use the loan for a legal business
- Have a PayPal account or the ability to set one up
How does it work?
- Entrepreneurs that meet the minimum requirements can apply for a 0% interest loan from $1,000-$15,000.
- After an application gets reviewed by the Kiva Detroit small business advisor, borrowers enter into a private fundraising period. They invite 20-25 family, friends, customers, and community members to be their first lenders.
- After the private period the loan then goes public on the Kiva website where any lender around the world can support their business.
- Once the funding goal is met, the funds are disbursed and repayment begins one month later.
- Borrowers can come back and borrow again as many times as they need to as long as they payback their loans on time.
Character Over Credit Score
Kiva and BUILD Institute cares about you character, rather than your financial background.
- You are not barred from a loan for not having strong credit scores, collateral, business plans, or financial statements
- You establish your reputation and community of support by inviting lenders from your network
- Unlike other crowdfunding platforms, the Kiva community of 1.9 million lenders funds the majority of the loan amount
Crowd Capabilities
- Gain free marketing exposure to 1.9 million potential customers and champions for you business
- Established connections to people who can support your business
- Join the global community of millions of people committed to empower entrepreneurs around the world
What can you do with $15,000?
Here’s a few ideas for Kiva loans!
- Upgrade equipment and renovate your space
- Gain working capital or add inventory
- Hire another set of hands
- Pay for certifications and licensing
- Build a website and invest in marketing
BUILD Institute as a Kiva Hub
- 62% of our borrowers have been female
- 83% of our borrowers have had a credit score below 701
- 69% of our borrowers identify as BIPOC
- Since 2011, in BUILD’s footprint our borrowers have raised over $1,705,200 across over 304 loans.
- As a trustee, BUILD has endorsed over 80 loans and our endorsed borrowers have raised over $482,500.
Kiva has learned that to best provide access to capital to underserved entrepreneurs and communities, offering both an intuitive Kiva platform and higher-touch hands-on assistance from a local Kiva ambassador proves most successful. Kiva operates best as an access-to-capital tool that is leveraged by local communities . A Kiva Hub is a market where Kiva has developed a partnership working with local stakeholders and economic leaders to make capital accessible to the most excluded clients. They employ full-time or part-time Capital Access Manager who oversees the entire applicant pool to support borrowers in accessing Kiva loans as well as navigating the capital ladder unique to that community. In order to support the work that these individuals do, Kiva provides exlusive tools, training, and access to Kiva platform to this employee.
Currently 47 communities host Kiva Hubs including Detroit, MI; Milwaukee, WI; Madison, WI; Tulsa, OK; Rochester, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; Baltimore, MD; New Orleans, LA; Chattanooga, TN; Columbus, OH; and Puerto Rico.