:Michael Anuzis

I’ve never been big on donating to charities. In part because paying my own tuition and rent hasn’t left me with much, but primarily because I was skeptical my money would go where it needed to and be spent in the best possible way. Give me full assurance that 100% of it goes to where it’s needed, throw in a 97% chance I’ll get my money back in the future, and now you’ve got my attention.

Welcome to Charity 2.0 - codenamed Kiva. It’s a non-profit website that connects you with entrepreneurs seeking loans in developing countries. Lending as little as $25, you and other lenders join forces to make possible some great small businesses. As a college student (for one more month) I’m not exactly swimming in money. Regardless, in less than 10 minutes I helped buy an ultrasound machine for a medical clinic in Kenya and helped found a family clothing company in Uganda. Not bragging, just trying to give you a taste of the kind of great options at your fingertips as you read this.

Kiva combines the microfinance charity model with a network of prescreening partners, making the likelihood of your full repayment around 97%. Consider the flaws of previous donations to charity. Now consider 100% of your money going directly to those in need and a 97% chance you’ll get your money back. Kiva revolutionizes the notion of charity in no small way.

I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to hearing about the success of these investments, getting my money back, and re-lending it to more interesting projects in the future. If you think you could survive with $25 less to make a gift you can keep on giving, you might consider doing the same. It couldn’t hurt to at least check out the options.