My One Hundredth Loan: $250 in Free Kiva Gift Certificates!
By now everyone knows Kiva.org is my favorite website on the internet. It’s where I go when I’m feeling great, feeling down, or feeling average. It’s pretty much perfect at all times.
I know I’ve written about Kiva many times in the past, but today feels special because it marks my one hundredth loan… sometimes it blows my mind to think about the amazing impact we can make as individuals…
The ability to take $1,000 and have a volunteer team distribute it to 40 different entrepreneurs in developing countries all over the world. To think of the entrepreneurs who don’t have the collateral to take out loans alone, who form groups and hold each other accountable to succeed together. Once the 40 entrepreneurs pay back their first $0.62 each, it makes another $25 which can be re-loaned immediately… to think this entire operation was started only 3 years ago… to think of it’s explosive success… to think it’s all been made so simple that I can manage my 100 loans from the comfort of my home in less than 5 minutes per week… is there anything cooler on the planet?
I don’t know… but Kiva sure amazes me…
Anyway, if you’ve read this far then you probably deserve a reward. 
I’m giving away $250 in free Kiva gift certificates to the first ten people who request one in the comments section. I did this once in the past with good success. The only thing you have to promise is to loan the money through Kiva at least once before withdrawing it for yourself.
My hope, of course, is that you get addicted to Kiva as well. There’s no need to promise that, though. I expect it will happen naturally.
If you don’t mind, I’d also love to hear comments or see links to the business you decide to support. Thanks!
By the way, if you’re curious: my lender page.
29 Comments
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Gift Card Request
Done! Check your e-mail, Carly.
Nine still up for grabs.
I want to learn about Kiva!
Sharon – check out this video for a good overview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXk4GUGXNTQ
Also, check your e-mail for your gift cert!
Why not? I’ll take you up on the offer for a great cause.
Thx!
Hi Michael,
I’m already a Kiva Lender and it is great to see your commitment to a good cause.
Keep it up.
Alex
I looked at your Kiva website – this sounds great! One of my professors from grad school was involved with micro-business, sort of similar thing. I’ll take you up on the offer!
By the way, I am Ed Jamison’s sister-in-law. I was looking at Ed’s profile on LinkedIn and noticed you have a Lithuanian last name, so clicked on your blog. I am from Lithuania myself – born and raised.
Thanks!
Gift card request
I love Kiva and WOULD LOVE some money to help our brothers out !
I would like to try!
Request here.
Even if I don’t make the first ten, I’m glad you’re spreading the word
Ron, Irina, Emilio, Pamela, Dave: Check your e-mail!
Alex: Thanks, likewise.
Three more gift certificates still available. Don’t hesitate to ask.
Michael! I’ve been waiting to use Kiva for a while now. Once I start making some moola in March, the giving will begin.
It was nice to see you last night. Hopefully I’ll be able to make it to AA soon!
~ AK
Andrew – Why wait? Check your e-mail.
Two more loans still available.
Michael – Thanks for the GC giveaway.
I funded a borrower in Honduras:
http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=75159
Checking out micro-lending has been in the back of my mind for a while now. If you have any more gift cards left, sounds like now is a good time for me to give it a try!
Stephanie – you got it! Check your e-mail.
Ron – Thanks for linking.
One more loan still up for grabs!
still one left? may take it. or may just continue to loan ;p
Andrew – you got it.
That makes ten. Thanks everyone.
Thanks for the reminder, I will be looking into this, maybe from the Christmas angle.
Michael, thanks for the offer. Have given many gift certificates to friends, but have yet to make a loan myself. Will start.
Thanks
I wish I saw this posting sooner.
I love the “Sorry you didnt pass math!” since I put 28 instead of adding 2 and 8. haha
i am 6 years old and i love kiva. i have 6 loans. visit my kiva page. i wish i could make more loans. i have 2 teams westfield kids for kiva and a family team. could you email me or my daddy cmwhite@comcast.net if you are a going to offer more free gift certificates?
your friend
rebecca white
Rebecca – you are the youngest Kiva lender I know of. How impressive to be lending on Kiva at your age! I am not sure when the next time will be that I offer free gift certificates, but when I do I will try to remember you. Have a great day!
-Michael
I would like to get one if you will still give out one.
Hey Benjamin – sorry, but I already gave out the 10 this time around. Not sure I’ll be doing another free give away any time soon, but ya never know. I’m up to 172 loans total so far.
I’d prob do my next giveaway at 300, so, still a ways to go.
hi michael, i now have 11 kiva loans !!! westfield kids for kiva is going great. keep me and my daddy on your list for gift certificates.
your kiva friend, rebecca white
Hi Rebecca – great to hear of your success. I’ll probably give out more gift certificates when I hit 300 loans (at 245 now). After thinking about things, though, I’m inclined to only give gift certificates to people who aren’t already active Kiva lenders. Seems to have a bigger impact that way. Thanks for keeping in touch.
-m