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.

23 Responses to “My One Hundredth Loan: $250 in Free Kiva Gift Certificates!”

  1. November 22nd, 2008 | 12:28 pm

    :)

  2. Carly
    November 22nd, 2008 | 1:19 pm

    Gift Card Request :)

  3. November 22nd, 2008 | 2:57 pm

    Done! Check your e-mail, Carly.

    Nine still up for grabs.

  4. November 22nd, 2008 | 4:34 pm

    I want to learn about Kiva!

  5. November 22nd, 2008 | 4:37 pm

    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!

  6. Ron R.
    November 22nd, 2008 | 5:00 pm

    Why not? I’ll take you up on the offer for a great cause.

    Thx!

  7. Alex
    November 22nd, 2008 | 8:28 pm

    Hi Michael,
    I’m already a Kiva Lender and it is great to see your commitment to a good cause.
    Keep it up.
    Alex

  8. November 22nd, 2008 | 11:01 pm

    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!

  9. November 23rd, 2008 | 1:57 am

    Gift card request ;-)

    I love Kiva and WOULD LOVE some money to help our brothers out !

  10. Pamela H.
    November 23rd, 2008 | 3:41 am

    I would like to try!

  11. Dave
    November 23rd, 2008 | 3:48 am

    Request here.

  12. November 23rd, 2008 | 4:47 am

    Even if I don’t make the first ten, I’m glad you’re spreading the word :)

  13. November 23rd, 2008 | 11:33 am

    Ron, Irina, Emilio, Pamela, Dave: Check your e-mail!

    Alex: Thanks, likewise.

    Three more gift certificates still available. Don’t hesitate to ask.

  14. Andrew
    November 23rd, 2008 | 12:17 pm

    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

  15. November 23rd, 2008 | 12:30 pm

    Andrew - Why wait? Check your e-mail. :P

    Two more loans still available.

  16. Ron R.
    November 23rd, 2008 | 12:53 pm

    Michael - Thanks for the GC giveaway.

    I funded a borrower in Honduras:

    http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=75159

  17. November 25th, 2008 | 12:32 am

    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! :)

  18. November 25th, 2008 | 12:48 am

    Stephanie - you got it! Check your e-mail.
    Ron - Thanks for linking.
    One more loan still up for grabs!

  19. November 30th, 2008 | 9:02 pm

    still one left? may take it. or may just continue to loan ;p

  20. November 30th, 2008 | 9:52 pm

    Andrew - you got it.

    That makes ten. Thanks everyone.

  21. C-Rex
    December 1st, 2008 | 9:20 pm

    Thanks for the reminder, I will be looking into this, maybe from the Christmas angle.

  22. Ross
    December 27th, 2008 | 7:27 pm

    Michael, thanks for the offer. Have given many gift certificates to friends, but have yet to make a loan myself. Will start.

    Thanks

  23. Anh
    January 3rd, 2009 | 5:58 pm

    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

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