We believe the best approach to alleviating poverty is through strategies of empowerment. Microlending is one of those strategies! Kiva is a non-profit organization that connects lenders to borrowers through a worldwide network of microfinance institutions. Our goal is to mobilize the Pantano family through Kiva to lend to entrepreneurs all over the developing world.

Pantano Christian Church will match contributions up to $50 per person for a total of $25,000. Combined with your $25,000, that will make a grand total of $50,000 in microloans!

Find out more about how Kiva works…

How to Apply For Pantano’s Kiva Matching Program

If you are part of the Pantano community, you are eligible for matched funds. To apply, use the button below and fill out the form. You’ll be asked to provide your name, email address and phone number. You then select a dollar amount from $12.50 to $50 and then pay this amount to Pantano Christian Church (via debit/credit card). Once your application is received and processed, we’ll send a Kiva Card to your email within 2 business days, loaded with double the amount you originally paid.

Lending Through Kiva

Once you have your Kiva Card (loaded with either $25, $50, $75 or $100), you can then redeem it through the Kiva website and begin the microlending process. If you don’t already have a Kiva account, you can register for one at any time. Please note: when you select a loan and checkout, Kiva adds an optional 15% donation to help cover operating costs. You can edit that field to $0 if all you are using is your Kiva Card; if you wish to make a donation, you can also use your debit/credit card.

If you would like more information about applying for matched funds and lending through Kiva, please download the Kiva Training Packet for detailed instructions.

Join the Tucson, Arizona Lending Team

Whether you already have an account or are joining for the first time, make sure to join the Tucson, Arizona Kiva Lending Team. This will allow us to connect and form relationships with other Kiva lenders right here in our community and have a greater Kingdom impact! By joining the Kiva community and a lending team, you will receive periodic messages by email, but you have the option of choosing which emails to receive and how often. Change your Kiva Communication Preferences

Christian-Based Field Partners

Some microfinance institutions that Kiva works with are Christian, so borrowers may also have the opportunity to hear the gospel and learn Biblical principles. When you are choosing your entrepreneurs to lend to through Kiva, you can choose entrepreneurs that are clients of these Christian companies if you’d like to. List of Christian-Based Kiva Field Partners and Instructions

Getting Paid Back Through Kiva

Concerned about not getting paid back? The repayment rate for Kiva loans is over 98%, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of not getting paid back. See Kiva’s tips about reducing your risk. When your microloans are paid back, you can reuse that money to lend to other entrepreneurs. If at any time you do not wish to keep participating in microlending through Kiva, you simply return the money the church provided by paying it back through PayPal and withdraw the amount you originally contributed.

Goals & Updates

Last updated: 5/1/2012