This year marks 40 years of the .ORG domain. Since 1985, .ORG has been home to mission-driven organizations using the Internet to serve others, solve problems, and build community. From local grassroots efforts to global movements, these organizations have helped shape a legacy rooted in trust, purpose, and lasting impact.
Kiva is a part of that story. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, Kiva continues to expand access to financial opportunity for people around the world. As a 2024 and 2019 .ORG Impact Awards winner, Kiva stands out, not only for what it has achieved, but for how it reflects the values that have defined .ORG for four decades.
Since being named a 2024 winner in the .ORG Impact Awards, have you seen any changes in visibility, support, or engagement with your mission from donors, partners, or the broader education community?
Being named a 2024 winner in the .ORG Impact Awards has provided a significant boost in validation for Kiva’s mission and the impact we’re making in underserved communities. The recognition has underscored the importance of our work in expanding financial access to entrepreneurs, farmers, refugees, women, and social enterprises around the world. We have been able to share the award with prospective donors and partners which amplifies our visibility, helping to elevate conversations about financial inclusion and the role we play in creating opportunities for people to improve their lives. It has also opened doors for deeper dialogue within the global nonprofit community, reinforcing the value of our collective efforts in advancing social good through financial inclusion. Ultimately, this acknowledgment serves as a powerful affirmation of the transformative work Kiva is doing, further solidifying our place in the global movement for financial equity.
What achievement or area of growth are you most proud of since the Awards, and how does it reflect your long-term vision for impact?
One of the achievements we’re most proud of since receiving the .ORG Impact Award is the significant growth in our refugee lending programs. Just last month, we announced that the Kiva Refugee Investment Fund (KRIF) has reached over $60 million in total investments to and for refugees and displaced populations around the world. After a 5-year investment period, the Fund deployed impact-first capital across twelve countries in the Middle East, East Africa, the Caucasus, and Latin America. More than 76,000 refugees were directly supported with the funding they needed to rebuild their lives, of which 70% identify as women. This aligns with our long-term vision of ensuring that financial inclusion is not a privilege, but a fundamental right for everyone, including the world’s most vulnerable populations. The impact of this funding has been profound, helping refugees build sustainable businesses, support their families, and contribute to the local economies of their host communities.
Are there any upcoming programs, campaigns, or milestones that you’re particularly excited to share with the .ORG Community and your global supporters?
Yes, Kiva is celebrating its 20th anniversary later this year! We are excited to engage our supporters across the globe through a variety of opportunities to get involved and will be sharing more information early this fall. In the meantime, we encourage the .ORG Community to visit Kiva.org and try out lending for themselves. With only $25 and a few minutes of your time, you can start supporting Kiva loans alongside our worldwide community of lenders, leading to more dreams realized, more families supported, and more thriving communities.
What lessons or insights from the past year have influenced how Kiva approaches its lending model? How are those insights shaping your future programming?
We also continue to deepen our understanding of the long-term outcomes of Kiva loans through our partnerships with independent assessment firms, including 60 decibels. Data from last year’s 60 Decibels report found 88% of borrowers reported an increase in income after their loans, and nearly 9 out of 10 borrowers reported that their quality of life had improved. 85% of clients reported an improvement in their financial management skills and 82% of clients reported an increase in confidence. Combining these outcome learnings with our loan data has helped us better understand just how impactful Kiva loans are for the communities we serve, and we aim to continue scaling while ensuring the benchmarks are further exceeded.
This year marks Kiva’s 20th anniversary, which is such a major milestone. How is your team reflecting on the impact made so far, and what does this moment mean as you look ahead to the next chapter of your work?
As we celebrate Kiva’s 20th anniversary this fall, we’re taking a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come in expanding financial access for underserved communities worldwide. The journey from a small nonprofit with a simple idea to a global leader in financial inclusion is one filled with inspiring stories of resilience and transformation. We’re proud of the $2.3 billion in loans we’ve facilitated and the over 7 million borrowers we’ve supported. As we look ahead, this milestone motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. The next chapter of our work will focus on leveraging Kiva’s proven model to further scale our reach, and we have ambitious goals to double our loan volume by 2028. We’re excited to explore new ways to use technology to inspire more individuals to become Kiva lenders, while remaining deeply committed to our mission of providing everyone with the financial resources they need to thrive.
Kiva’s work continues to evolve with care and a deep belief in what is possible when more people have access to the resources they need to shape their own future. In a year that celebrates both Kiva’s 20th anniversary and four decades of .ORG, the focus remains the same: building meaningful, lasting impact through trust and community.
Learn more at www.kiva.org.