Have you heard of Kiva?

Kiva is a really cool little non-profit that facilitates loans to small business owners in countries where loans are hard to come by.

This is how it works.

From Kiva.org

We let you loan to the working poor

Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.

We partner with organizations all over the world

Kiva partners with existing microfinance institutions. In doing so, we gain access to outstanding entrepreneurs from impoverished communities world-wide. Our partners are experts in choosing qualified borrowers. That said, they are usually short on funds. Through Kiva.org, our partners upload their borrower profiles directly to the site so you can lend to them.

We show you where your money goes

Kiva provides a data-rich, transparent lending platform for the poor. We are constantly working to make the system more transparent to show how money flows throughout the entire cycle.

It's a pretty simple concept. I've made one loan in the past year and it was repaid. I really enjoy being apart of someones success. Also this feels better than giving to charity since you know exactly what the money will be used for. And you can loan as little as $25 (my loan was $25).

Kiva website

Here is a 15 minute documentary from PBS' Frontline about Kiva. Click here