SquidKiva - A Kiva Community for Squidoo Lensmasters
SquidKiva - A Lending Team of Squidoo Lensmasters on Kiva.org
SquidKiva is a Kiva Community of members from the Squidoo community. Kiva facilitates micro-loans to individuals worldwide that would otherwise not be afforded the opportunity to open or expand their small business.
All squidoo lensmasters are welcome to join the group and collectively we can help others worldwide by making micro-loans to those who want a chance to better themselves. Together we can make a world of difference.
NOTE: Our lending team makes loans, not donations. When the borrower pays it back, you get it back - to keep or loan again. Kiva is a non-profit, though, with overhead so donations are also accepted. Donations are not included in our lending team totals, but feel free to give.
What is Kiva?
SquidKiva is a Lending Team at kiva.org where Squidoo Lensmasters can collectively help many people worldwide by each contributing small amounts of money in the for of micro-loans.
SquidKiva is a collaborative effort open to all Squidoo Lensmasters. Joining our lending team is very simple, and in doing so we can communicate, collectively track our contributions, and better promote kiva and their cause.
Q. How do I join SquidKiva?
A. Visit our SquidKiva Lending Team page, and click on "Join Now" in the green box on the right. If you don't already have an account, you will need to open one (it's free).
Q. How do know which borrower to choose?
A. It is entirely your choice. Browse through the lists of borrowers currently in the fundraising stage. You can also browse the list of borrowers that other members of the SquidKiva Lending Team have recently loaned to.
Q. I found the borrower(s) that I would like to loan to. How do I assign my loan to the SquidKiva Lending Team?
A. On the borrower's page, click the "Make a Loan" button. You will be directed to your basket. On the right you will see a drop down menu under "Count Towards Team". Set this to SquidKiva, and then click either Continue, or Add More Loans.
Did you know that you can put a link in your Kiva profile?
A link to your lensmaster page or lensography would help everyone learn more about you.
Where Have the Loans Gone?
Map of SquidKiva Loans
So far, SquidKiva loans have gone to people in Africa, Asia, South America, the Middle East, and North America. This world map shows the countries of Kiva borrowers who have benefited from loans made by SquidKiva members.
Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Benin, Bolivia, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Samoa, Senegal, Sierra Leonne, South Sudan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Ukraine, USA, Vietnam
Where will you send YOUR loan?
Map Updated: 1/12/2010
(World Map Provided by 29travels.com)
Kiva Borrowers
Watch video clips of a few Kiva borrowers discussing their loans.
$1000 to Kiva !!!
On November 4, 2009, lensmaster ComfortDoc won Lens of the Day in the Thanksgiving Charity Cookoff '09. Because she was donating the proceeds of that lens to kiva.org, the $1000 prize was donated to kiva. Great job, Kirsti. Thanks.
The History of SquidKiva
2009 - Thirty and Three Thousand
Squidoo began in December of 2008. At that time a vote was taken as to what our first goal would be - a New Years Resolution so to speak for upcoming the 2009 year. Our goal was high - "Fifty and Five Thousand" - meaning we hoped to have 50 members and $5000 lent in kiva loans by the end of 2009. Being such a new group, this was a very high goal. We ended the year with a total to be very proud of: "Thirty and Three Thousand". Our new little group of 30 members made $3000 in kiva loans!!! What a great job!
2010 - Sixty and Six Thousand
Our goal for 2010 was simply "Sixty and Six Thousand". We wanted to have 60 members by the end of 2010, and have our Kiva Team lending total reach $6000. We were successful! We ended 2010 with 67 members and a team lending total of $7050! A big thanks goes out to in part to Ener-G whose challenge propelled SquidKiva forward in both loans and members.
2011 - 11K in '11
For 2011, we worked toward a goal of raising our team lending total to $11,000!, which was nearly $4000 as a group over the year. On December 31, 2011, we had actually reached $11,975, surpassing our goal! We started 2011 with 67 members, and set a high goal of 100 members by the end of the year. We ended the year with 82 members, which I still think is pretty great.
2012 - We Hit $20K!
For 2011, we set our goal high, hoping to reach $18,000 total lent to date. We blew past it and ended the year at $20,125! We finished out the year as a group of 108 members!
2013 - We set our goal for $30K!!!! Go team!
SquidKiva Members
List of SquidKiva Members
List of SquidKiva Members on Twitter
Micro-Lending and Philanthropy Today - (a small part of your purchase through these links will be donated kiva.org)
2013 Goal Setting
For 2013, we will try to raise membership to 120. That's one new member each month.
Help us choose a lending goal for 2013.
Last year we set our goal at about $6000 lent that year, and we ended up lending about $8000. We have lent $20,125 since we started. (See our team goal history.)
What should we set our lending goal as for 2013?
Guestbook
I voted for 30,000 as well. With the new payment today, I can lend again.
If we reached $30,000 to date that would mean just under $1,000 per month for 2013. This is what I voted for...
I voted a bit conservatively with $27,000 and would love to be proven wrong. So lets hit $30,000!!
I'd like to aim for $30k, but I'd also like to see many more members too. How do we go about encouraging more people to join?
I believe we can make it $30k this year too. :)
I say we go for $30k for 2013. We can do it!!
Congrats on hitting the goal. Joining Squid kiva is on my things to do for the new year!
Amazing achievement for 2012 and so proud of what has been achieved. I think the new year's goal should be stretching but achievable which is why I went for $30k
Way to go! Squid Kiva team !
I give to Kiva through their site, I just found out today about SquidKiva I think I'll join!
Congrats for achieving the target of 2012
I just joined the SquidKiva Team. Looking forward to supporting the team and the loan recipients. Happy New Year all!
Currently at $ 20,025 as of this a.m. when I checked.
Congrats to all who have made loans. I counted up and I'd made 15 loans, all of which have been paid back.
Returned to give another blessing this year to this great lens and to congratulate all of the lensmasters who are part of SquidKiva!
I've been on Kiva for a while, but never guessed there was a SquidKiva team - off to join now!
Joined SquidKiva team today - # 101
Thanks for introducing me to this wonderful organization! I just signed up and made my first loan :)
Great lens! I heard about Kiva and started telling my friends. They already knew and were involved.
LOL, I just found this lens by accident and looked up to find a commercial on TV for it. Never heard of it before this very minute.
- AUTHOR
@KarenHC: Good to hear!
@kerbev: I think I figured it out now -- I was able to search SquidKiva and join that way, and I was able to change the team designation. At least I think it worked :-)
- AUTHOR
@KarenHC: I don't see you on the team member list: http://www.kiva.org/team/squidkiva/members
Did you remember to join the team? here - http://www.kiva.org/team/squidkiva
@kerbev: My name is Karen there :-)
- AUTHOR
@anonymous: Yayyy!!!
Okay, I joined and made two $25 loans, but I forgot to look for the drop-down menu that says "Count toward team" to set to Squid Kiva. Is there a way for me to go back and add that? Otherwise I'll just wait until I make another loan :-)
I just joined SquidKiva and made a loan to Rosa Amalia.
- AUTHOR
@giacombs-ramirez: Yayyy!
Just reloaned $150.00. Congrats to all of us on our $15,000 to date!
This is a great lens, and a great cause. On my lens I outline how small business owners can incorporate Kiva into their business and ultimately make them more profitable. Its such a valuable service that more and more people need to know about it and get involved.
Came back to google +1 this gem and add it to my updated Women's Day lens. Hope it helps! Sincerely, Rose
I joined and made my first loan. Nice to be a part of such a giving group of squids!
I joined about a year ago when I first heard about Kiva on Squid U. Such a wonderful program - so glad KAB started the Squidoo Team and happy to see the plug on Squidoo HQ to help our team grow!
I had never heard of Kiva before. This looks like a fantastic way to help poor people out of poverty. I have bookmarked this lens and will come back and read more later. I'm really interested in joinig from what I have read so far.
I just joined. I found it fascinating to read through the possibilities before making a loan. Thank you for creating this lens.
This is a great lens for a great non-profit. I've been (and will be) a supporter of Kiva my whole life. Thanks for the informative and fun lens.
Ohh, I didn't even know about this until today (from HQ posts I am getting caught up on, finally). What a fabulous idea! Congrats on exceeding your 2011 goal and for well-deserved purple star and LotD accolades. Sure hope that this continues and that loans are, indeed, paid back. Wishing you continued success with this program.
Sincerely,
Rose
I have followed KIVA on my own for awhile. Joined SquidKiva after seeing the info on SquidU. Getting the emails, but not listed yet. Still deciding which business I wan to loan to. Great concept. Blessings.
I didn't realize the SquidKiva team existed until I read about it on Squidu. I've been donating the same $25 on Kiva since 2009, I just made my fifth donation and a lens about my Kiva Loans. I'll join the team :)
Great article.
I will consider joining in this year because I like the idea of lending some money to those who want to improve their life. I like it! :)
Great idea and great lens!
This is an outstanding idea and lens.
I joined the SquidKiva team and left a blessing for you as well :).
I've been donating part of my Squidoo earnings to Kiva for the past few months and have made over 80 loans in the past few years. I only just discovered this lens!
I'm in! What a wonderful effort. Blessed!
How BEAUTIFUL!! What a wonderful effort. Angel blessed, how could it not be? Love it!
fantastic lens! have just made my first kiva donation and joined the SquidKiva team!
I joined the Squidoo group and made a Kiva loan in their name. There was money lying idle in my Kiva account and now it has been put to good use. Thanks for the lens and the reminder!
- AUTHOR
@menskincaretips: I have asked about this in the past, and was told that since the money does not go through our hands (and is not listed on our 1099s) it is not something we can deduct on our taxes. Squidoo donates the money on our behalf, so since the donation does not come from us directly, we cannot deduct it on our taxes. You can take cash from squidoo and donate it on your own and deduct it if you wish. I hope that's what you were asking.
do the donations made from our lenses have any tax benefits for individuals?
I just made my first loan of the year!
Kiva does gift certificates too - great for gifts for teachers :O)
I know of several Squidoo members who have received loans from Kiva, and its wonderful that the organization is there and helping people get through some tough times.
We need to step up our effort. This year will be the most 'weird' year we would ever had. So perhaps by giving more it could help all of us go through this uncertainty with little bit confidence that someone somewhere out there will be there for us when things don't go our away.
So give first when we have some before the time comes when we could have nothing to give.
Ready for a new year, and this time we will meet both our goals (once they're stated :) If we only reached one of the goals last year, glad it was the lending one.
Going to their website right now to look into making a new loan!
I just made a new loan, and re loaned from what I was paid back, so happy to see we at exceeding the goal for this year :)
Delighted to read that the lending target for 2011 has already been exceeded - great cause and awesome group of individuals :-)
Great idea and cause!
- AUTHOR
@KimGiancaterino: You are indeed! (I've added you to our roster here and on twitter)
Another payday, another donation. Only $600 to go and we'll meet our 2011 team goal. Woohoo!
What an amazingly great cause. Thanks for sharing this!
I'm a SquidKiva member too.
congrats on 10g's!! :)
Kab- I have followed your support for KIVA since I ave been on Squidoo and always made a mental note to return and "help" when I was at a stage I could! I am pleased to say that time is now!
I ave also built a lens, about What I want for Christmas (A kind of alternative wishlist) and I have included a link to your page, and Quoted you - with link back to page and your lensmaster profile, I hope this is in accordance of how you would appreciate credit....if not I can change it. The page also donates 100% to KIVA
thankyou for your tireless promotion of this cause, and just goes to show, you never know when someone will jump n board! - Blessed
Just found this group - been donating to kiva via squidoo since the beginning of 2011 - not sure how I skipped you all - signed up and will be searching for a loan recipient soon.
Very interesting! What a great community, keep up your amazing work!
This is something you should be proud of indeed!
This is the first time I've heard of SquidKIva. What a great community.
I've recently set all my royalties to go straight to KIVA! Yay for KIVA! :-)
With Love and Gratitude,
Jeremiah
~ Dropping by to leave my Angels April Fools' Day Quest Blessings ~
I've been wanting to learn about Kiva for a long time, but was always too busy. Thanks to a FB post by SusannaDuffy, I came here and I'm so glad I did! I just joined the SquidKiva team and made my first loan to a woman in the Philippines. I think this years goal will easily be met!
Contributing to help entrepreneurs in kiva is great opportunity. Big Thumbs up and Like from me!
Blessed by the Charities Angel.
What a GREAT site kiva is an awesome idea. It feels good to help. I only have 1 loan out right now but I will try to add some more as I make more on squidoo. I am also very proud to be part of the squidKiva team.
This is a great way to help people set up their small business. I'm not making any money yet on my lenses, but as soon as I do, I will join you.
A Christmas blessing from a SquidAngel!
I like this concept of helping out people in need and will look at joining your SquidKiva team in 2011. Thanks for sharing this and creating this community. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year! **Blessed by a Squid-Angel**
Thanks EnerG for the challenge, you have another new member , I am so glad I could help. My current lenses donate to another Charity but am going to make some for Kiva now too.
12 new members! wahoo...what an amazing community.
Thank you for posting the thread on SquidU about this following the recent bumper payday for many - joining is something I meant to do ages ago and have just done :-)
I just joined after finding the challenge on SquidU! Yes, my payday was great so I was in the mood to pay it forward.
I swear I left a comment on here...wonder where it went!? Anyway, I started a challenge in SquidU forum to get some new members. I'll add $25 to any loan a new member makes...up to 10 loans! When I started the challenge we were at 51 members. We're now at 57...just 3 to go to make the 2010 goal. And total loans have reached $6400.
What a great idea. Just joined the team and made a loan which will help put it one closer to making the goal of 60 team members in 2010. Since I happen to have a little stardust in my pocket this month, am giving this lens a blessing and will be featured on my angel lens.
I'm glad I saw this in Squidu. I am happy to be involved. I thank God for my many blessings everyday and it would be wonderful opportunity for me to give back.
I'm interested in participating in such an organization. This makes me happy to share something with others.
You guys rock! If I didn't already belong to two kiva groups i'd join ya'll... maybe when I've got some more income coming in.
We reached the goal. Good for us. Bless us. I just did!
I've always liked Kiva, but this group really encourages and reminds me to lend. It's more fun to do it with a group. Thanks, kab, for coming up with a great idea!
Kudos to you on a great job! The world is certainly a better place for your efforts
I'd wondered about doing this, but working with a group like this seems a good way to get started. I'll ponder it a little more.
Thanks so much for putting together this lens. I have heard about kiva, but was too nervous to jump in and try it. This explanation calmed my fears and let me make my first loan! I also joined squidkiva. Thanks!
I have featured this lens on Buy American I hope you will stop buy and check it out! There is a tie in with this lens! Thanks for the contribution!
this is great. I'm going to keep watching.
- AUTHOR
@MargoPArrowsmith: Thanks, Margo, Heiffer International is a great organization. Kiva is a little different in that the money you put up is loaned, not given - you actually get it back after the loan is paid back. It is "sustainable giving".
I love this. I have lensrolled it to my lens of Heiffer international which is another charity where you can give to poor people to make businesses only there it is animals
Kiva make Oprah's list of favorite things for 2010.
This is amazing! I am definitely coming back to learn more.
Whoo hoo! Just made 2 more loans. How fun was that!? Blessed by an angel...
183