Kiva.org has been taking loans since 2005 (and repaying them, by and large). They ask for a donation to cover their operating costs, but it's optional.
That’s fine and all, but the promise of microfinance and micro loans was that it was win win.
Something along the lines of “Investing in the poor is a business that makes the world better”
But if investing in the poor means needing donations to cover your operating expenses, then I suppose kiva is at best a charity (if they also give reasonable interest rates and loan conditions) and not the investment originally promised.
That is not to say that kiva is bad, but it is also not a great poster child for microfinance, imho
Agreed. I'm not sure about Kiva (or micro-finance more generally) anymore as the best use for spare cash.
I was just commenting on the original assertion that "the only microfinance organizations available would only take donations not investments"
EDIT to add: Though, Kiva can't be considered an investment, either - best case (!) you get the original amount back. While the field partners take considerable interest from the loan recipient. So...
