Breaking the KivaFriends Lender Record

[Guest]

.

[wthepoo]

Because I am no ANN, of course 

Even WolfgANNg doesn't really work... I will think about it, though.

Take care.

[geekthegreek]

Ok, thanks for the replies. I don't mean to hijack this thread. Perhaps I've always liked being the 'outsider' in the 'in' group, if that makes any sense. Maybe this topic also relates to some previous thread discussions, on whether the loans are about the lenders, or about the recipients; if they're exclusively about the recipients, then presumably it doesn't matter who fills them or how they're filled, whereas if they're to some extent about the community (of lenders), then I guess there's merit to thinking about who else is on a loan. I've been wondering a lot about the 'efficiency' of Kiva (in an economic sense), compared to alternative formats - but that is a topic for other threads. I also suspect a number of people on KF are new to online discussion boards (or maybe this is just a board with a different demographic), so the tone of conversation seems quite different than much of the typical online banter. Anyway, good luck filling your loan with record KF numbers.

[abc]

We are now at 

Only

to go.

Or more! Who knows how many will fit on this raft. Hang on tight.

[waywardcats]

As an aside, the US economy downturn has me worried for continued Kiva growth. I envision that charitable giving (even if they're loans, I imagine many American's budgets for Kiva fall under charity) is tied to disposable income, which can decrease quite precipitously in a recession. I guess we just have to assume that growth potential is more a matter of reaching people who haven't heard about Kiva than it is about convincing people who have heard but haven't acted on it.

Hello geekthegreek,

I think the first part of you post has been well discussed, so I won't add to that discussion.  I did however, want to respond to the second part.

This is something that has been on my mind also.  As long as the average number of loans per lender stays around 3, I think you have it right.  Kiva will have new lenders joining who will loan once or twice and leave it at that.  A few will join who will lend more, and a few more businesses or individuals may become large lenders.  But I also think there will be some who hear about Kiva and say, "I can't spare anything right now" and never return.  Gift certificates might be the most effective tool in this economic climate if you want to entice someone in who is feeling squeezed.

As to your comment

even if they're loans, I imagine many American's budgets for Kiva fall under charity

Well,  I think this has been a topic that has been pretty well covered here at KFs.  If you are interested in more discussion on this issue, i would suggest you take a look at the following threads:

http://www.kivafriends.org/index.php/topic,2051.0.html
http://www.kivafriends.org/index.php/topic,1666.0.html
http://www.kivafriends.org/index.php/topic,866.0.html

The general consensus among Kiva Friends seems to be (please correct me if I am wrong here folks) that we accept a certain amount of risk lending through Kiva and that one should never lend more than one is prepared to lose.  There are certainly things one can do to minimize that risk, but it is still wise to recognize that these loans are going out to places where circumstances are not necessarily stable and can change rapidly.

In any case, I hope that information is helpful to you,

-Kerry-

[fredr1c]

I don't mean to hijack this thread.

You haven't! 

Five star MFI, six month loan term, step right up:

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=54280

[abc]

Amy's mom is aboard! Yay!

Did you know:
25
is the smallest aspiring number — a composite non-sociable
number whose aliquot sequence does not terminate.


Sounds like some of us Kiva Friends, if you ask me.


Now we just need at least



more.

[Tomcat]

With all of the posts here that have made me smile, how could I not join in?

[KivanSteven]

To the contrary, I think Kiva is perfect for a down economy...sure a bad economy doesnt spare Kiva some pains, but unlike charity, Kiva allows you to help others without having to permanently sacrifice the funds you dont have.  Thats a draw for most lenders and how much more so for would be lenders with a huge heart but a limited ability to give. 

I think a lot of people that still want to give but are unsure of what the future holds or simply cannot afford long term to make charitable contributions would find Kiva to be a very attractive organization to become involved with.

[fredr1c]

With all of the posts here that have made me smile, how could I not join in?

Tomcat, you bring the magic number all the way down to SEVEN!!

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=54280

[Sengbe Pieh]

Everybody stand back & take cover!! Run for your lives!!!!

I think new Kivan AAAA is getting ready to explode!!!