Centro is hosting the Kiva Hub in Alameda County, San Francisco and Northern San Mateo County!

This alliance between Centro and Kiva has been a great support for the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Alameda County, San Francisco, and North San Mateo County. Through the Centro Capital Hub, entrepreneurs have accessed interest-free loans through Kiva and low-interest SBA microloans from local nonprofit Community Development Financial Institutions.

WHAT IS KIVA US?

With a $10,000 Kiva loan, Reem was able to buy a utility truck and hire staff to grow my business, eventually opening her first location in Oakland’s Fruitvale District.

Kiva US is an online crowdfunding platform that provides entrepreneurs with 0% interest loans of up to $15,000. To qualify for a loan, applicants must be over 18 years old, not currently in bankruptcy, have a business located in the US, and the loan must be used for business purposes. After the success of its international model, Kiva recognized the need to support local entrepreneurs in the United States and started the Kiva US program in 2011. Since its beginning, Kiva U.S. has facilitated the crowdfunding of $50 Million from 230,000+ Lenders to 9,000+ Borrowers., including nearly $4.1.4 million to over 770 borrowers in Alameda County, San Francisco, and North San Mateo County.

WHAT IS KIVA HUB?

A local connection that guides borrowers and trustees through the Kiva process by providing on the ground support and personalized assistance.

Luis received a $10,000 Kiva loan to help purchase a commercial ice-cream maker for his new location, allowing to produce more ice-cream, more efficiently and hire local people from the community.

Kiva Hubs are local organizations committed to the success of small business owners that agree to take responsibility for Kiva’s loan activity in a specific region. These organizations hire a Kiva-trained Capital Access Manager to guide borrowers through the loan process and assist the organizations (Trustees) supporting them with access to Kiva loans. Centro is honored to have been selected as the Kiva Hub for Alameda County, San Francisco and Northern San Mateo County.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS AND ORGANIZATIONS?

With a Capital Access Manager on hand, Centro will ensure that borrowers and organizations have a positive and successful experience with Kiva.

ENTREPRENEURS

Ingrid received a $15,000 Kiva loan to help expand her business by creating an online store to offer her products and services more efficiently and faster to her customers.

Read more about the eligibility requirements and application process on Kiva’s website. Please let us know if you’re interested in accessing a Kiva loan or have any questions.

We recommend Centro program participants and entrepreneurs using our Business Planning app to review our summary and tips for Kiva loans.

ORGANIZATIONS

Learn more about becoming a Trustee on Kiva’s website. Please let us know if you would like to join as a Kiva Trustee or have any questions.

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU, SO PLEASE REACH OUT TO US:

Carlo Arellano, Capital Access Manager: KivaUS@centrocommunity.org

We understand that capital access is a permanent challenge for entrepreneurs. For this reason, we want to be a welcoming option to support and build successful businesses in San Francisco, Oakland and Alameda County, as well as entrepreneurs participating in Centro’s programs in other cities. Be part of this initiative!