Is Kiva a direct funder or a broker?

Kiva is a direct funder — they underwrite and deploy capital from their own balance sheet (or institutional credit facility), not by routing your file to other lenders. This matters because direct funders are accountable for the terms they quote.

What's the minimum revenue Kiva will fund?

Kiva's published floor is Any in average monthly revenue, with 0 months minimum time in business. Credit score floor is No credit check. These are box minimums — actual approval requires bank statements showing consistent daily deposits and acceptable NSF history.

How fast can Kiva fund?

Kiva's public speed quote is 30 – 60 days crowdfunding process. In practice, clean files (consistent revenue, no NSFs, no second position) fund at the fast end of that range. Files needing additional documentation, second-position deals, or larger amounts ($250K+) take longer.

Should I go directly to Kiva or through a broker?

Going direct gets you a single quote with no broker commission baked into the factor rate. Going through a broker (like Fundnode) gets you scored against multiple funders, including Kiva, with full disclosure of how we earn. There's no universal right answer — but if you only want one quote, going direct saves the broker's cut.

Kiva Review 2026 — Rates, Terms, Honest Verdict

Best for: Microloans for very early or underserved businesses. Amount range: $1,000 – $15,000. Speed: 30 – 60 days crowdfunding process. Below: the rate card, the watch-out, alternatives we'd compare against, and the honest verdict.

TL;DR

Kiva ranks #68 in our 2026 funder ranking. Best for very early-stage entrepreneurs, immigrants, or merchants who've been declined by fico-based lenders and need small ($5k-$15k) interest-free capital. The strength: 0% interest microloans funded by individual crowdfunders. The watch-out: Loan caps at $15K — too small for most established merchants.

Kiva rate card 2026

Category	Microloan / CDFI
Best for	Microloans for very early or underserved businesses
Amount range	$1,000 – $15,000
Cost (factor / APR)	0% interest (donation-funded)
Speed to fund	30 – 60 days crowdfunding process
Min time in business	0 months
Min monthly revenue	Any
Min credit score	No credit check

The strength — what Kiva does better than anyone

0% interest microloans funded by individual crowdfunders. No FICO check. Open to very early stage, underserved entrepreneurs, immigrants, low-credit applicants. Repayment with no fees over 6-36 months.

The watch-out — what Kiva doesn't put in marketing

Loan caps at $15K — too small for most established merchants. Application requires endorsements from existing supporters. 30-60 day funding timeline.

Who Kiva is best for

Very early-stage entrepreneurs, immigrants, or merchants who've been declined by FICO-based lenders and need small ($5K-$15K) interest-free capital.

Who shouldn't apply

Merchants ranking solidly above Kiva's box may want to apply to OnDeck or Credibly first for cheaper money. Established multi-location operators may get better terms at OnDeck or NewCo Capital Group. As with any MCA decision, the cheapest money is the money you don't borrow — start with the calculator at /calculator to see if the deal you'd take from Kiva actually makes sense.

How Kiva compares to the rest of the top 10

Funder	Category	Cost	Speed
Kiva (this funder)	Microloan / CDFI	0% interest (donation-funded)	30 – 60 days crowdfunding process
Credibly	MCA + multi-product	Factor 1.11+ (MCA); APR varies for term + LOC	As fast as 4 hours
Greenbox Capital	Multi-product	Factor varies; published up to 19% ISO commission	24 – 48 hours
Accord Business Funding	MCA specialty	Factor varies by paper grade (often 1.40+)	Next-day for approved files
Bluevine	LOC	APR 6.2% – 27%	1 – 3 business days
OnDeck	Term + LOC	Term APR 27%+; LOC APR 30%+	Same-day for approved files

What to ask Kiva before signing

"What's the APR-equivalent on this deal?" A funder who can't or won't quote it has something to hide. Required disclosure in five states as of 2026.
"Is there a prepayment discount?" Some funders charge the full factor regardless of payoff speed. Get the discount in writing before you sign.
"What's the reconciliation policy if my revenue drops?" The best funders adjust the daily ACH downward when deposits drop. Many won't. Ask in writing.
"Will you stack on top of an existing position?" Stacking is one of the top reasons MCA merchants default. If a funder accepts second/third position freely, that's a yellow flag for the merchant.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kiva a direct funder or a broker?: Kiva is a direct funder — they underwrite and deploy capital from their own balance sheet (or institutional credit facility), not by routing your file to other lenders. This matters because direct funders are accountable for the terms they quote.
What's the minimum revenue Kiva will fund?: Kiva's published floor is Any in average monthly revenue, with 0 months minimum time in business. Credit score floor is No credit check. These are box minimums — actual approval requires bank statements showing consistent daily deposits and acceptable NSF history.
How fast can Kiva fund?: Kiva's public speed quote is 30 – 60 days crowdfunding process. In practice, clean files (consistent revenue, no NSFs, no second position) fund at the fast end of that range. Files needing additional documentation, second-position deals, or larger amounts ($250K+) take longer.
Should I go directly to Kiva or through a broker?: Going direct gets you a single quote with no broker commission baked into the factor rate. Going through a broker (like Fundnode) gets you scored against multiple funders, including Kiva, with full disclosure of how we earn. There's no universal right answer — but if you only want one quote, going direct saves the broker's cut.
What's Kiva's biggest weakness vs alternatives?: Loan caps at $15K — too small for most established merchants. Application requires endorsements from existing supporters. 30-60 day funding timeline.

Kiva — honest 2026 review.