Kiva

Kiva connects people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.
The people you see on Kiva's site are real individuals in need of funding - not marketing material. When you browse entrepreneurs' profiles on the site, choose someone to lend to, and then make a loan. You are helping a real person make great strides towards economic independence and improve life for themselves, their family, and their community. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates and track repayments. Then, when you get your loan money back, you can relend to someone else in need. Established in 2005, Kiva has loaned over $80 million -- with a default rate of less than 1.5%.

Global Private Funding has actively invested in Kiva entrepreneurs in over 40 countries.