HOW WE WORK WITH KIVA TO EXPAND THE NATIVE PLANT INDUSTRY
Kiva Loan: $15,000 Interest-Free for Native Plant Growers
Funding from banks, the Small Business Administration and other sources is often too costly and simply unavailable to the very small entities that start local native plant nurseries.
We have partnered with Kiva, a nonprofit and leader in micro-loans, to bring needed, affordable financing to the native plant industry. We are a Kiva US Trustee, bringing the power of micro-loans to micro-enterprises in the native plant industry, not currently represented on Kiva or any similar platform.
Kiva's micro-loan model is proven for underserved, cause-aligned borrowers & lenders. Kiva US has made nearly $60 million in loans to almost 10,000 borrowers, with a 96% repayment rate.
As a Kiva Trustee, we find, evaluate, endorse and support borrowers starting or expanding native plant businesses. We use our funds, native plant industry expertise, and connections in the native plant movement to help borrowers obtain Kiva loans and succeed in their business.