Kiva began in 2005 by providing small loans to 50 entrepreneurs in Uganda through microfinance institutions. It has since grown significantly, now providing over $200 million in loans to over 210,000 entrepreneurs across 58 countries through 210 microfinance institutions. Kiva allows individual lenders to make interest-free loans as small as $25 that are paid back at a rate of over 98%, connecting lenders directly to borrowers in need around the world.