Garnering “micro” donations is a common part of the fundraising strategy for non-profits these days who are trying to raise money in $25, $100 and for some $500-$1,000 increments. “Micro” is all relative of course. And while a $50 donation is micro to many organizations – it is not always insignificant to the person writing the check. And therein lies the age-old problem for non-profits: How do we thank our patrons for even the smallest amount of support without spending the donation to do so? How do we show them that their donation is appreciated and put to good use? How do we show them that $25 has an impact?
Part of the solution to this problem is technology and companies like FirstGiving are a terrifically inexpensive and easy way to collect donations for individual fundraisers and non-profits alike. But the real opportunity is in helping donors see the impact that even a small amount of money can have on an organization.
Kiva is an organization that has figured out how to make micro feel macro. Kiva is a micro loan organization that links entrepreneurs from developing nations with “micro” donors from around the world. Entrepreneurs ask for loans ranging from hundreds to a few thousand dollars. On the site, you can read the mini-business pitch of how the funds will be used and even view a picture of the entrepreneur, their shop, fishing boat or workshop. There is definitely an emotional bond that is made as you do your social due diligence.

Your donations are micro investments. Managers from Kiva and partners work with the entrepreneurs to collect repayments for the loan over time. There is a surprisingly low rate of default and loan tardiness. In fact, you can even make a positive return on the donation/investment. (Donvestment?)
On the web site, you can see how your portfolio is performing. For example, me and 64 other don-vestors from around the world loaned Tatyana Viksyuk $1900 to help her buy more inventory for her clothing store in Ukraine.

Tatyana repaid the loan diligently after a few months and my $25 delivered a return that I reloaned the funds to Genie – a chef from the Philippines.
What I love about Kiva.org is that they have figured out a way to help make small donations feel big. I see and connect with the people I’m helping … and that feels great.
Online, non-profits who want to dial up their micro donation efforts need to make it personal and relevant to their potential donors. Help people see the results of even the smallest donation and the money will follow.