it's a wonderful web...

...and a wonderful way to give! For wonderful web wednesday I thought it fitting to highlight a site that is all about the spirit of giving. 'Tis the season for being charitable--though we really should be charitable all year long--and Kiva is a fantastic site for those looking to support a truly worthy cause this year.

Kiva basically lets you loan money to small businesses in developing countries. You "sponsor" a business and then throughout the course of the loan (about 6-12 months) you'll receive email journal updates from the business(es) you've sponsored. How does Kiva do this? Kiva partners with existing microfinance institutions and therefore has access to entrepreneurs from impoverished countries worldwide. What I really love about Kiva.org are the profiles. Just go to Businesses in Need and you can find a business by gender, sector, or region. Then you can read a detailed description of the person behind the business and see how much they still need to fulfill their loan request. And guess what? Loaning money is easy. You can loan as little as $25 and do it securely through PayPal.

Kiva.org has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, and in Pres. Clinton's Book Giving. With all that traffic the site is working hard to add new businesses so check back often if you don't see one that catches your eye the first time. Being in business we know how important it is to have the support, both moral and monetary, to help make a business succeed. Now you have the opportunity to lend a hand. Don't hesitate to do so! --Emily