Kiva (www.kiva.org) is one of those actionable ideas that I fell in love with when I first heard about it early this year. It’s simple, yet it can be life-changing.

If you’re not familiar with Kiva, it’s a non-profit organisation that allows anyone to lend money to low-income entrepreneurs in the developing world. Lenders can choose specific individuals/entrepreneurs based on Kiva’s listings.

And yes, you don’t need gobs of money to help a fellow entrepreneur in a struggling country. You can lend as little as $25, to make a difference in someone’s life and help people out of poverty.

Kiva works with various Field Partners, who look for deserving individuals trying to find a way to make money in their chosen businesses around the world. And, it can about any industry, doing any type of work to make a living – farming, baking, or sewing. Once the individuals start paying off their loans, lenders can get their money back too.

I’m highlighting Kiva today, as part of Blog Action Day ’08. And, as part of this event, I would like to donate a $25 Kiva Gift Certificate to a JMMO reader who wishes to be part of the solution to poverty as well.

To be eligible to receive the gift certificate, just leave a comment in this post with the answer to this question: “What does poverty mean to you?”

Also See:

• b5media Team @ Kiva – Join the team and make your contributions count.
• My Lender Page – This is where you’ll find me on Kiva.

Image source: Kiva.org

This post is originally from Just Make Money Online. Please respect copyright.

Kiva: Lend Money, Fight Poverty

As I mentioned here, b5media is currently having a Blog-Off 24-hour blogathon, where many of my fellow b5ers have been posting one blog entry per hour for 24 hours. Since I was unable to participate here at JMMO, I thought I’d lend a hand by guest posting at another business blog, Interview Chatter, since Darlene McDaniel asked for help. My guest post is: 3 Ideas for Job Hunters on the Web.

Here are other b5 business bloggers who are participating in the Blog-Off:

Business and Blogging (www.businessandblogging.com)

Accounting Solver (www.accountingsolver.com)

taxgirl (www.taxgirl.com)

Doing Biz Abroad (www.doingbizabroad.com)

Home Biz Notes (www.homebiznotes.com)

Everyday Networker (www.everydaynetworker.com)

One Vote Matters (www.onevotematters.com)

Interview Chatter (www.interviewchatter.com)

Biz Chicks Rule (www.bizchicksrule.com)

Buzz Networker (www.buzznetworker.com)

Digital Money World (www.digitalmoneyworld.com)

Franchise Pick (www.franchisepick.com)

Yielding Wealth (www.yieldingwealth.com)

Small Business Boomers (www.smallbusinessboomers.com)

My Organized Biz (www.myorganizedbiz.com)

Viva El Negocio (www.vivaelnegocio.com)

I hope you all visit them and help support the Blog-Off project in some way.

This post is originally from Just Make Money Online. Please respect copyright.

Blog-Off Update: Ideas for Job Hunters on the Web

It’s quite an exciting time here at b5media’s Business Channel and Entertainment Channel. We’re having The Great Blog Off.

Basically, The Great Blog Off is going to be a 24-hour blog-a-thon on the 20th of January 2008. There are a number of participating blogs, bloggers and guest bloggers. JMMO, unfortunately, is unable to participate in the blog-off. But, I’m definitely helping in others ways. So, I’d like to give a shout out of support to my fellow b5ers who’re doing this for a great cause.

Business bloggers, you see, are supporting the charity Accion, whose mission is:

to give people the tools they need to work their way out of poverty. By providing microloans, business training and other financial services to poor men and women who start their own businesses, Accion’s partner lending organizations help people work their own way up the economic ladder, with dignity and pride. With just a little capital, people can grow their own businesses. They can earn enough to afford basics like running water, better food and schooling for their children.

So yes, Accion helps small businesses in different parts of the world to through microloans and business advice. It’s great, as this helps create wealth for people and society. Charity Navigator gives Accion their highest rating for, among other things, having a low administrative expenses to donations ratio.

Business CE and Tax Girl Kelly Erb shares these points on how you can help:

1. Donate. We have partnered with Accion so that you can go directly to their site to make a donation. No amount is too small – every dollar makes a difference! And remember, donations to Accion are tax deductible (you totally knew I was going to bring that up, right?).

2. Spread the Word. Tell your friends. Text your bffs. Link to taxgirl.com or other sites on the Business Channel and let folks know about The Great Blog Off! Tweet about it on twitter (follow me at twitter.com/taxgirl). Whatever you can do to get the word out is much appreciated!

3. Guest Post. I have a lot of posting to do on the day of the Blog Off. If you’re interested in offering a post to help, that would be great. You can send me an email (check out the link in the side bar) if you need more info.

4. Stop By and Comment. I’d love to have your virtual support on the day of the Blog Off. Come on over and chat for awhile!

Looking forward to your support!

Image source: Arieanna Schweber

This post is originally from Just Make Money Online. Please respect copyright.

The Great b5 Blog Off