Food carts and crowds on State Street Mall.
Economic Development

Kiva

Kiva is an international, non-profit, crowdfunding platform for small businesses. Community members lend money to local businesses at 0% interest with no fees. Businesses use the funding as working capital and then pay back their lenders each month. Community lenders can loan as much as they would like, starting at $25. For qualified owners, loans from $1,000-$15,000 will be available through Kiva with the City of Madison matching the amount raised at no cost to the business owner. 

On July 20, 2020 Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced the City Of Madison's Kiva Match Program, committing $100,000 to match Kiva small business loans.

Businesses endorsed by the following organizations can receive the match: 

  • Madison Black Chamber of Commerce 
  • Hmong Chamber of Commerce of WI 
  • Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County 
  • Madison Cooperative Development Coalition 
  • Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) 
  • Dane Buy Local
  • Madison Central Business Improvement District (BID)

Get Involved

Borrowers

If you are interested in a Kiva, no interest/no fee loan, please visit: Kiva Madison

Small Business Supporters

Become a Kiva lender! Lend as little as $25 to a local business. Visit: KIVA Madison

Funder or Corporate Partners

Corporations or grant funders can help us increase the match dollars available by lending to the match fund. Contact Ruth Rohlich, City of Madison Department of Economic Development: rrohlich@cityofmadison.com.

Was this page helpful to you? * required