Kiva, the Internet-based micro-lending site that lets people give money to small business owners in developing countries, has an announced an exciting new program for entrepreneurs seeking funding with their business plan here in the U.S. Starting earlier this week, people can contribute cash to small businesses that are based stateside, reports Read Write Web:

“The test will start with 45 U.S. businesses, ranging from baked goods deliveries to child care and taxi drivers. For now, the loans are limited to New York and California, though Kiva is actively seeking new Field Partners to move in to more regions in the U.S.”

And here’s how Kiva works:
“The Kiva platform works basically as a middle man, providing profiles of entrepreneurs for lenders to choose from, collecting the funds to be distributed through Kiva partners, and giving the capital back to lenders (either to re-lend, keep, or donate to Kiva) once a loan has been repaid. To date, more than $75 million for entrepreneurs in the developing world has been raised through the site.”

So far, it appears that the lending program in the U.S. actually works as well. Some of the start-ups on the site, including a child and elder care facility and a catering business, are almost fully-funded. If you’re interested in a Kiva loan, you must contact the company’s two partners for its U.S. loans, ACCION USA, a non-profit microfinance institute, and Opportunity Fund, a community development fund in California. To apply for a loan via ACCION, click here and for the Opportunity Fund click here.

Tags: business plan, small business