Kiva introduces its API

Kiva, the first p2p micro-lending website, is opening its doors to third party developers. Build.kiva.org is its new destination for developers looking to expand its micro-lending platform. Its blog explains:

Our website has already done so much to connect people and bring new opportunity to the developing world, but it is nothing compared to the impact we think that technology and microfinance together will have to alleviate poverty. It is going to take a lot of innovation, a lot of creativity, and a lot of passionate people bringing the opportunity of loans to places they’ve never been.

By opening up its data and enabling independent, inspired developers to create applications, Kiva hopes to further connect its community and expand its reach. This move shows that the non-profit continues to be a model of both innovation and transparency.