Our Lending Work
Since March 2021, Blaze Group has proudly partnered with Kiva U.S. to help entrepreneurs access interest-free, fee-free business loans of up to $15,000.
These 0% interest loans are often a founder’s first step toward funding — and their first experience engaging with formal financial systems. For many, it creates a proven financial track record that makes future capital more accessible.
At Blaze Group, we believe in capital systems that circulate — not extract.
We operate as a Kiva Trustee and lead community-powered Kiva Lending Teams that directly fund campaigns for Black entrepreneurs:
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45 founders funded through our #FundBlackWomen Lending Team (launched in 2023)
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1 founder (and growing) funded through our new #FundBlackMen Lending Team (launched in 2025)
As a Kiva Trustee, we publicly endorse entrepreneur campaigns to boost their approval odds — and provide a free Capital Campaign Checklist to help founders plan, launch, and manage successful fundraising efforts that reach full capitalization.
Regenerative Capital,
Fueled by You
Want to fuel these community-based economies? You have two simple ways to get involved:
🌿 Buy Blaze merch: Every purchase funds a Kiva entrepreneur's loan raise. As they repay it, we reinvest 100% of the repayment into another entrepreneur — again and again. That means your hoodie or hat doesn't just look good — it circulates capital in our communities for years to come.
🌿 Join our Lending Teams: You can make a big impact with as little as $25. Once an entrepreneur is fully funded, they begin repaying their 0% interest, zero-fee loan in monthly installments — directly to you. You can either cash out your repayments or reinvest them into new campaigns, keeping the cycle of community capital alive.
Guidelines for Entrepreneurs
Interested in raising interest-free, zero-fee capital through our Kiva & Blaze partnership?
Follow the steps below.
01
Business Formation
To improve your odds of loan approval, be sure that you have legally formed your business and have proper documentation. This includes having a federal EIN number and Articles of Incorporation from your state. If you are a sole proprietor, having a DBA (doing business as) would be helpful to prove your business legitimacy.
02
Business Checking Account
Ensure that you have opened a business checking account, which will allow you to seamlessly separate your personal and business transactions. This is imperative for improving your odds of receiving approval for a loan through Kiva.
03
Define Your Plan
Map out your plan for use of loan proceeds. While there is no minimum number of years that you must have been in business to qualify for a business loan through Kiva - it is imperative that you choose the right type of capital for your current needs.
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Credit cards may be more optimal for cash flow timing mismatches (i.e. purchase books then selling them at a book launch 3 weeks later so that you fully repay).
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Loans are best suited for investments that will make your production cycles more efficient and ultimately increase your revenue (i.e., buying a new piece of equipment).
Beneficiary Testimonials
"The loan we received is helping us educate, restore, and support women who struggle with instability in their lives"
June Chambliss
$9,500
Providing stable temporary housing for women living with the threat of homelessness
245
June received a direct endorsement from Blaze Group that fast-tracked her fundraising efforts
LOAN RAISED
USE OF FUNDS
# OF LENDERS
TRUSTEE
We endorsed June given her organization's proven market traction, secondary source of income, and healthy debt/income ratio.
Casey Ariel Thobias, Founder & CEO, Blaze Group LLC
Funding Tips from the Blog
