Kiva.org: Redirect the money you're going to spend at a restaurant tonight and change a life.

Kiva is a life changing web app that you should know about ... and get involved with.  Short version: Kiva is a clearing house of individuals in developing countries looking for 'micro-finance' loans of hundreds of dollars and people like you and me who loan them money - as little as $25.  When enough sponsors have agreed to loan the total amount required, the person looking to change their lives by building a self-sustaining business gets their money ... and typically pays it back within 6 to 12 months.

What's this got to do with guitar amps?  Nothing.  However, we at Mack Music think Kiva is an extraordinary concept and we urge you to check it out and participate.  Seems to us that it's one of those 'right things to do'.

So ... Mack Music is directing $10 from the sale of every amp to an internal 'fund' that will be used for micro-loans via Kiva.  We'll keep you informed as we go.

Here's more info on micro-financing excerpted from the Kiva site:

What is micro-finance?

"Microfinance is the supply of loans, savings, and other basic financial services to the poor." (CGAP)

As the financial services of microfinance usually involve small amounts of money – small loans, small savings etc. – the term "microfinance" helps to differentiate these services from those which formal banks provide.

Why are they small? Someone who doesn't have a lot of money isn't likely to want to take out a $5,000 loan, or be able to open a savings account with an opening balance of $1,000. Hence – "micro"."

What are the effects of mico-financing?

"Comprehensive impact studies have demonstrated that:

• Microfinance helps very poor households meet basic needs and protect against risks;
• The use of financial services by low-income households is associated with improvements in household economic welfare and enterprise stability or growth;
• By supporting women's economic participation, microfinance helps to empower women, thus promoting gender-equity and improving household well-being;
• For almost all significant impacts, the magnitude of impact is positively related to the length of time that clients have been in the programme." (UNCDF Microfinance)."

Learn more at Kiva