This past month, Dogpatch Boulders was pleased to host the incredible staff of Kiva, an international microlending nonprofit based in San Francisco. As a bouldering gym, we are constantly encouraging positive interactions between friends and strangers alike; it was great to extend that positivity to a group that works so tirelessly to forge new community ties both locally and globally. We sat down with Sean of the Kiva US Team to talk a little bit about the organization and the team’s bouldering day out.
“Kiva was founded in 2005 with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. We recognize that dreams are universal; opportunity is not.
We celebrate and support people looking to create a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities. Our crowd-lending platform allows anyone to lend to a person in need of a business loan and help that person achieve their dreams.
Within the larger Kiva organization is the US program that seeks to increase the amount of small businesses in America in order to spread opportunity to those who are financially excluded. The Kiva US Team uses a direct method of lending that crowdsources 0% interest loans.
Climbing has been a fond pastime for the Kiva US Team, and we decided to take a group trip to Dogpatch Boulders in order to take a little time and stress off. Our group culture is extremely passionate and hard-working—qualities which translate well to the methodical nature of climbing. No matter how long or difficult the route, that feeling of topping out after working together to come up with the solution just can’t be beat. Even when we aren’t at work, we can’t stop crowdsourcing!”
Dogpatch Boulders is honored to be able to support the physical and mental wellbeing of the staff at Kiva while they continue to do such important work. To learn more about our outreach programing and community development, contact us at (415) 800-8121.
