There’s a buzz in the air only worldwide sporting events can generate. Anticipation builds as fans and players gear up for an event that has been both several years and dreams in the making. As teams from around the globe gather in Australia and New Zealand for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Kiva is celebrating a unique opportunity to cheer on “one of our own” – the US Women’s National Team Players Association.
Beginning in 2022, Kiva partnered with the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association (USWNTPA) to expand financial access to help women in underserved communities thrive. By 2025, USWNTPA has committed to deploying $2.5M in zero-fee, zero-interest loan capital to U.S. small businesses through Kiva and the USWNT Player Impact Fund, an effort which continues to demonstrate the team’s real and tangible commitment to gender equity.
Since the partnership launched in 2022, Kiva and the USWNTPA have supported 1,461 borrowers with almost $300,000 in loans, with 82% of those loans going to BIPOC borrowers.
Committed to gender equity, on and off the field
The Kiva and USWNTPA partnership demonstrates the impact that can be unlocked when value-aligned organizations work together to solve systemic problems. Since our founding, Kiva has worked to advance gender equity through our innovative crowdfunded microloan model, with 81% of all our loans going to women. This impact is scaled even further alongside the USWNTPA’s own mission to address gender equity both on and off the field.
As the USWNTPA team members step onto one of the biggest stages in the world, they are ensuring that others are brought into the spotlight with them. In honor of the USWNTPA's fierce commitment to gender equity, Kiva is challenging fans to make a loan to women entrepreneurs around the world to show their support as the team competes in Australia and New Zealand. The campaign is celebrating #GoalZero, Kiva’s ambitious goal of a world where zero women lack financial access. The campaign kicks off today, Friday, July 21st and will run through the duration of the World Cup matches.
Four USWNTPA players took time to share their perspectives with Kiva and what the impact of this partnership means to them.
“I am blown away by the response from supporters helping us achieve these goals so quickly. I’m most excited about how many more businesses we will be able to impact and what that will do for the communities they are in.” - Naomi Girma, USWNTPA Member
“We fought for equal pay for so long as a collective because we know how important it is in any industry, not just soccer. I see the ground we have gained as inspiration, and I want the women coming after us to use that… to spread equality everywhere.” - Tierna Davidson, USWNTPA VP Treasurer
“We’ve seen the impact of the work we’ve done in the gender equity space ripple through women’s sports, and that’s given us platforms that reach beyond what we do on the field. As women we know what it is to be marginalized, but as professional athletes we also know what it is to have privilege of varying levels. While we have the platform, those dual life experiences are a motivator to use our voices to deliver visibility and support to people that can benefit from our megaphone.” - Crystal Dunn, USWNTPA VP Secretary
“Our fight for equal pay is one part of the desire to see a more equitable world. Our focus on economic justice and access are key ways to extend equality beyond the realm of sport.” - Becky Sauerbrunn, USWNTPA President
How you can get involved
The Kiva and USWNTPA World Cup campaign will be running on social media from July 20 through August 20, when the final championship match will take place. Follow Kiva on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to share and engage with the campaign.
For additional ways to contribute to gender and pay equity work, Annie Reid, USWNTPA Director of Strategic Partnerships, has some advice: “Your actions add up to collective change.” Annie recommends:
Joining the USWNTPlayers lending team! For as little as $25, you can impact a small business — it’s as easy as that.
Remember that your actions add up, so make an impact however you can.
Amplify marginalized voices through the media you engage with.
Seek out and patronize women-owned businesses and services.
Lend to women on Kiva with us and we will match it, doubling your impact. Helping that entrepreneur reach their goal will get more dollars circulating in their community for the greater good.
Every woman deserves an equal shot at their goals. While the USWNTPA team members are crushing it on the field, we’re working hard to reach #GoalZero and support more women entrepreneurs — because the field isn’t level until all women have equal financial opportunity. Join us on team #GoalZero as we cheer on our inspiring USWNTPA partners. Go team!
Partner with Kiva
Kiva is eager to continue exploring new approaches to partnerships for global good with partners like USWNTPA. Organizations interested in learning about the possibilities of a partnership with Kiva are encouraged to reach out to partnerships@kiva.org.
