Impact to Date
in micro-loans funded
of borrowers were women
different projects funded in Ecuador, Peru, Guatemala, Colombia, and Nicaragua
Why microloans?
We know what access to capital can mean for a business: When we need to buy cacao beans, we take out a loan from a credit union and buy 1,300 pounds at one time, then pay back that loan as we make and sell chocolate.
Many organic cacao farmers have entrepreneurial dreams and ambitions, and they need capital to bring their ideas to life. Too often, access to lending is out of reach because of where farmers live or longstanding socioeconomic inequalities.
Since 2024, we've helped people buy organic fertilizer for their cacao trees, build new greenhouses for plant nurseries, and get a motorcycle to bring crops to market.
We fund these microloans because they help organic farmers bring their ideas to life and build economic power.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you make the loans directly?
No, the loans are made through Kiva, which is a nonprofit that connects lenders with borrowers worldwide. You can check out our Kiva profile here.
Kiva works with local Lending partners like microfinance institutions, banks, cooperatives, and nonprofits. These partners are the ones who then screen borrowers, disburse funds, and collect repayments. Kiva helps coordinate the system and move funds between lenders (like us) and these local partners so borrowers can access financing that might otherwise be unavailable. Check Kiva out here
Do farmers pay interest?
Yes. Farmers pay the normal interest rates offered by local lenders in the countries where they live. However, most of these farmers would not have access to lending at all without organizations like KIVA.
We put up capital so a loan can be made, and we only receive our original loan amount back over time. Caldera Cacao does not collect any interest from these loans.
Any interest paid by the farmer goes to the local lending partner that organizes and services the loan, helping cover the cost of making small loans in rural communities such as staff time, travel, and administrative overhead.
Are loans tied to purchasing decisions?
No. We have yet to fund a loan for someone we buy cacao from. That might change in the future, but fundamentally our loan-funding decisions are not tied to purchasing decisions. The whole point of these loans is to help organic farmers have MORE options when it comes to selling their cacao - not fewer.
How can I support this work?
Your interest in, and support of, our chocolate company makes this work possible! We also have a few special events throughout the year where 100% of proceeds go directly toward funding these loans. Examples include the Chocolate Making course that we teach for Montana State University's OLLI program and our S’More pop-ups!
Soy productor de cacao. ¿Cómo puedo solicitar un préstamo?
Si está interesado en un préstamo o en participar en estos proyectos, por favor envíenos una nota a través de nuestra página de contacto. En el mensaje, cuéntenos un poco sobre su finca, su comunidad, y el tipo de apoyo que está buscando.
Puede escribirnos en español. Nos encantaría conocer más sobre tu proyecto.
Let's Go Beyond Fair
You might have seen a patch that reads “Let’s Go Beyond Fair” on our chocolate bars. For us, going Beyond Fair means paying better-than-fair-trade prices, funding microloans for organic farmers, and supporting farmers and cooperatives that are prioritizing regenerative agriculture.
Keep reading to learn more about our work paying better-than-fair-trade prices and why regenerative agricultural matters to us when it comes to ethical trade.
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Regenerative Agriculture
See our farming standardsWe source from farmers and cooperatives that practice regenerative farming — methods that improve soil health, protect watersheds, and build stronger ecosystems with each harvest.
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Transparent Trade
See our trade standardsWe know where our cacao comes from, and we take personal responsibility to ensure farmers are fairly compensated for their time, energy, and expertise.
