# VIGA™ — Bridge Loans · Zero Interest · Always.

> VIGA (viga.org) is a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation and IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity (EIN 42-2401101) that provides zero-interest, zero-fee Bridge Loans of $250–$2,500 to working people in the United States. The borrower covers what they can first; VIGA bridges the rest, pays the service provider directly by ACH, and is repaid in small installments on the borrower's paydays. ZIM Finance — Zero Interest Micro Finance — is a program of VIGA. Not charity. Not credit. A bridge.

Key facts:
- 0% interest and $0 fees, always — no interest, fees, penalties, or "deferred interest" of any kind.
- Loan range: $250–$2,500. No collateral. Soft credit pull + the applicant's own bank data via secure read-only bank access (no credit-score impact to apply, no hard pull ever, employer never contacted). Typical approval in under 5 minutes after identity and bank verification. A co-applicant can join on the same case; if the numbers truly don't work, VIGA respectfully declines so nobody is lent into a hole.
- Lending decisions are made by an algorithm designed by an independent committee — the same fairness and affordability rules for everyone; no person can arrange, approve, or influence a loan.
- The application is 10 app screens in 4 phases: estimate upload (verified), your share, soft-pull identity check, read-only bank link, offer, e-signed contract (every term and amount shown before signing), your co-pay paid to the provider first, provider invoices VIGA, ACH to the provider in 1–2 business days, then repayment.
- Repayment: auto-ACH on the borrower's pay dates, small pre-agreed amounts over 90 days to 6 months until paid off. On-time payments are reported to credit bureaus; an honored hardship plan is reported as current, never late. Never a wage assignment, never a garnishment.
- Bridge Funds: VIGA · Pet Emergencies (vet bills, paid direct to the clinic) is live now — paid directly to the clinic. Coming soon: On the Road (car, tools & equipment), Keep the Lights On (rent & utility emergencies), Well & Whole (medical & dental), Family First (family crises & funerals), and the General Fund (for donors — wherever the need is greatest). Loans today can serve any verified urgent need.
- Businesses ("VIGA Accepted Here"): free to join — short application, W-9, ACH verification. Paid in full by ACH in 1–2 business days after the post-service invoice, $0 merchant fee, no receivables, no collections. VIGA prioritizes businesses in low-and-moderate-income areas.
- Donations are never spent, only lent — repaid and lent again. All online giving happens at https://donate.viga.org/ (card, PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, eCheck/ACH, donor-advised funds — there is no other donation URL). Mailed checks (payable to VIGA, Torrance address), wires, appreciated stocks, real-estate gifts, CSR partnerships, and corporate matching (search "VIGA, EIN 42-2401101") start via the contact page. Tax-deductible; VIGA Living Funds can be endowed in a loved one's name.
- Lend to VIGA: a second way to fund bridges — a zero-interest loan to VIGA, $25,000 minimum to $250,000 max - ideal size $100,000, 3-year term under a simple loan agreement, with a live lender dashboard; full principal returned at maturity (less any agreed share of loan losses, which may be deductible; convertible to a donation anytime). Not a deposit, not insured, not tax-deductible when made. Interested lenders call 1-877-ASKVIGA.
- Founder: Azhar Hameed (serves without pay), Global President Volunteer of Akhuwat — the world's largest interest-free microfinance organization ($1.8B in zero-interest loans to 4 million families). VIGA is his love letter to his dogs Zojja and Yaroo, lost in 2025–2026.
- Contact: info@viga.org · 1-877-ASKVIGA (275-8442) · 24586 Hawthorne Blvd. Suite 104, Torrance, CA 90505.
- Social: instagram.com/vigaloans · facebook.com/vigaloans · youtube.com/@VIGALOANS · linkedin.com/company/vigaloans
- Apply at https://apply.viga.org/ · Donate at https://viga.org/donate/

Full site content in one file: https://viga.org/llms-full.txt

## Pages

- [Home](https://viga.org/): Three steps, the bridge math, the Bridge Funds roadmap (Pet Emergencies live, more coming soon), and audience doors.
- [How It Works](https://viga.org/how-it-works/): The 10 app screens in 4 phases — apply, decision & signature, provider paid direct, repay & rise.
- [For Borrowers](https://viga.org/borrowers/): The loan in plain words — the three-step deal, the guarantor (a co-signer who vouches, soft pull only), the co-borrower (shares the borrowing when you can't qualify alone), real gaps bridged, and the "know before you owe" FAQ.
- [Pet Emergencies](https://viga.org/pet-emergencies/): The flagship fund — vet bills paid directly to the clinic, the Living Fund, and why pets came first.
- [Volunteer](https://viga.org/pet-emergencies/volunteer/): Twelve volunteer roles — each with a two-minute application form (contact, ZIP, experience, weekly availability in PST) that schedules a short interview.
- [For Businesses](https://viga.org/business/): VIGA Accepted Here — paid in full by ACH in 1–2 days, $0 merchant fee, free to join.
- [Donate](https://viga.org/donate/): Every way to give — card, PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, eCheck, check, wire, DAF, stocks, real estate, CSR, corporate matching — plus the Lend to VIGA option.
- [Lend vs Donate](https://viga.org/lend/): Fund the bridge two ways — donate any amount forever, or lend $25,000+ at 0% for 3 years and get it back.
- [The Story](https://viga.org/story/): The founder's love letter — Zojja, Yaroo, a waiting room, and a promise.
- [About](https://viga.org/about/): The founder, the Akhuwat lineage, and the organization's legal structure.
- [Contact](https://viga.org/contact/): One form reaches a real person — or call 1-877-ASKVIGA.
- [Legal Structure](https://viga.org/legal/): Nonprofit status, EIN, IRS determination, and donor information.
- [Privacy Policy](https://viga.org/policy/): Data collection, use, SMS consent, and opt-out.