Haiti has a population of 11.5 million people and 52.3% live at or below the poverty line ($3.20 USD). This makes it the poorest country in Latin America and the Caribbean region. Haiti continues to struggle with corruption, high unemployment rates, poor infrastructure, and inaccessible and ineffective education. Many charities are now working to provide more than just temporary aid, they are seeking to solve Haiti’s poverty at the root causes. So we had to ask: What are the best charities impacting Haiti?

The best charities impacting Haiti are Hope for Haiti, Fonkoze, and the Haitian Health Foundation. UNICEF and Save the Children particularly focus on the welfare of children in Haiti. 

Whether you want to improve Haiti’s education system, support Haitian entrepreneurs, or improve access to health care, there is a charity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what the best charities impacting Haiti are all about, how they work, and what your best way would be to make a contribution.

Here’s What All the Best Charities Impacting Haiti Have in Common

All of the charities on this list share the common goal of supporting Haiti to resolve the root causes of poverty.

They work with the people of Haiti to be a part of their solution and help them improve their own lives.

These charities work to improve access to health care, job opportunities, and improve the education system. Some also go deeper by implementing strategies for educational institutions to sustain quality curriculums long-term and for people to create businesses that will support their families for years to come.

When it comes to healthcare, many of these charities work to educate communities on how to prevent disease and install impactful systems to enable access to clean water.

Yet, they all share the same goal; to empower Haitans to pull themselves out of poverty.

These Are the 9 Best Charities Impacting Haiti in 2024

Below are our favorite charities impacting Haiti (you can click on their link to directly jump to their section in this article):

Best Charities Impacting Haiti

Hope for Haiti

Fonkoze

UNICEF

Save the Children

Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods (SOIL)

Partners in Health

Mission of Hope Haiti International

Haitian Health Foundation

Haiti Partners

(At the end of this article we’ll also share our six-step approach on how you can select the best charity to support.)

Hope for Haiti: Building a Foundation for Thriving Families Through Education

Hope for Haiti was founded in 1989 by JoAnne Kuehner to create healthy, thriving families through quality education. Today, the organization has expanded to include programs that support clean water access, sanitation, infrastructure, and small business development in Haiti.

Hope for Haiti has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. The charity has also earned a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“To improve the quality of life for the Haitian people, particularly children.”

Hope for Haiti

Hope for Haiti operates programs to support the economy, infrastructure, access to clean water, education, and healthcare in Haiti. The charity particularly focuses on education by providing continuous training to teachers, school supplies for children, and by building new schools and gardens. Hope for Haiti also operates a hospital in Southern Haiti to provide medical assistance to vulnerable communities, as well as mobile clinics to reach rural areas. 

To date, Hope for Haiti has sponsored over 400 teacher salaries, which has enabled over 7,000 kids to attend school. Furthermore, their health clinic in Les Cayes supports over 15,000 patients a year in primary care and health education. Hope for Haiti has also improved access to clean water by helping to filter over 65 million gallons of water through distributing Sawyer Filtration systems. In addition, the organization has been able to install and maintain over 30 computer labs with more than 1,000 computers. Through all their various programs, Hope for Haiti has been able to consistently employ over 140 Haitians. 

You can donate directly to Hope for Haiti through their website. You can also support the charity by shopping through AmazonSmile, or by purchasing Hope for Haiti merchandise from their online store.

Fonkoze: Empowering Haitians to Rise up From Poverty

Fonkoze was founded in 1994 by Father Joseph Philippe to help Haiti’s poorest populations, particularly women, grow their businesses and pull themselves out of poverty. Today, the organization continues to support small businesses and entrepreneurs, as well as providing healthcare and education programs. 

Fonkoze has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. The organization has also earned a Platinum Seal for Transparency on GuideStar. 

“To empower Haitians, primarily women, with financial and development services to lift their families out of poverty.”

Fonkoze

Fonkoze empowers Haitian women to move out of poverty by providing financial and developmental services. The foundation of the organization is built on their Fonkoze’s Staircase Out of Poverty concept, which supports women through an 18-month journey to start a business and build sustainable livelihoods. As the women travel the steps, Fonkoze continues to support them by building knowledge, resources, and finances to grow their businesses. In addition, Fonkoze runs programs to provide access to vital healthcare for rural communities and adult education programs to help individuals cover their own basic needs.

Fonkoze provides support to around 250,000 households every year through their health services and education programs. For example, in 2020, Fonkoze disbursed $19 million in micro-loans to support business growth and $9 million in loans, averaging $1,200, to support business development. The charity has also helped 30,000 adults learn to read through their literacy and business skills programs. 

You can support Fonkoze by donating directly to the organization. You can also support the charity by starting a fundraiser or by joining a Giving Circle.

UNICEF: Fighting for Access to Clean Water and Fulfilling the Basic Needs of Children

UNICEF was founded in 1946 by the United Nations General Assembly to support mothers and children in times of emergency. Today, UNICEF works on a global level to protect, nourish, and give educational opportunities to the world’s extremely disadvantaged children, including those in Haiti. 

UNICEF has a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator. According to their financial statements, they spent 84% of their income on charitable programs for children, 4% on administration costs, and 12% on fundraising efforts. 

“To advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.”

UNICEF

UNICEF supports vulnerable children in Haiti with healthcare, immunizations, education, and protection from violence. They have also developed a comprehensive WASH program that focuses on developing access, safety and sustainability for water in Haiti at household, community, and school levels. In addition, the charity has supported education in Haiti by working to rebuild schools and providing school supplies, as well as psychological support, and access to alternative education programs. 

Since their founding, UNICEF has remained dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable communities in Haiti. For example, in 2021, they raised $41 million dollars to provide 618,000 people with access to water and over 120,000 people with hygiene kits. In the same year, the organization supported emergency healthcare services for over 32,500 people and vaccinated 214,000 children against measles. In just one year, UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, identified and treated over 34,000 severely malnourished children. 

You can support UNICEF through a direct donation to the organization. You can also support the charity by volunteering in the areas of fundraising, advocacy, and education. 

Save the Children: Protecting the Rights of Children to be Healthy and Safe

Save the Children was founded in 1919 by Eglantyne Jebb to address the health, safety, and education of children. The charity has been well established in Haiti since 1978, and now has programs that support clean water, hygiene, health, education, and the protection of children from violence.

Save the Children has a 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator. The organization has also been given the Platinum Seal for Transparency from GuideStar.

“Children have the right to grow up healthy, educated, and safe.”

Save the Children

Save the Children supports vulnerable children in Haiti through a variety of programs. Through their health care programs, the charity focuses on the health and nutrition needs of mothers and children in Haiti. The organization also supports education by training households for early learning at home, training teachers, restoring schools, and distributing school materials. Furthermore, Save the Children strengthens protection for children by offering activities outside of school. They also promote the message to families to use positive discipline as an alternative to corporal punishment. 

Since their founding, Save the Children has continued to support and protect vulnerable children in Haiti. For example, in 2021, the charity helped an estimated 99,000 children, which kept 71,000 children healthy and nourished, 20,000 children educated, and 200 children protected from violence. In the same year, the charity lifted 600 children from poverty and helped 3,000 children that were directly impacted by crises. 

You can donate to Save the Children directly through their website. You can also support the charity by sponsoring a child, or giving a practical gift such as a bicycle, goat, or a clean water kit.

Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods (SOIL): Preventing the Spread of Disease through Safe Sanitation

Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods (SOIL) was founded in 2006 by Sasha Kramer and Sarah Brownell to address the sanitation crisis in Haiti. Today, the charity provides proper toilet systems, safe waste removal, and treatment to prevent the spread of waterborne disease.  

Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods has a 94 out of 100 rating from Charity Navigator. The organization has also been given the Gold Seal for Transparency from GuideStar.

“To create dignified, sustainable, safely-managed sanitation which optimizes resource recovery and is accessible to all.”

Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods

Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods (SOIL) combats the sanitation crisis in Haiti by implementing affordable household sanitation systems, as well as providing free public toilets. They also install waste treatment facilities and apply ecological sanitation (EcoSan) to convert human waste to usable, fertile compost. Furthermore, the work SOIL does to keep sanitation accessible provides continuous job opportunities in Haiti. SOIL’s programs also replenish rich soil to eroded areas which defends against flooding and supports farmers in growing more food. 

Today, Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods (SOIL) transforms over 50 metric tons of human waste into safe, organic, agricultural-grade compost every month. They have also implemented public toilets for over 2,700 people and have two full-time salaried Haitin mangers to maintain these public toilets.

You can donate directly to Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods through their website.

Partners in Health: Fighting for the Right to Access Quality Health Care

Partners In Health was founded in 1987 by Paul Farmer, Thomas J. White, and Todd McCormack to address the health care needs of the poorest populations. Today, the organization partners with local governments to improve access to healthcare around the world, including in Haiti.

Partners in Health has earned a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator. According to Charity Navigator, they spend 89% of their donations on program expenses. 

“Our mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care”

Partners in Health

Partners in Health founded the Zanmi Lasante (ZL) organization which runs 15 clinics and hospitals across Haiti. With the exception of the government, the ZL network of health centers is Haiti’s largest health services provider. The organization has special programs that focus on improving access to HIV care, Tuberculosis care, maternal and child care, malnutrition, and mental health care across the country. 

Today, Partners in Health employs 6,300 staff including 2,500 community health workers in Haiti. This enables the organization to deliver 1,500 babies safely each month, and provide mental health care for 2,100 people annually. Through their facilities, they offer regular care to over 12,000 patients with HIV in Haiti. The charity also provides 7,800 children with malnutrition services each year. 

You can donate directly to Partners in Health. They accept one-time donations as well as monthly donations to support their programs.

Mission of Hope Haiti International: Impacting Haitians Through Education and Self-Development

Mission of Hope Haiti International was founded in 2000 by Pastor Lexidan Edmé to make education accessible for those that could not afford it. Today, the organization continues to support education as well as running programs to strengthen communities and distribute food in Haiti. 

Mission of Hope Haiti International has a 90 out of 100 rating from Charity Navigator. 

“To positively impact the population spiritually, physically and emotionally.”

Mission of Hope Haiti International

Mission of Hope Haiti International has established churches to provide safe places and promote unity in communities in Haiti. The organization also runs a subsidized school for classes from preschool through 12th grade. In addition, the charity provides each student with a nutritious meal during the school day and employs farmers to address their agricultural needs. 

Mission of Hope Haiti International continues to serve 800 children every year in their subsidized school. In addition, they have founded 5 churches in different areas to provide local youth with music lessons and alternative afternoon activities. 

You can get involved with Mission of Hope International by donating through their website. The charity also accepts volunteers to work on various projects.   

Haitian Health Foundation: Bringing Adequate Health Care to Rural Areas

The Haitian Health Foundation was founded in 1982 by Dr. Jeremiah Lowney to offer free dental care to Haitians. Today the charity runs a health care system that serves the city of Jérémie and over 100 rural villages in the Grand’Anse, Haiti.

The Haitian Health Foundation has a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator. GuideStar has awarded the charity the Bronze Seal of Transparency. 

“To improve the health and well-being of women, children, families, and communities in Haiti through healthcare, education and community development.”

Haitian Health Foundation

The Haitian Health Foundation sponsors the education of children and provides a variety of health care services, such as preventative care and curative care in Haiti. These include vaccinations, nutrition, mental health, and dental. They perform these services through their established clinics. However, they will also make home visits for patients that are too at risk to travel. Haitian Health Foundation puts a particular focus on mothers, children, and safe births by maintaining a dedicated maternal health center, providing emergency transportation from rural areas, and sending mobile health clinics into local communities.

Since their founding, the Haitian Health Foundation has helped 250,000 people through their healthcare services. The organization now employs 248 staff and 98% are Haitian. In addition, they support emergency transport from mountain areas for 300 women annually that experience difficulties during labor.

You can support the Haitian Health Foundation by donating directly. You can also contribute by giving a gift that supports self-sufficiency such as a goat, or by volunteering. 

Haiti Partners: Building Quality Education through Self-Sustaining Educational Institutions

Haiti Partners was founded in 2009 by John Engle to empower Haitians by providing quality education. Today, the charity runs the Children’s Academy and Learning Center, as well as supports established schools to develop quality curriculums and improve infrastructure.  

Haiti Partners has a 100 out of 100 score for finance and accountability from Charity Navigator. They have also earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Haiti Partners’ mission is to Help Haitians Change Haiti through Education.”

Haiti Partners

Haiti Partners runs the Children’s Academy and Learning Center from preschool through to 6th Grade. They also support schools through funding, training, and improving infrastructure to ensure they have the resources they need to provide quality education. Furthermore, the organization encourages each school to create a social business or entrepreneurial venture to become self-sustaining. They also keep a health clinic on-site at the Children’s Academy where students and parents can receive care. 

To date, Haiti Partners has helped 1,337 children access education through their model schools and partner schools. They have also completed various projects in the local communities. For example between 2020 and 2021, they planted 600 food-bearing gardens in the homes of their students and staff. They also implemented water catchment systems in 200 households. Every day 100 children attend various afternoon activities at the Children’s Academy, including sports, language learning, and homework help.

You can support Haiti Partners through direct donations. You can also attend a benefit event or shop handmade Items in Haiti Partner’s gift shop. 

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best charities impacting Haiti. However, you may have a particular charity you want to support. Let’s look at what you can do to ensure your contribution has the most significant impact.

• Check out the charity website. Charities that are worthy of your donations are transparent in their mission and their figures. Familiarise yourself with their history, mission, and values. Their website usually is the best place to start.
• Identify the charity’s mission. Without a goal, the charity is likely to fail. If the charity’s mission isn’t clear, it’s probably worth looking for a charity that does have a clear mission. 
• Check if the charity has measurable goals. An effective charity has clear goals. You want to know your donation will help the charity reach its goals. But if it doesn’t have targets, it’s likely to fail or squander your gift. The charity should be able to account for its spending and supply evidence of the work they do.
• Assess the successes or goals the charity has achieved. You wouldn’t invest in a business if it kept missing its targets. In the same way, charities are like this too. If no one is assessing a charity’s progress in reaching its targets, the chances are they’re not making a substantial positive change.
• Check the charity’s financials and stats. Trustworthy organizations will publish financial statements and reports each year. Some might be exempt from having to do so, but they should be able to provide them to public members who are interested in donating.
• Locate sources who work with or benefit from the charity. Word of mouth and first-hand experience of a charity’s work lets you know the charity’s quality. If you’re able to do so, check out the charity for yourself or speak to someone familiar with it. This way, your donation will go to the right place. 

How Can You Best Support These Charities?

After you’ve made your decision, it’s time for you to decide on how you’d like to help the charities you’ve chosen. Check how you can help – each charity runs specific programs that have unique aims. Find out what the aim of such programs is and whether they are right for you. 

Here are a few ways you can help your chosen charity:

• Donate money. You can find donation pages on the website of most charities. Your donation can be a one-time payment, or you can set it to be deducted regularly at different intervals. You can mostly pay via credit card, but some charities also take PayPal or Bitcoin payments.
• Buy their official merchandise. The charities can also raise money by selling merchandise. So, you can support them by buying the mugs, shirts, caps, pens, pencils, and any other such items they may be selling. Ideally, you should buy as much as you can to share and spread the word about the charity’s activities.
• Engage in volunteer work. As you’ve seen from our descriptions above, some charities engage in a lot of local and grassroots programs. You can help by taking on and organizing the program in your local area.
• Help their fundraising efforts. You can spread the word about the charity in your workplace, school, church, etc., and hold creative fundraising drives on social media or offline within your small circles.
• Share their stories. Most charities have compelling stories that you can share with your audience to attract more people to the cause.

Final Thoughts

Now it is up to you to select the charity that resonates most with you. And whichever charity you end up choosing and contributing to, we are sure that they will immensely appreciate your support. Hopefully, the information within this article has made this selection process a bit easier for you to support charities dedicated to impacting Haiti – based on the causes that matter most to you.

Stay impactful,

PS: Finally, I want to leave you with a thought-provoking TED talk from Dan Pallotta, a leading philanthropic activist and fundraiser, about what is wrong with the way we think about charities – and what we can do about it:

Sources

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