HDI works with the nonprofit, philanthropic and government sectors in a multi-pronged approach.
What we do
The true nature of poverty can be felt most deeply in rural communities throughout Haiti. Without access to government programs, families rely on their communities to provide them the support and services they need to survive on a daily basis.
Civil society organizations fill an outsized role in supporting the livelihoods of poor families and leading efforts to solve community problems. But they struggle with almost no support and few resources. Most philanthropy and aid to Haiti does not reach local organizations.
With the support of its donor partners, HDI channels financial resources to credible nonprofits and projects, and builds the capacity of local organizations so they can effectively address health, education, and economic development problems in their communities.
However, transforming communities requires not only capacity and resources but also mobilization, civic engagement, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
This multi-pronged approach requires patient leadership and sustainability of efforts.
Capacity Building of Local Organizations and Leaders
Community organizations matter. They make it possible to collectively mobilize individual powers and resources to face community challenges with greater possibility. They work to:
promote animal husbandry and agroecology,
develop processing facilities and infrastructure;
improve community health care and education;
organize youth development activities; and
facilitate social organizations for savings and credit access.
While local nonprofits are committed and innovative, they often need support to strengthen their governance and leadership, project/program planning, financial management and human resources.
HDI invests in local leadership through organizational capacity building programs for leaders and mission-driven Haitian-led organizations.
INTERMEDIARY GRANTMAKING AND PhilanthropIC ADVISING
With expert advice and support on the ground in Haiti, HDI helps funders contribute to truly sustainable development by fueling the local leaders who will drive Haiti to its brighter future.
We:
Help funders resource Haitian-led development efforts by acting as philanthropic intermediary and making grants to credible local organizations.
Build the capacity of local partners.
Provide advice on philanthropic strategy.
Produce research on Haitian development issues and sectors.
Support grant administration with due diligence, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and partner convening.
Guide visits to current or potential grantees and investments, or on exploratory trips to get to know the country better.
Civic Leader and Convener
HDI supports both community development in Haiti and international philanthropic collaboration for Haiti by serving as a civic hub.
Public awareness and civic participation are critical components of a thriving society. HDI creates platforms for civic engagement and provides space for disciplined dialogues to support local leaders’ efforts to transform their communities.
HDI also serves as a convener of leaders in philanthropy and development interested in collaborating on solutions to Haiti’s most pressing challenges.
Catalyst for Collective Impact
Development in Haiti requires partnerships and collaboration to pursue innovative initiatives at scale. HDI supports these efforts by connecting Haiti to key international networks supporting youth leadership (www.goyn.org) and collaborating with impactful partnerships like the Haiti Food Systems Alliance (www.hfsalliance.org).
HDI also acts as backbone organization for Kolektif Arcadins, an ambitious regional development initiative to create transformational change in the Arcadins coast region of Haiti, anchoring the multi-stakeholder initiative and incubating key missing institutions.
