Intelligence and ability are equally distributed throughout the world, but access to economic opportunity is not. Roughly three-quarters of Haitians are either unemployed or trying to make ends meet in the informal economy, and 75% of Haiti’s people live in abject poverty. For the entrepreneurs and businesses that do operate in Haiti, access to financing and start-up funding is extremely difficult to obtain thanks to Haiti’s economic situation.
In order to reduce inequality and promote Haitian economic development in building an inclusive and cohesive society, Hope for Haiti invests in social entrepreneurs and businesses by making loans and grants. We believe that a well-established social entrepreneurship program in Haiti helps to enhance its sustainable development programs and create more jobs not only for youth but also for other marginalized populations around the country.
Our economic development investments are targeted to support the social and economic development of education, healthcare, sustainable agriculture, technology, renewable energy, gender equality, and eco-tourism.
Program Areas

Grants
Hope for Haiti makes grants of up to $30,000 to support social business start-ups and entrepreneurs.
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Loans
Hope for Haiti makes loans of up to $50,000 (up to $100,000 by invitation only) to support social business start-ups and entrepreneurs.
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Micro-Loans
Hope for Haiti makes small loans of up to $3,000 to support rural farming cooperatives and rural businesses. Submission of application is by invitation only.

Economy Challenge
Hope for Haiti holds an annual Economy Challenge which invites entrepreneurs working within Hope for Haiti’s core impact areas of Education, Clean Energy & Environment, Food Security, Healthcare & Nutrition, Eco-tourism, and Technology to present their ideas to a panel of judges comprised of Haitian nationals and other Hope for Haiti partners.
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Artisan Fund
In partnership with Vetiver Les Cayes, Hope for Haiti is accepting proposals in response to this Request for Proposal (RFP) in order to find qualified Artisans located in the Sud, Grand Anse, and Nippes Department to receive a grant. Selected proposals will have the opportunity to attend a three (3) day virtual business workshop and one (1) proposal will be awarded $5,000. Submission: Proposals can be submitted to ekonomi@hopeforhaiti.com until March 10, 2021.
Download the RFPMake an impact
Make an impact improving the Haiti economic situation!
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$5
Employ a farmer in a partner school garden for one day.
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$100
Purchase 20 handmade necklaces from a social business cooperative.
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$250
Support a small business training for one entrepreneur.
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$1,000
Provide a small business loan to a rural farmer.
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$2,500
Support a women’s coop in purchasing livestock.
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$5,000
Provide start up funding to a social entrepreneur.
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$10,000
Invest in ecotourism and sustainable farming.
STORIES ABOUT ECONOMY
Staff Blog: Developing a 3-5 Year Vision for our Economy Program at the American Express Leadership Academy
Three of our team members (Meg Orazio, Chief Impact Officer; Linda Thélémaque, Country Director; and Christina Baptiste, Economy Program Manager) participated in the American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Thunderbird School of Management this fall. Below, read their reflection on the program and how the skills they learned have helped shape the future of […]
Read MoreImpact in Action: Our Response to COVID-19
Last updated: 12/16/20 Our team took great care in using lessons learned from our response during the 2010 Earthquake, Haiti’s Cholera Epidemic, and Hurricane Matthew to plan our response to the economic, social, and health impacts of COVID-19. As always, we are fundamentally committed to adhering to the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and good […]
Read MoreResponding to COVID-19: Our Action Plan
Dear Hope for Haiti Family, We are thinking of you and your families, and I hope that all of you are staying safe and healthy during these challenging times. Today is World Health Day, and I would like to take this opportunity to share what the Hope for Haiti team is doing in the global fight […]
Read MoreDecember E-Gram: The Power of Hope in 2017
THANK YOU for an inspiring and impactful 2017! Your trust and support helped Hope for Haiti make a positive impact in the lives of more than 500,000 children, parents, and grandparents living in southern Haiti through investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, water, and economy. I want to thank our loyal volunteers, donors, partners and friends […]
Read MoreNovember E-Gram: The Power of a Meal
Manilia Beauvil has been the head cook at the Tete Source school lunch program since it was founded in 2012. Manilia is a proud mother of three who wakes up at 4:00 am every day to get her children ready to go to school, and she is determined to give them the best possible life. All […]
Read MoreApril 2016- Make a Sustainable Difference This Earth Day!
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Read MoreInternational Women’s Day 2016
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Read MoreJuly 2015- Summer Intern
Summer Intern Brings Passion and Tenacity to Hope for Haiti Click here to view E-gram
Read MoreJune 2015- Happy Father’s Day!
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Read MoreDecember 2014 Reforestation
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