Haiti Empowered, a nonprofit that operates schools for more than 2,500 children in Haiti, is taking its mission on the road as it faces a critical budget shortfall. The organization, based in Eagan, Minnesota, announced The Empowered Road, a cross-country tour aimed at introducing a new generation of supporters to its work. The announcement comes as Haiti Empowered struggles to close a $150,000 gap caused by rising costs and a decline in child sponsorships.
The funding crisis has been building since the COVID-19 pandemic halted mission trips, which had been a primary way the organization connected with donors. "When mission trips stopped during COVID, the work continued. But that pipeline largely disappeared," said Kay Larson, president of Haiti Empowered. At one point, child sponsorship accounted for about 75 percent of the organization's income; today, it is closer to 47 percent. Meanwhile, expenses for food, fuel, medical supplies, transportation, and wages for the Haitian team have all increased. The organization is currently feeding children on credit.
The stakes are high. More than half of Haiti's population faces acute hunger, with over 1.8 million people in the emergency phase. An estimated 253,725 young children are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition over the coming year, and one in seven Haitian children is already out of school, with nearly a million more at risk of dropping out. For many children, a Haiti Empowered school is more than a place to learn; it is where they eat, receive healthcare, and find safety.
Last year, Haiti Empowered faced a similar budget gap that threatened to close a school. The organization partnered with Creative Studio Productions, an Eagan-based creative agency, to launch the Adopt a Box campaign. The campaign allowed supporters to donate at levels from $25 to $1,000 and was custom coded to connect with Haiti Empowered's existing CRM. In thirty days, the campaign raised $42,000, surpassing its $40,000 goal, and kept the school open.
Now, with a larger gap, Haiti Empowered is again seeking support, but this time through personal introductions. The Empowered Road tour is asking supporters to introduce the organization to their churches, businesses, foundations, and communities. "The Empowered Road runs on introductions," Larson said. Those interested can request a meeting or gathering through Haiti Empowered's website. The organization also provided a campaign image to help share its story.
The success of the road tour could determine whether thousands of children continue to receive daily meals, education, and healthcare. As Larson noted, "Thirty days once saved a school. This time, it will take a whole community." The outcome will have lasting implications for the children who depend on Haiti Empowered and for the organization's ability to sustain its mission in a country facing profound humanitarian challenges.
