The Role of Haitian-Led Foundations in Reclaiming Narrative and Power

Haitian-led foundations hold a strategic place within the philanthropic system, which is sometimes forgotten in the broader global dialogue.

These foundations function at the nexus of local knowledge, private capital, and public trust. They recognize community needs, not as statistics, but as lived experiences. They have the opportunity to invest in areas that may be ignored or devalued by external actors.

In reclaiming the narrative, Haitian-led foundations break the cycle of thinking that external expertise is necessary for change. They believe that solutions are already underway, and that philanthropy’s place is to enhance, not replace, this leadership.

In reclaiming power, Haitian-led foundations can:

• Provide flexible funding to grassroots organizations.
  • Haitian-led foundations have the opportunity to provide flexible funding for grassroots organizations, which is something that many other funders, especially those outside Haiti, cannot offer: a sense of trust-based, flexible financing, which allows organizations to respond to real needs, meet operational costs, and be able to make changes without the fear of losing funding. Flexibility is not a lack of accountability; flexibility is a willingness to allow impact to lead.
• Support institutional development and leadership pipelines.
  • Effective programs need effective institutions. Haitian-led foundations should invest in governance, financial systems, leadership development, and succession planning to help organizations transition from survival mode to thrive. People, not just projects, are supported to ensure continuity and long-term success.
• Convene stakeholders across sectors.
  • Haitian-led foundations can act as neutral conveners, bringing together civil society, diaspora, private sector, and public actors who often work in silos. These spaces enable shared learning, coordination, and trust, shifting the ecosystem from competition to collaboration.
• Anchor long-term strategies beyond donor cycles.
  • Unlike short grant timelines, Haitian-led foundations often have enduring commitments to communities. This allows them to support multi-year strategies, preserve institutional memory, and protect long-term visions from shifting donor priorities. Stability is a form of power.

Strengthening Haitian-led foundations is not symbolic; it is strategic. They represent one of the most viable pathways toward a philanthropic ecosystem rooted in dignity, continuity, and self-determination.