Building on an asset framing model that promotes the strengths and resources of Haiti, Ayiti Community Trust (ACT) has long recognized the significant role that Haitians living outside of the country can play in the development of the country. As a community foundation building a permanent fund to support grassroots organizations in the areas of Civic Education, Entrepreneurship, and Environment, the founders and board of governance sought to unite Haitians throughout the glove in recognizing the vital role that we can play as a collective in the future of the country.

The recent article in Politico by Joel Dreyfuss confirmed what we knew all along. The children of Ayiti (Haiti) living outside of the country must play a significant role in the country's future development. Over the past five years, we remained laser focus on building relationships and partnerships with Haitian organizations and individuals in the US, Canada, and other parts of the globe. Despite the urgency we knew existed to act expeditiously, we recognized that this might be a slow process due to the trauma and many ways that Haitians in the diaspora have been betrayed by projects that often lead to no results. We knew that this would be a marathon, not a sprint, and we geared up for the journey ahead. We believe that a permanent fund using an endowment model can be created by Haitians for Haiti. We saw an example of that when, upon hearing about the fund we were creating for the country, a 65-year-old Haitian woman wrote a $60.00 check which served as the first check deposited into the fund account at the Miami Foundation (where the fund is being invested).

We aim to reach an initial 20 million dollars in the endowment in 5 years, yield about 1 million dollars in perpetuity, supporting grassroots organizations in the outskirts of the capitals. We know that such a goal is reachable with Haitians and friends of Haiti united in legacy to create something for the country that will exist for generations to come!

By Guerda Nicolas, PhD; President of Ayiti Community Trust

Yes, Haitians are philanthropists too! This was my response to a person recently who was surprised when I was talking about how we at Ayiti Community Trust are mobilizing Haitians throughout the globe to build an endowment fund for the country. This tells me that people may not see us as philanthropists. From my experience, Haitians are one of the most philanthropic groups that I know. However, our philanthropy looks different and more culturally congruent. There is a difference between creating a culture of philanthropy and cultural philanthropy. The words cultural philanthropy often evokes a focus on philanthropy that focused on arts and culture. What I mean by cultural philanthropy is how different cultural groups are engaging in philanthropy to promote

development in their countries. The word philanthropy is often associated with White and high-income individuals. We rarely pay attention to how different ethnic and cultural groups engage in philanthropy to promote development in their communities and countries. For example, a couple of years ago, we had a plantain farmer who offered us some of the regime plantains as his contributions to the fund. When he sold these sets of plantains, he gave us the money. This is a true example of cultural philanthropy that we must acknowledge and celebrate.

To promote the role that Haitians are playing in philanthropy, this year, during Haitian Heritage month, one of the most visible celebrations of Haitian heritage and cultures across the globe, Ayiti Community Trust launched Haitian Heritage month fundraising campaign with a $10, 000 goal. We sought to celebrate our culture while also show ways that Haitians are engaging in philanthropy. As a result, we had over 50 people join in the fundraising campaign throughout the US and Canada, and we exceed our goal!!

So the message is clear. Let's broaden our perspectives about philanthropy to shine a light on the various ways that different ethnic groups are engaging in philanthropy. We are starting the discussion with our experience with Haitians. Yes, Haitians are philanthropists!

By Guerda Nicolas, PhD; President of Ayiti Community Trust

Si nou chèche konprann byen, sivis vle di

respè, atachman ak devouman sitwayen genyen pou moun ki ap viv ansanm menm kote avèk yo, respè nan sa yo kwè ansanm ak respè pou lalwa. Ansanm règ sa yo ki ekri oswa ki pa ekri, jan pou moun viv nan yon sosyete, ki gen pou devwa mete regleman nan lavi popilasyon

an epi fasilite lavi kominote a. Ki vle di, se yon politik ki nesesè, pafwa li obligatwa, pou tout sitwayen ki ap viv nan yon kominote, pou kominote a kapab mache kòrekteman.

Potomitan pou devlopman dirab an Ayiti, Edikasyon

Sivik ap pèmèt sitwayen yo pran konsyans nan fon kè yo, konprann, respekte, epi simaye valè solidarite, tankou renmen frè ak sè, respekte lòt epi reskonsab tèt yo.

Ayiti Community Trust, rive konprann pou chanje

Ayiti, nou dwe mete piplis aksan sou jan nou ap montre sitwayen yo konprann kilès yo ye epi bay kilti nou piplis jarèt pandan nou ap kontinye pale de: Idantite, Dwa ak Devwa, Sekirite, Libète, Jistis, Leta ak Demokrasi.

Patisipasyon ou ap pèmèt reyalize misyon nou

ki se potekole nan pwojè tankou Lakou Kajou. ACT ap òganize tou nan mwa oktòb ki a ap vini an, nan vil OKAP, yon gwo woumble sou edikasyon sivik, kote plis pase 20 òganizasyon ki ap travay nan domèn nan pral ap patisipe.