The people of Haiti are mobilizing in a remarkable and determined manner to rebuild their country after the devastation caused by the January 12th, 2010 earthquake. They are doing so in ways that are transparent, democratic and sustainable. They have a resolve and resiliency—a spiritual entrepreneurship—that demonstrates a power even greater than the environmental disaster that leveled their country. However, their noble capacities should not be misinterpreted as sufficient to meet the unprecedented challenges they face in rebuilding both their lives and Haiti’s economy. This task is too large and the consequences of failure too great for these brave souls to forge ahead without the maximum support possible.

Haiti Onward’s Response—In February 2010, Haiti Onward was established in direct response to this recognition of the need for support. Haiti Onward is designed to catalyze and mobilize the sustainable business community into action. This effort was made possible through an innovative collaboration of two Social Venture Network members, Generocity Partners and Halloran Philanthropies. Leveraging the financial capital, media, convening capability and human resources of this partnership, Haiti Onward was formally launched in cooperation with the Sustainable Haiti Conference—March 17-19, 2010 in Miami, Florida

Strategy—Our Framework—Invest and Connect—sharpens the purpose and focus of Haiti Onward’s initiative. This approach is designed to leverage the unique resources of the sustainable business community by providing direct investment pathways and resources corridors to reach established grassroots organizations in Haiti. Each of these selected organizations must possess transparent and proven track records that reflect a deep respect for, and commitment to, sustainable redevelopment and the long term well being of the Haitian people. Haiti Onward will foster a collaborative process to create an independent social purpose enterprise to direct this effort. We are establishing essential stakeholder relations, including an advisory board with broad representation from both the Haitian and Diaspora Communities by which the mission and vision of Haiti Onward collaborative effort will be carried forward.

Investments—Investments and contributions representing nearly $200,000 have successfully carried the project to date. An extensive video capture of the Haiti Conference event, including personal interviews with Haitian and Diaspora community leaders, has been developed and distributed to our growing community.These tools provide the initial foundation that illuminate the needs of Haitian citizens. The alliance Haiti Onward is catalyzing will facilitate a collaboration between individuals, businesses, financial institutions and others to coordinate education, training, financing, access to market, infrastructure development and other services critical in the redevelopment effort. The collaborative team will form an entity to drive these resources to both existing partners in Haiti and to the creation of other, needed on the ground partners and businesses. Haiti Onward expects that the new entity will house both loan and grant mechanisms including a Haiti Social Venture Investment Fund  to support Haiti-based social enterprise initiatives focused on whole systems solutions.