Mission
Unite to Light believes that access to clean and affordable light and energy are critical to improving health, education and prosperity globally. As a not-for-profit, we manufacture and distribute efficient, durable, low cost solar lamps and solar chargers to people without access to electricity. Since 2011 we have delivered 145,000 solar lights to people in 78 countries. We focus on projects that help children learn to read and study at night, to equip midwives with the tools save lives, and to offer relief to those suffering from disasters and homelessness.
Ruling year
2010
President & CEO
Megan Birney
Main address
1117 State Street #19
Santa Barbara, CA 93101 USA
EIN
27-2942180
NTEE code
Energy Resources Conservation and Development (C35)
Human Services - Multipurpose and Other N.E.C. (P99)
Reproductive Health Care Facilities and Allied Services (E40)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
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Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Globally, 1 billion people - one in seven people - LIVE WITHOUT ELECTRICITY. The darkness brings: ILLITERACY: Children unable to study cannot advance their education. ILLNESS: Kerosene smoke and soot cause more deaths than malaria. POVERTY: Expensive fuels for light consume more than a third of family income.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Educating Children
In places without electricity, children often do not have the opportunity to read or study at night. This inhibits their education and future economic opportunities. We aim to give lights to children across the globe.
Lights for Midwives & Health Clinics
Provide lights to midwives and community health workers in communities without electricity. Maternal and infant mortality is a major issue worldwide. Training and equipping midwives with solar lights can improve the chance of survival for all mothers and children.
Disaster Response
Provide lights to people impacted by natural and man made disasters such as drought, hurricanes, war and violence.
Lights for the Homeless
In the United States the homeless population faces safety and security threats that can be aided by the addition of a simple solar powered light.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of products distributed
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people, Victims of disaster, Pregnant people, Children and youth
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Includes Luke Lights and Chargers. Leadership change in 2016 led to refocused efforts. In 2017 we saw the benefit of those efforts. In 2018 both we revamped both products.
Number of carbon emissions prevented (estimated by CO2 equivalent)
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Calculated using GOGLA impact metrics. Lights have 2 year warranties so each year includes lights from current and one previous year for a total GHG offset per year. Measured in metric tonnes.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
We fight inequality one light at a time. Unite to Light believes that access to clean, affordable light and energy is critical to improving health, education and prosperity. We manufacture and distribute solar light and power to people living without electricity across the globe.
Our products are the tools people need to live and thrive. We focus on projects that help students study at night, equip midwives and community health workers with the tools they need to save lives, and offer relief to those suffering from disasters and homelessness.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
We have three funding models:
1. We operate as a traditional nonprofit and raise funds to support our programs around education, health and disaster response.
2. We sell our products at a discount to other nonprofits so that they may serve people living without electricity.
3. We sell our products to consumers on a Buy One, Give One basis so that we have more products to donate to our programs.
For each of these models, strong partnerships are crucial. We have a small team and depend on our on-the-ground partners to ensure that we are effective and efficient in our giving. For each of our programs we have one or more trusted implementation partner that is responsible for distribution, impact tracking and feedback.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our core staff is small but dedicated and diligent. They support our distribution partners, over 150 nonprofits, individuals and corporations that ensure our lights are getting to those in need.
In addition, there is a volunteer base of over 50 individuals ranging from students at the local universities, to career professionals that volunteer their time and experience for legal, branding, development, sales, accounting and quality assurance.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
145,000 lights distributed to people in over 78 different countries.
Establishing partnerships with over 150 nonprofits, government organizations and individuals.
30% increase in graduation rates in schools in South Africa and Haiti.
Increased awareness of the problem of lack of electricity.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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Who are the people you serve with your mission?
We have a broad variety of people we serve. We primarily work through other nonprofit organizations and seek feedback from the organizations and encourage them to solicit feedback from the people they serve.
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How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Suggestion box/email,
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals,
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What significant change resulted from feedback?
Serving people experiencing homelessness was a small portion of our service prior to 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant increase in the need for solar powered charging devices as buildings like libraries and coffee shops closed, where people had previously charged their phones. We heard from clients that there was an increased need and ramped up our program to serve those living on the streets. In 2019 we distributed 100 Solar Chargers to one organization in the city where we are headquartered. In 2020 we distributed 3000 Solar Chargers to 15 organizations in 10 cities across the US.
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With whom is the organization sharing feedback?
Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners,
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How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship?
Asking for feedback from our partners and the people we serve gives them ownership of the products. They help us refine and develop products that meet their needs, and the needs of others in similar situations. Feedback from partners has also influenced who we serve - we have broadened our programs focus on people experiencing homelessness and seek input for new partners.
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback,
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, We don’t have the right technology to collect and aggregate feedback efficiently, The people we serve tell us they find data collection burdensome, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time, It is difficult to get honest feedback from the people we serve,
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Unite to Light
Board of directorsas of 3/8/2021
John Bowers
Founder
Term: 2010 - 2022
John Bowers
Director Energy Efficiency University of California Santa Barbara
Wade Nomura
Rotary International, local businessman
Claude Dorais
Dorais, Polinsky & Reese, Law Corporation
Suzanne Cross
University of California, Chancellors Office
Gisela Voss
Consultant
Dawn Mitcham
CPA
Greg Padgett
Rising Phoenix Holdings Corporation- Tidal Basin Group
Katilyn Coakley
HUSTL'D
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
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