Powering Potential Inc
Energizing Learners in Developing Countries Since 2006
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Lack of educational resources in secondary schools in developing countries that technology can provide.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
SPARC (Solar-Powered Access to Raspberry Computing)
A solar-powered Raspberry Pi computer lab with an offline digital library, a mobile projector and training.
Where we work
Awards
National Award 2017
Energy Globe Foundation
Affiliations & memberships
National Energy Globe Award 2017
Open Source Initiative 2016
External reviews

Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of computer literacy/skills/technology courses conducted
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents, Young adults, People of African descent, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
SPARC (Solar-Powered Access to Raspberry Computing)
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Because of Covid restrictions we were unable to conduct as many courses in 2020 and 2021.
Number of youth receiving services (e.g., groups, skills and job training, etc.) with youths living in their community
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents, People of African descent, Economically disadvantaged people, Young adults
Related Program
SPARC (Solar-Powered Access to Raspberry Computing)
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Because of Covid restrictions we were unable to serve as many students as usual in 2020 and 2021.
Number of program/model/intervention innovations
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents, Young adults, People of African descent, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
SPARC (Solar-Powered Access to Raspberry Computing)
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Because of Covid restrictions we were unable to implement as many programs in 2020 and 2021.
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?
Enhance education in developing countries by providing technology infrastructure (solar and computers), digital libraries and training.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
We install solar-powered computer labs with low-watt computers and a digital library and provide training.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We have 15 years of field experience and a team of high-qualified professionals.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We have implemented 98 programs in 33schools in Tanzania and in 2019 we installed a solar-powered computer lab at a school in the Peruvian Amazon, led by a Fulbrighter.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
-
Who are the people you serve with your mission?
The students in the schools where we implement ourprogram.
-
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Paper surveys, Community meetings/Town halls,
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve,
-
What significant change resulted from feedback?
We changed how we conduct our training workshops.
-
With whom is the organization sharing feedback?
Our staff, Our board, Our funders,
-
How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship?
It engages them more in the process of developing our programs.
-
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 look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive,
-
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
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,
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our 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.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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.
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.
Powering Potential Inc
Board of directorsas of 03/05/2022
Matthew Cohen, CPA
Gettry Marcus CPA
Term: 2016 -
Gregory Obenshain
Verdad Capital
Philip Brandt
Deutsche Bank
Janice Lathen
Powering Potential Inc.
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
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 ? No -
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
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.