Unlocking Communities
Unlock, Empower, Elevate
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Entrepreneurship Development
The Community Sales Program empowers local entrepreneurs to sell water filters and energy-saving cook stoves, providing access to clean water and sustainable cooking solutions in underserved communities. Through training and support, the program creates economic opportunities while promoting improved health and environmental sustainability.
The Business Plan Incubation Program offers intensive business plan support and financing to the top-performing entrepreneurs from the Community Sales Program, enabling them to start or expand their own businesses with confidence and success.
Community Needs Response
This program leverages our deep networks in communities to proactively respond to and prepare for natural and humanitarian crises, delivering critical life-saving goods and services.
Global Franchising
Through global franchising, UC is expanding its Community Sales Program by establishing partnerships with trusted international partners. This approach focuses on developing local supply chains and providing long-term support to ensure the program's sustainability and success.
ECO H2O
ECO H2O manufactures water filtration systems to meet the growing demand driven by the Community Sales Program, serving as a revenue source for UC and providing affordable solutions for clean water in the Caribbean.
Where we work
External reviews

Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of loans issued
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Entrepreneurship Development
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
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?
Unlocking Communities will impact 3.8 million people with access to clean water through a global network of 10,000 entrepreneurs earning $5.4 million in commissions by the end of 2025.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
At Unlocking Communities, our strategies for creating lasting change involve equipping Haitians with the necessary tools and training to become catalysts for their own communities. We prioritize economic impact by providing aspiring entrepreneurs with comprehensive business training and access to in-demand, environmentally beneficial products such as water filters and clean-burning stoves. Our model enables entrepreneurs to earn commissions from selling sustainable products, fostering economic growth while reducing waste and carbon emissions. This model generates income, fosters entrepreneurship and savings, and creates significant social value through regenerative and sustainable businesses. Our efforts are further supported by carbon credits financing, contributing to a resilient future, where both communities and the environment thrive.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
1. The Community Sales Model: What differentiates Unlocking Communities from other organizations is our model, which is led and executed entirely by members of the communities, creating sustainable change and driving rapid, organic growth.
2. Diverse global team: Unlocking Communities prides itself on its diverse team, bringing together individuals from various backgrounds and expertise, fostering innovation and creative problem-solving. Additionally, UC's global networks are agile and adaptable, facilitating mobility and collaboration across borders and empowering communities worldwide.
3. Existing relationships for carbon credit financing: Unlocking Communities has established strong relationships with carbon credit financers, leveraging their support to enhance affordability and scalability. This unique partnership allows UC to generate additional funding and recognition for its impactful initiatives, setting it apart from other organizations in the sector.
4. Sustainable low-cost product: Unlocking Communities’ Water Filter System supports families of 5-10 and lasts for at least 3+ years, while providing cost savings and reducing plastic waste.
5. Hyper-local distribution: Entrepreneurs sell directly in the communities they live and work in, reducing the time, cost, and effort required to reach customers and deliver products.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Over 6,000 products sold by
200+ entrepreneurs, 65% of them being women
Generating USD 1.5 Million in economic savings from using the products saving on buying less bottled water, charcoal, and out-of-pocket medical bills.
Impacting over 100,000 individuals through our community sales and community needs response programs.
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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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
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
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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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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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.
Unlocking Communities
Board of directorsas of 07/04/2023
Peter Jones Lane
Loyola University Chicago
Term: 2024 - 2022
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data