PLATINUM2023

Unlocking Communities

Unlock, Empower, Elevate

CHICAGO, IL   |  unlockingcommunities.org

Mission

We equip entrepreneurs with the education and tools to sell sustainable products that unlock economic, social, and environmental transformation in their communities.

Ruling year info

2019

Founder and CEO

Josh Goralski

Main address

100 N Hermitage Ave Unit 704

CHICAGO, IL 60612 USA

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EIN

83-2060233

NTEE code info

International Economic Development (Q32)

Adult, Continuing Education (B60)

Employment Training (J22)

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

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Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

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.

Population(s) Served

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.

Population(s) Served

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.

Population(s) Served

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.

Population(s) Served

Where we work

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

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

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

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.

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.

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.

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

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We shared information about our current feedback practices.
  • 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

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

Financials

Unlocking Communities
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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  • 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 directors
as of 07/04/2023
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Peter Jones Lane

Loyola University Chicago

Term: 2024 - 2022

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 6/24/2022

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
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Male, Not transgender (cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or straight

Race & ethnicity

No data

Gender identity

No data

 

No data

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data