Supporting Transformational Grassroots Change in
Eastern Africa
Welcome! Spirit in Action brings together people who envision a world where everyone has enough food, security, and prosperity. Our donors and grant partners are both vital to bringing this change to reality. We build relationships that are transformational, not transactional. With Spirit in Action you know your donations are going directly to grassroots organizations in Eastern Africa that are building strong community. Together, we are Spirit in Action.
OUR SHARED VALUES
Spirit in Action is all about investing in local solutions and building long-term relationships. We know that there is power when dedicated people work together. We see lives transformed when men, women, and young people feel empowered to change their reality. If you also value cooperation, community, flexibility, and learning, you are Spirit in Action!
OUR PROGRAMS
Spirit in Action connects your donations and gets them into the hands of people who are working in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda to reduce poverty, increase prosperity, and change their communities for the better. We all come together to proudly support families, entrepreneurs, farmers, students, LGBTI+ individuals, and other vulnerable populations. Learn more about what we do, who we help, and how we work every day to promote positive change.
COMMUNITY GRANTS
Our grants support passionate grassroots organizations and community groups in Eastern Africa. Their projects draw on local knowledge and bring people together to improve their communities and the surrounding environment. Together, we address underlying issues and work towards long-term solutions to poverty and inequality.
SIA works to build relationships and boost the important work that is already being done on the ground. We know that our grant partners are the true experts. With grants of up to $5,000, we support people working together to improve their lives and gain greater financial stability.
SMALL BUSINESS FUND
The Spirit in Action Small Business Fund helps families in Uganda, Kenya, and Malawi realize their dreams of financial self-sufficiency.
A $250 grant can start or expand farms, small shops, bakeries, carpentry shops, and cafes. These businesses are part of thriving local economies. Local mentors host trainings on important skills like record-keeping and reporting, all with an eye towards long-term sustainability.
We believe in the transformative act of giving, so instead of asking people to pay back the funds, we ask that they pay-it-forward to someone else in need.
"The Spirit in Action grant didn’t just build a room—it unlocked a wave of community transformation. With it, we were able to attract new partners, increase visibility, serve more people, and create a replicable model for community empowerment. We now have a physical symbol of hope, and we’re excited for what lies ahead."
Lilian, Founder Executive Director of Ubuntu CBO
OUR STORIES
Blog, Videos, Social Media, and Newsletters
Read the latest stories and see photos from Spirit in Action on the ground.
Be inspired by the good things happening around the world!
![During our visit to the @greatlakespeacecenter in western Uganda last month, we gathered with 50 men and women whose families have received a female goat through the SIA-funded project.
The women had prepared two songs for us - singing and dancing along to a plastic jug drum. When I asked about the words of the first song, Naomi translated for me, "the appreciation [for the goat] is beyond!"
Ruth Fungu, wearing the pink blouse and a green, blue, and yellow cloth wrap, received a goat with the first cohort in 2019. Her goat has given birth to 8 kids, the first of which she shared, as the program encourages, to another neighbor affected by flooding in the area. Selling two of the kids helped all seven of her children attend school. The goats are like a savings account, and the families can sell them in moments of need, like when one of Ruth's sons needed to undergo a medical operation. Even five years later, Ruth's family is benefiting from this gift of a goat!](https://scontent-sea5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/539207547_18500124904066869_2058710841496566312_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=NvPcnkLTpL8Q7kNvwErDUbr&_nc_oc=Adnn9IYFUvhfFXBycLouGZROijpQ4hsFCdx91cBQfjGdyao_X9t9FWuNZm0gjcMXppI&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=wNakUU2xXO2Spc90ms_Lkg&oh=00_AfelnPUKOafXjq03qmiCtIpZ3KX6P7iKyhK2S0XbrvDvOQ&oe=690214AE)
CONTACT
We'd love to hear what inspires you! Get in touch with your questions, stories, suggestions, and ideas.
831-706-2742
PO Box 3384
Santa Cruz, CA 95063
