4 Non Profits Using Art to Support Their Cause

One of the most common and ever present challenges with non-profits is raising funds to support your goals and endeavors. While donations large and small from kind hearted individuals and companies will always be at the core of fundraising, here are four non-profits who have taken the creative strengths of their people in need and turned them into something profitable and beautiful.

1) Association for Small African Projects (ASAP)

ASAP has been on IBG’s radar for a while, selecting them as a featured cause late last year. We love the organization because of the work they do to support improving the quality of life for children in western Burkina Faso and more specifically building their education system. But ASAP also runs a gallery in a village outside of Amsterdam called Burkin’art. The gallery sells beautiful bronze sculptures all of which have been made by citizens in the villages of Burkina Faso. All proceeds from the sculpture sales go towards the foundation and the projects they fund in Burkina such as building schools, hospitals and digging new wells. To personalize the sculptures, some of the artists are pictured with their work on the Burkin’art website and the extensive creation process of the sculptures is explained.

2) Wola Nani

Meaning “we embrace and develop one another” in the African language Xhosa, Wola Nani was was established in 1994 as a non-profit to help bring relief to the South African HIV crisis. Their ultimate goal is to help South Africans living with HIV and AIDS to be able to help themselves. With this idea in mind, Wola facilitates the sale of crafts such as bowls and jewelry made by South African artists living with HIV/AIDS. The funds raised from the sale of these items is then returned by Wola to the artists. Right now, Wola crafts can be found in West Elm stores. A biography for all of their crafters can also be found on the Wola Nani website.

3) Red Earth Trading Company/Know.Think.Act

Founded in 2010, the mission of Red Earth is to create hope and opportunity through commerce and then use the profits to strengthen the development work of local nonprofits in East Africa.  Red Earth works to help promote local artists, particularly in Uganda and Kenya, who make quality handcrafted jewelry, accessories and home goods. The products are available exclusively through their online store and pop-up stores around the United States. Every Red Earth purchase directly benefits the artisan families. Any profits made by Red Earth are also given to promote the community development work of Know.Think.Act. More information about each of their artisans can be found on the Red Earth website.

4) Indego Africa

Indego Africa is a nonprofit geared towards leading women-owned businesses in Rwanda toward long lasting economic independence. Indego Africa partners with businesses on behalf of more than 400 female artists in Rwanda and exports, markets, and sells their jewelry, accessories, and home decor through its online store and to retail stores across the U.S. and Europe. Many of these women are widowed from the Rwandan genocide of 1994 and Indego’s business partnership not only enables them to support their familes but also funds their business growth and education. Indego is a member of the Fair Trade Federation and has had design partnerships with stores like Madewell, J.Crew and Anthropologie.

Would you be more inclined to buy a piece of art or a craft if you knew the funds were going towards people in need? Have you ever purchased anything made by a local African artisan? Let us know in the comments below!