FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions about our mission, programs, and ways to support energy access and justice.
Is Let There Be Light International a tax-exempt charitable organization?
Let There Be Light International was incorporated as a nonprofit in July 2014 and became a 501(c)(3) in January 2015. Our EIN is 47-1543177. Read our IRS approval letter here.
Where is Let There Be Light International located?
Let There Be Light International is headquartered in Buffalo, NY. Our mailing address is: LTBLI at dig, 640 Ellicott St., #12B, Buffalo, NY 14203. Our email is: [email protected]
Where does Let There Be Light International work?
Our direct service solar programming is conducted in partnership with vetted local NGOs in Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, and Rwanda.
LTBLI’s primary Implementation and Programming Partner is Solar Health Uganda. Our solar projects in Rwanda are supported by an initiative of LTBLI called Shine On Rwanda.
Our advocacy and outreach is global, as we work to raise awareness about energy poverty and appropriate social safety-net interventions. Our team serves on international working groups and participates in global networks devoted to Climate Action and eliminating Energy Poverty.
Whom does Let There Be Light International serve?
Let There Be Light International serves vulnerable off-grid communities and individuals in sub-Saharan Africa. All of our solar programming is guided by a deep commitment to equity and inclusion. You can learn more about the values that inform our work on our About Us page.
Our programming prioritizes women, students, people living with disabilities, and elders. In addition to our general solar programming, we have programming to engage and empower specific populations in ways that meet them where they are. For example, our Safe Births + Healthy Homes (SB+HH) program provides solar lights to new mothers when they give birth at one of our solar-electrified SB+HH clinics. Visit our Programs page to learn more.
To ensure our work remains accessible and equitable, all Distribution Partner Organizations submit a written statement affirming that they do not discriminate against employees, volunteers, and/or solar light recipients based on race, sex, gender, religion, age, disability status, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, veteran status, military status, domestic violence victim status, national origin, political affiliation, predisposing genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression.
Let There Be Light International will not partner with any organizations that engage in discriminatory practices or fail to provide this information.
Who are Let There Be Light International's partners in Africa?
Let There Be Light International has 12 grassroots implementation partners in 4 countries.
Our primary partner in the region is Solar Health Uganda, a subsidiary of KACCAD. Together we have solar-electrified 90 rural off-grid health clinics and donated more than 46,000 solar lights to at-risk families.
Other Ugandan partners are: CESA-Uganda; Sisters of Mary; the Kisoro Elders Project and the Center for Aging in Uganda; Defeating Darkness Community Initiative; ElSeed Art Foundation, a Palliative Care pilot project in Uganda, and the Ugandan Spelling Bee.
In Kenya we partner with IMPACT-Kenya on individual solar light projects for indigenous people in the Samburu region. We also work with PACEMaker International on educational solar programming.
Our active partner in Malawi is Compassionate Missions Center.
And, our newest partner is NPO-TER in Rwanda.
Learn more about our partners here.
Who are Let There Be Light International's global partners?
Let There Be Light International is proud to partner with Solar Health Uganda, Doctors for Global Health and the Kisoro Elders Project, Wharton Global Impact Consultants, Every Woman Every Child, the UN NGO Major Group and Women’s Major Group, and others.
Why solar?
Solar lights are a viable and affordable safety-net intervention in low-resource, off-grid communities in Africa. 685 million people live without access to electricity, and the majority of them (83%) live in sub-Saharan Africa. Lack of electricity impacts the health, safety and economic stability of entire communities. Visit our Why Light page here.
Where can I learn more about Energy Access and Advocacy?
You can learn more about energy poverty and our advocacy efforts on our Advocacy page. We also have a wealth of conferences, webinars, and short-form educational videos on our YouTube channel. Join us in brightening lives!
How can I volunteer?
Thanks for asking! Let There Be Light International (LTBLI) is impacting thousands of lives thanks to volunteers all around the world. In fact, LTBLI has only 1 half-time staff member in the US. And, almost all of our solar projects are implemented with volunteer support in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Malawi.
In the US, we need volunteers to raise awareness about Energy Poverty through outreach and educational events and to raise funds to brighten lives. ($15 donates a solar light to a vulnerable family).
Contact us here to receive a solar Party-in-a-Box to create your own small event. (Please note that we require a minimum raise of $500 for each Party-in-a-Box).
How can I donate?
Let There Be Light International relies on your generous donations and grants to provide solar programming to vulnerable communities in Africa. Join us in lighting lives by donating here.
Donations are accepted by credit card, check, PayPal, or a gift of stocks through StockDonator.
Interested in impacting an entire community? Check out our sponsorship opportunities here.
Help us keep the light shining.
Your donation provides light to communities in need and furthers the global Sustainable Development Goals.