Expanding Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship
Island Impact Fund is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to expand economic opportunity in Cuba by supporting selected entrepreneurs, small businesses, and community initiatives facing significant barriers to growth.
Our support model focuses on concrete resources and capacity building. Depending on each selected project’s needs, stage of development, and available resources, support may include equipment, tools, materials, practical training, mentorship, technical guidance, and professional connections.
Island Impact Fund does not provide direct cash grants or unrestricted financing.
MISSION
Our Mission
We believe entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful drivers of economic opportunity, community resilience, and long-term development.
Our mission is to expand access to the concrete resources, practical knowledge, and professional relationships that can help Cuban entrepreneurs, small businesses, and community initiatives strengthen livelihoods, create jobs, and serve their communities.
THE CONTEXT
Why Cuba? Why Now?
Entrepreneurship has become one of the most important sources of economic opportunity in Cuba. After decades without an independent private sector, thousands of entrepreneurs are building businesses that create jobs, preserve local skills, strengthen families, and contribute to more resilient local economies.
Yet many continue to face significant barriers to growth, including limited access to equipment, tools, materials, practical business training, technology, financing, and professional networks. These constraints make it difficult for promising projects to strengthen their operations, respond to community needs, and expand their impact.
Island Impact Fund was created to help reduce these barriers by connecting selected projects with concrete resources, practical training, mentorship, technical guidance, and professional relationships.
We do not provide direct cash financing. Instead, we work to identify practical forms of support that correspond to each selected project’s stage of development, priorities, and needs.
We believe lasting change begins with people.
Entrepreneurs understand the needs of their communities better than anyone else. Our role is not to direct their ideas, but to help remove barriers that limit their ability to grow.
Our model is designed to strengthen long-term capacity by expanding access to practical resources, mentorship, knowledge, technical expertise, and professional relationships.
When entrepreneurs succeed, businesses grow, jobs are created, and communities become stronger.
Investing in People Creates Lasting Impact
Our Guiding Principles
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Grounded in Local Knowledge
We believe meaningful solutions are shaped by the entrepreneurs, producers, professionals, and project teams who understand the needs and opportunities within the communities they serve. Our role is to provide practical support that helps them strengthen and advance their work.
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Transparency & Accountability
We are committed to responsible stewardship, clear governance, and thoughtful decision-making so that every resource entrusted to Island Impact Fund is managed responsibly and used to advance our charitable mission.
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Long-Term Partnership
We believe sustainable impact is built through relationships. By connecting selected projects with mentors, partners, professionals, and supporters, our model is designed to create opportunities that extend beyond a single resource or program.
GOVERNANCE
Built on Trust and Accountability
Island Impact Fund is governed by a Board of Directors responsible for strategic oversight, accountability, and stewardship of the organization’s charitable mission.
The Board oversees organizational priorities, project-selection policies, partnerships, and the responsible use of charitable resources.
GET INVOLVED
Become Part
of the Mission
Whether you are interested in contributing your expertise, exploring a partnership, following our work, or applying for support, your involvement can help expand economic opportunity and strengthen communities across Cuba.