In 2019, we were introduced to the Kula Project and issued our first grant to support 50 women fellows enrolled at Kula’s Liddy Women’s Center in the Kayonza District of Rwanda. Since then, both our organizations have flourished, deepening our commitments to our individual missions and enhancing the quality of our partnership. Over the years, Kula has provided their transformative Fellowship program to three consecutive cohorts in three regions of Rwanda, graduated 774 aspiring entrepreneurs equipped to invest in their lives, farms, and new revenue streams, and worked to deepen their organizational impact while increasing overall effectiveness and efficiency, reinforcing their dedication to developing strong, empowered coffee entrepreneurs in Rwanda.
About Kula Project
For those less familiar with this nonprofit-partner, Kula’s mission is to eradicate poverty through the development of entrepreneurs in Rwanda’s coffee communities.
In Rwanda, 52% of the population lives in extreme poverty, including the majority of the country’s 450,000 coffee farmers. Female coffee farmers, in particular, face disproportionate challenges. Despite bearing significant responsibilities, they are often excluded from decision-making processes and have less access to finance, sustainable farming materials, training, and leadership opportunities.
Why Coffee?
Coffee is one of Rwanda’s top three export cash crops and has the potential to significantly impact farmers' lives. While it involves a higher barrier of entry than other crops, coffee is a long-term investment that can provide a greater return per land size when cultivated well.
Their Solution: The Kula Fellowship Program
Kula’s Fellowship Program is a poverty graduation model that combines agricultural support, income diversification, and business coaching to elevate female farmers and their families out of extreme poverty.
The Future of Kula
The proof is in the results. Each Fellowship Cohort shows higher levels of impact year-over-year. Program data reveals steady and sustained growth post-graduation, thanks to a refined methodology, clearer strategies, and increased investment in high-impact program components. In 2023 alone, they ushered in 304 new graduate fellows and completed post-program data collection and analysis with their 2022 graduates, demonstrating a 244% increase in income, 395% increase in monthly savings, and a 116% increase in coffee harvest one year after exiting the program. Rooted in continuous improvement and evidence-based action, Kula uses impact data to guide program developments, always aiming to enhance efficacy and efficiency. Today, we are excited to share the Kula Project’s 2024-2028 strategic plan—a masterpiece of thoughtful program development and planning.
Our Partnership
Since the beginning of our partnership in 2019, MiiR has contributed over $250,000 to Kula’s efforts. Initially, our donations supported specific programs (see project #55). However, as we’ve evolved, so has our approach to grantmaking. Our unrestricted funds now allow Kula to allocate resources where they are most needed. These funds have supported a wide range of initiatives, from specific programs to general operations and fundraising campaigns. If you’ve purchased MiiR products, you’ve likely contributed to our support of Kula over the years.
We’ve had the privilege of visiting the Kula team in Rwanda twice. Our first visit was in 2019—here are some throwback photos!
Like any relationship, our partnership with Kula has experienced periods of remarkable growth and boundless potential, as well as times focused on slowing down, seeking feedback, and iterating on how we show up as a partner and funder. Throughout it all, we’ve had the pleasure of maturing our programs alongside Kula, witnessing them utilize MiiR funds in innovative and impactful ways. We believe our partnership is a true testament to how powerful trust-based relationships in corporate giving can be, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to evolve, iterate, and reduce barriers to our support.
Follow Along
Kula’s team are masterful storytellers, amplifying the voices of women in Rwanda. They connect coffee consumers and supporters to the impact on the ground, making the outcomes of our work tangible and relatable. We highly recommend subscribing to their newsletter to stay updated. Click here to subscribe.
