FAQs

About Our Organization

  • Yes

  • 02-0815125

  • To engage and educate students in the theory and practice of global citizenship

    To promote Haitian art and raise the nation’s narrative through art

    To foster sustainable development in Haiti

  • The Haiti Project, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of New York, working collaboratively with Vassar College students. Founded by Lila and Andrew Meade, the Haiti Project is a volunteer organization, working closely with student leaders from the Vassar Haiti Project who form the Executive Board and overseen by a Board of Directors, who provide critical advice and support in steering our mission into the future. The founders work and communicate regularly with our partners on the ground in Haiti, who monitor the progress of our initiative projects and suggest recommendations.

  • In Haiti: Art galleries, Rotary Gonaives, village leaders and organizations, and the Partnership Program (through Episcopal Schools)

    In the US: Schools, churches, Rotary Clubs, Haitian organizations and the Vassar Haiti Project students

  • Our funding comes from the sale of Haitian art and handcrafts, fundraising events such as the Art & Soul gala, individual donors, and grants

  • Our organization has grown tremendously over 21 years. Decisions are made collaboratively with many groups:

    1. Board of Directors

    2. Student Executive Board (VHP)

    3. Medical Advisory Board

    4. Women's Community Board

    5. Our partners in Haiti

  • Our Initiatives include the areas we focus our attention in Haiti, which include:

    1. Art

    2. Education

    3. Health

    4. Environment (Water Access & Purification and Reforestation)

    5. Women’s Empowerment

    Our Committees support our fundraising efforts for the initiatives, including:

    1. Events & Outreach

    2. Grants

    3. Publicity

About Events

  • We have several art sales at Vassar every year: Families Weekend Sale & Auction, Art & Soul Gala, and the Reunion Weekend Sale. In addition, we have biannual sales in Washington, DC and Sag Harbor, NY, and we may have art sales in other cities as well.

  • Aside from art sales and auctions, students organize educational and fundraising events such as online campaigns, panel discussions, speeches, presentations, film screenings, galas, etc.

  • We have annual student trips to Haiti in the Spring, where we work closely with our partners in a mutual listening and learning process to create new possibilities. We also have smaller trips in Winter that include our co-founders, members from our Boards, donors, or alums. However, trips are currently postponed until the political unrest in Haiti subsides.

    Sadly, we have not been able to go to Haiti due to political upheaval and have no plans to go until it is safe to do so.

About Haitian Art and Handcrafts

  • Haitian paintings, iron sculpture, paper mache, wooden crafts, silk scarves, quilts, and a range of handcraft collections

  • We ship via UPS, which generally delivers packages within one to two business days. You can track your order with the tracking number that will be emailed to you.

  • We charge a nominal shipping and insurance fee for any art products that are purchased through our website. The cost covers the pricing of the boxes and protective packing.

  • If you are unsatisfied with your order, you can email us at thevassarhaitiproject@gmail.com, and we will do our best to accommodate you. We always want you to love and enjoy the art you've purchased!

About Contributions

  • Click on “Donate” at the very top of our website or click here. You can make a one-time donation or become a monthly donor. You can also mail us a check payable to: Vassar Haiti Project, PO Box 2985, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.

  • Since we are a mostly all-volunteer organization, most of our proceeds directly support our initiatives in Haiti. You can view our financial summary in the Annual Reports here.

  • You can:

    Donate Haitian art that we can sell to support our work.

    Subscribe to our mailing list so you get the latest news. You can do so at the bottom of our homepage.

    Contact us if you are interested in collaborating or hosting an art sale, fundraiser, or other activities at thevassarhaitiproject@gmail.com.

    Share our work with your friends and family. We work to optimally send as much money to Haiti as possible, trying to avoid costly advertising to promote our work.