The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Let’s Make THE Difference
Let’s Make THE Difference, Inc. (letsmakethedifference.org) is the parent umbrella of LMTDGlobal and LMTD Collective.
What is Let’s Make THE Difference, Inc., and what is your mission?
We are a U.S. 501(c)(3) umbrella organization empowering underserved communities—especially in Africa—by providing access to technology, economic opportunity, education, leadership training, and sustainable development. We differ in that our goal is to ultimately employ refugee leaders in our programs and to create sustainable business partnerships with them.
Our mission is to sustainably break the cycles of hunger and violence by equipping underserved communities and refugee settlements across Africa with education, mentorship, and economic empowerment. We strengthen local leadership and create lasting pathways for employment and entrepreneurship, enabling individuals not only to provide for their families but also to build thriving, resilient communities.
LMTD Global is our nonprofit network that helps Nonprofits and NGOs share resources, training, and visibility. We offer limited Fiscal Sponsorship to assist NPOs, NGOs, and community projects that meet our criteria with their fundraising goals.
LMTD Collective is the fundraising arm of Let’s Make THE Difference, offering transparency and direct access and involvement with the impactful work and connection to our leaders in Africa. Our Founder’s Circle have committed to stand with us and provide recurring donations so we can plan to meet our strategic goals.
Is my donation tax deductible??
Why focus on Africa, and why refugee settings? Why not work on local issues in the U.S.?
In many refugee settlements, a monthly wage is about $60–$100, so modest investments can yield outsized results—stability, education, and microenterprise growth. We prioritize places where need and potential are both high, partnering with local leaders to ensure durable, community-led outcomes. When looking to make a lasting impact, Africa is a field ripe for the harvest.
What countries do you work in?
Currently, we have participants in 11 countries, with leadership involvement in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia. We are ready for expansion as funds become available.
What programs do you offer?
We started LMTD in 2019 by supporting people with tuition and logistics to attend the Landmark Forum and other programs by Landmarkworldwide.com (We are not affiliated, supported, or employed by Landmark.) We have also supported over 80 women through the African Women’s Leadership and Well-being course offered by the ALT Foundation. Our newest course additon is The Change Agent Course, dealing with the paradox of the chronic problems of being human. There are also entrepreneurial courses and leadership courses offered by individuals.
How do you select NGOs or communities to partner with?
We partner with trusted NGO leaders we know personally or via referrals. We look for values alignment, local legitimacy, and clear potential for sustainable impact. They can offer our programs to their beneficiaries and suggest projects that are needed in the communities.
How do I know my money reached the refugee leaders?
Transparency isn’t a promise for us, it’s a practice.
We stay in active, ongoing relationship with our leaders on the ground through weekly Zoom calls, where donors are welcome to listen in, ask questions, and hear firsthand updates about what’s happening in the communities you support. These are real conversations with the people doing the work—not polished reports created months later.
In addition, donors have access to our private Facebook group and WhatsApp community, where we regularly share photos, videos, field updates, and stories directly from refugee leaders and program participants. You’ll see the impact as it unfolds—projects in motion, businesses growing, peace initiatives taking root, and lives changing.
We also publish a monthly newsletter that highlights progress, financial transparency, and on-the-ground stories so you can track how your generosity is being used.
For those who want an even deeper level of connection, Collective membership offers a more intimate, behind-the-scenes view—closer relationships with project leaders, detailed impact conversations, and opportunities to engage directly with the work you’re helping make possible.
We don’t believe in distant giving. We believe in visible, participatory impact so you can see, hear, and feel the difference you’re making.
How do you measure impact and track outcomes?
Our impact & metrics team is compiling six years of program data. We track baselines and outcomes, cost per outcome, retention, and economic uplift, plus qualitative stories. We translate findings into dashboards, reports, and ongoing program improvements.
How much of my donation goes to programs versus administration?
Historically, we operated lean (under 10%), which limited reinvestment. In 2025, our board approved a 25% allocation for legal compliance, infrastructure, and sustainable growth (including website and social media upgrades). The percentage amount varies in relationship to the amount of monthly donations received. At this time, no one on the executive team takes a salary, and many vendors volunteer their time until key fundraising milestones are reached. We utilize fractional consultants to remain compliant. We have accomplished a lot with a small, committed group of donors and founder backing. Once we receive corporate sponsorship, our commitment is that 100% of our individual donations goes straight to our beneficiaries.
How can I get involved if I’m not local?
Join the LMTD Collective to access live Zoom sessions with our Africa leadership, curated courses, topic-based WhatsApp communities (e.g., Permaculture Club), and—starting in 2026—opportunities to travel with us to Africa. We also welcome pro bono expertise in communications, tech, fundraising, and mentoring.
How do you avoid a top-down or parachute-aid model?
We employ grass-roots refugee leaders, co-design projects with local partners, embed governance and capacity building, and emphasize community ownership, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
How do you handle legal and compliance requirements across countries?
We work with in-country legal counsel and compliance advisors, use trusted local financial systems, partner with vetted and trusted partners, maintain transparent records and audits, and monitor regulatory changes so operations remain lawful and secure.
What support do you offer other NGOs and grassroots groups?
We help with governance and trust-building, visibility & communications, website/landing-page setup, training modules and toolkits, and connections to a wider network—plus ongoing encouragement and empowerment. We have some Fiscal Sponsorship agreements and plan to expand to include others aligned with our mission in that capacity.
What makes Let’s Make THE Difference different from other alliances or networks?
We center local employment of refugee leaders; combine technology, economic opportunity, and visibility with leadership, entrepreneurship, and peacebuilding; build NGO capacity (not only grants); and support community projects spearheaded by our leaders. We offer the LMTD Collective for deeper supporter proximity and leverage networked collaboration to reduce duplication and help small NGOs scale faster.
Can I donate in memory of someone or offer a gift instead of a donation?
**Can I donate in memory of someone or offer a gift instead of a donation?**
Yes—both are meaningful and deeply appreciated.
You can make a donation **in memory or in honor of someone**, creating a living legacy that turns love, remembrance, or celebration into real impact. If you’d like, we can acknowledge the gift with a personalized note or recognition, making it a beautiful way to honor someone special.
You may also choose to support our work by **offering a gift instead of a traditional donation**—whether that’s sponsoring a specific project, contributing needed resources, or supporting a program in a way that aligns with your heart. These gifts directly support refugees and community leaders building sustainable futures.
If you’d like help dedicating a gift, honoring someone, or exploring meaningful giving options, we’re always happy to walk alongside you and help you make it personal.
How can I see the real-world impact of my contribution?
We host Zoom calls with beneficiaries, share photos, videos, and testimonials on social media, publish newsletters and impact updates, and adjust programs based on ongoing metrics (with third-party evaluations when appropriate).
What risks do you face, and how do you mitigate them?
Risks include funding volatility, regulatory changes, logistics, and staffing constraints. We mitigate by diversifying funding, building reserves and contingencies, conducting due diligence, maintaining strong local relationships, and keeping compliance active. We have also seen that once our volunteers and donors interact with our leaders in Africa, they are inspired and look forward to more opportunities to impact their communities.
