Heart for Africa

What it reported doing in 2024

Khutsala artisans - unemployment and poverty remain profound challenges in eswatini, with over half the population living below the national poverty line and unemployment estimated at around 70%. Project canaan addresses these issues through vocational training and meaningful employment, with nearly 500 local men and women working across initiatives such as khutsala artisans, the kufundza carpentry center, lusito mechanics, and the farm. Khutsala artisans alone employs over 100 individuals who are trained in beadwork, jewelry, ceramics, and business skills, with 100% of profits from product sales supporting the children's homes. On average, each employed swazi supports seven family members, meaning these employment programs indirectly impact the well-being of nearly 3,500 people in the surrounding communities. By providing dignified work, vocational education, and steady income, project canaan strengthens families, reduces vulnerability, and fosters long-term self-sufficiency across eswatini through programs like khutsala artisans.heart for africa's hope initiativecentered on fighting hunger, caring for orphans, decreasing poverty, and providing educationtransforms lives across eswatini. Through its hunger initiative, the organization partners with rural churches to deliver food packages, produce, and eggs, serving approximately 4,500 orphaned and vulnerable children on a weekly basis. Project canaan, the organization's 2,500-acre campus, provides long-term care for more than 440 vulnerable children, receiving a new child approximately every nine days. To address poverty, nearly 500 local men and women are employed in agriculture, artisan crafts, carpentry, mechanics, and other vocational sectors. On average, each employee supports seven family members, extending economic impact to nearly 3,500 individuals in surrounding communities.the farm includes a dairy that produces milk and dairy products, an egg project with over 6,000 laying hens, and a range of crops including vanilla and greenhouse produce. These are supported by a robust water system featuring spring-fed pipelines and dams to ensure reliable year-round irrigation. Education is delivered through project canaan academy, which is expanding through high school, alongside vocational training and adult learning opportunities. Medical care is provided through an on-site clinic serving children, staff, and surrounding families. Each year, hundreds of volunteers visit to support programs, raise awareness, and assist with fundraising, while 100% of profits from artisan product sales go directly to support the children's homes. These integrated programs collectively combat hunger and poverty, care for orphans, build job skills, and strengthen community resilience across eswatini.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 69.7%; rating input score 70
• Program expense ratio: 79.3%; rating input score 79
• Fundraising efficiency: $13.88 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 48; 48th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 2 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 33
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Missing
• Foreign activity oversight: 4 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Claims monitoring procedures: Pass
  • Requires narrative reports: Limited
  • Conducts field audits: Pass
  • May suspend future funding: Limited
  • Requires financial reports: Pass
  • Conducts site visits: Pass
  • Requires grant agreements: Limited
  • May require repayment: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 86.7%; rating input score 87; 18th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 12.1%; rating input score 66; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.58; rating input score 21; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.15; rating input score 51; 51st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 15.2%; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 7.8% per year; rating input score 100; 55th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.5% per year; rating input score 100; 45th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 13.6% per year; rating input score 100; 71st percentile among comparable filings