Turning dreams into reality
Our Mission
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To foster sustainable economic development in the Busoga district by providing financial support, training, and resources to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs. At Community Lift Inc., we invest in local entrepreneurs to spark lasting change in the Busoga region—especially in Jinja and nearby communities—because when local entrepreneurs succeed, entire communities thrive.
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Our Vision
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To To be a catalyst for economic empowerment in Busoga, enabling local businesses to thrive and contribute to the community’s prosperity.
We envision a future where entrepreneurship drives opportunity, reduces poverty, and empowers families to build stronger, more resilient communities.
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Our Values
​Our approach is built on six core principles that define who we are and how we work:
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Empowerment – Expanding access to tools, training, and opportunities so individuals can build their own success.
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Integrity – Operating with honesty, transparency, and accountability in all relationships.
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Inclusivity – Ensuring every aspiring entrepreneur, regardless of background, has a fair opportunity to succeed.
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Sustainability – Promoting practices that protect both the environment and the local economy for generations to come.
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Collaboration – Strengthening our impact through partnerships with local leaders, businesses, and donors.
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Innovation – Celebrating and supporting Ugandan creativity and ingenuity as key drivers of progress.
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Who We Are
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Community Lift Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Jinja, Uganda, and supported by a U.S.-based volunteer board. We are 100% volunteer-run, and our board covers all administrative costs so that every dollar donated goes directly to program activities.
We proudly hold the Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar (Candid), reflecting our commitment to accountability and measurable impact.
Founded by Larry Norman, former Executive Director of Kibo Group International, Community Lift was born out of more than a decade of hands-on work in East Africa. Larry witnessed firsthand the creativity and determination of Ugandan entrepreneurs—men and women with brilliant ideas but limited access to capital, training, and mentorship.
To bridge this gap, Larry joined with six of his former students from Rochester Christian University—most of whom have served in Uganda—to establish Community Lift. Together, they bring deep expertise in marketing, education, healthcare, sales, and nonprofit management, forming a team dedicated to seeing local businesses succeed.
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How We Work
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We believe that sustainable development happens when opportunity meets mentorship.
Our model combines funding, hands-on training, and long-term support to help entrepreneurs build viable, resilient businesses.
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Start-up Capital – We provide small loans or grants to launch or grow promising local businesses.
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Training & Mentorship – We walk alongside each entrepreneur for up to a year, offering business planning, financial literacy, and marketing support.
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Ongoing Partnership – We stay connected beyond the startup phase, offering advice and accountability as businesses grow.
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Reinvestment Cycle – Every entrepreneur we support commits to reinvesting a portion of their profits to help fund future business leaders—creating a self-sustaining cycle of opportunity.
Our trusted local network—built over 12 years—ensures that our efforts reach entrepreneurs who are ready to put in the work and make a real difference in their communities.
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Your Impact
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Your support helps turn ambition into action — and action into lasting impact. We're not just funding businesses — we're building bridges between entrepreneurs, communities, and partners to create opportunities that strengthen the entire region.