Our Pivot in the COVID EraThe framework for Aviation for Humanity started taking shape in 2008. It would take eight years for us to become a formalized nonprofit. From 2016 to 2020, the nonprofit was highly active in utilizing a network of aviation enthusiasts and volunteers to bring school supplies to the far reaches of the globe, such as to Mongolia, Nepal, Fiji, and Ethiopia. Within those four years, we brought 6,000 school items to 1,800 students.
We were proud of our grassroots effort. Our Board membership was growing, our volunteer hours were increasing, and we were reaching more students around the world. But, in early 2020, the world came to a screeching halt. Volunteers stopped traveling. Schools stopped allowing visitors. The entire model of our nonprofit was no longer viable. As it did many other organizations and businesses, COVID-19 made us rethink our whole strategy. Our pool of volunteers became smaller, and several of our Board members reprioritized their time and left the organization. Aviation for Humanity was on the brink of closing down. So, we pivoted. After much reflection and strategizing, we regrouped into a dynamic duo of Kimberly and Jordan. The new version of Aviation for Humanity looked smaller but had a much broader reach. Our mission has always been to: Leverage the global community of the aviation industry to support and empower youth education around the world. And our vision has always been: A more equitable world where diversity is embraced and a global community is forged through cultural engagement rooted in education. Those have not changed. However, we pivoted in the way we operationalize. Along with our continued support for international aviation education youth programs, such as our three projects with Dare to Dream Botswana, we are also funding new research and advocacy outreach programs to make the aviation industry more inclusive. We’ve optimized our strategic focus on how best to leverage our network of aviation enthusiasts to support our vision of a more equitable world. We want to make the aviation industry more diverse and inclusive. Ultimately, we want to leave the industry better than we found it. This includes laying a groundwork for the future of aviation. While we weren’t expecting to have to pivot, we believe this broader strategy will maximize our reach and have a bigger impact. Thank you for staying with us through this transition. We are extremely excited about what is to come. There are roughly 124 million school-aged children around the world who are not attending school. This happens for a variety of reasons. But with more than 100,000 flights per day transporting 3 billion people around the world annually, a lack of school supplies and books should not be one of them. 
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Spotlight: The Dare to Dream Project in BotswanaIt is the mission of Dare to Dream to advance African youth, women, and girls by nurturing their curiosity for and opportunities in STEAM and entrepreneurial fields, specifically aviation and aerospace. The organization was founded by Captain Kgomotso Phatsima, one of the first female military pilots in Botswana.
Check out our collaboration here: 
How Our School Supply Program Works
Have you ever taken a flight? Seen an airplane? Or benefited from tourism in any way? If so, you are part of the aviation community!
Aviation is a global industry. Thus, it takes on a global responsibility. Not all communities enjoy the benefit of aviation, yet their people are affected by globalization. |
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Connect with Us!
Find us on social media, or email us at: aviationforhumanity@gmail.com
We look forward to hearing from you!
Aviation for Humanity is a nonprofit charity recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS under Section 501(c)(3). All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Thank you!
We look forward to hearing from you!
Aviation for Humanity is a nonprofit charity recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS under Section 501(c)(3). All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Thank you!
