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WORLD CONNECT INC
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 562525151 · Form 990 · FY2023 · NTEE Q33 · International Affairs · Medium ($1M-$10M) · worldconnect-us.org
revenue
$2.1M
expenses
$2.7M
net assets
$1.1M
employees
6
volunteers
25
program ratio
82%
mission · from form 990

WORLD CONNECT INVESTS EARLY-STAGE FUNDING IN GRASSROOTS, LOCALLY DESIGNED AND LED PROJECTS THAT DRIVE TRANSFORMATIVE, SELF-SUSTAINING DEVELOPMENT IN THE MOST UNDER-RESOURCED AREAS OF THE WORLD.

profile · synthesized from sources

World Connect invests early-stage funding in grassroots, locally led projects that drive self-sustaining development in under-resourced regions globally. The organization supports community-designed initiatives in health, education, economic opportunity, and environmental protection through small grants and technical support. It emphasizes local leadership and transformative impact in underserved areas worldwide.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $594K
    WORLD CONNECT LAUNCHED THE NYC CONNECT PROGRAM IN 2022. IT AWARDED 436,000 IN GRANTS IN 2023 FOR 20 PROJECTS THAT PROMOTE HEALTH, PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT, INCREASE EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, AND ACCESS TO COMMUNITY SERVICES. NYC CONNECT GRANTEES INCLUDED NON-PROFITS, LLCS, AND FISCALLY SPONSORED GROUPS.
named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Africa Portfolio
Provides technical coaching and grant support to local development actors in Africa addressing health, education, economic opportunity, and environmental challenges
Education and Outreach Program
Program focused on expanding public awareness, supporting school partnerships, and empowering students to engage in global change efforts
NYC Connect Program
Grants program that funds grassroots projects promoting health, education, economic opportunity, and environmental protection; awarded $436,000 in 2023 to 20 projects
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • Women Entrepreneurs Grant Programs 1 activity
    • Funding income-generating activities and community development in Ecuador and Ghana
      Supports women entrepreneurs in Ecuador through grants for materials, equipment, or livestock for individual income-generating ventures, while also financing a community education fund for environmental conservation and youth leadership. In Ghana, funds a resource center providing vocational training in weaving and tailoring for 30 teenage mothers and establishing a community library serving over 1,000 youth.
  • Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
    • Funding locally led development projects in health, education, environment, and economic opportunity
      Provides unrestricted grants to launch or expand community-led initiatives in health, education, environment, and economic opportunity, with over 2,000 projects funded globally benefiting more than 4 million people. Focuses on communities often overlooked by traditional funders, with over 60% of projects led by women.
  • Pediatric Medical Care and Research Support 1 activity
    • Funding specific health infrastructure and services in Malawi, Nigeria, and Rwanda
      Finances construction and operation of health facilities including primary care clinics for children under 5, maternal health projects, maternity guardian shelters, and health worker housing in Malawi; supports breast cancer screening expansion, diagnostic centers, and maternal health training in Nigeria; funds pig farming initiatives linked to child nutrition in Rwanda. Projects serve thousands across multiple countries with measurable service delivery outcomes.
  • Charitable Grantmaking to Specific Causes 1 activity
    • Funding the Powell R. Cabot Fund for children and sick care in the developing world
      Established and finances the Powell R. Cabot Fund to support care initiatives for children and the sick in developing countries, reflecting a dedicated stream of grantmaking focused on vulnerable populations.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Establishing local grantmaking entities and testing new funding models
      Founded World Connect Rwanda as a local NGO in 2022, established Guate Conecta in Guatemala (2025), and launched NYC Connect in 2022 to pilot and refine its grantmaking methodology in new contexts. These efforts reflect strategic investments in localized, adaptive funding structures.
financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$2.08M
Contributions & grants$2.07M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$7K0%
Other revenue$750
expenses
Total expenses$2.66M
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$1.15M
Grants paid out$897K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.44M
Cash$435K
Investments$477K
Liabilities$319K
Net assets$1.12M
Liquid reserves4.1 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2023 · YoY revenue +12.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023

Who runs it

paid leadership · 3
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
PAMELA NATHENSON EXECUTIVE DI 40 $239K
CHRISTINE LACKOWSKI CHIEF OPERAT 40 $178K
KATHRYN MURPHY GLOBAL DIR. 40 $149K
board members · 21
  • AMEDEE PROUVOST — DIRECTOR
  • ANATOLE MANZI — DIRECTOR
  • ANDREA SCHWARTZMAN — DIRECTOR
  • ARUM LEE LANSEL — DIRECTOR
  • AYANNA WAYNER — DIRECTOR
  • CHRISTOPH BECKER — DIRECTOR
  • CLARA BINGHAM — DIRECTOR
  • COURTENAY CABOT VENTON — DIRECTOR
  • GEORGE BIDDLE — CHAIRMAN
  • GLEN DAVIS — DIRECTOR
  • JACK SULLIVAN — DIRECTOR
  • JAMES HUNT — TREASURER
  • JJ RAMBERG — DIRECTOR
  • JOHN COUMANTAROS — DIRECTOR
  • JULIA HANEY — DIRECTOR
  • MORAG NEILL-JOHNSON — DIRECTOR
  • REHMAH KASULE — DIRECTOR
  • ROBERT HECHT — DIRECTOR
  • SEAN REILLY — DIRECTOR
  • STEPHANIE CABOT — SECRETARY
  • TAMALA CHIRWA — DIRECTOR
relationships · 31

Who they work with

  • Arrillaga Foundation Funder — Major funder contributing over $50,000 to World Connect since 2005.
  • CEDA International Partner — Rehmah Kasule, a board member of World Connect, founded and leads CEDA International, which implements development programs in Africa, suggesting a potential organizational alignment or collaboration.
  • Cabot family Partner — Founded the Powell R. Cabot Fund in honor of Powell Robert Cabot to support women and children in the developing world.
  • Chief Theresa Kachindamoto Partner — Community leader in Dedza District, Malawi, who has partnered with World Connect on local development initiatives.
  • Chief Theresa Kachindamoto Partner — Community leader in Dedza District, Malawi, whose area has benefited from World Connect projects
  • Chipunga community Partner — Receives funding from World Connect for construction of health worker housing in Malawi
  • Chiundira Village Development Committee Partner — Receives funding from World Connect to build a clinic for children under 5 in Malawi
  • Flour Mills Nigeria Plc. Partner — Major donor contributing over $50,000 to World Connect since 2005.
  • Girlsaide Partner — Receives funding from World Connect for the Keep All Mothers Alive maternal health project in Nigeria
  • Guate Conecta Partner — Power center established in 2025 to lead grantmaking in Guatemala.
  • Institute for Community Living Partner — Glen Davis is Chief Medical Officer at The Institute for Community Living, indicating a leadership affiliation between World Connect and this New York-based human services agency.
  • Intag Women Entrepreneurs Collective Partner — Receives funding from World Connect to support women entrepreneurs in cloud forest conservation and sustainable livelihoods in Ecuador
  • International Rescue Committee Partner — George Biddle and Christoph Becker serve on the board of the International Rescue Committee, indicating a leadership-level affiliation with the organization.
  • Jonathan and Kathleen Altman Foundation Funder — Major funder contributing over $50,000 to World Connect since 2005.
  • Kaliza Village Health Committee Partner — Receives funding from World Connect to construct and operate a community health clinic in Malawi
  • Mndembo Village Development Committee Partner — Receives funding from World Connect to build a clinic for children under 5 in Malawi
  • Mudzi Connect Partner — Implements a two-year program with World Connect to support Village Development Committees in Malawi
  • Mudzi Connect Partner — Power center in Malawi managing community investments since 2018.
  • NYC Connect Partner — Entity established in 2022 to test World Connect's grantmaking methodology in New York City.
  • Non-profits, LLCs, and fiscally sponsored groups Partner — Receives grant funding through the NYC Connect program to implement locally led development projects.
  • Pinkhealth Foundation Partner — Receives funding from World Connect to expand breast cancer awareness and screening in Nigeria
  • Project Aid MOMs Partner — Receives funding from World Connect to establish a diagnostic center in Nigeria
  • Results for Development Partner — Robert Hecht is a Managing Director at Results for Development, indicating a professional leadership link between World Connect and this global development organization.
  • Rural Health Mission Nigeria Partner — Receives funding from World Connect for the Lifesaving Kits Project to improve safe deliveries in remote areas of Nigeria
  • Stavros Niarchos Foundation Funder — Major funder contributing over $50,000 to World Connect since 2005.
  • Vitol Foundation Funder — Major funder contributing over $50,000 to World Connect since 2005.
  • Wa-Sombo community Partner — Partners with World Connect to build a resource center for teenage mothers in Ghana
  • WaterAid America Partner — James Hunt serves on the board of WaterAid America, indicating a leadership connection between World Connect leadership and this nonprofit.
  • World Connect Rwanda Partner — Local NGO established in 2022 to carry out grantmaking in Rwanda.
  • World Connect UK Network — Established in 2021 to mobilize support for locally-led development within the UK and across Europe.
+ 1 more
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Co-Investment with Communities
    methodology: co_investment_model
    By requiring financial co-investment from communities alongside grant funding, we produce greater project ownership and sustainability because shared financial responsibility strengthens commitment and long-term momentum.
  • Community-Led Development
    methodology: community_led_development
    By funding projects designed and led by local communities, we produce more sustainable and effective development outcomes because those closest to the challenges have the deepest understanding of their context and priorities.
  • Inclusive Local Leadership
    methodology: inclusive_local_leadership
    By prioritizing leadership roles for women, indigenous people, and youth in development projects, we generate broader economic and social benefits for entire communities because their inclusion leads to more representative, equitable, and impactful solutions.
  • Trusted-Partner Funding Network
    methodology: trusted_partner_network
    By channeling funds through a global network of trusted local partners, we increase the speed, accuracy, and effectiveness of grant delivery because these partners provide contextual insight and reduce barriers to access for community-led initiatives.