Role of S.H.A.R.E. Agriculture Foundation in the funding ecosystem
S.H.A.R.E. Agriculture Foundation is a Canadian registered charity created by farmers in 1976 to "Send Help And Resources Everywhere". The organization focuses on funding community-led, agriculturally based projects in some of the poorest and most isolated rural areas of Central and South America, Haiti and Cambodia. Rather than implementing projects directly, S.H.A.R.E. channels donations and sponsorships to local partners who design and deliver initiatives that build long-term self‑reliance.
The foundation supports a wide portfolio of projects including agriculture inputs and tools, agroecological training, water conservation and irrigation systems, education, literacy and skills training, and the development of small rural enterprises. Many projects specifically target women and families, combining food security, income generation and community health.
Funding themes and types of support
- Agriculture inputs and infrastructure – provision of seeds, tools, livestock, greenhouses and irrigation infrastructure to improve productivity and resilience of smallholder farmers.
- Education, literacy and skills training – scholarships, adult literacy classes, technical agricultural training and youth skills initiatives that expand local capacities.
- Water conservation and irrigation – construction of wells, gravity-fed systems and community water points to secure reliable access to safe water for households and farming.
- Supporting women and families – projects such as community bread ovens, nutrition programs, health clinics and micro‑enterprise training that empower women and improve family well‑being.
- Small rural enterprises – support for cooperatives and micro‑businesses in sectors like cattle, poultry, cacao and baking, often using revolving funds or pass‑on principles.
S.H.A.R.E. emphasizes a "hand up, not a hand out" approach. Many initiatives use a pass‑on model where initial beneficiaries share animals, seeds, knowledge or income opportunities with others, multiplying impact over time.
General approach to partnerships and project selection
The foundation works almost entirely through local partner organizations and community groups. These partners identify needs, co‑design projects and manage activities on the ground. S.H.A.R.E.’s Canadian volunteers and project managers monitor progress through field visits and reporting, ensuring that funds are used effectively and that projects are sustainable.
Over the years, S.H.A.R.E. has combined funds raised from individual donors with grants from Canadian government agencies such as CIDA and Global Affairs Canada, as well as from private foundations, unions, service clubs and other organizations. Matching‑dollar arrangements with family foundations, for example for the "Families and Land" projects, further leverage individual contributions.
Transparency, governance and accountability
The organization publishes audited financial statements annually and highlights that approximately 96% of donations go directly to projects, thanks to being largely volunteer‑run and operating without heavy overhead. It has been highly rated by the Veritas Foundation for accountability, transparency and social return on investment, indicating strong governance practices.
Supported audiences and global impact
Since its founding, S.H.A.R.E. reports having completed more than a thousand projects and invested over $12 million to help countless rural families. Beneficiaries include smallholder farmers, indigenous communities, women’s groups, schoolchildren and adults seeking literacy or technical training. By focusing on sustainable agriculture, water access and education, the foundation contributes to long‑term community resilience rather than short‑term relief.
Through this combination of targeted grantmaking, close collaboration with local partners and volunteer leadership in Canada, S.H.A.R.E. Agriculture Foundation plays a distinctive role in the international rural development funding landscape.