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THE FLAME TREE INITIATIVE
Tucson, AZ · EIN 352347770 · Form 990EZ · FY2021 · NTEE Q12 · International Affairs · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.flametreeinitiative.org
revenue
$111K
expenses
$99K
net assets
$23K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

Flame Tree Initiative is a non-profit organization providing training mentoring, and support to development entrepreneurs in East Africa.

profile · synthesized from sources

Supports Malawian social entrepreneurs developing renewable energy and agribusiness enterprises to combat energy poverty and drive inclusive economic growth. Focuses on off-grid solar, hydro, and biofuel solutions, as well as productive energy use in agriculture and community development. Works with early-stage entrepreneurs to build scalable businesses that address rural energy access and socio-economic challenges in Malawi.

named programs · 2 · from sources

what they call their work

DELab
Open innovation lab supporting entrepreneur capability-building in renewable energy and productive energy use
DEStudio Cohort
Training and support program for Malawian social entrepreneurs launching development enterprises focused on renewable energy and agribusiness
activities · 6 groups

what they do

  • Small Business Technical Assistance & Counseling 5 activities
    • Entrepreneur Support Services
      Offers a suite of capacity-building services including workshops, networking meet-ups, one-on-one consultations, partner introductions, technical advising, marketing assistance, proposal editing, and pitch deck development for entrepreneurs.
    • Entrepreneurial Workshops and Networking
      Provides workshops, meet-ups, and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs.
    • Entrepreneurial Workshops and Networking
      Provides workshops, meet-ups, and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs.
    • One-on-One Consultations and Site Visits
      Conducts one-on-one site visits and consultations to support entrepreneurs.
    • One-on-One Consultations and Site Visits
      Conducts one-on-one site visits and consultations to support entrepreneurs.
  • International Mission & Church Planting 3 activities
    • Community Collaboration
      Collaborates with organizations like CADECOM, CAT, and the Mangochi Dioceses to address community needs and expand organizational reach.
    • Community Collaboration for Organizational Reach
      Collaborates with organizations like CADECOM, CAT, and the Mangochi Dioceses to address community needs and expand organizational reach.
    • Community and Organizational Partnerships
      Collaborates with local organizations such as CADECOM, CAT, and the Mangochi Dioceses to address community needs and expand program reach.
  • Entrepreneurship Accelerator & Training Programs 3 activities
    • Development Entrepreneur Lab (DELab)
      Operates a six-day intensive program for early-stage startup entrepreneurs, designed to build foundational business skills and accelerate development.
    • Development Entrepreneur Lab (DELab) Program
      Operates a six-day program for early-stage startup entrepreneurs, building on prior initiatives that empowered numerous Malawian entrepreneurs.
    • Development Entrepreneur Lab (DELab) Program
      Operates a six-day program for early-stage startup entrepreneurs, building on prior initiatives that empowered numerous Malawian entrepreneurs.
  • Entrepreneur Support with Culinary Focus 3 activities
    • Growth Acceleration Program
      Provides structured support to social enterprises through mentorship, strategic partnerships, and resources to refine business models, secure funding, and scale operations, building on the legacy of DELab and DEStudio.
    • Mentorship and Resource Provision for Social Enterprises
      Supports early-stage social enterprises by providing mentorship, resources, and strategic partnerships to refine business models, secure funding, and scale operations.
    • Mentorship and Resource Provision for Social Enterprises
      Supports early-stage social enterprises by providing mentorship, resources, and strategic partnerships to refine business models, secure funding, and scale operations.
  • Writer Support & Development Programs 2 activities
    • Proposal and Pitch Deck Development Support
      Offers editing services for proposals, presentations, and other external materials, and supports continuous pitch deck development.
    • Proposal and Presentation Editing Services
      Offers editing services for proposals, presentations, and other external materials, and supports continuous pitch deck development.
  • Uncategorized 7 activities
    • DEStudio Program
      Offers the DEStudio program exclusively to graduates of the DELab program.
    • DEStudio Program
      Offers the DEStudio program exclusively to graduates of the DELab program.
    • DEStudio Program
      An advanced, exclusive program offered only to graduates of the DELab, focused on deeper entrepreneurial development and growth refinement.
    • Marketing and Media Support
      Provides assistance with marketing and media exposure for entrepreneurs.
    • Marketing and Media Support
      Provides assistance with marketing and media exposure for entrepreneurs.
    • Partner and Advisor Introductions
      Facilitates introductions to potential partners and links members to scientific or technical advising for entrepreneurs.
    • Partner and Advisor Introductions
      Facilitates introductions for entrepreneurs to potential partners and links members to scientific or technical advising.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$111K
Contributions & grants$105K94%
Program service revenue$7K6%
Investment income$1640%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$99K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$54K
Grants paid out$7K
balance sheet
Total assets$23K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$23K
2 years on record · 2020–2021 · YoY revenue -3.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 3
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Grace Hargis Marketing and Development Coordinator 25 $18K
Cynthia Morseth Finance & Admin Advisor 12 $13K
Chifuniro Kandaya Program Manager 40 $7K
relationships · 32

who they work with

  • Angelstone Partner — Supports Lilly Musaya, an entrepreneur from Angelstone.
  • CADECOM Partner — Collaborated with Flame Tree Initiative to address community needs and expand reach.
  • CAT Partner — Collaborated with Flame Tree Initiative to address community needs and expand reach.
  • Clean Heat Solutions Partner — Supports Sylvester Chabuka, an entrepreneur from Clean Heat Solutions.
  • Commonwealth Business Women Network — Dineo Katane-Mkwezalamba is the Malawi Chapter Director for Commonwealth Business Women
  • Community Youth Empowerment for Self Reliance (CYESR) Partner — Supports Matilda Kang’ombe, an entrepreneur from Community Youth Empowerment for Self Reliance (CYESR).
  • DAFA Farm Partner — Supports David Njaidi, an entrepreneur from DAFA Farm.
  • DELab Partner — Prior initiative integrated into the Growth Acceleration program to support Malawian entrepreneurs.
  • DEStudio Partner — Prior initiative integrated into the Growth Acceleration program to support Malawian entrepreneurs.
  • Destiny Produce Partner — Supports Tizgowere Msiska, an entrepreneur from Destiny Produce.
  • Dzuka Africa Organization Partner — Founded and led by Dineo Katane-Mkwezalamba, the organization runs internship, social entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurship programs to support youth and women
  • Fisi Farm Partner — Supports Aubrey Lindeire, an entrepreneur from Fisi Farm.
  • Food and Agribusiness Development Company Partner — Supports Dumisanie Mambiya, an entrepreneur from Food and Agribusiness Development Company.
  • Fountain of Hope Partner — Supports Marcel Cirhuza, an entrepreneur from Fountain of Hope.
  • Frankfurt School of Finance Partner — Dineo Katane-Mkwezalamba served as a Business Developer in Malawi for the Frankfurt School of Finance
  • Green Ventures Partner — Co-founded by DEStudio Members Marko and Aaron
  • INSEAD-ISEP Network — Dineo Katane-Mkwezalamba is an alumni of INSEAD-ISEP, indicating affiliation with the program
  • Kwacha Energy Limited Partner — Supports Christopher Beza, an entrepreneur from Kwacha Energy Limited.
  • Mangochi Dioceses Partner — Collaborated with Flame Tree Initiative to address community needs and expand reach.
  • Mangoni ARTS Studio Partner — Supports Mozesi Mwakhwawa, an entrepreneur from Mangoni ARTS Studio.
  • Matla Group Partner — Dineo Katane-Mkwezalamba holds a directorship position at Matla Group
  • Mptamlenje Foundation, Entrepreneurship and Education Institute Partner — Supports Selina Mwenelupembe, an entrepreneur from Mptamlenje Foundation, Entrepreneurship and Education Institute.
  • OCLIYA Partner — Supports Emmanuel Chatina, an entrepreneur from OCLIYA.
  • Pure Joy Agriculture (2020) Ltd Partner — Supports Paul Guta, an entrepreneur from Pure Joy Agriculture (2020) Ltd.
  • SanTech Solutions Partner — Supports Arthur Kamoto, an entrepreneur from SanTech Solutions.
  • Smart Energy Enterprise Partner — Supports Gift Mwangairo, an entrepreneur from Smart Energy Enterprise.
  • Social Enterprise Academy Partner — Dineo Katane-Mkwezalamba serves as a tutor at the Social Enterprise Academy with ILM accreditation
  • Tawonga Cooking Oil Processing and Solar Drier Partner — Supports Timothy Munthali, an entrepreneur from Tawonga Cooking Oil Processing and Solar Drier.
  • Thanzi la Bwino Partner — Supports Mayamiko Jere Kasoka, an entrepreneur from Thanzi la Bwino.
  • Umodzi Green Collect (UGC) Partner — Supports Wezi Chatinkha Mjathu, an entrepreneur from Umodzi Green Collect (UGC).
+ 2 more