African Rising Initiative: Empowering African Communities

Name: African Rising Initiative
Address: Spokane, WA, US
Telephone: 206-775-3467

Education, Agriculture, Empowerment, Self-Sufficiency

Join us in our mission to empower African communities through education, sustainable agriculture, women's empowerment, and self-sufficiency skills.

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Our Story

African Rising Initiative is a US-based 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to empowering African communities through projects focused on education, sustainable agriculture, women's empowerment, and self-sufficiency. We secure grants and funding for projects in multiple African nations, partnering with existing Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to create sustainable impact.

Learn More

Visit https://www.africanrisinginitiative.org/events for more information on how to become a sponsor or attend virtually.

Visite https://www.africanrisinginitiative.org/events para obtener más información sobre cómo convertirse en patrocinador o asistir virtualmente.

Thank you Ishanu Ministries International for all you do to provide for so many orphans and the homeless in Uganda. ❤️💚💛

We are so proud to be partners with your organization and provide assistance through our Secure Housing Project.

See our bio to connect or donate👆

#Uganda #AfricaRising #AfricanCommunities #AfricanNonprofit #UgandaStrong #SupportUganda #AfricanInitiatives #AfricaHope #AfricanYouth #AfricaCommunityCare #AfricaSustainable #Nonprofit #MakeADifference #GiveBack #ChangeMakers #GlobalGiving #DoGood

Meet Our Founders: Sarah Potter
Seattle native. Tech industry veteran. Heart-led changemaker. 💡🌍

Sarah brings 25+ years of program management expertise to African Rising Initiative, where she serves as Co-Founder and Vice President. With a passion for equity and community, she’s helped sponsor over 25 students across Africa and supports NGOs with hands-on leadership and strategic support.

Her mission? To help small nonprofits in Uganda overcome barriers, work together, and thrive—so no child is left behind.

Sarah’s superpowers: empathy, collaboration, and turning vision into action. 💪✨

She’s also a longtime mentor, speaker, and advocate for women and youth in tech—believing in the power of small acts to create big change.

Follow us to be part of the ripple. 🌱

#MeetOurFounders #AfricanRisingInitiative #WomenInTech #CommunityEmpowerment #NonprofitLeadership #RippleEffect

Meet Our Board Members: Don King @donthemushroomhunter

Don King, known as The Mushroom Hunter, has spent over 20 years foraging wild mushrooms across North America and teaching communities how to find and identify them. His passion for sustainable, local foods and community education aligns perfectly with African Rising Initiative’s mission.

As a board member of African Rising Initiative, Don uses his expertise in applied mycology to support our partner NGOs in Uganda—helping them turn agricultural byproducts into valuable food sources like oyster mushrooms. His dedication to teaching and empowering others is at the heart of everything we do.

Join us in creating a ripple effect of generosity and sustainability. 🍄🌍

Meet Our Founders: Kristan Trunzo @earthyshroommama
Herbalist. Homeschooler. Healer. Mushroom mama. 🍄💚

Kristan Trunzo is a founding member of African Rising Initiative and a lifelong student of nature. With 30+ years of experience in bodywork, herbal medicine, and mycology, Kristan uses her deep connection to the forest to guide her work in community empowerment.

She teaches children about fungi, leads talks on ethnogens and parenting, and is currently writing her first mycology book (out 2026!).

Kristan helps bring mushroom education and sustainability to underserved communities in Uganda—growing food, opportunity, and self-reliance from the ground up. 🌱

#MeetOurFounders #AfricanRisingInitiative #WomenInMycology #Herbalism #CommunityEmpowerment #NatureHeals #RippleEffect

Meet Our Founders: Ted Anderson @flushcrusher

Ted co-founded African Rising Initiative with a simple mission: empower small, grassroots NGOs in Uganda to fundraise and sustain themselves. With a passion for community empowerment and over a decade of experience in sustainable mushroom farming, Ted saw how local organizations were turning waste into food—and knew he could help amplify their impact.

By creating a system of transparency and keeping overhead costs to a minimum, Ted ensures donor contributions go directly where they’re needed most. He believes small acts of generosity can create global ripples of change.

Follow us to be part of that ripple effect. 🌍✨

African Rising Initiative is a US-based 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to empowering African communities through projects focused on education, sustainable agriculture, women's empowerment, and self-sufficiency. We invite you to join in this mission to uplift communities in Uganda through projects such as mushroom growing, scholarships for school, and food for the homeless.

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@africanrisinginitiative

Get in Touch

711 W Pine St

Shelton WA 98584

206-775-3467

admin@africanrisinginitiative.org

African Rising Initiative: Empowering African Communities

Education, Agriculture, Empowerment, Self-Sufficiency

Our Story

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African Rising Initiative