A year of impact and momentum

Join us in reflecting on another year of deep collaboration and transformative impact on children and communities across East and West Africa.

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A letter from our founder

Dear FMFM Family,

As we look back on 2024, I’m struck by the collective impact we’ve made—together. This year, our journey took us to exciting new heights: impactful project visits across West Africa, the continued growth of Gatune Farm, and the successful launch of the Global Student Program through new and powerful partnerships.

Our community’s creativity and dedication shone through grassroots fundraising efforts—lemonade stands, yoga-and-sip events, and our annual Summer Garden Party—proving that big impact often starts with small, intentional actions. As a newly recognized 1% for the Planet and Global Giving Vetted Organization, our reach continues to expand, amplifying our ability to serve communities and tackle challenges at their root.

Because of your support, we’ve provided meals, built sustainable farms, and empowered communities across five countries. Together, we’re advancing goals that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—fighting Zero Hunger, improving Clean Water access, and driving Quality Education for thousands of children.

Your belief in FMFM fuels our ability to take bold action and drive lasting change. In 2025 and 2026, let’s keep showing up, solving problems that matter, and building systems that last.

With deep gratitude and optimism,
Maria Nicholas-Groves
Founder, Feeding Mouths Filling Minds

Watch this video for an overview of FMFM’s impact and our vision for what’s to come.

Yield from crops at the Gatune Farm Project in Kenya

FMFM team visits with Project 1808 partners in Kabala, Sierra Leone

Visit to Maria Nicholas-Groves school system in Liberia

Site of Koinadugu College in Sierra Leone

Our new Women's Empowerment Program supported this group of mothers in Liberia. They received training & tools to grow revenue-generating crops to support their families.

We supported rainwater harvesting & filtration systems for this school in Rwanda. For many, this is the first time children have drank filtered water from a tap!

Through collaboration with Act-NGONO Tanzania, we've made strides in sanitation and water access, completing two latrine projects and one water system, impacting 1,712 lives.

We supported the first school garden at Bumbogo Secondary School in Rwanda. Ensuring that the children have a balanced diet at school!

We supported the founding of Koinadugu College in Sierra Leone, which officially opened doors in January 2024.

Volunteer Holly Baumgart guest lectures to students at Koinadugu College in Sierra Leone

Revenue-generated crops funded by FMFM at Koinadugu College

FMFM team, community leaders and students at Koinadugu College in Sierra Leone

FMFM team visit to Paramount Chiefs in Kabala, Sierra Leone

FMFM team receives recognition for contributions to Koinadugu College in Sierra Leone

Youth Center visit in Liberia with FMFM team

This year, our initiatives spanned Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, collaborating with incredible partners to implement projects focused on nutrition, clean water, education, and community empowerment. Our work directly impacted 3,283 lives, with milestones that set the stage for continued growth.

Notable achievements include:

Completion of Phase One at Gatune Farm in Kenya.
Strengthening Koinadugu College in Sierra Leone through academic and infrastructure support.
Launching and expanding the Global Student Program, including early steps toward a partnership with Pathways High School in Milwaukee.
Grassroots fundraising efforts led by supporters across the U.S., demonstrating the power of community-driven change.

Continued Growth of Gatune Farm

Phase One of the Gatune Farm Project in Kenya was successfully completed, advancing food security and sustainability for the community. This long-term initiative continues to provide reliable agricultural resources while empowering local leaders to drive progress.

West Africa Project Visits and Guest Lecture Series

During our impactful project visits to Sierra Leone and Liberia, an FMFM board member participated as a featured speaker in the Guest Lecture Series at Koinadugu College, further strengthening our ties with this vital institution. These visits also enabled us to identify new opportunities to deepen our impact across West Africa.

Grassroots Fundraising Success

Our community’s dedication shone brightly through creative, grassroots fundraising events, proving that big impact often starts with small, intentional actions. Events included:

Lemonade Fundraiser by Olivia and Lisa Ramirez
Friends of FMFM Party sponsored by Holly Baumguart
Yoga-and-Sip Event by Lisa Ramirez and Kristal Melbye
UW-Madison Dietetics and Nutritional Science Club x Forage Kitchen Fundraiser
The Summer Garden Party, our flagship event, which brought together passionate supporters for a memorable day of connection and giving.

Financial Report

In 2024, our collective efforts raised a total of $45,492.65, enabling us to invest directly in critical programs. What’s more, our administrative costs have been entirely offset by a private donation - allowing 100% of funds raised to go straight to our projects. The breakdown of funds allocated to each country and project, illustrated in our accompanying pie graph, reflects our strategic approach to addressing the most urgent needs while fostering long-term resilience and self-sufficiency.

Fund allocation

Your donations are used to fund a variety of different types of projects - always determined in conjunction with our beneficiary partner based on greatest area of need.

Projects by country

In 2024, your donations funded 8 projects across five countries. We continue to monitor and maintain projects funded in prior years as well.

Our Impact

Since our inception, Feeding Mouths Filling Minds has been driven by a singular mission: to eliminate hunger and enhance education in Africa, ensuring children can focus on their future.

To date, our collective efforts have catalyzed over 39 projects across East and West Africa, directly impacting the lives of more than 23,283 individuals.

Support of the Global Goals

Our work aligns with and supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), underscoring our commitment to fostering sustainable, inclusive growth. The SDGs we've contributed to include:

Goal 2: Zero Hunger. By implementing sustainable food sources and school feeding programs, we've worked to eradicate hunger and ensure access to nutritious food for all.

Goal 4: Quality Education. Our educational programs & infrastructure projects, like the construction of Koinadugu College, provide quality education & promote lifelong learning.

Goal 6: Clean Water & Sanitation. By developing water systems & sanitation facilities, we've helped improve health & well-being, ensuring access to clean water & sanitation.

Total Projects

FMFM has successfully completed over 39 projects across 8 countries, addressing critical needs for water, food, and education.

Total Lives Impacted

Through these initiatives, we've positively changed the lives of over 23,283 individuals, empowering communities and fostering a brighter future for thousands.

Total Funds Raised

Through the generosity of our supporters, FMFM has raised and efficiently allocated over $145,492 to fund these life-changing projects.

2024 Project Highlights

Each community we serve faces unique challenges, from the dire need for clean water to the essential requirement for renewable food sources. Our project-based, collaborative approach ensures that every initiative is driven by local leaders, using local tools, talent, and resources. This methodology guarantees that the projects we embark on truly belong to the communities they serve, ensuring sustainability and impact for years and generations to come.

Read about our 2024 accomplishments country-by-country:

We celebrated the completion of Phase One at Gatune Farm, enhancing agricultural outputs and advancing food security. This sustainable model continues to serve as a blueprint for future agricultural initiatives.
Through collaboration with Act-NGONO Tanzania, we've made strides in sanitation and water access, completing two latrine projects and one water system, impacting 1,712 lives. All projects are located in Muleba District, Tanzania
In partnership with Humanity Care Liberia and other local education partners, we worked with students and educators in Liberia to improve teaching practices by training instructors and principals in classroom management and instructional techniques. We also provided computers and sports equipment to help students develop technological skills, leadership, and physical fitness.
Koinadugu College, a beacon of our commitment to education and sustainable development, welcomed its first cohort of 20 students and a staff of 10. FMFM’s support for Koinadugu College included academic enhancements and infrastructure support, ensuring students in Kabala have access to higher education opportunities.
In partnership with our long-term partners, we launched two agricultural initiatives in Rwanda, benefiting a total of 971 students. The Bumbogo Poultry Project is improving nutrition and generating income for the school and neighboring community, directly supporting 750 students. The Imizi Mushroom Farming Project is enhancing meals for 221 students by adding locally grown mushrooms to their diets. These projects are designed to support nutrition in schools and their communities.

New designations and partners

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New designations and partners *

This year, FMFM earned recognition as a 1% for the Planet and Global Giving Vetted Organization, amplifying our credibility and reach.

1% for the Planet: A partnership that connects environmentally-conscious businesses with organizations like FMFM to drive meaningful change.
Notable donors include:

Global Giving Vetted Organization: This designation reflects our accountability, transparency, and ability to create measurable impact worldwide.

Keep their growing minds engaged

Get Involved

Meet the team

Maria Nicholas-Groves
Founder

Jacob Breit
Development Coordinator

Missy Olivia Ngabire
Partnerships Coordinator

Looking Ahead: Continuing Our Mission

As we look to 2025 and 2026, FMFM remains committed to breaking the cycle of hunger and poverty through sustainable solutions and strategic partnerships.

Strengthening Education: Expand the Global Student Program to empower youth in Africa and the U.S., including an exciting partnership with Pathways High School in Milwaukee.
Scaling Sustainability: Advance key agricultural initiatives, like Phase Two of Gatune Farm, to increase food security and community resilience.
Deepening Water Access: Implement additional clean water systems in schools and rural communities across Rwanda and Tanzania.
Empowering Local Leaders: Invest in community-driven solutions that create long-term impact for children and families. Reimagine food access at schools throughout Liberia in tandem with women’s empowerment programs.
Strengthening Transformative Long-Term Partnerships: Deepen impact in the realm of hunger, sanitation, skill development and economic self-sufficiency by establishing multi-year milestones for key communities in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Kenya.

Together, we will create a brighter, more sustainable future for every child and community we serve.

Learn more

Credits and Thanks

Volunteers

We couldn’t do it all without the expertise of our village of professionals who give their time to us. These individuals have donated their time and expertise to help us with fundraising, event planning, partnership development and more:

Sarah Fracek
Derek Nicholas
Melissa Howard
Maryam Tabrizi
Lisa Ramirez
Malissa Kulick
Holly Baumgart
Leanne Roth

Key Sponsors & Donors

Every donation in any amount makes and impact and we give our thanks to each and every one of our donors! These individuals and businesses contributed significant funds and in-kind services to our projects in 2024:

Holly Baumgart
Tom Kleewein
Nikki Palmer-Quade
Brad Quade
Jennifer & John Dupies
Ana Kraft
Sarah Fracek
Dmitry Krivochenitser
Amy & Nick Falluca
Erin Polich
Jay and Erin Schwane
Ehsan Saleki
David & Teddy Nicholas
James Nicholas
Kate Kim
Kate Schlesinger
Rick Schlesinger

Partner Organizations

These organizations have collaborated with us to bring our projects to life on the ground in East and West Africa. We could not accomplish our work without these critical partners:

Digital Bridge
Strides for Africa
Water Access Rwanda
Humanity Care Liberia
Project 1808
Koinadugu College
ACT-Ngono Tanzania
Bumbogo Secondary Schools
Roots Ethiopia
Imizi Children’s Center
Hope for Huruma Foundation and Huruma Children’s Home

Join Us.

Your support is crucial to our ongoing and future projects. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word, your contribution makes a world of difference. Let's continue to work together, building a future where every community can flourish.

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