Throughout 2025, the One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) has been at the forefront of charting a course for the nonprofit sector in The Bahamas. With the publication of their concept paper on the Social Enterprise Accelerator, OEF laid the foundation to chart a course for the establishment of a non-profit accelerator in the Bahamas by determining its priorities, focus, sustainability, advocacy, and long-term development.

Led by Keyron Smith, OEF’s Social Good Accelerator (SGA) now enters Phase II, building on the success of its first phase, which engaged more than 80 nonprofit leaders through convenings in Eleuthera and Nassau. These gatherings provided vital insights into the sector’s needs, emphasizing the importance of strong governance, fundraising capacity, collaboration, and trust across The Bahamas’ nonprofit ecosystem.

Phase II will strengthen nonprofit organizational capacity and impact through a refined accelerator model. Key objectives include establishing the accelerator’s structure; launching a digital Nonprofit Hub with learning resources, mentorship, and collaboration tools; piloting a cohort model offering tailored support to at least ten nonprofits; and hosting quarterly networking and learning events to foster trust and collaboration. A comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) framework will guide continuous improvement and inform a scalable model for future phases.

The project will deliver practical tools and services such as governance training, fundraising and social enterprise support, peer learning spaces, and access to funding opportunities. The digital Nonprofit Hub will integrate AI-enabled guidance with human expertise to support ongoing learning and connection.

SGA Phase II investments include staffing, digital platform development, curriculum design, mentorship, events, cohort grants, marketing, and operations. A sustainable, tiered membership model and strong partnerships will support long-term impact and scalability. By the end of Phase II, OEF aims to have a tested, evidence-based accelerator model that strengthens nonprofit effectiveness, collaboration, and readiness for regional expansion in Phase III.