Illuminating Impact: Light as a Catalyst for Change
This May, Unite to Light celebrated the International Day of Light by bringing together global leaders, researchers, nonprofit partners, and innovators for our annual Illuminating Impact Symposium at UC Santa Barbara. The event explored a simple but powerful idea: access to light and energy can transform lives.
From improving maternal health and educational outcomes to strengthening climate resilience and economic opportunity, speakers shared how clean, reliable solar light is helping communities thrive around the world. The symposium highlighted the growing body of evidence showing that something as simple as a solar light can increase study time for students, improve safety for women and girls, support healthcare workers, and reduce reliance on polluting fuels.
At Unite to Light, we see these impacts every day through our work in health, education, disaster response, and community resilience. As we continue to expand our reach, we remain grateful for the Santa Barbara community whose support makes this work possible.
Together, we’re proving that a single light can do far more than illuminate a room—it can illuminate a path to opportunity.
You can read more here: https://unitetolight.org/illuminating-impact-2026/
Unite to Light
Donate now!www.unitetolight.org
(805) 617-0590
President & CEO: Megan Birney Rudert
Mission
Unite to Light envisions a world where every person has access to clean, affordable light and energy. They provide low-cost solar lighting and energy to people living without electricity to improve global health, education, prosperity, and fight climate change.
Begin to Build a Relationship
We know you care about where your money goes and how it is used. Connect with this organization’s leadership in order to begin to build this important relationship. Your email will be sent directly to this organization’s director of development and/or Executive Director.
I’ve learned that meaningful change often begins with something simple. Unite to Light brings light and power to villages, clinics, and schools where darkness has limited opportunity. Suddenly, evenings become time to study, work, cook, care for family, and gather together. It is a privilege to be part of that transformation.
$2,500 Lights the Path to Graduation
A $2,500 investment funds a “Light Library” – providing solar lights for students to study safely after dark. Each light costs $10 and lasts 7-10 years, making it one of the most cost-effective education interventions available.
Unite to Light is seeking 25 donors at this level to help thousands more students stay in school and succeed.
Buy One. Give One.
For every product Unite to Light sells here in the U.S., they donate one to someone without electricity.
Key Supporters
John Bowers
Claude Dorais
Gisela Voss Kernan
Dawn Mitcham
Wade Nomura
Heather Bennett
Maggi Alexander
Wendy & Larry Barels
Lynda Nahra
The James S. Bower Foundation
Rudi Schulte Family Foundation
Shuji & Yuki Nakamura
Jeff Henley
Hans & Esther Brand
Art & Louise Fisher
Bob Simon
Jeff Harris