From Colorado to East Africa: Bridging Cultures, Inspiring Action.
At the Global Livingston Institute (GLI), we believe that powerful things happen when people from the United States and East Africa come together to listen, learn, and connect. Our programs invite students, educators, and community leaders into immersive experiences in Uganda and Rwanda—experiences that challenge assumptions, build empathy, and spark meaningful action at home and abroad.
GLI’s model is simple: Listen. Think. Act.
By prioritizing relationships and local voices, we create opportunities that are respectful, humanizing, and transformative.
Our travelers say it best:
⭐ “This trip was profoundly humanizing and created deep empathy — the antidote to indifference.”
⭐ “Everywhere we went, people welcomed us with warmth and connection. A piece of my heart was left in every place we visited, and I know I’ll carry this perspective with me for the rest of my life.”
⭐ “This program was exceptional! GLI’s model of listening first and acting later is something I’ve never experienced before, and it made every moment more meaningful and respectful.”
Your support on Colorado Gives Day helps more people experience these life-changing encounters—and strengthens the partnerships that make them possible.
Join us in building deeper understanding and connection between Colorado and Africa!
Our mission is to empower future global leaders through immersive cross-cultural learning and partnership between U.S. and African youth.
Our vision is to reimagine a world system rooted in fairness, equality, and mutual respect.
The Global Livingston Institute (GLI) is an international education nonprofit that builds meaningful connections between the United States and East Africa through immersive learning and cross-cultural partnership. We create opportunities for students and community leaders to sit together, share ideas, and explore new approaches to global and local challenges.
GLI is named after Johnston R. Livingston, a Colorado entrepreneur and philanthropist whose legacy of curiosity and service inspired our work. After traveling to Uganda and Rwanda as a Livingston Fellow in 2007, founder Jamie Van Leeuwen saw firsthand how development efforts often lacked one essential step: listening to the people most impacted. In response, he launched GLI in 2009 with a simple but powerful model: Listen. Think. Act.
Since then, GLI has brought together U.S. and African youth, educators, and leaders to rethink traditional development, build empathy, and strengthen communities through shared learning and collaboration.
Organization name
The Global Livingston Institute
other names
GLI
2012
Tax id (EIN)
45-4683531
Category
Education
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Colorado State Tax Credits
Colorado Enterprise Zone Credit
Address
1031 33rd Street Suite 235Denver, CO, US