Aligned by Design: Why Food & Trees for Africa Chose Signal Messenger

Today digital tools play as big a role in the non-profit world as the seeds we sow or the people we support. At Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA), we handle intricate projects spread across wide regions. We arrange logistics to plant many trees, run agricultural programmes in various locations and stay in touch with workers on the ground. To manage everything, we depend on messaging systems that must be fast, trustworthy and secure.

But about five years ago, we paused to ask a deeper question:

Do the tools we use every day match up to the values and ethics we stand for?

When we looked at our communication systems, both inside and outside the organisation, the solution was obvious. We needed more than just a tool to handle logistics. We needed one that reflected what we stand for. That’s why Food & Trees for Africa chose Signal Messenger as the main platform for our messaging.

Our decision wasn't based on tech features being our primary motivation (Although Signal has equal to better features). It came from a belief in shared values: a dedication to being transparent and to the idea that non-profits should back each other up. Of course, principles like ethics and digital responsibility don't keep operations running on their own. Now, five years later, we’re still happy with how well the platform performs and fits into our daily work.

The Idea: Non-Profits Backing Non-Profits

Non-profits grow stronger through teamwork and shared goals. Our work focuses on tackling food security, protecting the environment and addressing climate change. We operate with a mission-centred approach that prioritises purpose over profit. And it's crucial to carry this same mindset into how we choose the vendors and tools that support our work.

Big tech companies, particularly those on the stock exchange, seem to generally own most modern communication tools. These companies run on business models that aim to increase profits, often by turning user data and attention into money. For non-profits like ours, using these platforms creates a quiet but ongoing conflict between our values and how we get things done.

Signal stands out as something unique in the tech industry. The Signal Technology Foundation, an independent non-profit organisation under 501(c)(3), developed it. By supporting Signal, FTFA joins a network built on mutual backing. We choose to stand with an institution that, like us, focuses solely on serving public interests. Signal answers to no investors, board members aiming for financial gains or advertisers. Its only measure of success lies in achieving its goal to defend free speech and provide secure communication worldwide.

When non-profits choose to support other non-profits, they build an alternative system grounded in shared principles and collective good instead of profit-driven motives.

Honesty as a Fundamental Ethical Value

At Food & Trees for Africa, transparency and governance forms a major pillar of everything we do. We strive to communicate openly, whether we're sharing updates with donors, teaming up with businesses or working with community leaders. Building trust that lasts means staying truthful and honest - particulaly when it comes to our projects. We take responsibility for every single tree we plant and every food-growing initiative we create - even (and it doesnt happen often) when the results are not ideal.

We ask for the same responsibility from the technology we use. Signal stands out from the rest because of its strong dedication to openness. Every part of Signal, from its encryption systems to its user-facing software, is open-source. This allows anyone to view, test and confirm the code for themselves.

In today’s world where "black box" algorithms and concealed data collection seem standard, Signal stands out with its open-source approach. It does not ask people to just believe their data is secure. Instead, it shows it by being transparent. This openness with its structure matches FTFA's commitment to being clear and honest as an organisation. We think behind-the-scenes work matters just as much as the work people see. With Signal, there’s nothing shady going on.

A Platform Built on Passion and Community

Many people think that non-profit or open-source software can't match the quality, speed or reliability of big-name corporate tools. Signal proves this idea wrong. After using it for over five years in our most important communications, we can say it's a reliable, secure and well-crafted platform. But what makes Signal work so well?

The secret is its community. A small but devoted team of developers, cryptographers and privacy enthusiasts keeps Signal running. Since they don’t have to create features to keep users glued to their screens or gather metadata, they can devote all of their efforts to making a secure, fast and simple communication app.

This aligns with our efforts at FTFA. We see how real impact comes from the ground up, not from decisions forced in a top-dow, non-collabrative manner. The best and most lasting projects grow out of committed, active groups and communities. Our community food gardens thrive because passionate local farmers and community groups care for them. Similarly, Signal thrives because its devoted community protects and nurtures its code. This technology is made with real thought for the people using it.

Choosing Signal for Privacy and Control

Switching to Signal makes a powerful point about our stance on privacy and data control. In our work, we manage sensitive information, whether it’s about organising logistics or sharing the personal information of the vulnerable communities and individuals we support.

Popular messaging apps gather a lot of metadata, like who you're chatting with, the time, the location and how you communicate. Signal, on the other hand, is built to gather as little information as possible. Its advanced end-to-end encryption using the open-source Signal Protocol ensures even Signal can’t see our messages or hear our calls. Now imagine this while assessing hundreds of Early Childhood Development centres in struggling communities all over the country, sending GPS locations and images.

FTFA uses Signal to safeguard the digital freedom of staff, contractors and the beneficiaries we serve. We choose not to surrender the operational details of our social and environmental efforts to systems of surveillance. We value our ecosystem too much to allow their communication to be exploited for corporate data collection.

Conclusion

The tools an organisation adopts reflect its values. Food & Trees for Africa sees its methods and digital ethics as a reflection of its mission. By selecting Signal Messenger as our primary internal platform, we have brought our digital practices in line with our commitment to the physical world.

We feel proud to back another non-profit, promote openness and teamwork through open-source tools and defend the privacy within our network. Moreover, we have shown that using an ethical platform does not require lowering quality. As the non-profit world handles a tricky digital space, we encourage other groups to examine the tools they rely on. Aligning technology with values not only helps us communicate securely, but it also lets us communicate with transparency.