Yéle Haiti was conceived more as a movement than a NGO. Yéle was founded by Wyclef Jean together with Jerry Duplessis and Hugh Locke in January 2005 as a grassroots movement inspiring change in Haiti through programs in education, sports, the arts and the environment. In its first year of operation, the foundation, with funding by Comcel, provided scholarships to 3,600 children in Gonaïves, Haiti after the devastation of Tropical Storm Jeanne. Yéle has a much broader base of support and in a sense is "owned" by the vast majority of Haitians from all walks of life, particularly the very poor, who see Yéle as embodying their hopes and dreams.

In its first year of existence, Yéle expanded by adding community service programs including food distribution and mobilization of emergency relief. The organization quickly became known for focusing global attention on Haiti.

In January 2007, Jean became a roving goodwill ambassador for Haiti, to help improve its image abroad. In May 2008, Yéle partnered with the World Food Programme of the United Nations to launch www.togetherforhaiti.org. In September of that year, Yéle delivered food to Hurricane Ike victims.

In 2009, Yéle and the Timberland Company joined forces to help raise environmental awareness in Haiti. Their campaign was created to push to support and educate the country as well as helping to improve health care and the environment, and the community.