American Red Cross

What American Red Cross does

The American Red Cross is a federally chartered, congressionally established nonprofit humanitarian organization founded in 1881 by Clara Barton and headquartered in Washington, D.C. It operates four core mission areas: disaster relief and recovery (responding to 60,000+ disasters annually), biomedical/blood services (collecting approximately 40% of the U.S. national blood supply), training and certification (First Aid, CPR, BLS, ALS/PALS, lifeguarding, swimming), and military and international services including the 24/7 Hero Care Network (60,000+ annual emergency communications for military families) and Restoring Family Links across 23 countries. The organization is supported by a volunteer force of 325,000+ that grew roughly 25% over three years (Gen Z is the fastest-growing demographic at 42% of volunteers) and a multi-segment revenue base spanning individual donations, corporate partnerships (Grainger, Dollar General, American Airlines, Verizon, Amazon, Lilly Endowment, PetSmart Charities, Jackery, Uber, Mars Veterinary Health, and others), foundation grants, training fees, blood product sales, retail product sales, and licensing royalties of its federally protected emblem.

The technology stack spans digital platforms (redcross.org, redcrossblood.org, volunteerconnection.redcross.org) and mobile applications including the Emergency app (with accessibility features for Spanish speakers, people with disabilities, and adults over 65) and the Blood Donor app; field operations are increasingly augmented by partner-developed technology such as Verizon's AI-powered Digital Twin disaster-assessment system and Amazon's 2,000+ rapid-response power, connectivity, and water systems. Digital certificates include QR codes for instant employer verification. Distribution is multi-channel: D2C via website, 1-800-RED CROSS, text-to-give (REDCROSS to 90999), mobile apps, and a network of local chapters; B2B via corporate workplace blood drives, in-store checkout collections, and cause-marketing partnerships; and training via in-person, blended, and online formats. Ninety cents of every dollar spent is invested in humanitarian services.

Name

American Red Cross

Legal name

The American National Red Cross

Website

https://redcross.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1881

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

The American Red Cross is a federally chartered, congressionally established nonprofit humanitarian organization founded in 1881 that delivers disaster relief, collects 40% of the U.S. blood supply, provides safety training and certification, and supports military families through the Hero Care Network across the United States and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Housing Services (62422), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Disaster Recovery, Reconstruction & Resilience Programs (BPAGAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC), Disaster Relief & Humanitarian Aid Volunteering (EDAIAGAF), Evacuation, Shelter, Mass Care & Family Reunification (HLAJAGAG), Evacuation, Repatriation & Extraction Services (THACANAG)

Keywords

• Disaster relief services
• Blood collection services
• Safety training certification
• Humanitarian aid services
• Emergency preparedness programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Financial Donations: The primary revenue stream comes from financial donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Donations can be made online, by phone, mail, text message, or through monthly giving programs. The Red Cross maintains a Disaster Responder Program for corporate partners.
2. Biomedical/Blood Services: Blood collection and distribution services. The Red Cross collects approximately 40% of the nation's blood supply through blood drives and donation centers.
3. Training Services and Certifications: Revenue from training courses including CPR, First Aid, BLS, ALS, PALS, lifeguarding, swimming lessons, and babysitting training. Courses available in-person, blended, and online formats.
4. Product Sales: Sale of training supplies, first aid kits, emergency preparedness supplies, books, DVDs, and related products through the Red Cross Store.
5. Licensing Royalties: The Red Cross maintains a licensing program protecting its trademarks and brand identity, licensing the use of Red Cross marks to approved partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The American Red Cross is a federally chartered humanitarian organization providing disaster relief and recovery (emergency shelter, food, health services, emotional support, financial assistance), blood collection and distribution to U.S. hospitals (~40% of national supply), safety training and certification (CPR, First Aid, BLS, ALS/PALS, lifeguarding, swimming), 24/7 military family emergency communication through the Hero Care Network, international humanitarian services and Restoring Family Links, and the Sound the Alarm home fire prevention campaign.

Product overview

The American Red Cross offers a comprehensive humanitarian service platform organized around four core mission areas: Disaster Relief and Recovery Services (providing emergency shelter, food, and recovery assistance), Lifesaving Blood Services (collecting and distributing blood products to hospitals nationwide), Training Courses and Certification (offering First Aid, CPR, AED, BLS, ALS/PALS, Lifeguarding, and Swimming/Water Safety programs), and Military and International Services (including the Hero Care Network for armed forces families and international humanitarian aid). The organization also provides digital tools including the Emergency App and Blood Donor App, and runs community programs like Sound the Alarm for home fire prevention and the Aquatics Centennial Campaign for water safety education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Disaster Relief and Recovery Services Emergency shelter, food, emotional support, health services, critical relief items, long-term recovery planning, and financial assistance for individuals and families affected by natural disasters, home fires, and other emergencies.
• Lifesaving Blood Services Collection, testing, processing, and distribution of whole blood, platelet, and plasma products to U.S. hospitals for transfusions, trauma care, surgery, childbirth, and cancer treatment. Approximately 40% of the U.S. blood supply is collected by the Red Cross.
• Training Courses and Certification Certification courses including First Aid, CPR, AED, BLS for Healthcare Providers, ALS/PALS, Babysitting and Child Care, Lifeguarding, and Swimming/Water Safety, available in-person, blended, and online formats. Digital certificates with QR codes are issued upon completion. CEUs offered for healthcare professionals.
• Hero Care Network (Service to the Armed Forces) 24/7 emergency communication services, emergency leave verification, case management, financial assistance, and family reunification services for active duty service members, veterans, and their families worldwide.
• International Services Humanitarian aid and disaster response support globally, including the Restoring Family Links program that reconnects family members separated by international conflict, disaster, or migration. Supports responses in 23 countries.
• Sound the Alarm Home Fire Safety Campaign National home fire safety campaign installing free smoke alarms in high-risk communities and educating families about fire prevention and escape planning.
• Aquatics and Water Safety Program Swim lessons, water safety instructor training, and drowning prevention education for children and adults, including the Longfellow's WHALE Tales school program and culturally adapted Spanish-language resources.
• Red Cross Emergency App Mobile application providing real-time disaster alerts, safety tips, and emergency preparedness resources for hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and other emergencies. Includes accessibility features for diverse audiences.
• Blood Donor App Mobile application for scheduling blood donations, tracking donation history, and receiving notifications about blood drives and urgent donation needs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90 cents of every dollar invested in humanitarian services
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GraingercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2026Grainger is celebrating 25 years of partnership with the American Red Cross, having committed over $21.6 million in cash and product donations since 2001. The partnership includes over 170,000 smoke alarms for the Home Fire Campaign, Disaster Responder Program membership, Ready When the Time Comes, and Missing Maps programs. More than 40 national volunteer deployments supported through the Disaster Responder Program.
• Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer ProductsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2026Promotional partnership featuring Looney Tunes characters to encourage blood donations amid national supply shortage. Campaign launches June 29, 2026, offering donors limited-edition co-branded T-shirt.
• JackerycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2026Jackery launched Power the Rescuers partnership with American Red Cross, including co-branded emergency power units and commitment to donate 10% of HomePower Emergency Pro profits to provide mobile power equipment to first responders. The HomePower Emergency Pro Series is the first battery backup product line to receive Red Cross endorsement.
• Dollar GeneralcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 June 2026Dollar General donated $250,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Responder Program for America's 250th anniversary and 25th anniversary of partnership. Total contributions exceed $11 million since 2001 through corporate donations and in-store collections.
• Teamsters (International Brotherhood of Teamsters)minorOthers · 11 June 2026Missouri Red Cross collections workers voted to join Teamsters Local 833. Over 1,800 American Red Cross workers now covered under Teamsters National Master Agreement ratified in 2024.
• PetSmart CharitiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026PetSmart Charities renewed partnership with three-year, $2.8 million grant to expand pet-inclusive disaster services. The partnership has facilitated 14,000+ overnight pet stays in Red Cross shelters and trained 14 pet liaisons for disaster deployment.
• AmazoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Amazon providing 2,000+ rapid response technology systems to nonprofit disaster relief partners at no cost by 2027. Systems can restore power, connectivity, or clean water in minutes. Amazon is a Mission Leader supporter of the Red Cross. Deploying 800+ systems for 2026 hurricane season.
• Mars Veterinary HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2026Mars Veterinary Health and American Red Cross expanded joint blood donation partnership with three combined human-and-pet blood drives at BluePearl Pet Hospitals in Minnesota, California, and Tennessee. The BluePearl Pet Blood Bank operates in 22 locations nationally.
• VCOM-Louisiana (Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2026Partnership with VCOM-Louisiana and Volunteer Louisiana for two-day Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. 150 junior medical students completed Tornado Mass Casualty Exercise on University of Louisiana Monroe campus.
• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2026American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Responds to international disasters when requested by local Red Cross or Red Crescent teams. Supports Restoring Family Links program with global network.
• VerizoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026Verizon launched the Verizon Disaster Response Corps as the first telecommunications-American Red Cross volunteer partnership, deploying trained employee volunteers to disaster shelters. AI-powered Digital Twin technology for hurricane response developed in coordination with Red Cross needs.
• Metallica / All Within My Hands FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2026Partnership collected 25,000+ blood donations in the U.S. and approximately 40,000 worldwide since April 2025, including at Metallica M72 World Tour stops. Nearly half of first-time donors were ages 16-24.
• UbercoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 March 2026Uber committed $650,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Responder Program, including $500,000 donation and $150,000 in ride and delivery credits, to support disaster response efforts across the U.S.
• Autobell Car WashminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 February 2026Autobell Car Wash donated $1 per app wash to American Red Cross disaster relief with $10,000 minimum. Company also hosted blood drive in Charlotte. More than 20-year partnership supporting disaster response and blood collection.
• Anheuser-BuschcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 December 2025Anheuser-Busch delivered over 50,000 cans of emergency drinking water to Washington State following severe flooding at Red Cross request. Partnership has delivered over 100 million cans of emergency water to Red Cross since 1988.
• FastenalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 December 2025Fastenal joined Red Cross Disaster Responder Program with financial and in-kind donations. Has supported Red Cross blood drives since 2012, donating over 4,600 units of blood including 1,200 units in 2024.
• Armed Services Blood Program (Defense Health Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 August 2025New partnership enabling Military Health System to receive blood products from Red Cross while expanding blood drives on military installations and aboard ships. Builds on Service to the Armed Forces program presence on 100+ military installations.
• Duke Energy FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 May 2024Duke Energy Foundation funded $100,000 upgrade to the American Red Cross Emergency app to improve accessibility for Spanish speakers, people with disabilities, and adults over 65. Foundation committed to donate $1 per app download up to $20,000 through June 30, 2024 to support disaster preparedness.
• EG AmericaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 April 2023EG America raised $627,000 in fundraising campaign for American Red Cross, contributing to $4.1 million total since 2020. Campaign involved guest donations at checkout across stores.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): The ICRC is the founding body of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and shares the same emblem and humanitarian mandate. It is the most direct global peer of the American Red Cross, operating under the same Geneva Conventions framework and delivering comparable services (emergency response, family reunification, healthcare in conflict zones).
• The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is one of the largest U.S. disaster relief and social services nonprofits, operating feeding programs, emergency shelters, and long-term recovery services in direct overlap with the Red Cross. Both organizations co-received the $40M Lilly Endowment grant in 2022 for climate-related disaster response, underscoring their direct comparability.
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC): The IFRC is the global umbrella organization coordinating the 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, including the American Red Cross. It is a direct peer in coordinating international disaster response, blood service standards, and humanitarian capacity building worldwide.
• Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders: MSF is a leading international medical humanitarian organization providing emergency medical care in disaster and conflict zones worldwide. It is a direct peer of the Red Cross in delivering frontline humanitarian aid, with comparable donor-supported funding models and global operational footprint.
• Direct Relief: Direct Relief is one of the largest U.S. humanitarian medical aid organizations, providing emergency medical supplies and disaster response in direct overlap with the Red Cross's biomedical and disaster services. Comparable scale and donor-funded operating model.
• Americares: Americares is a U.S.-based health-focused humanitarian aid organization responding to disasters and supporting health systems worldwide. It directly parallels the Red Cross's biomedical, disaster response, and emergency preparedness services with a comparable donor-funded nonprofit model.
• Habitat for Humanity International: Habitat for Humanity is a major U.S. nonprofit focused on housing and long-term disaster recovery, sharing the Home Depot Foundation partnership channel with the Red Cross. It directly competes in post-disaster reconstruction and recovery services that complement the Red Cross's shelter and recovery mission.
• Catholic Charities USA: Catholic Charities USA is one of the largest U.S. social services networks, providing disaster relief, refugee resettlement, food, housing, and family services in direct functional overlap with the Red Cross's humanitarian mission. Comparable scale, federal funding, and donor-supported operating model.

Emerging players

• World Central Kitchen: World Central Kitchen is a fast-growing nonprofit providing disaster relief meals that has become a direct operational peer to the Red Cross's feeding programs. It received Truist Foundation funding alongside the Red Cross for hurricane relief, illustrating its emergence as a competing humanitarian responder.
• Team Rubicon: Team Rubicon is a veteran-led disaster response nonprofit deploying trained volunteers in overlapping operations with the Red Cross. It is an emerging peer in volunteer-driven disaster response that competed for the Home Depot Foundation's disaster preparedness grants alongside the Red Cross network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RedCross
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AmRedCross
• Facebookfacebook.com/redcross
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-red-cross
• Instagraminstagram.com/americanredcross

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds27 records

Investors20 records

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M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Red Cross