What United Planet does

United Planet is a Boston-based international 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2001 by Dave Santulli, operating under the branded "Quest" framework to deliver international volunteer travel, virtual volunteering/internships, and project-based virtual exchange programs. The organization places participants in short-term (1–16 week) and long-term (6 month to 1 year) programs across more than 40 countries spanning the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe, with project areas including children and education, environmental sustainability, global health, and women's empowerment. It is the US and Canadian member of the International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) network and maintains an in-country coordinator model with tenured local operators in Nepal, Peru, Japan, Ghana, Ecuador, and elsewhere, supplemented by homestay lodging, pre-departure training, and 24/7 in-country support.

United Planet generates revenue primarily through participant-paid program fees, with published pricing that varies by destination and duration — for example, Ghana 1-week at $1,323, Peru 2-week at $2,285, Nepal 4-week at $3,908, Japan 6-week at $5,621, Costa Rica 16-week at $5,405, and Ghana long-term at $5,319 (6 months) or $8,050 (1 year), inclusive of lodging, meals, orientation, language lessons, in-country support, and insurance but excluding flights. Supplementary non-program revenue includes grants (e.g., $100K from FHI 360 in 2022, $100K from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad in 2022, $400K from American Student Assistance in March 2024) and donations via the website.

The go-to-market is a hybrid direct-to-consumer and institutional model: individuals enroll directly through unitedplanet.org with a $300 deposit, while universities (Mercyhurst, CÉGEP Heritage College, Hartwick College) and corporate clients (Boston Scientific's Global Endoscopy team) access the platform via partnerships. Distribution is supported by SEO, an active blog dating to 2007, social media, Constant Contact email newsletters, conference participation (The Forum on Education Abroad), and alumni referrals; the March 2026 CGCS partnership with Hartwick College as US school of record adds an academic credit layer. The organization is led by CEO Jill Tracy, with founder Dave Santulli honored as President Emeritus in November 2025, and operates with 11–50 employees from its Boston headquarters.

Name

United Planet

Legal name

United Planet

Website

https://unitedplanet.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

United Planet is a Boston-based international non-profit that places individual volunteers, university groups, and corporate teams in short-term and long-term service programs across 40+ countries through its Quest-branded platform, with supplemental grants and donations as non-program revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Volunteer Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Unpaid/Volunteer-Linked Work Placement Programs (EDAIAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Remote/Virtual International Internship Programs (EDAIAFAF), Public Health & Medical Volunteering Programs (EDAIAGAC), Virtual/Hybrid International Short-Term Academic Programs (EDAIAIAL)

Keywords

• Volunteer abroad programs
• International volunteer travel
• Virtual volunteering
• Service-learning programs
• Cultural exchange programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Volunteer Program Fees: United Planet generates revenue through program fees paid by volunteers for participation in volunteer abroad and virtual volunteering programs. These fees cover lodging, meals, orientation, language lessons, in-country support, and insurance. As a non-profit organization, funds are used intentionally to create valuable, ethical, and sustainable experiences for volunteers and host communities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

United Planet is an international non-profit organization that organizes and facilitates volunteer abroad and virtual volunteering programs through its branded 'Quest' experience. Programs place individual volunteers, university groups, and corporate teams in community service projects across more than 40 countries, offering short-term (1–16 weeks) and long-term (6+ months) placements, virtual internships, faculty-led programs, corporate leadership development experiences, and the option to earn college credit through academic partnerships.

Product overview

United Planet operates a platform of international volunteer and service programs under its branded 'Quest' experience framework. The core offerings include overseas volunteer abroad programs (short-term 1-16 weeks and long-term 6+ months) and global virtual volunteering/internship opportunities, spanning more than 40 countries. Supporting program types include Faculty-Led Programs, Group Volunteer Programs, Teen Volunteer Abroad, Family Volunteering, and specialized Medical/Dental Volunteering. The portfolio also includes Corporate Leadership Development for business clients and an Earn College Credit program delivered in partnership with the Centre for Global Citizenship Studies (CGCS) using Hartwick College as the school of record.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Quest: The organization's branded volunteer abroad and internship programs, including short-term quests (1-16 weeks), long-term quests (6+ months), social quests, virtual quests, group quests, and faculty-led programs.

Products and services

• Quest Volunteer Abroad Programs Overseas volunteer travel programs placing participants in community service projects across 40+ countries. Offered in short-term (1–16 weeks) and long-term (6+ months) durations, with programs in countries including Peru, Nepal, Japan, Ghana, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. Includes lodging, orientation, language lessons, in-country support, and insurance.
• Virtual Volunteering and Internships Global virtual volunteering and internship programs allowing participants to contribute to international causes remotely, including project-based virtual exchange programs. Includes virtual group volunteering and virtual alternative break programs.
• Faculty-Led Programs Educator-designed international service-learning programs for academic institutions, including the Seminar in International Service-Learning. Delivered in partnership with universities and colleges for student cohorts seeking academically recognized experiential learning.
• Group Volunteer Programs Organized volunteer experiences designed for groups — including families, university cohorts, and friend groups — traveling together for international service projects abroad.
• Corporate Leadership Development Programs International corporate volunteering and leadership development programs for businesses seeking employee engagement, team-building, and leadership development through cross-cultural service experiences. Tailored for corporate cohorts such as the Boston Scientific Global Endoscopy team's humanitarian expedition in Mérida, Mexico.
• Earn College Credit Program Partnership-driven program enabling participants to earn college credit alongside their volunteer abroad or virtual experience, delivered in partnership with the Centre for Global Citizenship Studies (CGCS) using Hartwick College as the US school of record. Credits are transferable in the US, UK, and Europe through Ofqual-regulated UK institutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20,000+ international volunteers served
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Centre for Global Citizenship Studies (CGCS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2026Strategic partnership enabling United Planet participants to earn college credit alongside global volunteer and internship experiences. CGCS provides specialized online courses covering marine conservation, wildlife conservation, global health, and global citizenship that translate into transferable college credits in the US, UK, and Europe. Credits are provided through Ofqual-regulated UK institution and US school of record Hartwick College.
• Hartwick CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2026US school of record for college credit offerings through United Planet's partnership with Centre for Global Citizenship Studies. Provides academic credentials for volunteer participants.
• Boston ScientificcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2026Boston Scientific's Global Endoscopy team partnered with United Planet for a humanitarian expedition in Mérida, Mexico (February 7-14, 2026). Nearly 30 team members conducted medical procedures, educational activities, and constructed a community kitchen. Team members traveled from Mexico, Costa Rica, Spain, and Australia.
• Mercyhurst UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 19 February 2026Mercyhurst University students participated in a service and cultural immersion program in Cusco, Peru, organized by United Planet. Students applied art therapy skills through creative activities with local children.
• CÉGEP Heritage CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 October 2025CÉGEP Heritage College nursing students participated in a global health program in Cusco, Peru, organized by United Planet. The program involved clinical learning, cultural activities, and natural exploration.
• FHI 360coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2022FHI 360 awarded United Planet a grant for Virtual Exchange Programs for English Language Educators, including teachers from 31 different countries including Brazil, India, and Tanzania.
• U.S. Embassy in BaghdadcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2022United Planet received a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad for a virtual exchange program addressing climate change and health impacts, engaging 320 high school and university students from Iraq.
• ICYE Ghana (International Cultural Youth Exchange)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUnited Planet is the US and Canadian member of ICYE. For Ghana programs, volunteers are hosted by ICYE Ghana, which has over 50 years of experience with volunteers and volunteer projects in Ghana. ICYE Ghana was the first ICYE volunteer organization in Africa.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ): IVHQ is one of the world's largest volunteer-abroad providers, offering short- and long-term placements in 50+ countries with a similar direct-to-consumer enrollment model. It competes head-to-head with United Planet's core Quest programs, especially on price (IVHQ programs start below $300) and country breadth.
• Projects Abroad: Projects Abroad operates fee-based volunteer and intern abroad placements in 30+ countries, with structured programs in teaching, healthcare, and conservation. It directly mirrors United Planet's portfolio including medical volunteering, internships, and gap-year offerings.
• Global Volunteers: Global Volunteers is a US-based nonprofit that organizes short-term volunteer service trips abroad focused on community development, education, and health. It overlaps directly with United Planet's Quest program structure, country footprint, and nonprofit, fee-based positioning.
• Cross-Cultural Solutions: Cross-Cultural Solutions runs fee-based international volunteer programs with homestay placements in multiple countries, similar to United Planet's Quest model. Comparable in mission, target customer (gap year, students, professionals), and service-learning positioning.
• Maximo Nivel: Maximo Nivel provides volunteer, intern, and Spanish-language immersion programs primarily in Latin America (Peru, Costa Rica, Guatemala). It is a direct regional competitor to United Planet's Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Guatemala Quest offerings with comparable pricing.

Emerging players

• GoAbroad: GoAbroad operates a directory, reviews platform, and Innovation Awards program for study, volunteer, and intern abroad providers. It serves as both a marketing channel (United Planet has won its Innovation Award) and a competitive aggregation point where prospective volunteers compare programs.
• Volunteer Forever: Volunteer Forever runs a crowdfunding platform that helps participants fundraise for volunteer abroad programs. It is a channel-level competitor and an alternative financing mechanism that competes for the same prospective volunteer customers as United Planet.

Broad incumbents

• AFS Intercultural Programs: AFS is a large, established international exchange nonprofit operating study abroad, homestay, and intercultural programs in 90+ countries. It overlaps with United Planet on global citizenship outcomes and educational institution partnerships, though AFS focuses more on student exchanges than volunteer service.
• Habitat for Humanity International: Habitat for Humanity runs Global Village volunteer builds in 30+ countries, often charging fees and partnering with universities and corporations. It competes with United Planet for the same volunteer travel customer and corporate CSR dollars, but at significantly larger scale and brand recognition.

Others

• ICYE International (International Cultural Youth Exchange): United Planet is the US/Canadian member of the ICYE federation, and ICYE Ghana directly hosts United Planet volunteers. ICYE as a network is a peer through its parallel global volunteer exchange offerings and is also a key operational partner, making the relationship both competitive and collaborative.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/unitedplanet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/UnitedPlanetVideos
• Facebookfacebook.com/UnitedPlanet
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-planet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about United Planet