SAWs

What SAWs does

SAWs (Servants At Work, Inc.) is an Indiana-headquartered 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2003 that designs, pre-builds, and installs free wooden ADA-compliant wheelchair ramps at the homes of low-income, permanently disabled individuals across Indiana, Virginia, and Arizona, with affiliate groups forming in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Since inception SAWs reports 5,310 ramps built and 286,740 volunteer hours contributed (an estimated $8.9 million in volunteer labor value), executed by a 2,700+ volunteer base, 20+ project managers, and a seven-person staff (Executive Director Tim Thurston, Marketing Director Laura Belko, Operations Manager Mike Page, Operations Coordinator Jon Rose, CSR Coordinator Cynthia Park, Accountant Byron Chaplin, and Grant Writer Karl Duchmann). The service is delivered free of charge to qualifying clients, with eligibility verified through self-applications and a referral network of healthcare and nonprofit agencies including CICOA, Noble Centers, and Grace-At-Home.

Operationally, SAWs uses a pre-build/fabrication model: ramp frames are cut and pre-assembled at the Indianapolis pre-build facility and then transported to the client site, where volunteer crews complete a code-compliant 1:12-slope ramp using a standardized power-tool kit in under six hours. Project management is supported by BuilderTrend software, and ramp designs are relocatable, with documented cases of a single ramp serving four different households over five years. Recipients never pay for ramps; the model is funded by individual and corporate donations, restricted and capacity-building foundation grants (notably a $400,000 Lilly Endowment Inc. grant in August 2025 and an earlier January 2024 capital grant), corporate team-building sponsorships (BraunAbility, Citizens Energy, OrthoIndy), a planned/estate giving and Legacy Society program, and branded merchandise sales through an online store.

The go-to-market combines self-serve online ramp applications for IN/VA/AZ/NV, a healthcare/nonprofit referral channel, a network of church- and civic-affiliated build crews, and corporate team-building engagements. Since separating from founding church Second Presbyterian and receiving independent 501(c)(3) status in 2011, SAWs has expanded its donor base, secured flagship partnerships with BraunAbility and Lilly Endowment, and reached operational milestones including the 4,000th ramp installation in April 2024 with Rehab Medical. The organization is governed by an independent board chaired by Ryan Lynch (Republic Airlines) with directors drawn from BraunAbility, OrthoIndy, Old National Bank, First Construction Consulting, Emmis Corporation, and Huston Electric, and Founder Rik Hagarty remains actively involved.

Name

SAWs

Legal name

Servants At Work, Inc.

Website

https://sawsramps.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SAWs (Servants At Work, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds free wooden ADA-compliant wheelchair ramps for low-income, permanently disabled individuals across Indiana, Virginia, and Arizona using a volunteer-driven pre-build and install model funded by donations and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual and corporate donations: SAWs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that does not charge clients for ramps. Revenue is generated through one-time and recurring donations from individuals, churches, corporations, and nonprofit organizations via a Donate page and the Builders Club.
2. Restricted and capacity-building grants: Grants from foundations and endowments fund ramp construction and operations. Examples: Lilly Endowment Inc. $400K capacity-building grant (2025) and prior capital grant (2024); Community Foundation of Boone County $30,000 matching grant (2022); BraunAbility $50,000 matching challenge grant (2022); JCCF grants for aluminum ramps; Community Foundation of Boone County.
3. Planned/estate giving and Legacy Society: SAWs operates a Planned & Estate Giving program and a Legacy Society for donors making charitable bequests and beneficiary designations.
4. Corporate team-building program fees/in-kind support: Corporate groups pay to participate in team-building ramp builds; this provides both volunteer labor and direct financial sponsorship. Examples: Citizens Energy, BraunAbility, OrthoIndy, Zionsville Christian Church, Mount Auburn United Methodist Church, Westlake Church of God.
5. Branded merchandise / Store sales: SAWs maintains a Store (sawsramps.org/store) selling branded merchandise to support the mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SAWs builds free, ADA-compliant wooden wheelchair ramps at the homes of low-income, permanently disabled individuals using volunteer labor and donated materials. Ramps are pre-cut and pre-assembled in a dedicated pre-build facility, then transported to the client site and installed by volunteer teams, typically in less than six hours. The organization supplements ramp construction with a corporate team-building program and an affiliate chapter network to expand geographic reach.

Product overview

SAWs (Servants At Work) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit service organization whose core offering is the construction of wooden wheelchair ramps for low-income, permanently disabled individuals, executed almost entirely by volunteer labor. The single unified service is supplemented by community-engagement programs including a corporate team-building partnership program (which engages employee volunteer groups in ramp builds) and an affiliate chapter network, all centered on the same underlying ramp-building mission rather than a technology product portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SAWs Builders Club: Recognized recurring donors/supporters of SAWs who help fund the mission of building wheelchair accessibility ramps.
• SAWs Virginia
• Arizona SAWs Affiliate

Products and services

• Free Wheelchair Ramp Construction SAWs designs, fabricates, and installs free, ADA-compliant wooden wheelchair ramps at the homes of low-income, permanently disabled individuals across Indiana, Arizona, and Virginia. Ramps are pre-cut in a dedicated pre-build facility, transported to the site, and installed by volunteer teams in less than six hours. The service is provided at no cost to qualifying recipients.
• Corporate Team-Building Ramp Build Program Single-day corporate volunteer team-building engagement in which employee teams sponsor and build a SAWs wheelchair ramp as a hands-on CSR and team-building activity. Examples include BraunAbility, Citizens Energy, and OrthoIndy. SAWs provides on-site project management and materials.
• SAWs Affiliate Chapter Program Framework for local churches and civic organizations to adopt responsibility for a specific geography and operate a SAWs ramp-building program under SAWs' standards, brand, and pre-build infrastructure. Affiliates supply volunteers, project leadership, and local funding while SAWs supplies design standards and operational infrastructure.
• SAWs Branded Merchandise Store SAWs' own online store (sawsramps.org/store) selling branded merchandise to generate supplemental revenue in support of the ramp-building mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,310 wheelchair ramps built since founding in 2003
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Citizens EnergyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 July 2024SAWs volunteers from Citizens Energy partnered with kids from Second Presbyterian Vacation Bible Camp to build a new ramp for Leo in Indianapolis in July 2024.
• Rehab MedicalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 April 2024Partnered on the installation of SAWs' 4,000th ramp in April 2024 for the Parry family; featured in SAWs' Facebook feed.
• Zionsville United Methodist Church (ZUMC)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 February 2024Advent partnership with SAWs (February 2024) in which ZUMC supported ramp builds in the local community.
• National FFA OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 December 2022SAWs was invited to participate in the National FFA Organization's National Days of Service during the 2022 National Convention in Indianapolis. 40 FFA delegates from ~20 states pre-built a ramp at the SAWs facility, which was then installed by Mount Auburn UMC volunteers for clients Floyd and Nancy.
• Mount Auburn United Methodist ChurchminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2022Volunteer team led by Project Manager Jim Hamilton that installed the ramp pre-built by FFA delegates for clients Floyd and Nancy in Johnson County, Indiana, in 2022.
• BraunAbilityflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 August 2022Strategic 50th-anniversary partnership to build 50 free ramps in 50 days in 2022. BraunAbility pledged a $50,000 matching-grant challenge; ramps were built in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Arizona, and Seattle. BraunAbility plant employees in Winamac also volunteer regularly. Kasey Zimfer (BraunAbility HR Director) sits on SAWs' Board.
• Westlake Church of GodminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2022Gathered a group of members to build 80-year-old Navy Veteran Eugene's ramp in Mooresville, IN in July 2022, completing it in five hours.
• WTHR (Channel 13) - 'Send the Love' with Scott SwancoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 June 2022WTHR's 'Send the Love' campaign featured SAWs in May 2022, asking viewers to donate $5 to fund a ramp. 150+ donors gave $5-$500 each, totaling $4,340 to cover materials for the Wright family's ramp for AJ.
• Zionsville Christian ChurchminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 June 2022Boone County volunteers, including members of Zionsville Christian Church and Project Manager Larry Whinnery, built the Wright family's ramp for AJ in June 2022.
• Greencastle Presbyterian ChurchcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2008The first SAWs Affiliate, established in 2008 when a request came in from Greencastle. Led by John Anderson, the affiliate pioneered the model of regional groups managing their own geography.
• Second Presbyterian Church (Indianapolis)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerFounding church partner. The Mission Team at Second Presbyterian started SAWs' first ramp in November 2003 and remains SAWs' largest church donor. Originated many long-serving volunteers including David Berry, David Boyer, Jim Hamilton, and Al Erickson.
• St. Luke's United Methodist Church (Indianapolis)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Indianapolis church partner that joined the effort in 2005 and contributed a large volunteer pool. The partnership led to the rebrand from a single-church effort to 'Servants At Work.'
• Marine Corps Base Quantico Volunteer Program (SAWs Virginia)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSAWs Virginia was added to the Marine Corps Base Quantico Volunteer Program's list of service opportunities, providing volunteer and possibly client pathways.
• Gillman Home Center (Edinburgh, IN)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLumber partner that supplies SAWs with lumber and fasteners at special pricing for ramp builds; supplied materials for Eugene's 2022 ramp.
• Grace-At-HomecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerReferral partner: a home-call medical service for homebound patients. Referred 80-year-old Navy Veteran Eugene to SAWs in 2022, which led to a ramp build.
• CICOA (Central Indiana Council on Aging)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of SAWs' earliest donor and referral organizations. A St. Luke's board member's connection to CICOA's board introduced SAWs to CICOA's client base and funding for ramps.
• Freedom ChairsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCross-promoted in a SAWs blog post (June 2023). Freedom Chairs is a non-profit that refurbishes and provides gently used wheelchairs to those who cannot obtain them through standard channels, complementing SAWs' ramp mission.
• Old National BankminorOthersBoard affiliation: Diane Hyatt, Vice Chairman of SAWs Board, is Director of Marketing at Old National Bank.
• Republic Airlines / Pilot (Ryan Lynch)minorOthersBoard affiliation: Ryan Lynch, SAWs Board Chairman, is a Pilot at Republic Airlines.
• First Construction Consulting (Rob French)minorOthersBoard affiliation: Rob French, SAWs Board Treasurer, is President of First Construction Consulting. First Construction also commits 10% of profits to people in need and considers SAWs a primary beneficiary.
• Emmis Corporation (Scott Enright)minorOthersBoard affiliation: Scott Enright, SAWs Board Member, is General Counsel at Emmis Corporation.
• Huston Electric (Joe Gruss)minorOthersBoard affiliation: Joe Gruss joined SAWs Board in November 2025 and works in Business Development at Huston Electric.
• OrthoIndy (Doug Miller)minorOthersBoard affiliation: Doug Miller joined SAWs Board in November 2025 and is Director of Business Partnerships at OrthoIndy.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rebuilding Together: National 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free home repairs, modifications, and accessibility ramps to low-income homeowners, including people with disabilities. Directly comparable to SAWs in mission (free home accessibility modifications for low-income/disabled households) and volunteer-driven affiliate model, but operates nationally across all 50 states with a much larger affiliate network.
• National Ramp: For-profit US manufacturer and installer of modular aluminum wheelchair ramps serving residential and commercial customers. Direct product-category competitor to SAWs' wooden ramps; represents the commercial substitute SAWs must differentiate against (free + volunteer-driven + ADA 1:12) for low-income/disabled households.
• EZ-Access (Homecare Products): For-profit manufacturer and retailer of wheelchair ramps, threshold ramps, and accessibility products with both direct-to-consumer and dealer channels. Closest commercial analog to SAWs in residential accessibility ramp category, especially for low-income and disabled consumers in the same geographies SAWs serves.
• Home Builders Foundation: Nonprofit affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders that provides free home modifications, accessibility ramps, and critical repairs for low-income seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. Highly comparable mission and volunteer-driven builder model; the closest direct peer in the disability-accessibility residential nonprofit space.

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity: Largest US nonprofit focused on affordable home building and critical repairs for low-income households, including accessibility modifications. Comparable volunteer-driven model and target population, but vastly larger in scope (new home construction + repairs) and global footprint; SAWs sits in the accessibility-specific sub-niche of Habitat's critical repair work.
• Volunteers of America: Large national faith-based nonprofit operating housing, disability, and senior service programs including home modifications and accessibility services. Comparable volunteer-supported service delivery and disabled/low-income population; far broader scope with hundreds of programs nationwide.

Others

• Meals on Wheels America: National nonprofit network providing free meal delivery and wellness checks to homebound seniors and disabled individuals. Comparable volunteer-driven local-affiliate model and similar target population (homebound, low-income, mobility-limited), but delivers nutrition rather than physical accessibility infrastructure.
• Hilldrup Companies / Hilldrup Move-Up Fund: Corporate foundation arm of Hilldrup moving/logistics company that has provided direct financial support to SAWs for mobility ramps. Functions as both a corporate donor and a logistics-services peer; comparable community-impact philanthropic model tied to a regional employer.

Emerging players

• All Hands and Hearts: Nonprofit that mobilizes trained volunteers to build homes, schools, and accessibility infrastructure after disasters and for underserved communities. Comparable volunteer-driven model with strong operational efficiency and standardized build protocols; comparable to SAWs in its pre-build standardization ethos, but disaster-response focused.
• Freedom Chairs: Nonprofit that refurbishes and provides gently used wheelchairs to individuals who cannot obtain them through standard channels. Directly comparable mission (mobility access for low-income/disabled), explicitly cross-promoted by SAWs, and serves the same end-beneficiary population, but focuses on mobility devices rather than home access.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SAWsRamps
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sawsramps
• Instagraminstagram.com/sawsramps
• Xx.com/sawsrampsindy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about SAWs