Show Mercy International

What Show Mercy International does

Show Mercy International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit humanitarian organization founded in 2003 by Mike and Lori Salley and headquartered in Port Gibson, Mississippi. The organization delivers four integrated programs in Uganda: (1) a Clean Water Wells program that has drilled 714 wells serving 258,468 people and producing over 15 million gallons of clean water; (2) a Child Sponsorship program at $39/month per child providing education, medical care, clean water, and spiritual support, growing from 50 children in 2004 to thousands currently served; (3) a Medical Care program operating a Health Center and Birthing Center that has treated over 30,000 patients; and (4) Mission Trips hosting US and international volunteers at its 25-acre Field of Dreams compound near Kampala. Revenue is generated entirely through donations and program fees, with no government grants, corporate sponsors, or institutional funders disclosed.

Operations are run from the permanent Field of Dreams compound approximately 14 miles northwest of Kampala, staffed by 50+ local team members across community development, health care, water projects, hospitality, facilities, and safety functions. US-based staff in Mississippi handle fundraising, sponsor relations, and the Grace 153 Ambassador advocacy program. Donor acquisition occurs through direct-to-consumer digital channels (website, email newsletter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube) and word-of-mouth within Christian networks. The organization holds no proprietary technology platform and uses third-party Managed Missions software for trip administration; programmatic differentiation rests on physical infrastructure, 20+ years of community presence, and integrated programming rather than technology.

The go-to-market motion targets individual US donors for recurring child sponsorship and $10,000 water-well major gifts, supplemented by mission trip participation fees of approximately $1,500. Recent strategic emphasis on the Grace 153 Ambassador program and scheduled themed missions (Medical, Christmas) indicate a shift toward scaling donor acquisition through advocacy networks. The organization is recognized as a 2026 Top Rated Nonprofit by Great Nonprofits and has not pursued institutional capital, remaining entirely donor-funded.

Name

Show Mercy International

Legal name

Show Mercy Ministries, Inc.

Website

https://showmercy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Show Mercy International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates clean water wells, child sponsorship, medical care, and mission trip programs for vulnerable communities in Uganda from a 25-acre Field of Dreams compound, funded by individual US donors and volunteers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Child and Youth Services (62411), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries (BPAGAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) Organizations (HLAJAKAI), Humanitarian Health & Emergency Medical Relief NGOs (HLAJAKAE), Protection, Child Protection & Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Response (BPAGAAAG), Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI)

Keywords

• Clean water wells
• Child sponsorship programs
• Humanitarian medical services
• Mission trip volunteering
• Faith-based nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Port Gibson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations - Child Sponsorship: Monthly recurring donations of $39 per child provide education, medical care, clean water, and spiritual support. Funds are pooled and administered through local programs rather than given directly to families.
2. Donations - Clean Water Wells: One-time donations of approximately $10,000 fund the complete cost of drilling and establishing a water well in rural Uganda communities. Donors can sponsor entire wells, often dedicating them in honor of loved ones.
3. Mission Trip Fees: Mission trip participation fees of approximately $1,500 cover lodging, meals, airport pickup, in-country transportation, and ministry activities. Additional costs include airfare (~$1,500), visa (~$50), and vaccinations.
4. General Donations: General one-time or recurring donations support the organization's medical care, community development, and operational expenses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Show Mercy International is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates humanitarian programs in Uganda. Its core offerings are: (1) a Clean Water Wells program that drills and maintains wells in rural communities, (2) a Child Sponsorship program providing $39/month per child for education, medical care, clean water, and spiritual support, (3) a Medical Care program delivered through a Health Center and Birthing Center, and (4) short-term Mission Trips for individual and group volunteers to serve alongside staff at the Field of Dreams compound.

Product overview

Show Mercy International is a nonprofit humanitarian organization operating in Uganda, not a technology product company. Its offerings consist of five interconnected program areas: Clean Water Wells (drilling sustainable wells in rural communities), Child Sponsorship (monthly $39/month program providing education, medical care, and spiritual support), Medical Care (a health center and birthing center having served 30,000+ patients), Mission Trips (10-14 day service trips to Uganda with accommodations at the Field of Dreams base), and the Grace 153 Ambassador advocacy program. The Field of Dreams serves as the central operations base, housing accommodations, training facilities, the medical clinic, and community centers. All programs are delivered through on-the-ground staff in Uganda with US-based administrative support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Grace 153 Ambassadors: A global ambassador program empowering individuals to use their voice and influence to help children in Uganda get sponsored, sharing stories of hope and transformation.
• Field of Dreams
• One Thing Training Center
• Birthing Center/Maternity Ward

Products and services

• Clean Water Wells Program A program that drills sustainable, deep water wells in rural Ugandan communities, providing clean drinking water to families. The program includes site selection with local leaders, geological surveys, drilling, pump installation, and community training for maintenance through local well committees. Wells can be sponsored in full for approximately $10,000 and dedicated in honor of loved ones.
• Child Sponsorship Program A monthly sponsorship program connecting individual donors with vulnerable children in Uganda. Sponsors give $39 per month to provide education, medical care, clean water, and spiritual support from ages 3-8 through high school graduation. Funds are pooled and administered through local programs rather than given directly to families. Sponsors receive letter writing and annual photo updates; multiple sponsors per child are welcomed.
• Medical Care (Health Center and Birthing Center) A medical program delivered through a Health Center and Birthing Center at the Field of Dreams compound near Kampala, Uganda. Services include treatment of curable illnesses such as malaria, prenatal care with ultrasound, safe deliveries, and postnatal support. The Health Center has treated over 30,000 patients since opening and supports medical outreach trips to villages without access to facilities.
• Mission Trips Short-term 10-14 day mission trips and internships to Uganda for individuals, families, students, medical professionals, and church groups. Trips include lodging and meals at the Field of Dreams base, airport pickup, in-country transportation, and ministry activities such as serving children, village ministry, medical missions, and clean water well celebrations. Participation costs approximately $1,500 plus international airfare (~$1,500), Uganda visa (~$50), and required Yellow Fever vaccination.
• Grace 153 Ambassadors Program A global ambassador program for USA-based individuals aged 18+ who use their social media voice and influence to help children in Uganda get sponsored. Includes monthly Zoom calls, provided social media graphics, fundraising opportunities, and spiritual growth through mentorship. Functions as a distributed advocacy and referral layer that drives sponsorship sign-ups.
• Field of Dreams Mission Base A 25-acre central operations base located approximately 14 miles NW of Kampala off Hoima Road in Uganda. It houses team accommodations, the Ark multi-purpose facility, medical clinic, One Thing Training Center, Birthing Center/Maternity Ward, Dream Center for children, library, computer lab, and a fresh water well. It serves as the accommodations hub for mission trip volunteers and the delivery site for medical and community programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 714 water wells installed, serving 258,468 people with 15,060,032 gallons of clean water
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• 36K Travel AgencyminorOthersRecommended travel agency for booking flights to Uganda (Entebbe International Airport - EBB). Users can enter referral code SHOWME when requesting a quote. Provides discounted travel options for mission trip participants.
• Managed MissionscoreOthersThird-party platform used for mission trip applications, team management, and donation processing. Trip participants receive access to their Managed Missions account upon approval to set up profiles and receive donations.
• Great NonprofitsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThird-party nonprofit rating organization that awarded Show Mercy International the 2026 Top Rated Nonprofit badge, providing credibility and visibility to potential donors.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Compassion International: One of the world's largest Christian child sponsorship organizations, operating a similar $39/month recurring sponsorship model across multiple developing countries. Directly comparable mission, donor model, and beneficiary focus as Show Mercy, but at vastly larger global scale.
• World Vision: Major faith-based humanitarian organization operating child sponsorship, clean water, and community development programs across Africa and globally. Overlaps heavily on child sponsorship, WASH, and community health programs in Uganda specifically.
• Samaritan's Purse: Large evangelical Christian humanitarian organization providing medical care, disaster relief, and child sponsorship worldwide. Overlaps with Show Mercy on faith-based medical missions, clean water, and child-focused programs.
• Food for the Hungry: Christian humanitarian organization focused on child sponsorship, community development, and disaster response in developing countries. Comparable sponsorship + community development model with broader global footprint.
• Mercy Ships: Faith-based organization providing free medical care via hospital ships in African ports. Comparable faith-based medical mission model and volunteer-driven engagement, though operating via ship-based delivery rather than fixed clinic.

Direct peers

• charity: water: Nonprofit dedicated exclusively to funding clean and safe drinking water in developing countries. Closest direct peer for Show Mercy's WASH program, with similar per-well funding model (~$10K) and donor storytelling approach.
• Living Water International: Faith-based nonprofit drilling water wells and providing hygiene/sanitation training in developing countries. Directly comparable clean water drilling model with similar faith-based funding base and Africa field operations.
• Children's HopeChest: Faith-based child sponsorship and community development nonprofit operating primarily in Uganda and Eastern Europe. Closely comparable sponsorship model, mission trip offerings, and Ugandan field presence.
• Lifewater International: Christian nonprofit focused on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs in East Africa and Southeast Asia. Directly comparable WASH drilling model with overlapping donor base and faith-based positioning.

Emerging players

• African Well Fund: Smaller nonprofit focused on funding clean water projects in sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda. Directly comparable WASH mission with similar per-well fundraising mechanics but at materially smaller scale than Show Mercy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ShowMercyIntl
• Facebookfacebook.com/showmercy
• Instagraminstagram.com/showmercyintl
• Xx.com/showmercyintl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/show-mercy-international

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Show Mercy International