Shoes That Fit

What Shoes That Fit does

Shoes That Fit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1992 in Claremont, California, that provides brand-new athletic shoes to children living in poverty across all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The organization works through a direct-to-school distribution model, partnering with school liaisons (nurses, social workers, and teachers) at Title I schools and other youth-serving organizations to identify children in need, measure feet, and deliver properly fitted shoes at no cost to recipients. In the 2024-25 school year, Shoes That Fit served 218,000+ children across 2,135+ communities and has cumulatively distributed over 3.4 million pairs since inception. Documented educator-reported outcomes include 94% improvement in confidence, 92% in self-esteem, 74% in physical activity, and 85% in social interaction following receipt of new shoes.

The organization's underlying operational infrastructure is anchored by a 16,000-square-foot Shoe Bank warehouse opened in Claremont in 2025, which replaced multiple fragmented 3PL locations and introduced end-to-end inventory tracking from donation receipt to nationwide distribution. The core product is the New Athletic Shoes Program, supplemented by the SHOEper Hero recurring monthly giving program, Elodie's Legacy planned giving program, an annual Backpack Campaign, a Corporate Partnership program, a community Fundraising Platform (via GiveSmart), a Volunteer Program, and a Vehicle Donation program through CARS. Leadership includes CEO Amy Fass (since 2014), Deputy CEO Nekeda Newell-Hall (ex-Nike, NBA), VP Supply Chain Jeff Fueston (ex-Hatch Beauty), Chief of Staff Julie Stevens, and a Board chaired by Lynn Mason (CEO North America, IVIRMA) with members including executives from Nordstrom, Nike, Hibbett, Goldman Sachs, Capital Group, and Hyundai Capital.

Revenue is generated entirely through donations, with no products sold to recipients. Streams include individual giving (one-time and recurring), corporate partnerships (Rack Room Shoes has contributed $16.9M over 18 years; Nordstrom $1M+ annually; Stater Bros. Charities $766,469 in a 12-day 2026 campaign), and foundation grants (Carvel Foundation $75K, Prairie Meadows $30K, Variety Iowa $10K). The fundraiser entry point is priced at $900 for 30 pairs. The customer base is bifurcated: child recipients (segmented by Title I school, McKinney-Vento housing-insecure, and poverty-level geography) and donor customers (corporates, foundations, individuals) — with the corporate channel disproportionately concentrated in a small set of long-tenured flagship partners.

Name

Shoes That Fit

Legal name

Shoes That Fit

Website

https://shoesthatfit.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Shoes That Fit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1992 that provides brand-new athletic shoes to children in poverty across all 50 U.S. states, distributing 218,000+ pairs in 2024-25 through direct partnerships with Title I schools and corporate donors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Claremont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through the website (one-time and monthly/SHOEper Hero recurring gifts), planned giving/bequests, stock/crypto donations via DAF at Endaoment, IRA QCDs, and vehicle donations through partner CARS.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners provide monetary contributions through employee giving campaigns, customer checkout donations (e.g., Rack Room Shoes), matching gifts, event sponsorships, and grants. Nordstrom has contributed $1M+ annually; Rack Room Shoes has raised $16.9M over 18 years.
3. Foundation Grants: Foundation grants from organizations like Prairie Meadows ($30,000 in 2026), Variety - The Children's Charity of Iowa ($10,000), and Stratton Community Foundation fund shoe distributions in specific geographic areas.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Shoes That Fit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides brand-new athletic shoes to children in poverty (K-12) across the United States, free of charge to recipients. The organization works through school partnerships—primarily Title I schools and McKinney-Vento programs—to identify children in need, source shoes, and deliver them through school-based distribution events, supplemented by recurring giving programs, corporate partnerships, and foundation grants.

Product overview

Shoes That Fit operates as a single-focus nonprofit providing new athletic shoes to children in need, with a core program of direct shoe distribution supplemented by supporting services. The organization maintains a Shoe Bank warehouse for inventory management and distribution, offers a SHOEper Hero monthly giving program for recurring donors, provides an online fundraising platform through GiveSmart for community campaigns, administers a Planned Giving program (Elodie's Legacy) for estate gifts, runs an annual Backpack Campaign for back-to-school distributions, facilitates Corporate Partnerships for business engagement, coordinates a Volunteer Program for event support, and partners with CARS for vehicle donations. The portfolio functions as a unified mission-driven ecosystem enabling various entry points for donors to support the core shoe distribution program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• New Athletic Shoes Program The organization's primary program providing brand-new athletic shoes to children in need across all 50 states and Washington D.C., working directly with schools (primarily Title I) and youth-serving organizations to identify and serve kids who need shoes most.
• SHOEper Hero Monthly Giving Program A monthly recurring gift program that allows individual donors to become 'SHOEper Heroes' providing steady, predictable support for children across the United States.
• Fundraising Platform An online crowdfunding platform (powered by GiveSmart) enabling individuals and groups to create personalized fundraising campaigns starting at 30 pairs of shoes (approximately $900), with support from Shoes That Fit team members to create fundraising plans.
• Planned Giving / Elodie's Legacy A planned giving program named after founder Elodie McGuirk, allowing donors to leave lasting legacies through bequests, IRA QCDs, retirement account beneficiaries, real estate gifts, and Donor-Advised Fund contributions through Endaoment.
• Corporate Partnership Program A program enabling corporations to mobilize employees and leverage customer bases through partnerships, with customizable engagement options for employee giving campaigns, customer checkout donations, cause marketing, and event-based shoe distributions.
• Backpack Campaign Annual back-to-school campaign running from late June through July, allowing donors to purchase backpacks filled with school supplies and new sneakers for children in need.
• Vehicle Donation Program Partnership with CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) enabling donors to contribute vehicles (cars, trucks, boats) with free pickup, with proceeds converted to shoes for children in need.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% of educators reported improved confidence in children after receiving new shoes
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Stater Bros. CharitiesflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 April 2026Record-breaking 2026 campaign raised $766,469 in 12 days through in-store and online donations. Largest single donation to Shoes That Fit to date. Store #191 in Redlands presented check.
• Jared Briskin / Hibbett Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026Jared Briskin, President and CEO of Hibbett Inc. (athletic-inspired omnichannel retailer with ~1,000 stores across 36 states), joined Shoes That Fit Board. Brings retail leadership and commitment to youth-focused community initiatives.
• Misty PradocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026Head of Human Resources for Hyundai Capital America with 20+ years of HR and business leadership experience joined Board of Directors.
• Rack Room Shoes / Jordan BrandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Through Rack Room's partnership with Jordan Brand, students at Compton schools received Jordan sneakers. $25,000 grants presented to both Shoes That Fit and Chris Paul Family Foundation.
• Chris Paul Family FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2026Partnered with Shoes That Fit and Rack Room Shoes for NBA All-Star Weekend shoe distribution in Compton. Chris Paul personally encouraged students to chase dreams.
• Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2026PHLY partnered with former LA Laker Derek Fisher's Be Better Foundation, LA Sparks, and Shoes That Fit for 650-shoe distribution at Woodworth-Monroe Academy in Inglewood.
• Derek Fisher / Be Better FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2026Former LA Lakers player partnered with Shoes That Fit and PHLY for NBA All-Star Weekend shoe distribution. Participated in high-fives and gym activities with students.
• Los Angeles SparkscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2026WNBA team mascot Sparky and staff participated in shoe distribution at Woodworth-Monroe Academy during NBA All-Star Weekend.
• Jeremy BoldscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Board member and Jordan Brand General Manager (North America). Participated in Compton shoe distribution event.
• Big Brothers Big SisterscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 December 2025Partnered with Shoes That Fit for Uvalde community shoe distribution honoring 2022 tragedy victims.
• My Brother's Keeper / Tremaine EdmundscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 November 2025NFL brothers Terrell, Tremaine, and Trey Edmunds' foundation. Tremaine Edmunds distributed 311 shoes at Lindop Elementary (IL) and 480 at Arnett Hills (VA).
• Clothing Our KidscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 November 2025Delaware-based nonprofit received 1,000 pairs of sneakers to distribute to students in need across Sussex County schools, pre-K through high school.
• Jacques Slade (National Ambassador)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 October 2025Digital creator and storyteller serving as National Ambassador. Supports fundraising and awareness through attending school events and sharing content across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and X. Known for sneaker commentary and youth advocacy.
• Seal Beach ChapterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 October 2025Local chapter founded by retired teacher Gregg Stone. Helps kids in Long Beach School District.
• Rancho Cucamonga Rotary ClubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 October 2025Happy Feet fundraiser with Alta Loma School District provided ~100 pairs plus backpacks and socks to students.
• Allison's ProjectminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 October 2025Local nonprofit founded by Gregory Quezada donated supply-filled backpacks at Rotary event.
• D'Wayne Edwards / Pensole Lewis CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2025President of nation's first HBCU focused on design. Designed custom shoes for teen with Weaver-Smith syndrome (size 22 feet). Most influential Black designer in footwear with 32+ years including Nike and Jordan.
• Nordstrom RackflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2025Part of the Nordstrom family partnership since 2010. Together, Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack have helped provide over 430,000 children with new shoes over 15 years.
• Stater Bros. MarketsflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2025Store #191 in Redlands presented $766,469 check. Store #49 Claremont location reopening donated $2,500. Top-performing stores recognized for community engagement.
• 914CarescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2024Shoe bank collaboration launched with $75,000 from The Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation. Will provide 2,500 children in New York state with new shoes. 914Cares' Clothing+ program includes shoes in 'Bag of Love' packages.
• Los Angeles Dodgers FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Led by CEO Nichol T. Whiteman, the foundation brings together employees, players, and fans to support kids, families, and communities in Southern California.
• Los Angeles RamscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Players deliver shoes to kids; staff organize physical activity stations including running, jumping, and dancing. Partnership with Bank of America for Giving SHOESday events.
• Stratton Community FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 20215-year partnership serving children in southern Vermont. Foundation's Head-to-Toe Program provides sneakers and boots. 481 pairs distributed in 2026 across 20 towns. Focus on 3,500+ children, with up to 90% in some communities at poverty level.
• NordstromflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 201015+ year partnership. Nordstrom team members and customers contribute through annual back-to-school campaigns. In 2022, over $1 million was contributed. Staff participate in whole-school deliveries across the country. Nordstrom Rack also participates.
• Rack Room ShoesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 200718-year partnership. Rack Room invites customers to donate at checkout, with 100% of proceeds going to local partner schools. $100,000 annual corporate match plus $50,000 additional gift to non-enrolled schools. Has raised $16.9 million, providing 550,000+ pairs. 700+ Title I schools supported.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Feed the Children: Established nonprofit addressing childhood poverty through food and essential goods distribution, including shoes. Comparable national footprint and corporate partnership-driven model, though broader mission.
• TOMS: Footwear brand historically built around a 'one-for-one' charitable giving model. While now a broader for-profit brand, TOMS pioneered the shoe-giving model and remains thematically linked to Shoes That Fit's mission.
• Baby2Baby: Large-scale nonprofit distributing essential items (clothing, shoes, diapers) to children in poverty across the U.S. Operates at a similar national scale and works through school and agency distribution networks.
• Good+Foundation: Nonprofit providing essential goods including footwear to children living in poverty. Similar school-based and corporate partner distribution model, though with a broader product mix.
• Buckner International: Faith-based nonprofit serving children and families in need, including shoe and clothing distributions through community programs. Comparable scale and donor/partnership-driven funding structure.

Direct peers

• Soles4Souls: Nonprofit that distributes shoes (and clothing) to people in need across the U.S. and globally. Closest comparable to Shoes That Fit in mission and operating model, though serves broader age groups and international markets.
• Samaritan's Feet: Nonprofit dedicated to distributing new shoes to children in need, primarily in the U.S. and abroad, through school and community distributions. Highly comparable in target beneficiary and distribution model.
• Kicks for Kids: Regional nonprofit that provides new athletic shoes to school-aged children in need. Similar school-based distribution model though smaller geographic scope.

Emerging players

• Clothing Our Kids: Smaller Delaware-based nonprofit partner that distributes clothing and shoes to low-income students. Co-distributes Shoes That Fit shoes in Sussex County schools, demonstrating operational overlap.
• 914Cares: Regional nonprofit in Westchester County, NY running a shoe bank collaboration with Shoes That Fit to provide shoes to children in need. Comparable direct-distribution model at smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/shoesthatfit
• YouTubevimeo.com/user58601615
• Facebookfacebook.com/shoesthatfitnonprofit
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shoes-that-fit
• Instagraminstagram.com/shoesthatfitcharity
• TikToktiktok.com/@shoesthatfitcharity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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 Shoes That Fit