Kidsave

What Kidsave does

Kidsave International Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Culver City, California, founded in 1999 by Randi Thompson and Terri Baugh to address the structural disadvantage older children face in adoption. The organization's core mission is to connect children ages 9-17 in U.S. foster care and orphans in international institutional care with permanent adoptive families and lifelong mentors. Kidsave's service portfolio is organized around a proprietary Family Visit Model methodology that uses structured hosting and mentorship events to build relationships between older youth and prospective families.

The operating model spans four countries — the United States, Ukraine, Colombia, and Sierra Leone — delivered through a set of named programs: Summer Miracles (5-week summer / 3-week winter hosting of Colombian orphans ages 11-14 with U.S. families), Weekend Miracles (monthly Meet the Kids events in Los Angeles, Houston, and Virginia connecting foster youth ages 9-17 with mentors and adoptive families), Kidsave Ukraine (Miracles Center shelter, Angels of Hope volunteers, Pathway to Success corporate mentoring), the EMBRACE Project (cultural-responsiveness research and training), and the Sierra Leone Program (orphanage-based reunification with IDI-SL). Delivery is executed through a 51-100 person staff, supplemented by interns, supported by a five-partner adoption agency network, flagship advocacy partners (FosterMore, Big Brothers Big Sisters, MENTOR), and corporate partners including Microsoft.

Kidsave is funded almost entirely through charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations, with the organization reporting that 84% of expenditures go directly to programs, 10% to management and finance, and 6% to fundraising. The organization has earned a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, a GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency, and is recognized as a top-rated nonprofit on GlobalGiving. There are no parent companies, subsidiaries, or private equity backers; governance is through a Board of Trustees and Associate Board.

Name

Kidsave

Legal name

Kidsave International

Website

https://kidsave.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Kidsave is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects older foster children and orphans (ages 9-17) with permanent adoptive families and mentors in the U.S., Ukraine, Colombia, and Sierra Leone through hosting, mentorship, and reunification programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Foster Care and Adoption Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Individual and Family Services (6241), Child Care Services (624410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Child Welfare, Foster Care & Adoption Services (BPAGAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Family Coaching, Parent-Mediated & Home Visiting EI Services (EDACAFAJ)

Keywords

• Foster care adoption
• International adoption services
• Family reunification programs
• Youth mentoring services
• Orphan advocacy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Culver City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Kidsave generates revenue primarily through donations and charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization directs 84% of funds directly to programs supporting foster children and adoption services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

Kidsave is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates foster care and adoption programs designed to connect older children (ages 9-17 in U.S. foster care and 11-14 internationally) with permanent families and mentors. Core offerings include the Summer Miracles international hosting/adoption program (Colombia to U.S.), Weekend Miracles domestic foster youth program (Los Angeles, Houston, Virginia), Kidsave Ukraine humanitarian and family-placement programs, the EMBRACE Project for cultural responsiveness, and the Sierra Leone family reunification program, all delivered through the trauma-informed Family Visit Model.

Product overview

Kidsave is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates a portfolio of foster care and adoption programs rather than a commercial product platform. The core offerings include: Summer Miracles (international adoption program bringing children from Colombia to U.S. host families), Weekend Miracles (domestic foster care program operating in Los Angeles, Houston, and Virginia), Kidsave Ukraine (humanitarian programs including the Miracles Center and Pathway to Success corporate mentoring), the EMBRACE Project (cultural responsiveness initiative), and the Sierra Leone Program (family reunification and adoption). These programs are connected through Kidsave's Family Visit Model, an innovative methodology that creates structured opportunities for older children to build relationships with potential adoptive and mentoring families through hosted events, weekend visits, and ongoing support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Summer Miracles An international adoption program that connects older orphans (ages 11-14) from Colombia with host families and adoptive families in the United States. The hosting period takes place over 5 weeks in the summer or 3 weeks in the winter, allowing children to experience life with American families and connect with potential adoptive parents.
• Weekend Miracles A program that connects older youth in U.S. foster care (ages 9-17) with caring adults in their communities for mentoring, hosting, and adoption. Currently operating in Los Angeles, CA; Houston, TX; and Northern and Central Virginia. The program organizes monthly 'Meet the Kids' connection events where youth meet potential host and adoptive families.
• Kidsave Ukraine An initiative that operates multiple programs within Ukraine to move children out of orphanages and institutions and into families, and to support older youth aging out of care to successfully achieve independence. Includes the Angels of Hope volunteer program and the Miracles Center for children evacuated from conflict zones.
• EMBRACE Project A research-driven initiative to address the overrepresentation of children of color and marginalized youth in foster care and promote Cultural Responsiveness among foster and adoptive families.
• Sierra Leone Program A program that works in partnership with Integrated Development Initiatives Sierra Leone (IDI-SL) to reunite children separated from family by war or disease and find adoptive families for orphans. Works across four active orphanages providing reunification, psychosocial support, and long-term family strengthening.
• Kidsave Miracles Center A safe haven facility in western Ukraine providing shelter, therapeutic services, and support for children evacuated from conflict zones. Children receive rest, mental health support, and opportunities for play while staff works on placement options to move them into families.
• Pathway to Success (Corporate Mentoring) A corporate mentoring program in Ukraine that serves teenagers and young adults, connecting them with mentorship, career-readiness training, and a caring community to support their transition to independence.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30,536 children helped since 1999
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

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

• Children's Home Society of MinnesotacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdoption agency partner providing placement services for children in the program. One of five agency partners facilitating adoptions through Kidsave's programs.
• Holt InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational adoption agency partner with extensive experience in special needs adoptions. Supports Kidsave's adoption programs for children from Colombia and U.S. foster care.
• Nightlight Christian AdoptionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChristian faith-based adoption agency partner serving families through Kidsave's programs with values-aligned approach.
• Paths for FamiliescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdoption agency partner focused on finding permanent families for children in the child welfare system.
• Wide Horizons for ChildrencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational adoption agency partner specializing in placing older children and sibling groups with families.
• Integrated Development Initiatives Sierra Leone (IDI-SL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner in Sierra Leone supporting local operations and program delivery for Kidsave's international initiatives.
• FosterMoreflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational resource partner providing advocacy and awareness for foster youth and adoption. Flagship partnership for national reach.
• The Heart GallerycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational resource partner featuring photographic exhibitions of waiting children to find them adoptive families.
• CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdvocacy partner representing children's best interests in court and connecting children with needed services including adoption.
• Voice for AdoptioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdvocacy partner working to raise awareness about the need for adoptive families for older children in foster care.
• Congressional Coalition on Adoption InstitutecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPolicy advocacy partner working at the federal level to promote adoption and support families.
• AdoptUSKidsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational adoption resource connecting families with children waiting for adoption. Provides listing services and resources.
• Dave Thomas FoundationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdoption resource partner focused on finding permanent homes for children in foster care, particularly those with special needs.
• Christian Alliance for OrphansminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFaith-based adoption resource providing network support and resources for Christian families interested in adoption.
• National Council for AdoptionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPolicy and advocacy organization providing research, resources, and support for adoption services.
• North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdoption resource providing support, education, and advocacy for families adopting children from foster care.
• Big Brothers Big SistersflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFlagship mentoring partner providing mentorship programs for foster youth. Key partner for the foster youth mentorship initiative.
• The National Mentoring Partnership (MENTOR)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFlagship national mentoring resource partner connecting foster youth with mentors to support their development and well-being.
• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology partner collaborating on the EMBRACE Project supporting Ukrainian families and orphans.
• My Day ScreenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing funding and employee engagement support.
• WonderTend PartiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing funding and employee engagement support.
• Barely CanadianminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing funding and employee engagement support.
• CBIZminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing professional services, funding, and employee engagement support.
• RGPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing funding and employee engagement support.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Holt International: International adoption agency with extensive experience placing older children and those with special needs. A Kidsave adoption agency partner operating in overlapping geographies (Colombia, Eastern Europe) and serving comparable adoptive families.
• Children's Home Society of Minnesota: Adoption and child welfare agency offering domestic and international adoption services, including programs for older children. A Kidsave adoption agency partner operating with comparable placement methodology.
• Nightlight Christian Adoptions: Faith-based adoption agency facilitating domestic and international adoptions, including older-child placements. A Kidsave agency partner with overlapping service model and target families.
• Wide Horizons for Children: International adoption agency specializing in placing older children and sibling groups with U.S. families. A Kidsave partner with directly overlapping mission and family visit model.
• Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption: National nonprofit focused on finding permanent homes for children in foster care, particularly those with special needs and older youth. Directly comparable mission with overlapping programming and target population.

Broad incumbents

• CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates): National nonprofit network advocating for foster children in court and connecting them with services. A Kidsave advocacy partner and broader peer in foster youth outcomes, though CASA's volunteer advocacy model differs from Kidsave's placement focus.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth mentoring nonprofit serving children including those in foster care. A Kidsave flagship mentoring partner with overlapping mentee population but broader age range and mentoring-only model.
• AdoptUSKids: Federally funded national adoption resource connecting families with waiting children in U.S. foster care. A Kidsave resource partner with broader national mandate and government backing.

Emerging players

• Voice for Adoption: Advocacy coalition raising awareness about the need for adoptive families for older foster children. A Kidsave advocacy partner with overlapping mission but narrower policy/awareness focus rather than direct service.
• North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC): Adoption support, education, and advocacy organization focused on families adopting from U.S. foster care. A Kidsave resource partner with overlapping target families but post-adoption support focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Kidsave_Intl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCvWeJfXIgO5jjiq7KGP2HwQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/KidsaveInternational
• Instagraminstagram.com/kidsave
• TikToktiktok.com/@kidsave
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kidsave

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Kidsave