Project MEND
Project MEND is a San Antonio-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that refurbishes donated durable medical equipment and distributes it free of charge to individuals with disabilities, veterans, and underinsured people across Texas.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersSan Antonio, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Project MEND does
Project MEND is a San Antonio-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 1992 and formally incorporated in 1993, that operates a medical equipment reuse program for individuals with disabilities, veterans, and underinsured populations in Texas. The organization collects donated durable medical equipment (DME) — including manual and power wheelchairs, walkers, rollators, hospital beds, Hoyer lifts, shower chairs, commodes, mobility scooters, trapezes, and tub transfer benches — through community collection drives, partnerships with VFW posts, EdenHill Communities, and similar donors, plus a scheduled pickup service covering San Antonio and surrounding counties (recently extending to New Braunfels). Donated equipment is professionally sanitized and refurbished in a single warehouse facility at 5015 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, before being redistributed at no cost to qualifying recipients who cannot afford the items or face gaps in insurance coverage.
The business model is donation-driven rather than revenue-generating: financial contributions come from individuals, corporate sponsors (Valero Energy as Hope Sponsor, WellMed Charitable Foundation), healthcare-system partners (University Health), and major fundraising events such as the Viva Mobility 5K at Morgan's Wonderland and the A Toast to Mobility gala at The DoSeum, with online giving processed through QGiv. Equipment donations flow through an event-driven go-to-market motion tied to community collection drives and organizational pickups. The organization reports 85 cents of every donated dollar reinvested into community programs, and 2024 operating throughput of 2,683 clients served, 6,244 pieces of equipment distributed, and an estimated 74 tons of scrap metal diverted from landfills.
Project MEND is led by CEO Cathy Valdez (since 2006), COO Dexter Moon (since 2022; CDME, CIPM, U.S. Veteran), and CDO Kristy Walston (since 2021), supported by a board chaired by William Phillips (COO at University Health) and drawn from senior executives at Methodist Healthcare, Community First Health Plans, Paragon Healthcare, UT Health San Antonio, and WellMed Medical Management. The organization is geographically concentrated in Texas, serving San Antonio and surrounding counties, and is governed as an independent nonprofit with no parent company and no equity funding rounds.
Project MEND firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Project MEND
- Legal name
- Project MEND
- Website
- https://projectmend.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Project MEND is a San Antonio-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that refurbishes donated durable medical equipment and distributes it free of charge to individuals with disabilities, veterans, and underinsured people across Texas.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Project MEND industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Medical Equipment Reuse Services
- NAICS
- Materials Recovery Facilities (56292), Other Waste Collection (562119), Home Health Equipment Rental (532283)
- SIC
- Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Refuse Systems (4953)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Home Accessibility & Bathroom Safety DME (Grab Bars, Shower Chairs, Raised Toilets, Ramps) (HLAHAMAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Sales & Rentals (HSABAKAA), Donation Pickup & Reuse Hauling (HSAKALAI), Recycling & E-Waste Collection/Hauling (HSAKALAJ)
Keywords
Where Project MEND is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Antonio
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Project MEND business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Financial Donations: The organization receives monetary donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund operations, equipment refurbishment, and distribution programs.
- Equipment Donations: Individuals and organizations donate gently used medical equipment which is refurbished and redistributed to those in need.
- Fundraising Events: Annual galas (A Toast to Mobility), 5K races (Viva Mobility), and other fundraising events generate revenue and community awareness.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Project MEND product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Project MEND collects donated durable medical equipment (DME), professionally refurbishes and sanitizes it, and distributes it at no cost to individuals with disabilities, veterans, and underinsured individuals who cannot afford mobility equipment or face gaps in insurance coverage. The program covers wheelchairs, power chairs, walkers, hospital beds, Hoyer lifts, scooters, shower chairs, and other mobility aids, distributed through a single San Antonio warehouse and a donation pickup service covering surrounding Texas counties.
Product overview
Project MEND operates as a single, unified service offering: a medical equipment refurbishment and reuse program. The organization collects donated medical equipment, professionally refurbishes and sanitizes it, and distributes it to individuals with disabilities or mobility issues who cannot afford equipment or lack insurance coverage. Their product portfolio consists of various types of refurbished durable medical equipment (DME) including wheelchairs, power chairs, walkers, hospital beds, and other mobility aids. This equipment reuse model serves the disability community across Texas, with 85 cents of every donated dollar invested back into community programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Medical Equipment Reuse Program Core service that collects donated durable medical equipment, professionally refurbishes and sanitizes it, and provides it free of charge to individuals with disabilities and mobility limitations who cannot afford equipment or face insurance coverage gaps. Equipment types include wheelchairs, power chairs, walkers with wheels, rollators, hospital beds, Hoyer lifts, shower chairs, scooters, commodes, trapezes, and tub transfer benches. Distribution is via warehouse pickup at 5015 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, and scheduled donation pickup services in surrounding Texas counties.
- Veterans Equipment Assistance Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,683 clients served with 6,244 pieces of equipment distributed in a single year
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Project MEND
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Project MEND technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Project MEND partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- EdenHill CommunitiescoreEdenHill Communities partnered with Project MEND to host Gear Up for Mobility collection events in New Braunfels, helping collect medical equipment donations for the community.
- VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) PostscoreMultiple VFW posts in San Antonio and New Braunfels serve as collection sites for Project MEND's Operation Drop-Off events, supporting equipment collection drives for veterans.
- WellMed Charitable FoundationmajorSponsor of Project MEND events including A Toast to Mobility gala. WellMed provides funding support for the organization's programs serving individuals with disabilities.
- Valero EnergymajorHope Sponsor for 2025 A Toast to Mobility gala. Valero supports Project MEND's mission through corporate sponsorship of fundraising events.
- Morgan's WonderlandcoreInclusive theme park serves as venue for Project MEND's Viva Mobility 5K events, with the partnership supporting fundraising and community awareness for mobility equipment needs.
- University HealthmajorMomentum Sponsor for Viva Mobility 2025 event. University Health, as a major healthcare provider, supports Project MEND's mission to provide medical equipment to those in need.
- The DoSeummajorVenue sponsor for 2025 A Toast to Mobility annual gala. The DoSeum, San Antonio's museum for children, hosts Project MEND's signature fundraising event.
- City of San Antonio Department of Human ServicescoreCity department provides support and resources for Project MEND's programs serving San Antonio residents with disabilities.
- Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG)coreRegional planning organization coordinates with Project MEND to provide services for individuals with disabilities in the Alamo Area region of Texas.
- United WaycoreUnited Way of San Antonio provides 211 helpline referrals and partners with Project MEND to connect individuals in need with medical equipment services.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Project MEND competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA): National nonprofit providing medical equipment assistance and accessibility services to individuals with neuromuscular diseases. Comparable in mission focus on mobility equipment access for disability populations and nonprofit funding model.
- Mobility Worldwide: Nonprofit network building and distributing mobility carts (PET carts) to individuals with disabilities in developing countries. Comparable in mission (mobility equipment access) and donation-based nonprofit model, though focused on international markets.
- ALS Association: National nonprofit providing equipment loan programs (including power wheelchairs and mobility devices) to ALS patients. Comparable in DME loan/distribution model, target population needs, and donation-funded service delivery.
- Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services including assistive technology and equipment access. Comparable to Project MEND in target population (individuals with disabilities) and nonprofit service delivery, though operating at national scale with broader programming.
- Free Wheelchair Mission: Nonprofit organization that collects and distributes wheelchairs globally to individuals with disabilities. Comparable to Project MEND in mission (mobility equipment access) and donation-based distribution model, though operating at much larger international scale.
- Pass It On Center (Georgia Tech): Assistive technology reuse program based at Georgia Tech that refurbishes and redistributes DME to individuals with disabilities. Direct peer in the medical equipment reuse/refurbishment category, though operating with university affiliation rather than as an independent nonprofit.
Broad incumbents
- Goodwill Industries International: Large nonprofit operating donation-driven reuse and refurbishment programs including some assistive equipment. Comparable in reuse/refurbishment nonprofit model and donation logistics, though operating much more broadly across multiple categories.
- Habitat for Humanity ReStores: Nonprofit home goods reuse and resale program operated by Habitat for Humanity. Comparable in donation collection, refurbishment, and resale/distribution model, though focused on home furnishings rather than medical equipment.
- The Lighthouse for the Blind: Established nonprofit providing services and assistive devices for visually impaired individuals. Comparable in disability services and nonprofit DME distribution, though specialized to vision impairment rather than mobility.
Emerging players
- Hope Mobility Foundation: Smaller nonprofit focused on mobility equipment distribution to underserved populations. Comparable in mission and equipment distribution model, though smaller in scale and more regionally focused.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Project MEND social profiles
Digital presenceProject MEND financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Project MEND leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Project MEND funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Project MEND M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Project MEND
What does Project MEND do?
Project MEND collects donated durable medical equipment (DME), professionally refurbishes and sanitizes it, and distributes it at no cost to individuals with disabilities, veterans, and underinsured individuals who cannot afford mobility equipment or face gaps in insurance coverage. The program covers wheelchairs, power chairs, walkers, hospital beds, Hoyer lifts, scooters, shower chairs, and other mobility aids, distributed through a single San Antonio warehouse and a donation pickup service covering surrounding Texas counties.
Is Project MEND a public or private company?
Project MEND is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Project MEND founded?
Project MEND was founded in 1992. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Project MEND based?
Project MEND is headquartered in San Antonio, United States, in the North America region.
How does Project MEND make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Financial Donations are the primary driver. The others are equipment Donations and fundraising Events.
Who are Project MEND's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Mobility Worldwide, ALS Association, Easterseals, Free Wheelchair Mission and Pass It On Center (Georgia Tech). Broad incumbents are Goodwill Industries International, Habitat for Humanity ReStores and The Lighthouse for the Blind. Hope Mobility Foundation is listed as an emerging player.
Does Project MEND have an API?
No public API is recorded for Project MEND.
What industry is Project MEND in?
Project MEND's product category is Medical Equipment Reuse Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHAMAF, Home Accessibility & Bathroom Safety DME (Grab Bars, Shower Chairs, Raised Toilets, Ramps), with a secondary code of HSABAKAA, Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Sales & Rentals. Its NAICS code is 56292 and its SIC code is 3842.