Making Cents
Making Cents International is a Washington, DC-based, B Corp certified international development consulting firm (founded 1999, 11-50 employees) that delivers capacity strengthening, curriculum development, MERL, and program design services to USAID, bilateral/multilateral agencies, and major foundations across 60+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Making Cents does
Making Cents International is a Washington, DC-based, B Corp certified international development consulting firm founded in 1999, operating as a privately held small business with 11-50 employees. It delivers fee-for-service professional services — capacity strengthening, monitoring evaluation research and learning (MERL), curriculum development, strategic consulting, program design, and mission support — primarily to U.S. and bilateral development agencies (USAID, DFID/FCDO, World Bank, IFAD, UN Women), multilateral institutions, and corporate/foundation funders (Mastercard Foundation, Hilton Foundation, Citi Foundation, Rockefeller, Nike Foundation). The firm holds pre-qualified governmentwide contract vehicles including OASIS+ Small Business (2024-2029), GSA Professional Services Schedule (2019-2029), and three major USAID IDIQs (CARSS $800M ceiling, CCSDP $250M, BRPSA $20M).
The firm's core 'product' is human-centered curriculum and capacity-strengthening methodology, manifested in 30+ proprietary curriculum packages deployed across 60 countries and delivered through a network of 7,000+ certified trainers reaching 1 million+ beneficiaries. It also operates knowledge platforms — YouthPower.org, YouthLead.org, YouthEOsummit.org — and convenes the annual Global Youth Economic Opportunities (GYEO) Summit. The firm's GTM is enterprise field sales through competitive federal procurement (prime contractor and subcontractor roles), augmented by event-driven thought leadership through the GYEO Summit and the 150,000+ member Youth Economic Opportunities Network.
Revenue is generated primarily through multi-year professional services contracts under competitive IDIQ and GSA vehicles; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The customer base is heavily skewed toward USAID as the dominant funder, with DFID, World Bank, IFAD, and major foundations providing secondary diversification. Geographic operations span Sub-Saharan Africa, MENA, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, South and Southeast Asia.
Making Cents firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Making Cents
- Legal name
- Making Cents International, Inc.
- Website
- https://makingcents.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Making Cents International is a Washington, DC-based, B Corp certified international development consulting firm (founded 1999, 11-50 employees) that delivers capacity strengthening, curriculum development, MERL, and program design services to USAID, bilateral/multilateral agencies, and major foundations across 60+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Making Cents industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International Development Consulting
- NAICS
- Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)
- SIC
- International Affairs (9721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning (MEL) & Reporting for Donor Programs (BPADAOAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Donor Coordination, Monitoring & Evaluation (MEL) Programs (BPADABAN)
Keywords
Where Making Cents is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Making Cents business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Professional Services Contracts: Fee-for-service consulting contracts with government agencies (USAID, DFID, etc.), foundations, and multilateral organizations. Revenue generated through technical assistance, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and training services delivered under competitive government contracting vehicles.
- Event Management and Summit: Annual Global Youth Economic Opportunities Summit brings together development practitioners, donors, companies, researchers, and young leaders. Revenue derived from participant registration fees and sponsorships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Government Contract Services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Making Cents product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Making Cents International is a B Corp certified development consulting firm that delivers professional services including capacity strengthening, monitoring evaluation research and learning (MERL), curriculum development, strategic consulting, program design, and mission support. The firm serves development agencies, foundations, and NGOs working on youth economic opportunities, agriculture, financial inclusion, workforce development, and women's empowerment programs across 60+ countries, supported by a library of more than 30 curriculum packages.
Product overview
Making Cents International is a B Corp certified development consulting firm offering an integrated portfolio of professional services rather than a unified software product. The company's core offerings include Capacity Strengthening, Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning (MERL), Curriculum Development, Strategic Consulting, Program Design, and Mission Support services. These services are organized around practice areas covering Agriculture and Food Security, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development, Financial Inclusion, Workforce Development, Democracy and Governance, Youth Development, and Women's Empowerment. Key platforms and initiatives include the Youth Economic Opportunities Network, the annual Global Youth Economic Opportunities Summit, YouthEOsummit.org, YouthPower.org, and YouthLead.org. The company has developed more than 30 curriculum packages deployed in 60 countries through over 7,000 certified trainers and coaches.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Youth Economic Opportunities Network: A global network supporting positive youth development in youth economic opportunity programs, disseminating knowledge on evidence-based initiatives and building stakeholder capacity worldwide.
- Global Youth Economic Opportunities (GYEO) Summit
Products and services
- Capacity Strengthening Services Strengthening the technical and operational capacity of local organizations worldwide to support smallholder farmers, business owners, youth, women, and refugees through human-centered design principles, training, and technical assistance.
- Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Technical assistance for evaluation designs, assessments, data collection, analysis, and knowledge management to improve program design, implementation, and evaluation for USAID and other international development clients.
- Curriculum Development Development of evidence-based, customized curriculum packages for youth, women, smallholder farmers, entrepreneurs, and refugees, transferring skills through applied learning methodology including simulations and participatory exercises.
- Strategic Consulting Strategic advisory services for multinational companies, foundations, and NGOs to improve programming strategies, scale up programs, and build staff capacity in youth development and training.
- Program Design Tailored program design approaches ensuring local ownership and incorporating stakeholder buy-in, with engagement of women, youth, and underserved populations throughout the program cycle.
- Mission Support Program and operational support services including strategic planning, learning, knowledge management, staff augmentation, communications, training, logistics, and event management for government clients.
- Youth Economic Opportunities Network
Quantifiable outcome
- 43% cost savings for farmers using post-harvest input purchasing strategy taught through Agriculture Enterprise Curriculum
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Making Cents
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Making Cents technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Making Cents partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
41 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Chemonics InternationalcorePartner on MARKETS I, Bridge to MARKETS, and MARKETS II agricultural development projects in Nigeria supporting market-driven agricultural sector development.
- RTI InternationalcorePartner on Kenya Crops and Dairy Market Systems Activity (KCDMS) under USAID Feed the Future initiative focusing on women and youth integration into agricultural value chains.
- DAIcorePartner on Youth Resilience, Inclusion, and Empowerment (Y-RIE) project in Eastern and Southern Caribbean focused on crime and violence prevention.
- Abt AssociatescorePartner on Integrated Community Agriculture and Nutrition Activity (ICAN) in Uganda focusing on adolescent girls and young women's livelihoods.
- IREXcoreImplementing partner on Ukraine National Identity Through Youth (UNITY) Activity providing youth entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and pluralism programming.
- Tetra TechmajorSubcontractor partner on CCSDP IDIQ for compliance and capacity support. MSI, a Tetra Tech company, partners on SACCI anti-corruption program.
- Save the ChildrenmajorPartner on multiple programs including LIVCD in Lebanon, TVET programs, pilot financial literacy for adolescent girls, and education in conflict settings.
- PactmajorSubcontractor on CCSDP IDIQ and partner on Triple R program for adolescent girls and young women in Eswatini.
- Population CouncilmajorPartner on adolescent girls empowerment programs including Zambia programs and girl networks initiatives in Guatemala.
- Heifer InternationalmajorPartner on East Africa Youth Inclusion Program (EAYIP) in Uganda and Tanzania developing youth entrepreneurial skills and access to finance.
- YouthBuild InternationalmajorPartner on youth entrepreneurship programs in Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and Guyana supporting at-risk youth with entrepreneurial skills training.
- ACDI/VOCAmajorPartner on Liberia Agriculture, Upgrading Nutrition, and Child Health (LAUNCH) program building agribusiness skills of youth.
- NCBA/CLUSAmajorPartner on Youth Empowerment through Agriculture (YETA) in Sub-Saharan Africa supporting holistic youth development in agriculture.
- Winrock InternationalcorePrime on Agribusiness Competitiveness Activity in Tajikistan (ACAT) with Making Cents leading women and youth inclusion efforts.
- Development Professionals Inc.majorJoint venture partner on LACLEARN Task Order for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance analytical work in Latin America and Caribbean.
- BlumontmajorImplementing partner on Syria Essential Services (SES II) revitalizing local communities in Syria and Jordan.
- FHI 360majorPartner on Expanded and Sustained Access to Financial Services (ESAF) program providing financial literacy education to adolescent youth.
- International Rescue CommitteemajorPartner on Economic Recovery and Development Program supporting Syrian refugees in the Middle East.
- Catholic Relief ServicesmajorPartner on Feed the Future Nigeria Livelihoods Project supporting vulnerable households to increase incomes and improve nutrition.
- MercyCorpsmajorPartner on economic development and youth programs in various contexts.
- Social ImpactmajorPartner on mid-term evaluation of At-Risk Youth Initiative Alerta Joven in Dominican Republic.
- Norwegian Refugee CouncilmajorPartner on Compatibility Toolkit Consultancy improving employment outcomes for Syrian refugees in Jordan.
- Deloitte ConsultingmajorPrime on Economic Prosperity Initiative (EPI) with Making Cents supporting women farmers' agribusiness skills in Georgia.
- Adam Smith InternationalmajorPrime on Mafita program increasing access to quality technical and vocational education for young men and women.
- Democracy InternationalcorePrime on Positive Pathways Activity in Jamaica with Making Cents leading positive youth development integration.
- Fintrac Inc.majorPartner on Kenya Horticulture Competitiveness Project (KHCP) under USAID Feed the Future.
- MillimanmajorPartner on incorporating violence against women in assessing investment risk tool development under INVEST mechanism.
- Room to ReadmajorPartner on strengthening girls' financial literacy program across Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Vietnam, and Zambia.
- Kaizen (Tetra Tech Company)majorSubcontractor on CCSDP IDIQ leveraging expertise in capacity strengthening for local actors.
- Frankfurt School of Finance and ManagementmajorPartner on capacity building for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise lending in Kenya.
- MicroInsurance Centre at MillimanmajorPartner on incorporating violence against women in assessing investment risk analysis.
- ChildFund InternationalmajorPartner on Economic Strengthening to Keep and Reintegrate Children into Families (ESFAM) Program.
- Plan InternationalmajorPartner on enterprising life skills for youth programs across Africa.
- Georgetown UniversityminorAcademic institution partner for development research and analysis.
- University of California, DaviscoreLead on Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture with Making Cents providing technical expertise on youth benefits from horticulture research.
- NORC at the University of ChicagominorAcademic research partner for development assessments and evaluations.
- Alliance for International Youth Development (AIYD)minorAffiliation with professional network for international youth development.
- Society for International Development (SID)minorAffiliation with Washington, DC chapter of international development society.
- HumentumminorAffiliation with organization supporting operational excellence in humanitarian and development sector.
- Small Business Association for International Companies (SBAIC)minorAffiliation supporting small business interests in international development contracting.
- Council of International Development Contractors (CIDC)minorAffiliation with professional council for development contractors.
Scale indicators20 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Making Cents competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Chemonics International: One of the largest USAID prime contractors, working in the same international development space with overlapping practice areas (agriculture, economic growth, workforce). Directly partners with Making Cents as a prime on MARKETS projects in Nigeria.
- RTI International: Large nonprofit research and development institute with comparable USAID portfolio and a partner of Making Cents on the Kenya Crops and Dairy Market Systems (KCDMS) activity. Operates similar MERL and capacity-strengthening offerings.
- DAI: Global development company with extensive USAID programming in economic growth, governance, and youth. Direct partner of Making Cents on the Y-RIE project in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.
- Abt Associates: Major research and consulting firm focused on international development, health, and economic growth; partner of Making Cents on the Uganda ICAN activity and competes for similar USAID and foundation contracts.
- Winrock International: Nonprofit with overlapping practice areas in agriculture, economic empowerment, and youth, and an active partner on ACAT in Tajikistan. Comparable in scale and contract mix to Making Cents.
- IREX: Global development and education organization with a youth-focused portfolio; partner of Making Cents on the Ukraine UNITY Activity and competes for similar USAID youth and governance awards.
- ACDI/VOCA: Cooperative-development nonprofit focused on economic inclusion, agriculture, and youth livelihoods; partner on the Liberia LAUNCH program and a direct competitor for Feed the Future task orders.
- Pact: International development nonprofit with comparable programming in youth, gender, and capacity strengthening; partner of Making Cents on CCSDP IDIQ and the Triple R program in Eswatini.
Broad incumbents
- FHI 360: Large global development organization with deep USAID and foundation relationships across youth, education, and economic growth; partner on the ESAF financial literacy program and competes for overlapping awards.
- Save the Children: Large INGO with a broad youth livelihoods and financial inclusion portfolio that intersects with Making Cents' practice areas; partner on LIVCD in Lebanon and TVET programs globally.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Making Cents social profiles
Digital presenceMaking Cents compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Making Cents financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Making Cents leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Making Cents funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Making Cents 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 Making Cents
What does Making Cents do?
Making Cents International is a B Corp certified development consulting firm that delivers professional services including capacity strengthening, monitoring evaluation research and learning (MERL), curriculum development, strategic consulting, program design, and mission support. The firm serves development agencies, foundations, and NGOs working on youth economic opportunities, agriculture, financial inclusion, workforce development, and women's empowerment programs across 60+ countries, supported by a library of more than 30 curriculum packages.
Is Making Cents a public or private company?
Making Cents is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Making Cents founded?
Making Cents was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Making Cents based?
Making Cents is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Making Cents make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Professional Services Contracts are the primary driver. The others are event Management and Summit.
Who are Making Cents's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Chemonics International, RTI International, DAI, Abt Associates, Winrock International, IREX, ACDI/VOCA and Pact. Broad incumbents are FHI 360 and Save the Children.
Does Making Cents have an API?
No public API is recorded for Making Cents.
What industry is Making Cents in?
Making Cents's product category is International Development Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAOAL, Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning (MEL) & Reporting for Donor Programs, with a secondary code of BPADABAN, Donor Coordination, Monitoring & Evaluation (MEL) Programs. Its NAICS code is 5417 and its SIC code is 9721.