Invisible Children
Invisible Children is a US-based nonprofit founded in 2004 that partners with local peacebuilders in DRC, CAR, South Sudan, and Sudan to prevent violent conflict. It operates Crisis Tracker conflict mapping, Mobile Cinema, Early Warning Radio Networks, and peace committees, funded by USAID, the State Department, and individual donors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Invisible Children does
Invisible Children is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2004 and headquartered in San Diego with a Washington, D.C. office. Originally established to respond to the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crisis in central Africa, the organization now partners with local peacebuilders across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Central African Republic (CAR), South Sudan, and — as of 2024 — North Darfur, Sudan to prevent violent conflict and support community resilience. Its mission is delivered through community-embedded programs including Crisis Tracker (a longitudinal conflict-mapping and incident database), Mobile Cinema (film-based peace dialogue deployed via motorbike and micro-SD-loaded projection), Early Warning Radio Networks (HF-radio-based community alert systems), Peace Committees in 165+ communities, trauma healing and psychosocial support, sustainable livelihoods, and escapee reintegration support.
The organization's product surface combines a data platform (Crisis Tracker) with field-deployed physical interventions (Mobile Cinema screenings, radio early warning systems) and structured community programming (Peace Committees, trauma healing cohorts, conservation partnerships with African Parks and the African Wildlife Foundation). Underlying technology components include geo-located conflict incident data, HF-radio broadcasting infrastructure, micro-SD media distribution kits, and online donation and advocacy platforms; there is no disclosed use of AI/ML in the product stack. Headcount is reported in the 101–250 employee range.
The business model is a hybrid nonprofit funding model. Revenue is generated through individual donations (including recurring giving and event-based fundraising) and institutional grants from a small set of large government funders, principally the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under multi-year awards such as the CRCA Activity and the P2P Activity in CAR, the U.S. Department of State (including the Bomoko Na Bosembo project), and Global Affairs Canada. The organization historically cultivated mass individual donor engagement through the 2012 KONY 2012 viral film campaign, which drove a multi-year revenue expansion under prior CEO Lisa Dougan; current fundraising mix is not disclosed. The customer base is institutional grant funders plus individual donors, with beneficiary communities as program participants rather than revenue sources.
Invisible Children firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Invisible Children
- Legal name
- Invisible Children
- Website
- https://invisiblechildren.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Invisible Children is a US-based nonprofit founded in 2004 that partners with local peacebuilders in DRC, CAR, South Sudan, and Sudan to prevent violent conflict. It operates Crisis Tracker conflict mapping, Mobile Cinema, Early Warning Radio Networks, and peace committees, funded by USAID, the State Department, and individual donors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Invisible Children industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Peacebuilding Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Human Rights Organizations (813311)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Child Protection & Child Rights (BPAGABAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Education in Emergencies (EiE) & Safe Schools (BPADAKAJ), Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Legal Aid) (BPADADAH)
Keywords
Where Invisible Children is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Invisible Children business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute to fund peacebuilding programs, community protection initiatives, and operational costs. Supporters make one-time or recurring donations via the organization's website and fundraising campaigns.
- Government Grants: Institutional funding from government agencies including USAID, U.S. Department of State, and Global Affairs Canada. These grants fund specific programs such as the CRCA Activity, P2P Activity in CAR, and peacebuilding initiatives in Sudan and South Sudan.
- Activist Engagement: The organization mobilizes supporters to engage in policy advocacy, raising awareness about LRA violence, mass atrocities prevention, and related legislation. This drives both individual giving and broader policy change.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Invisible Children product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Invisible Children is a nonprofit organization that partners with local peacebuilders across central Africa to end violent conflict. It delivers community-based programs including conflict mapping (Crisis Tracker), early warning radio networks, mobile cinema for community sensitization, peace committee development, trauma healing, escapee reunification, and sustainable livelihoods in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, and Sudan.
Product overview
Invisible Children operates a portfolio of interconnected peacebuilding and violence prevention programs across central Africa, not a single software product. The core offerings include: the Crisis Tracker (conflict mapping and analysis platform), Mobile Cinema (film-based storytelling with community dialogue), Early Warning Radio Networks (two-way communication for threat reporting), and Peace Committee/Community Resilience programs (trained volunteer groups for conflict mediation and trauma support). Additional programs include Sustainable Livelihoods, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, and Escapee Support. The USAID-funded CRCA Activity serves as an overarching framework project that connects and expands these individual programs across the Mbomou Uele border region.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Crisis Tracker: Conflict mapping and analysis platform documenting armed group activity across central Africa
- Mobile Cinema
- Early Warning Radio Network
- Trauma Healing Program
- USAID-funded Community Resilience in Central Africa (CRCA) Activity
Products and services
- Crisis Tracker / LRA Crisis Tracker A conflict mapping and analysis platform that collects data on armed group activity in central Africa, providing in-depth, up-to-date analysis on violent conflict trends to humanitarians, conservation experts, and local peacebuilding partners.
- Mobile Cinema A storytelling-through-film program that creates short films with and for communities in CAR and DRC. Screenings are paired with guided dialogue sessions to help communities discuss issues and develop solutions.
- Community-based Early Warning and Response Communication networks using HF radios with two-way communication capabilities that enable remote communities to report threats of violence to one another and to humanitarian organizations.
- Local Peace Committee Development Volunteer groups that lead community efforts to strengthen peace and reduce risk of violent conflict, trained on topics related to peacebuilding and violence prevention.
- Community Resilience Committees Committees bringing together key representatives of all parts of the community including religious leaders, women, youth, and ethnic minorities, with training on conflict management, income-generating activities, trauma-healing, and community protection.
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Community-based awareness campaigns, volunteer community counselor training, and one-on-one trauma counseling with trained psychologists to address severe trauma caused by cycles of violence and poverty.
- Sustainable Livelihoods Small-scale livelihood development projects including income-generating activities, investments in local infrastructure, and Village Savings and Loan Associations to strengthen local economies and reduce exposure to violence.
- Escapee Support & Reunification Support for individuals escaping from armed groups including the LRA, providing safe housing, trauma counseling, emergency medical care coordination, and family reunification services.
- USAID-funded Community Resilience in Central Africa (CRCA) Activity A five-year USAID-funded project focused on improving protection of civilians and strengthening community resilience to security threats in the Mbomou Uele border region spanning northeastern DRC and eastern CAR.
- Bomoko Na Bosembo A U.S. Department of State-funded project advancing truth, justice, and reconciliation processes addressing local legacies of mass atrocities and preventing further violence in communities spanning the border between northeastern DRC and South Sudan.
Quantifiable outcome
- 39% fewer attacks and 68% fewer abductions by armed groups in program regions
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Invisible Children
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Invisible Children technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Invisible Children partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Observatoire des Droits de l'HommecoreDRC-based human rights organization providing training of trainers for the Bomoko Na Bosembo project, guiding local partners in trauma-informed memorialization and victim-centered advocacy with support from forensic anthropology experts.
- OAZ Entertainment (OAZ)coreLocal Central African entertainment company partnered on P2P Activity. Contributed to Mobile Cinema film production 'E Ma Tere' as local filmmakers and artists.
- Femmes Hommes Action Plus (FHAP)coreLocal civil society organization in CAR partnered with Invisible Children for P2P peacebuilding model implementation in eastern CAR.
- Bria LondocoreLocal peace committee organization in CAR created by community leaders including Matar. Partnered on Mobile Cinema 'Le Pouvoir du Dialogue' and peacebuilding programs.
- African ParkscoreConservation nonprofit managing protected areas (Bili Uele, Garamba, Chinko). Partner on CRCA to strengthen collaboration between communities and conservation actors to prevent armed violence against people and wildlife.
- African Wildlife Foundation (AWF)coreConservation organization partnered on CRCA Activity for community and wildlife protection in central Africa. Collaborates on Mobile Cinema film 'Ani Wa Sa'.
- NovominorPartnered with Invisible Children to create Mobile Cinema film 'Ani Wa Sa' focused on building trust between communities and conservation actors.
- Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI)coreDeveloped trauma healing toolkit in 2015 with Invisible Children and Inter-Church Commission. Clinical expertise incorporated into traditional practices for violence-affected communities.
- Inter-Church CommissioncoreCommunity-based civil society organization in South Sudan that partnered to develop trauma healing toolkit with HHI and Invisible Children.
- CDJP (La Commission Diocésaine Justice et Paix)coreLong-time peacebuilding partner in DRC collaborating on Bomoko Na Bosembo and CRCA Activity. Works on community trauma healing, transitional justice, and peace committee development.
- SAIPED (Solidarité et Assistance Intégrale aux Personnes Démunies)coreLocal partner in DRC collaborating on Mobile Cinema films (Le Pouvoir du Dialogue) and CRCA Activity. Provides peacebuilding and development assistance to vulnerable populations.
- InterChurch Committee of South SudancoreLocal civil society organization in South Sudan providing peacebuilding training and supporting local Peace Committees trained in conflict management. Implemented trauma healing programming.
- AFASVR (Association of Host Families for Solidarity for the Victims and Escapees)coreLocal community organization in CAR operating Transit Center for women and children returning from LRA captivity in Obo, CAR.
- DIVAScoreCommunity partner in DRC providing host families for LRA returnees following time at Transit Center operated by MONUSCO.
- MONUSCO (UN Mission in DRC)coreUN mission in DRC operating Transit Center for LRA returnees where DIVAS host families provide support while Invisible Children works to trace families.
Scale indicators16 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Invisible Children competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Search for Common Ground: International conflict transformation NGO that works at the community level on peacebuilding, similar to Invisible Children's Peace Committees and Mobile Cinema approach. Operates across multiple fragile states with a comparable grassroots partnership model.
- International Crisis Group: Produces conflict analysis and policy recommendations on the same central African theaters (LRA, CAR, DRC, Sudan) that Invisible Children's Crisis Tracker covers. Closely comparable in geographic focus and analytical mandate.
- Enough Project: Advocacy-focused organization specifically working to end LRA atrocities and address conflict in Sudan and eastern DRC, overlapping almost exactly with Invisible Children's core mission areas.
- War Child: Focuses on children affected by war through education, protection, and psychosocial support programs in conflict zones, closely aligned with Invisible Children's child protection and trauma healing work.
- Mercy Corps: Major humanitarian and peacebuilding NGO operating in fragile states including DRC and CAR with similar USAID-funded community resilience and livelihoods programming.
- International Rescue Committee: Large humanitarian NGO delivering conflict-related protection, livelihood, and resilience programs across central Africa with comparable USAID donor relationships and program structure.
- Peace Direct: UK-based organization that funds and supports local peacebuilders in conflict zones, directly aligned with Invisible Children's locally-led partnership and community peacebuilding model.
Broad incumbents
- UNICEF: UN agency addressing child protection, education in emergencies, and conflict response across the same geographies. Much larger and broader in scope, but a key institutional actor and potential partner.
- UNHCR: UN refugee agency operating across the same central African and Sudanese conflict theaters, addressing displacement and protection concerns that intersect with Invisible Children's mandate.
Emerging players
- Resolve (formerly The Resolve): US-based NGO focused on atrocity prevention and protecting civilians in conflict zones, with overlapping thematic interest in LRA-affected areas and central African protection policy.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Invisible Children social profiles
Digital presenceInvisible Children financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Invisible Children leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Invisible Children funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Invisible Children 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 Invisible Children
What does Invisible Children do?
Invisible Children is a nonprofit organization that partners with local peacebuilders across central Africa to end violent conflict. It delivers community-based programs including conflict mapping (Crisis Tracker), early warning radio networks, mobile cinema for community sensitization, peace committee development, trauma healing, escapee reunification, and sustainable livelihoods in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, and Sudan.
Is Invisible Children a public or private company?
Invisible Children is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Invisible Children founded?
Invisible Children was founded in 2004. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Invisible Children based?
Invisible Children is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does Invisible Children make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are government Grants and activist Engagement.
Who are Invisible Children's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Search for Common Ground, International Crisis Group, Enough Project, War Child, Mercy Corps, International Rescue Committee and Peace Direct. Broad incumbents are UNICEF and UNHCR. Resolve (formerly The Resolve) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Invisible Children have an API?
No public API is recorded for Invisible Children.
What industry is Invisible Children in?
Invisible Children's product category is Nonprofit Peacebuilding Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGABAG, Child Protection & Child Rights, with a secondary code of BPADAKAJ, Education in Emergencies (EiE) & Safe Schools. Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8300.