Heart of America

What Heart of America does

Heart of America is a Washington, DC-headquartered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 52-2034127) founded in 1997 by Bill and Angie Halamandaris. It designs, funds, and executes physical space transformations in under-resourced K-12 schools and community organizations across all 50 U.S. states and Canada. Core deliverables include STEAM labs, libraries, playgrounds, athletic facilities, wellness rooms, teaching gardens, outdoor classrooms, and CTE/career centers. Technical capabilities span nature-inspired interior design, a research-backed design methodology grounded in PPG/RAND classroom-color research, specialized wellness-room and mental-health space design, and technology-integrated labs featuring VR equipment, 3D printing stations, and augmented reality — supplemented by curriculum from partners including Arizona State University and Project Lead the Way.

The organization operates a community-led go-to-market model funded entirely through charitable contributions, corporate grants, and volunteer workforce mobilization; services are delivered to beneficiaries at no cost. Major corporate partners — Verizon ($10M+ cumulative grant), 3M, PPG, PNC Bank, AbbVie, Under Armour, Denver Broncos, and Minnesota Timberwolves — provide both financial underwriting and volunteer labor; additional funding comes from individual donations, cryptocurrency, Facebook fundraising, and Amazon wishlist purchases. Productized programs include the Verizon Innovative Learning Labs (50+ delivered, 50 planned), Skip the Grid solar-power initiative for Indigenous communities, the Colorful Communities beautification partnership with PPG, and the annual Halamandaris Award ($10,000 grant to alumni schools).

Operational scale reached 107 completed projects and 2,763 mobilized volunteers in a single recent year, with the 2025 Prince George's County Public Schools initiative alone spanning 47 libraries and a professional training hub. The organization maintains a national headquarters in Washington, DC and a warehouse/distribution facility in Capitol Heights, MD, and is led by President & CEO Jill Hardy Heath.

Name

Heart of America

Legal name

Heart of America

Website

https://heartofamerica.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Heart of America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 that designs and executes physical transformations of learning environments — STEAM labs, libraries, wellness rooms and outdoor classrooms — in under-resourced K-12 schools and community organizations across the U.S. and Canada, funded by corporate grants and volunteer mobilization.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donors contribute through the organization's website donation portal, Facebook fundraising, cryptocurrency, and Amazon wishlist purchases. The organization receives tax-deductible donations (EIN 52-2034127).
2. Corporate Grants and Partnerships: Major grants from corporate partners such as Verizon's $10+ million landmark grant for technology labs. These partnerships fund specific transformation projects and programs.
3. Volunteer Program Services: Corporate partners engage Heart of America to organize and execute volunteer projects for their employees, with the organization coordinating space transformations, resource distributions, and community engagement initiatives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Heart of America is a nonprofit organization that transforms under-resourced K-12 schools and community learning spaces through physical space renovations (libraries, STEAM labs, wellness centers, playgrounds, outdoor classrooms), distributes educational resources (culturally relevant books, learning kits, art supplies, food and basic-need items), and provides consulting services to school districts and community organizations. Operating across all 50 U.S. states and Canada, the organization delivers its services free of charge to beneficiaries and is funded through corporate grants, sponsorships, and individual donations.

Product overview

Heart of America is a nonprofit education equity organization that operates as a service-based model rather than a software platform. Its core offerings consist of physical space transformations (renovating libraries, STEM labs, playgrounds, and learning environments), resource distributions (books, educational materials, learning kits), and consulting services. Key programs include the Verizon Innovative Learning Labs partnership for technology-enabled spaces, the Skip the Grid solar power initiative for Indigenous communities, and the annual Halamandaris Award grant program for alumni schools. The organization collaborates with corporate partners including 3M, Verizon, PPG, PNC Bank, AbbVie, and Under Armour to execute projects across all 50 states and Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Space Transformations Physical renovations and redesigns of learning environments including STEAM labs, libraries, playgrounds, athletic facilities, food pantries, wellness centers, teaching gardens, and outdoor classrooms. Transformations range from one-day refreshes to large-scale multi-day projects, delivered free of charge to under-resourced K-12 schools and community organizations across North America.
• Resource Distributions Provision of educational materials, books, art supplies, learning kits, and basic-need items distributed to students and families at home and at school. Includes 72,000+ culturally relevant books representing student diversity and take-home education materials.
• Consulting Professional advisory services for organizations and school districts seeking to transform their learning environments, leveraging Heart of America's expertise in education equity and space design methodology built over nearly 30 years.
• Verizon Innovative Learning Labs Technology-infused learning labs designed and constructed in partnership with Verizon featuring VR equipment, 3D printing stations, augmented reality apps, and modular furniture. Curriculum is created by Arizona State University's J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute teaching design thinking and social innovation. Over 50 labs across 18 cities with plans for 50 more under the expanded grant.
• Skip the Grid Solar Power Initiative Solar power installation program for Indigenous communities, particularly the Navajo Nation, bringing electricity to homes without power and providing solar-powered lanterns to students and families. Has served 10,000+ students and families.
• Halamandaris Award Annual $10,000 grant awarded to Heart of America Alumni schools that demonstrate exemplary use of transformation spaces, recognizing outstanding programming in literacy, science, or health and wellness.
• Library Transformation Projects Comprehensive library renovation program including models such as Collective Learning & Literacy Hubs, STEAM Innovation Labs, and STEM Exploration Centers. Includes provision of 72,000+ culturally relevant books and serves 130,000+ students.
• STEAM Lab Renovations Transformation of spaces into science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics labs equipped with desktop computers, 3D printers, VR headsets, STEM kits, robotics equipment, and collaborative makerspace tools for K-12 schools and community organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 72,000+ culturally relevant books distributed to Prince George's County libraries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• Arizona State University (J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASU created the project-based online curriculum for Verizon Innovative Learning Labs that teaches design thinking and social innovation. ASU and Heart of America jointly lead the school selection process for the program.
• PPG (Pittsburgh Paints Company)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPPG partnership through Colorful Communities program involves painting and beautification of schools and community centers. Projects include Lester H. White Boys & Girls Club in Florida, Kids in Distress campus, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. PPG provides paint products, volunteer labor, and $25,000 grants for STEM activities.
• Denver Area Youth ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAYS collaborated with Heart of America and Denver Broncos to create the first Mobile Wellness RV for mental health outreach, designed with a serene, spa-like atmosphere maintaining privacy while maximizing natural light.
• Mount Olivet Rolling Acres (MORA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMORA partnership involves facility upgrades for people with disabilities including a regulation half-court basketball arena for Special Olympics training, kitchen, bathrooms, and lower entryway. Phase II planned for sensory room, technology lab, and teaching kitchen.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple transformation projects including Lester H. White Club and S. Robert Levine Campus revitalization through PPG Colorful Communities program, serving 200+ students with after-school and summer programs.
• Kids in DistressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPPG Colorful Communities project transformed foster family homes at the Fort Lauderdale campus with fresh paint, new furniture, outdoor improvements, and mural for children who have been abused and neglected.
• HandsOn Twin CitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCombined 180 years of service partnership for equitable Twin Cities transformation. HandsOn Twin Cities inspires, equips, and mobilizes people for hands-on community impact.
• Rebuilding Together Twin CitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for equitable Twin Cities transformation. Rebuilding Together repairs homes, revitalizes communities, and rebuilds lives in the Twin Cities metro area.
• Tree TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for equitable Twin Cities transformation. Tree Trust transforms lives and landscapes through employment skills development and volunteer greening opportunities.
• Project Lead the Way (PLTW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPLTW provides CTE curriculum for transformed spaces, including Monroe Elementary School and Central Senior High School. PLTW's mission creates transformative learning environments for STEM and CTE education.
• Jerry Gamble Boys and Girls ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTEAM Lab renovation replacing outdated computer lab with cutting-edge technology including VR headsets, 3D printer, PlayStation 5, and collaborative makerspace tools.
• La Creche Early Childhood CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutdoor play area transformation in North Minneapolis featuring safe, stimulating surroundings with nature-filled aesthetic, playhouse, art station, stage, and labyrinth.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• KABOOM!: KABOOM! is a national nonprofit that builds playgrounds and community spaces for under-resourced communities, directly mirroring HOA's model of corporate-partner-funded physical learning-environment transformations. Both organizations mobilize corporate volunteers and have similar target beneficiaries (underserved children) and revenue model (corporate grants + donations).
• Rebuilding Together: Rebuilding Together revitalizes community spaces and repairs homes for low-income families through corporate volunteer mobilization. HOA's Twin Cities partnership with Rebuilding Together Twin Cities underscores the close alignment of mission (community space revitalization), operating model (volunteer-led), and beneficiary base.
• Room to Read: Room to Read builds school libraries and literacy programs in low-income communities globally. Comparable to HOA's library-transformation program (47 libraries in PGCPS alone) and culturally relevant book distributions (72,000+ books), with a similar focus on educational equity through physical resource provision.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Boys & Girls Clubs of America is a national youth-development nonprofit that provides after-school programming in club facilities. HOA has transformed multiple Boys & Girls Club locations (Jerry Gamble, Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County), making BGC a major institutional beneficiary and a broader incumbent in the youth-development space HOA serves.
• United Way: United Way is a large-scale national nonprofit that aggregates corporate donations and distributes funds to local education, health, and social-service programs. Comparable as a major nonprofit competing for the same corporate philanthropy dollars and workplace-giving channels HOA relies on for revenue.

Emerging players

• DonorsChoose: DonorsChoose is a crowdfunding platform that connects individual donors with public school teachers to fund classroom resources and materials. Comparable to HOA's resource-distribution model (books, supplies, kits) for under-resourced schools, but operates via digital crowdfunding rather than physical transformations.
• City Year: City Year deploys AmeriCorps members into under-resourced schools to provide academic and social-emotional support. Comparable in mission (education equity in underserved schools) and corporate-partner-funded volunteer model, though focused on direct in-school service rather than physical space transformation.
• Year Up: Year Up is a workforce-development nonprofit serving young adults from under-resourced communities with corporate-funded training programs. Comparable in its reliance on major corporate partnerships for funding and in addressing equity gaps through structured programming; HOA's CTE/workforce labs (e.g., 3M Future Makers Lab) overlap this mission.

Others

• Points of Light: Points of Light is a large volunteer-mobilization nonprofit that engages corporate employees in service projects. HOA's volunteer-driven model and corporate-partner volunteer mobilization channels (Week of Possibilities with 2,763 volunteers) parallel Points of Light's infrastructure for corporate volunteer engagement.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: Big Brothers Big Sisters is a national youth-mentoring nonprofit with a similar mix of corporate partnerships, individual donations, and a focus on underserved youth. Adjacent thematically rather than directly competitive, but competes for the same pool of education-and-youth-focused philanthropic capital.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/heartofamerica
• Xx.com/HeartofAmericaF
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-heart-of-america-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Heart of America