Makarios
Makarios International is a faith-based nonprofit that operates the Makarios School and family empowerment programs serving vulnerable families, partner churches, and schools in the Dominican Republic and Uganda from its Austin, Texas headquarters.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Makarios does
Makarios International is a faith-based nonprofit organization founded in 2004 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, with operational centers in the Dominican Republic and Uganda. The organization serves vulnerable communities through a portfolio of interconnected programs centered on family spiritual restoration: the Makarios School (Pre-K through high school, located in Montellano in the Dominican Republic), the Family Empowerment Program, the University and Career Readiness Program (UCRP), and multi-year Equipping Programs delivered to partner churches and schools. Operations were originally established in Pancho Mateo, Dominican Republic, with subsequent expansion into Uganda. The Makarios School functions as both a direct beneficiary service and a proving ground for curriculum and methods that are then scaled outward through the Equipping Programs to partner institutions.
The organization's go-to-market is community-led and relationship-driven, building multi-year trust with local churches, schools, and families rather than relying on transactional customer acquisition. Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit funding stack: one-time and recurring donations, recurring student and staff sponsorships, fee-based mission trips priced at $300–$875 per participant, stock donations, and gifts-in-kind. Makarios operates without proprietary technology, running on off-the-shelf SaaS tools including Aplos for donation management, Reach for sponsorship portals, ClickUp for forms, BambooHR for HR, and Canva for impact reporting. Executive leadership is anchored by Executive Director Ryan VanArsdalen, with Board Chair Jared Kinchen. No AI/ML capabilities, proprietary platforms, or external funding rounds are identified in the available data.
Makarios firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Makarios
- Legal name
- Makarios International
- Website
- https://makariosinternational.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Makarios International is a faith-based nonprofit that operates the Makarios School and family empowerment programs serving vulnerable families, partner churches, and schools in the Dominican Republic and Uganda from its Austin, Texas headquarters.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Makarios industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Faith-Based Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Religious Organizations (8131), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Educational Support Services (611710), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI), Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)
Keywords
Where Makarios is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Makarios business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: General donations to the Impact Fund which provides for program and operating expenses. Donors can give one-time or recurring donations through the website.
- Student Sponsorship: Monthly sponsorship program where donors support individual students at the Makarios School, providing educational and spiritual support.
- Staff Sponsorship: Monthly sponsorship program to support local staff members serving in Dominican Republic and Uganda.
- Mission Trips: Revenue from Vision & Prayer Trips ($300), Learning Trips ($675-$875), and Serving Trips ($875). All in-country expenses included; airfare additional.
- Stock Donations: Accepts gifts of stock through a third-party stock donation platform.
- Gifts in Kind: Accepts physical donations and gifts in kind; contact process for sending contributions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Vision & Prayer Trip - 4 days with 2 full in-country days |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Learning Trip for Existing Partners - 8 days with 6 full in-country days |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Learning Trip for Individuals/Families - 6 days with 4 full in-country days |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Serving Trip - 8 days with 6 full in-country days |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Makarios product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Makarios operates a portfolio of faith-based nonprofit programs centered on family spiritual restoration in vulnerable communities in the Dominican Republic and Uganda. Core offerings include the Makarios School (Pre-K through high school), the Family Empowerment Program, the University and Career Readiness Program for graduates, and multi-year Equipping Programs for partner churches and schools.
Product overview
Makarios operates as a ministry organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs centered on family spiritual restoration in vulnerable communities. The core offerings include the Makarios School (a full Pre-K through high school educational institution in the Dominican Republic), the Family Empowerment Program, the University and Career Readiness Program (UCRP), and the Equipping Programs for Churches and Schools. These programs work together as a unified ecosystem: the Makarios School serves as the primary demonstration site where family empowerment methodologies are developed and tested; the UCRP provides post-graduation support for students; and the Equipping Programs scale these proven approaches to partner churches and schools in both the Dominican Republic and Uganda. Additional offerings include mission trips (Vision & Prayer, Serving, and Learning trips), a student sponsorship program, and disaster relief initiatives.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Makarios School: A school located in Montellano, Dominican Republic serving vulnerable children and families, operating as the organization's primary demonstration site and testing ground for family empowerment programs.
- Family Empowerment Program
- Equipping Program
- University and Career Readiness Program (UCRP)
Products and services
- Makarios School Flagship educational institution operated by Makarios in Montellano, Dominican Republic, serving vulnerable children from Pre-K3 through high school. Functions as the demonstration and testing site for family empowerment programs before distribution to partner organizations.
- Family Empowerment Program Comprehensive program that walks alongside vulnerable families in the Dominican Republic and Uganda, equipping them for healthier homes through biblical principles and spiritual restoration. Includes family visits, parent education on healthy boundaries, bed distribution, counseling, and community-building activities.
- University and Career Readiness Program (UCRP) Post-high school program providing scholarships, mentorship, Bible studies, community service opportunities, and workshops on budgeting, computer skills, and communication for Makarios School graduates pursuing university or technical training.
- Equipping Program for Schools Multi-year training program for under-resourced Christian schools in the Dominican Republic and Uganda, covering the relationship between school and family, leadership development, team building, organizational culture, and program design and implementation. Partner schools receive ongoing coaching, resources, and a support network.
- Equipping Program for Churches Multi-year training program for local churches wanting to minister to families in their congregation and communities. Training covers technical areas (vision/mission, leadership, planning), ecclesiastical areas (hermeneutics, homiletics, shepherding), and impact areas (identity in Christ, healthy relationships, parenting, purpose).
- Vision & Prayer Trip A 4-day trip (2 full in-country days) designed for potential church and school partners to discover Makarios' mission and vision and explore partnership opportunities. Cost is $300 covering in-country expenses.
- Serving Trip An 8-day trip (6 full in-country days) for existing church and school partners to bring skills and training to support local churches and schools on specific projects. Cost is $875 covering in-country expenses.
- Learning Trip An 8-day trip (6 full in-country days) for existing school and church partners providing cross-cultural learning experiences in community investment. Cost is $875 covering in-country expenses.
- Student Sponsorship Program Monthly sponsorship program that allows individuals to sponsor children at the Makarios School, building meaningful relationships as extended family members while providing life-changing opportunities for students.
Quantifiable outcome
- 20+ beds provided to families in need over three years
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Makarios
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Makarios technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Makarios partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Iglesia Templo Biblico Villa MontellanocorePartner church in Tamarindo community, Montellano. Part of the Makarios ecosystem of partner churches that work to bring spiritual restoration to families in their congregation and communities through family empowerment programs.
- Iglesia Manantial de Vida de las Asambleas de DioscorePartner church in Tamarindo community, Montellano. Collaborates with Makarios in family empowerment and community restoration efforts.
- Iglesia Biblica Comunidad de la GraciacorePartner church in Pancho Mateo community. One of the churches connected with Makarios since the early days of the ministry, located in the original community where Makarios began operations.
- Iglesia Union En EL Espiritu SantocorePartner church in Chichigua community. Haitian congregation that has been involved with Makarios since Pastor Mares connected with the ministry early on.
- US Church Partner (Pader, Uganda)coreUS-based church partnership that led to the establishment of Makarios operations in Pader, Uganda. Through this connection, Makarios built a Ugandan team and formally began equipping local church and school leaders in 2021.
- Pastor in Pader, UgandacoreLocal pastor in Pader, Uganda who partnered with Makarios to launch the equipping program, facilitating connections with local churches and schools.
- Institution for Haitian Documentation SupportcoreAn institution that operates to advise and work with documentation cases for Haitian students lacking citizenship or legal residency. Contacted Makarios to help walk through the lengthy and confusing legal process for Haitian students to obtain necessary documents for university acceptance.
- Word of Life Institute (CCM)coreBiblical institute offering 1-2 year programs for studying the bible, growing in relationship with God, and being equipped for ministry. Bernito, first UCRP graduate, attended this program for ministry training.
- Children of the Light OrphanageminorAn orphanage for boys who are orphaned or face difficult family circumstances. Bernito, a Makarios UCRP graduate, began serving as a mentor and discipler to these boys.
- Novel Work Co.minorStrategic design firm led by Jared Kinchen (Board Chair) that designed the Makarios website. Jared is CEO of Novel Work Co. and Founder of Thread Rocket.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Makarios competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ChildFund International: International child sponsorship and community development organization with operations in developing countries. Comparable sponsorship model serving vulnerable children and families through local partnerships.
- Samaritan's Purse: Major evangelical relief and development organization running international projects including child sponsorship, disaster relief, and church-based community programs. Comparable faith-based international ministry model with similar donor base.
- Compassion International: Large-scale faith-based child sponsorship and family development organization operating internationally. Highly comparable in faith-rooted sponsorship model and international community empowerment work, though at vastly greater scale.
- World Vision: One of the largest Christian humanitarian organizations, focused on child sponsorship, community development, and family strengthening in developing countries. Direct parallel in combining education, family empowerment, and church partnerships internationally.
Direct peers
- Esperanza International: Faith-based nonprofit focused on poverty alleviation in the Dominican Republic through education, microfinance, and family empowerment. Direct geographic and programmatic peer with similar faith-rooted approach.
- Children of the Nations: Faith-based nonprofit providing education, healthcare, and family empowerment in developing countries including the Dominican Republic. Comparable integrated model serving vulnerable children through community-based programs.
- Bright Hope: Faith-based nonprofit working with local churches in developing countries to deliver poverty alleviation programs. Closely comparable model of partnering with under-resourced churches and schools for community transformation.
- Food for the Hungry: Faith-based nonprofit implementing child sponsorship, community development, and church-partnership models in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Highly comparable size and operating model with family-centered biblical framework.
- Lifesong for Orphans: Faith-based nonprofit supporting vulnerable children internationally through sponsorship and education, with a focus on biblical family restoration. Highly comparable ministry model and donor base.
Regional players
- Latin America Mission: Faith-based organization focused on church partnership and community development across Latin America. Comparable faith-based international mission work with shared donor base and Spanish-speaking community focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Makarios social profiles
Digital presenceMakarios financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Makarios leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Makarios funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Makarios 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 Makarios
What does Makarios do?
Makarios operates a portfolio of faith-based nonprofit programs centered on family spiritual restoration in vulnerable communities in the Dominican Republic and Uganda. Core offerings include the Makarios School (Pre-K through high school), the Family Empowerment Program, the University and Career Readiness Program for graduates, and multi-year Equipping Programs for partner churches and schools.
Is Makarios a public or private company?
Makarios is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Makarios founded?
Makarios was founded in 2004. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Makarios based?
Makarios is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does Makarios make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are student Sponsorship, staff Sponsorship, mission Trips, stock Donations and gifts in Kind.
Who are Makarios's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ChildFund International, Samaritan's Purse, Compassion International and World Vision. Direct peers are Esperanza International, Children of the Nations, Bright Hope, Food for the Hungry and Lifesong for Orphans. Latin America Mission is listed as a regional player.
Does Makarios have an API?
No public API is recorded for Makarios.
What industry is Makarios in?
Makarios's product category is Faith-Based Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAJAE, Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International), with a secondary code of EDAIAGAI, Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs. Its NAICS code is 8131 and its SIC code is 8300.