What STS Foundation does

STS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1986 and headquartered in Laguna Beach, California. Designated by the U.S. Department of State as an official J-1 visa exchange program sponsor and fully accredited by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET), the organization's core function is placing foreign high school students aged 15-18.5 from over 30 countries with American volunteer host families for one semester (5 months) or academic year (10 months). The organization also operates a reciprocal Study Abroad Program enabling American students to spend an exchange year in Europe, South America, and elsewhere, and administers U.S. Department of State-sponsored FLEX and YES scholarship programs. Ancillary initiatives include the Helping Hands Community Service Project, Global School Award for participating schools, Global Bridge Builders recognition program, and Host Family Referral Program offering $250 cash incentives.

The organization operates a service-based model with no proprietary technology platform. Operations are supported by standard third-party tools including Microsoft Clarity for web analytics, Constant Contact for email marketing, and Vonage for SMS communications. A nationwide network of paid Local Coordinators — compensated at $1,050-$1,100 per student per academic year — recruits and supports host families across 2,870+ communities. Revenue is derived from program fees paid by exchange students (financially supported by their natural parents, who contribute $250-300/month personal expenses), U.S. Department of State funding for FLEX/YES scholarship administration, and auxiliary program revenue. The business model is community-led, relying on grassroots outreach, digital marketing (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn), and word-of-mouth referrals rather than enterprise sales.

Cumulatively, STS Foundation has hosted 12,614+ students across 10,090+ families over its history, with 20,000+ American families hosting exchange students annually in recent years. Leadership includes President Gwen McNallan and National Director Joan Formoso, supported by multiple Regional Directors. As a non-profit, the organization does not publicly disclose revenue figures and operates under regulatory oversight from the U.S. Department of State.

Name

STS Foundation

Legal name

STS Foundation

Website

https://stsfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

STS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1986 that places foreign high school students from 30+ countries with American volunteer host families under U.S. Department of State J-1 visa designation and CSIET accreditation, also operating Study Abroad and government scholarship programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Exchange Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (6117), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Guardianship, Custodianship & Local Sponsor Services (EDAIAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE), Research Grants, Fellowships & Stipends (International) (EDAIAOAJ), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Cultural exchange programs
• High school exchange
• Host family programs
• Student exchange services
• International education exchange

Headquarters

HQ city

Laguna Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Exchange Program Fees: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, STS Foundation generates revenue through program fees charged to exchange students (sponsored by their natural parents). Students pay $250-300 per month in personal expenses.
2. U.S. Department of State Sponsorship: Designated by the U.S. Department of State as an official exchange program sponsor for J-1 visas. Receives support and operates under regulatory oversight.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

STS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates cultural exchange programs placing foreign high school students aged 15-18.5 with American volunteer host families for one semester (5 months) or full academic year (10 months). The organization also manages U.S. Department of State scholarship programs (FLEX and YES), facilitates American student study abroad placements, and operates a nationwide network of Local Coordinators who recruit and support host families in local communities.

Product overview

STS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering cultural exchange programs that connect American families with international students. The core offering is the High School Exchange Program, which places foreign exchange students with host families for one semester (5 months) or a full academic year (10 months). This is supported by the Local Coordinator Program, a nationwide network of volunteers who recruit families and support students. STS Foundation also operates Study Abroad Programs for American students, manages prestigious Department of State scholarship programs (YES and FLEX), and runs complementary initiatives including the Helping Hands Community Service Project, Global School Award, Global Bridge Builders recognition program, and Host Family Referral incentive program. All programs operate under U.S. Department of State designation and Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) accreditation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX): U.S. Department of State scholarship program for high school students to study abroad in the USA
• Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES)
• Helping Hands Community Service Project
• Global Bridge Builders Program
• Global School Award

Products and services

• High School Exchange Program Flagship program placing foreign high school exchange students with American host families for one academic semester (5 months) or full academic year (10 months). Students are proficient in English, academic achievers aged 15-18.5, from over 30 countries.

Quantifiable outcome

• Exchange students complete 3,500+ presentations about their home countries annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• U.S. Department of StatecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1986Designated U.S. Department of State exchange program sponsor since 1986. Authorized to issue J-1 visas for cultural exchange visitors and administer government-sponsored scholarship programs including FLEX and YES.
• Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull accreditation with CSIET, the standards-setting body for international exchange organizations. Maintains highest quality and reputation in work with students, host families, and schools.
• Alliance for International ExchangeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember organization whose mission is to formulate and promote public policies supporting international exchange between people of the USA and other nations.
• Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesignated sponsor for FLEX scholarship recipients. FLEX students gain leadership skills, learn about American society, and teach Americans about their home countries. Only 2.5% of applicants are selected.
• Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesignated sponsor for YES scholarship recipients from countries of strategic importance. Students serve as youth ambassadors promoting mutual understanding. Approximately 65 American students participate in YES Abroad annually.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AFS Intercultural Programs: One of the largest international exchange organizations globally, AFS places high school students with host families worldwide and is a U.S. Department of State designated sponsor. Operates youth exchange and intercultural programs nearly identical to STS Foundation's core offering.
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): Major U.S. Department of State designated J-1 visa sponsor offering high school exchange programs, work & travel, and au pair programs. Directly competes with STS Foundation for inbound exchange students and host families.
• AYUSA International: Operates high school foreign exchange student programs placing international students with American host families, with CSIET accreditation and U.S. Department of State designation. Comparable service model and customer base.
• Greenheart Exchange: Designated J-1 visa sponsor running high school exchange, au pair, and work & travel programs. Competes directly with STS Foundation for host families and exchange students, with CSIET accreditation.
• International Exchange of North America (IENA): Non-profit cultural exchange organization placing high school exchange students with American host families. Similar size, structure, and program offering to STS Foundation with comparable regulatory standing.
• ASSE International Student Exchange Programs: Designated J-1 visa sponsor operating high school exchange programs in the U.S. and outbound programs for American students. Direct competitor with similar regulatory positioning and target customers.

Broad incumbents

• World Learning (The Experiment in International Living): Larger, more diversified international education organization operating youth exchange, study abroad, and professional training programs. Overlaps with STS Foundation's high school exchange offering but spans a much broader portfolio.

Emerging players

• Education Travel & Culture (EdTrips): Smaller, newer entrant in the cultural exchange space offering high school exchange programs with host families. Competes in the same niche but at smaller scale than STS Foundation.

Regional players

• Foundation for Intercultural Travel (FIT): Specializes in academic-year and semester-long high school study abroad programs for American students going abroad (outbound), complementing STS Foundation's Study Abroad offering but with a narrower geographic focus.

Others

• Alliance for International Exchange: Industry association of which STS Foundation is a member. Not a peer but a relevant industry body that organizes and advocates for the international exchange sector in which STS Foundation operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@stsfoundationnationaloffic6931
• Facebookfacebook.com/STSFoundationUSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stsfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/stsfoundation
• Xx.com/stsfoundationhq

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about STS Foundation