What AFS-USA does

AFS-USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in New York City that delivers international high school exchange programs, host family placements, and intercultural education services. Its core programs include outbound study abroad for U.S. high school students across 40+ countries, inbound hosting of 1,000+ international students annually from 80 countries, a volunteer network of 2,600+ U.S. volunteers supported by the global AFS network of 32,000+ volunteers, and an educator network providing classroom resources and professional development. The organization holds federal designation as a J-1 Visa/Bridge USA Program Sponsor from the U.S. Department of State and is CSIET-certified, enabling it to administer federal scholarship programs such as CBYX, FLEX, and YES.

AFS-USA operates on a multi-revenue-stream model combining program fees (covering international travel, host family placement, school enrollment, and secondary medical insurance), tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations, planned giving through bequests, and corporate partnership income via the Global Citizen Council. Approximately $1 million in merit and need-based scholarships is distributed annually. The technology stack is not differentiated: the organization uses standard web-based tools for application processing, volunteer management, and communications, with weekly webinars as the primary digital engagement channel. Newer product offerings include Gap Year Abroad programs (2025) and a domestic programs portfolio launching in summer 2026 (Pathfinder: NextGen Careers and Lewis and Clark: Then and Now).

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and led by President and CEO Tara Boyce-Hofmann, with an executive team including EVP/CFO Michelle C. Pinedo and EVP of Compliance & Government Relations Keri Dooley. AFS-USA traces its origins to 1915 volunteer ambulance drivers from WWI and WWII and was transformed into an exchange organization in 1947. It maintains regulatory designations, Candid Platinum Transparency 2026 recognition, and Charity Watch top-rated status, with alumni outcomes including 87% reporting active global citizenship and 79% reaching mid-level or higher professional positions.

Name

AFS-USA

Legal name

AFS-USA

Website

https://afsusa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

AFS-USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs international high school exchange programs, hosting 1,000+ students annually from 80 countries and sending U.S. students abroad, supported by 2,600+ volunteers and a 500,000-strong alumni network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Student Exchange Programs

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Secondary School Exchange Programs (Academic Year/Semester) (EDAIAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAE), Third-Party Short-Term Academic Program Providers (Multi-Discipline) (EDAIAIAB), International Student Onboarding & Pre-Departure Orientation Services (EDAIACAG)

Keywords

• International student exchange
• Study abroad programs
• Cultural exchange services
• Host family programs
• Intercultural education

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

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. Study Abroad Program Fees: Fees charged to students and families for participation in study abroad programs. These cover international travel, host family placement, school enrollment, secondary medical insurance, and support services. Program fees vary by duration and destination.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to support scholarships and operational costs. AFS-USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
3. Planned Giving: Bequests and legacy gifts through wills and estate planning to ensure long-term sustainability of AFS-USA programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

AFS-USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers international high school exchange programs, placing U.S. students abroad in 40+ countries and hosting 1,000+ international students from 80 countries with screened American families. Programs range from one week to a full academic year and include host family homestays, school enrollment, secondary medical insurance, and 24/7 support. Operations are enabled by 2,600+ U.S. volunteers and a global network of 32,000+ volunteers.

Product overview

AFS-USA is a nonprofit organization offering international high school exchange programs operating as a platform-plus-support model. The core offerings include Study Abroad Programs (hosted in 40+ countries for 1-3 weeks to full academic year), the Host Family Program (placing 1000+ international students with American families), a Volunteer Network (2,600+ U.S. volunteers), and an Educator Network. Supporting services include Global Citizen Scholarships (up to $1M in aid), the Global Citizen Council membership, The AFS Exchange Podcast, and newly launched Domestic Programs for Summer 2026 (Pathfinder: NextGen Careers and Lewis and Clark: Then and Now). All programs are accredited by CSIET and operated as J-1 Visa sponsors with 75+ years of exchange experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Study Abroad Programs High school study abroad programs offering cultural immersion experiences in 40+ countries with durations ranging from 1-3 weeks to a full academic year. Programs include host family homestays, school enrollment, and structured intercultural learning journeys for U.S. high school students ages 15-18.6.
• Host Family Program Facilitates placement of international exchange students (1,000+ students from 80 countries) with screened American host families for durations of 5 months (semester) or 10 months (year). Host families receive support through local volunteer coordinators and 24/7 national assistance; host families are not paid but receive tax deductions.
• Volunteer Program Network of over 2,600 U.S. volunteers supporting exchange students, host families, and schools through roles including local coordinators, travel volunteers, activity organizers, and community outreach representatives.
• Educator Network Professional development and classroom resources for educators to foster intercultural competency, including a quarterly Global Educator Newsletter, classroom materials, and opportunities to host or send students abroad through school partnerships.
• Global Citizen Council Exclusive corporate partnership program for mission-aligned companies, foundations, and individuals to collaborate with AFS-USA's intercultural education mission. Members receive visibility, employee engagement opportunities, and recognition while supporting scholarships for students.
• Pathfinder: NextGen Careers One-week summer 2026 domestic pilot program at Miami University Ohio where U.S. youth explore emerging fields including quantum physics, artificial intelligence, technology, and entrepreneurship while developing collaboration and problem-solving skills through place-based learning.
• Lewis and Clark: Then and Now One-week summer 2026 domestic pilot program in Pacific Northwest Oregon that retraces elements of the Lewis and Clark Expedition while engaging with contemporary communities and examining how history shapes identities and perspectives.
• AFS Gap Year Programs Gap Year Abroad programs for students 18+ looking to immerse themselves in new cultures, gain independence, and develop language and intercultural skills before college or career.

Quantifiable outcome

• 87% of alumni report their AFS program helped them become active global citizens
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• U.S. Department of State (Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFS-USA is a designated J-1 Visa/Bridge USA Program Sponsor. The organization administers Department of State scholarship programs including CBYX (Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange), FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange), and YES (Youth Exchange Studies) programs that bring international students to the U.S.
• CSIET (Council on Standards for International Educational Travel)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFS-USA is certified by CSIET and complies with their program standards for international educational travel, ensuring quality and safety in exchange programs.
• AFS International NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFS-USA is a partner in the global AFS network operating in 40+ countries with 50+ partner organizations and over 32,000 volunteers worldwide. This network enables program delivery and cultural exchange opportunities across borders.
• Global Citizen Council Members (Corporate Partners)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe AFS-USA Global Citizen Council is an exclusive corporate partnership program for mission-aligned companies to support global citizenship and intercultural education. Founding members gain visibility, employee engagement opportunities, and help expand access to scholarships.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Direct peers

• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): CIEE is one of the largest U.S.-based nonprofit international exchange organizations offering high school study abroad and J-1 visa-sponsored homestay programs; directly comparable to AFS-USA in mission, target audience, and regulatory status.
• World Learning (Experiment in International Living): World Learning operates The Experiment in International Living, a nonprofit high school intercultural exchange provider; comparable mission, program structure, and J-1 sponsorship posture to AFS-USA.
• Youth For Understanding (YFU): YFU is a long-standing nonprofit offering high school student exchange and host family programs across many of the same 40+ countries, competing head-to-head with AFS-USA for students, host families, and CSIET-certified credibility.
• ASSE International Student Exchange Programs: ASSE is a nonprofit J-1 visa sponsor offering secondary school exchange and short-term programs in many of the same destinations, directly competing for host families and outbound students.
• Cultural Homestay International (CHI): CHI is a CSIET-listed, J-1-sponsored secondary school exchange and short-term homestay provider offering programs in similar destinations, directly comparable to AFS-USA's core product.
• Greenheart Exchange (formerly CCI Greenheart): Greenheart Exchange is a J-1 sponsor running high school homestay exchange and au pair programs for international and U.S. students, with overlapping program structures and a similar nonprofit / volunteer-driven model.
• EF Education First (EF High School Exchange Year): EF is a global education company running a dedicated U.S. high school exchange year program; while for-profit and much larger, it competes in the same outbound U.S. high school exchange segment.
• PAX / Programs of Academic Exchange: PAX is a nonprofit, CSIET-listed J-1 sponsor of secondary school exchange programs with overlapping geographies, program lengths, and host family recruitment processes.

Broad incumbents

• Rotary Youth Exchange: Rotary Youth Exchange is a global nonprofit-run, long-term high school exchange program with similar volunteer-driven local hosting model and comparable CSIET-listed destinations; adjacent incumbent with broader portfolio beyond youth exchange.
• Fulbright Program (U.S. Department of State / IIE): Fulbright is the flagship U.S. government-sponsored international exchange, overlapping at the policy and intercultural-exchange category level; comparable on mission but focused on graduate, professional, and scholar audiences rather than high schoolers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AFSUSA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/afstv
• Facebookfacebook.com/AFSUSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/afs-usa
• Instagraminstagram.com/afs_usa

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about AFS-USA