Global Livingston Institute

What Global Livingston Institute does

Global Livingston Institute (GLI) is a 501c3 non-profit international education organization founded in 2009 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The organization designs and operates community-based cross-cultural learning programs between the United States and East Africa, primarily in Uganda and Rwanda. Its core offerings include student immersion programs (high school leadership trips, university Maymester trips, faculty-led study abroad), the Entusi Innovation Hub and model farm on Lake Bunyonyi, capstone and research collaborations, the iKnow Concert Series (large-scale free public-health concerts), and specialized programs in mental health, public health, and international development. Since inception, GLI has served 3,500+ students across more than 40 academic partner institutions.

GLI employs over 40 highly qualified local staff in Uganda and Rwanda who deliver on-the-ground programming, and operates physical infrastructure including the Entusi resort on Lake Bunyonyi. The organization has hosted 26 large-scale free concerts in East Africa since 2014, attracting a cumulative 300,000 attendees by 2019, and has generated measurable health and environmental outcomes (8,463 individuals reached with HIV services, 100 tons of plastic recycled, 90 children trained to swim, 285 students transported to school by boat). The current CEO is Sarah McCarthy; founder Jamie Van Leeuwen established the organization's mission and 'Listen. Think. Act.' methodology.

GLI's revenue model is a hybrid of (1) participant program fees covering travel, accommodation, and in-country logistics for immersion trips, (2) tax-deductible donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations, and (3) event sponsorships at the annual Deep Roots fundraiser, with tiers ranging from $500 to $35,000. The go-to-market relies on direct partnerships with university study-abroad offices and faculty rather than consumer marketing at scale, supplemented by its website, email newsletter, and the annual Deep Roots event in Denver. Targeted customer segments are U.S. university and college students, high school students, faculty and study-abroad offices, and East African communities in Lake Bunyonyi, Lira, Musanze, and Kigali.

Name

Global Livingston Institute

Legal name

Global Livingston Institute

Website

https://globallivingston.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Global Livingston Institute is a Denver-based 501c3 non-profit that delivers cross-cultural educational programs in Uganda and Rwanda for U.S. university and high school students through partnerships with 40+ academic institutions, supplemented by community health, mental health, and concert-based outreach initiatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International education and study abroad programs

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Thematic & Discipline-Specific Study Abroad Programs (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts) (EDAIAAAC), Experiential & Field-Based Study Abroad (Research, Field Schools, Practicums) (EDAIAAAD), Short-Term Secondary Immersion & Cultural Exchange Trips (EDAIAHAD)

Keywords

• Cross-cultural education
• Study abroad programs
• International development
• Youth leadership programs
• Community-based travel

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Program fees: GLI charges participants fees to join immersive trips and programs in Uganda and Rwanda. These fees cover travel logistics, accommodations, meals, in-country transportation, and activities.
2. Donations and charitable contributions: GLI is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization. Donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and trusts fund programs and operations. All donations are tax-deductible.
3. Sponsorships: GLI offers event sponsorships at various levels (Deep Roots event) ranging from $500 to $35,000, providing recognition and event invitations in return.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Global Livingston Institute designs and operates immersive cross-cultural student trips and study abroad programs in Uganda and Rwanda for U.S. high school and university students, in partnership with academic institutions. Core offerings include the Maymester university program, HS Leadership Trip with the annual Youth Summit in Kigali, faculty-led study abroad programs, capstone and research support, the Entusi retreat and model farm on Lake Bunyonyi, the iKnow Concert Series used as a public health engagement platform, and specialized programs in mental health, public health, and international development, all unified by a "Listen. Think. Act." methodology.

Product overview

Global Livingston Institute (GLI) is a non-profit international education organization offering experiential cross-cultural learning programs between the US and Africa. The portfolio includes student immersion programs (high school leadership trips, university Maymester trips, faculty-led and study abroad programs), the Entusi Innovation Hub (retreat center and model farm in Uganda), Capstone and Research support, the iKnow Concert Series (large-scale public health concerts), and specialized health and development programs (Mental Health Facilitator, Public Health, International Development). These offerings are unified by GLI's 'Listen. Think. Act.' methodology for developing ethical global leaders through community-based learning experiences in Uganda and Rwanda.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Entusi: Innovation hub and retreat center in Uganda where East African leaders and U.S. partners collaborate, rest, and develop ideas. Located on Lake Bunyonyi.

Products and services

• GLI Student Immersion Programs Immersive cross-cultural learning experiences for U.S. and African youth, including undergraduate, graduate, and high school student trips to Uganda and Rwanda focused on leadership development, public health, and international development.
• Maymester Trip University-level immersion program for students to meet global changemakers and engage with real-world issues in public health, conservation, peace and conflict, international affairs, and international development; upcoming cohort scheduled May 12–26, 2025.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,500+ students have participated in GLI programs
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Colorado BouldercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025GLI partners with University of Colorado Boulder to offer study abroad and international development programs for CU Boulder students in East Africa. The partnership supports faculty-led programs and student exchanges.
• University of Colorado DenvercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025University of Colorado Denver partners with GLI for study abroad and public health programs in Uganda and Rwanda. Faculty and students from CU Denver participate in immersive educational trips.
• University of Colorado Colorado SpringscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025University of Colorado Colorado Springs has partnered with GLI for faculty-led programs, including engineering student trips to East Africa.
• University of California DaviscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025UC Davis partners with GLI for study abroad and global health programs in East Africa.
• University of PennsylvaniacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025University of Pennsylvania partners with GLI for international study abroad and development programs.
• Spelman CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Spelman College, an HBCU, partnered with GLI for one of its first HBCU-focused experiences in East Africa. GLI has also hosted joint trips with Morehouse College.
• Loyola University New OrleanscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Loyola University New Orleans partners with GLI for study abroad and global education programs.
• Creighton UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Creighton University partners with GLI for medical and health-focused study abroad programs in East Africa. Medical students participate in clinical rotations and public health immersions.
• Cornell UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Cornell Institute for Public Affairs capstone teams have conducted research projects with GLI, including assessments of the model farm and community development initiatives.
• Rollins CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Rollins College partners with GLI for study abroad and international education programs.
• Colorado State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Colorado State University partners with GLI for international education and study abroad programs in East Africa.
• Makerere UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda is a key East African academic partner, providing local academic expertise and student collaboration opportunities.
• Kabale UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Kabale University in Uganda is a partner institution supporting GLI's community development and educational programs in the Lake Bunyonyi region.
• Bridge of LifecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Bridge of Life partners with GLI on non-communicable disease prevention programs in Uganda, including hypertension and diabetes management, lifestyle modification, and community health initiatives.
• National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025NBCC partners with GLI on the Mental Health Facilitator program, training community members in mental health facilitation through a Train-the-Trainer model around Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda.
• Global Down Syndrome FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025The Global Down Syndrome Foundation supports GLI's Down Syndrome Program in Uganda, including World Down Syndrome Day events and local partner network building.
• Partners for ConservationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partners for Conservation collaborates with GLI on conservation and environmental programs in the Musanze district of Rwanda, including visits to the Dian Fossey Foundation.
• Children of Peace UgandacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Children of Peace Uganda is a local partner dedicated to the well-being and empowerment of former child soldiers, children born in captivity, and children orphaned by conflict in northern Uganda. GLI supports their agricultural programming.
• African Leadership UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025African Leadership University partners with GLI on student exchange and leadership development programs.
• College TrackcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025College Track, a national college completion organization, partners with GLI to support students' access to global education and international experiences.
• Benedict CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Benedict College, an HBCU in South Carolina, partners with GLI for study abroad opportunities in East Africa.
• Loyola University MarylandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Loyola University Maryland partners with GLI for study abroad and international education programs.
• Regis UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Regis University partners with GLI for international education and study abroad experiences in East Africa.
• Kent Denver SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Kent Denver School partners with GLI for high school leadership programs and student trips to East Africa.
• DSST Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025DSST Public Schools, a Denver-based charter school network, partners with GLI for student global education experiences.
• Rockfold Galapagos Charter SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Rockfold Galapagos Charter School is a partner institution for GLI's educational programs.
• Entusi ResortcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Entusi Resort, located on Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda, serves as GLI's innovation hub and retreat center. It provides accommodations, meeting space, and serves as a base for community development activities.
• Forum on Education AbroadminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025The Forum on Education Abroad is an industry association that GLI aligns with as a professional organization in the study abroad and international education field.
• Posner Center for International DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025The Posner Center for International Development in Denver serves as the venue for GLI's annual Deep Roots fundraising event.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Broad incumbents

• CIEE: CIEE is the largest US-based study abroad organization operating across 40+ countries. It is a broad incumbent with overlapping multi-country, multi-discipline programming but lacks GLI's deep single-region (East Africa) community immersion model.
• IES Abroad: IES Abroad operates multi-city, multi-discipline study abroad programs including locations in Africa. A broad incumbent with comparable academic partnership model but larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• ISA by WorldStrides: ISA offers multi-discipline study abroad programs including service-learning components. A broader incumbent with overlapping faculty-led and direct-enrollment offerings but less depth in single-region East African community immersion.

Direct peers

• Where There Be Dragons: Dragons designs experiential, cross-cultural study abroad programs with deep community immersion and small-group cohorts. Comparable to GLI on pedagogy, reciprocal partnerships, and niche experiential positioning.
• Child Family Health International (CFHI): CFHI runs global health immersion programs in low- and middle-income countries, with medical and public health rotations. Most directly comparable to GLI's Creighton-style medical and public health programming in Uganda and Rwanda.
• SIT Study Abroad: SIT (formerly School for International Training) is one of the largest experiential, field-based study abroad providers with a strong Africa portfolio. Directly comparable to GLI on immersive, credit-bearing programs co-designed with local communities.
• Amizade: Amizade is a non-profit that designs service-learning and immersion programs with community partners globally. Comparable to GLI on non-profit structure, community-led model, and reciprocal international engagement framework.
• API (Academic Programs International): API delivers multi-discipline study abroad programs with university partnerships and faculty-led program support. Comparable to GLI on short-term faculty-led and direct-enrollment models across multiple disciplines.
• School for Field Studies (SFS): SFS designs field-based, environmentally focused study abroad programs with strong community-based research components. Directly comparable to GLI's experiential, field-school positioning and capstone-research integration.

Emerging players

• Global Citizen Year: Global Citizen Year runs gap-year and bridge-year programs with African country placements and leadership development. Comparable to GLI on youth leadership development and African immersion, but oriented to longer-format gap years rather than short-term faculty-led trips.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/listenthinkact
• Facebookfacebook.com/globallivingston

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Global Livingston Institute