Volunteer Latin America
Volunteer Latin America is a privately-held, London-based online marketplace connecting individual volunteers with NGO host organizations across approximately 20 countries in Central and South America, generating revenue through Basic and Premium membership fees paid via PayPal.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Volunteer Latin America does
Volunteer Latin America is a privately-held, London-based online marketplace that connects individual volunteers with nonprofit and NGO host organizations across Central and South America. Founded around 2007 (firmographics indicate 2004), the platform covers volunteer opportunities in approximately 20 countries spanning the region, including Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and others. The company's stated mission is to facilitate affordable, ethical overseas volunteering, with many listed programs offered at no cost to volunteers and with free accommodation and food provided by host organizations. Named partner NGOs include wildlife conservation groups (Pilpintuwasi, The Macaw Society, Fundación Para La Tierra), education-focused charities (Otra Cosa Network, Seeds of Hope, Santa Maria Education Fund), and others.
The platform's core technology is a website-based, two-sided marketplace where host organizations can post volunteer projects for free and prospective volunteers can browse, search, and apply. The company does not offer a mobile app, public API, or documented developer tools; integrations are limited to PayPal for membership payment processing and Facebook/Twitter social plugins for community engagement. The product surface includes a searchable Volunteer Program Directory organized by country and category, plus a Spanish Language Schools directory enabling users to combine language study with volunteering through partner schools (Maximo Nivel, Academia Buenos Aires, INEPAS, Aurora Andina). No AI/ML capabilities are disclosed.
Volunteer Latin America generates revenue primarily through membership fees, structured as two tiers: a Basic Membership (information access with direct volunteer-to-organization contact) and a Premium Membership offering personalized services, including 'Leads' (10–15 tailored project options curated by staff), 'Buzz' (organization outreach on the volunteer's behalf), and 'Fly' (flight deal search). Membership pricing is not publicly disclosed. The company is founder-owned, with no disclosed funding rounds, no parent company, and a micro team of 1–10 employees. Its only named leader is Stephen Knight, listed as manager.
Volunteer Latin America firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Volunteer Latin America
- Legal name
- Volunteer Latin America
- Website
- https://volunteerlatinamerica.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Volunteer Latin America is a privately-held, London-based online marketplace connecting individual volunteers with NGO host organizations across approximately 20 countries in Central and South America, generating revenue through Basic and Premium membership fees paid via PayPal.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Volunteer Latin America industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Volunteer Abroad Marketplace
- akta.pro primary industry
- Unpaid/Volunteer-Linked Work Placement Programs (EDAIAFAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Education & Teaching Volunteer Programs (EDAIAGAD)
Keywords
Where Volunteer Latin America is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
Volunteer Latin America business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Platform generates revenue through membership fees. Two tiers: Basic Members and Premium Members. Premium members receive personalized matching services, leads (10-15 project options), buzz matching with organizations, and flight search assistance. Payment processed via PayPal.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Basic Membership - Information access with direct organization contact |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Volunteer Latin America product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Volunteer Latin America operates an online marketplace that connects individual volunteers with nonprofit host organizations across more than 20 countries in Central and South America. Volunteers access a searchable directory of free and low-cost placements and choose between a Basic membership (self-directed application) and a Premium membership (personalized project matching, profile forwarding to organizations, and flight deal search). Host NGOs post projects free of charge, and the company monetizes via member subscriptions processed through PayPal.
Product overview
Volunteer Latin America operates a two-sided online marketplace/platform that connects volunteers seeking opportunities in Central and South America with host organisations and NGOs across 21 countries. The core platform is the Volunteer Abroad Platform, which is complemented by two membership tiers: Basic Membership (for self-directed volunteers making direct arrangements) and Premium Membership (offering personalised project matching via the Leads and Buzz services, plus flight search via the Fly service). The platform also integrates a Study Abroad/Spanish Language Schools directory, allowing users to combine language learning with volunteering. The platform covers diverse program categories including wildlife conservation, education, healthcare, community development, and environmental work.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Volunteer Abroad Platform
Quantifiable outcome
- Free accommodation and food often provided by host organizations
Companies that use Volunteer Latin America
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Volunteer Latin America technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Volunteer Latin America partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Maximo NivelminorSpanish language school in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru offering Spanish immersion programs. Partner allows students to combine Spanish classes with voluntary service opportunities.
- Academia Buenos AiresminorSpanish school in Buenos Aires, Argentina, officially accredited by Instituto Cervantes. Students can start every Monday on all levels and are offered free volunteering possibilities.
- INEPASminorSpanish School and Social Aid Institution in Guatemala, officially recognized by the Guatemalan State as a self-sustaining non-profit organization.
- Aurora AndinaminorVolunteering & Spanish School founded in 2005 with 19 years of experience working towards transforming environment through human collectives.
- Animal Defenders International (ADI)corePartnership with ADI to rescue, rehabilitate and reintegrate animals back into their natural habitat. Associated with Pilpintuwasi Wildlife Rescue Center.
- Global G.L.O.W.minorOrganization stressing female empowerment from a young age, teaching girls the importance and strength in womanhood. Runs classes for over 150 girls in four different communities through Otra Cosa Network.
- SwimTaykaminorOrganization teaching young people of Huanchaco vital swimming and drowning prevention skills during summer months through Otra Cosa Network partnership.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Volunteer Latin America competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GoEco: GoEco is a volunteer abroad provider focused on eco and conservation projects, with significant Latin America coverage. It directly competes for wildlife and conservation-oriented volunteers.
- Volunteer Forever: Volunteer Forever is a volunteer abroad platform that also offers fundraising tools to help volunteers fund their trips. It targets the same individual-volunteer audience with similar volunteer project listings.
- A Broader View Volunteers: A Broader View is a US-based nonprofit that places volunteers in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. It competes for the same volunteer customer, particularly those seeking community development and teaching placements.
- GoOverseas: GoOverseas is a volunteer and teach abroad marketplace with extensive Latin America listings and a strong reviews community. It competes for the same SEO-driven discovery traffic and volunteer audience.
- International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ): IVHQ is one of the largest volunteer abroad platforms globally, offering programs across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. It is a direct competitor to Volunteer Latin America in the same category, serving individual volunteers seeking placements with vetted NGOs.
- Worldpackers: Worldpackers is a work-exchange platform that connects travelers with host organizations worldwide, including many in Latin America. It competes for budget-conscious volunteers seeking free or low-cost placements, overlapping with Volunteer Latin America's value proposition.
- Projects Abroad: Projects Abroad operates paid volunteer abroad programs in over 30 countries including many in Latin America. It directly competes for the same individual volunteer customer with structured, fee-based placement offerings.
- Maximo Nivel: Maximo Nivel is a Costa Rica/Guatemala/Peru-based provider of Spanish immersion combined with volunteer placements. It is both a listed partner on Volunteer Latin America and a direct competitor for the same audience.
- Global Volunteers: Global Volunteers is a long-established US nonprofit offering volunteer service programs across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. It competes for ethically-minded volunteers seeking short-term community development placements.
Broad incumbents
- Idealist: Idealist is a large nonprofit job and volunteer listing platform with global reach across thousands of causes. It does not specialize in volunteer abroad but competes for volunteer-discovery search traffic and hosts many of the same NGO partners.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Volunteer Latin America social profiles
Digital presenceVolunteer Latin America financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Volunteer Latin America leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Volunteer Latin America funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Volunteer Latin America 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 Volunteer Latin America
What does Volunteer Latin America do?
Volunteer Latin America operates an online marketplace that connects individual volunteers with nonprofit host organizations across more than 20 countries in Central and South America. Volunteers access a searchable directory of free and low-cost placements and choose between a Basic membership (self-directed application) and a Premium membership (personalized project matching, profile forwarding to organizations, and flight deal search). Host NGOs post projects free of charge, and the company monetizes via member subscriptions processed through PayPal.
Is Volunteer Latin America a public or private company?
Volunteer Latin America is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Volunteer Latin America founded?
Volunteer Latin America was founded in 2007. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Volunteer Latin America based?
Volunteer Latin America is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Volunteer Latin America make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership Fees.
Who are Volunteer Latin America's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GoEco, Volunteer Forever, A Broader View Volunteers, GoOverseas, International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), Worldpackers, Projects Abroad, Maximo Nivel and Global Volunteers. Idealist is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Volunteer Latin America have an API?
No public API is recorded for Volunteer Latin America.
What industry is Volunteer Latin America in?
Volunteer Latin America's product category is Volunteer Abroad Marketplace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIAFAE, Unpaid/Volunteer-Linked Work Placement Programs, with a secondary code of EDAIAGAD, Education & Teaching Volunteer Programs.