Kids Around the World

What Kids Around the World does

Kids Around the World (KATW) is a 501(c)(3) faith-based nonprofit founded in 1994 in Rockford, Illinois, that delivers integrated humanitarian programming to children and communities globally. The organization operates three convergent core programs: FOOD (OneMeal, a volunteer-packed meal formula of red lentils, fortified rice, dehydrated vegetables, and vitamins), PLAY (upcycling decommissioned playgrounds and installing them in underserved communities), and STORY (KIDStory, an oral-based, interactive Bible storytelling and child discipleship methodology supported by a KIDStory Resource Hub mobile app on iOS and Android). These three programs converge in 180 designated Hope Zone communities across at least 7 countries—Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Uganda, South Sudan, Philippines, Panama, plus additional operations in Haiti, Iraq, Ukraine, and the Bahamas—reaching 11,900+ children and producing cumulative outputs of 100 million meals packed and 1,200+ playgrounds built.

The organization is funded primarily through charitable donations from individuals, churches, and foundations, supplemented by unit-priced meal sponsorships ($0.30 per meal), brand partnerships (most notably Little Tikes Commercial, which donates 5% of sales from select commercial playground systems through the Partners in Play program and a sales channel via Play On Holdings), and planned/legacy giving instruments (charitable bequests, IRA rollovers, securities, Donor Advised Funds). Distribution relies on a U.S.-based partner-hosted event model (churches, schools, businesses, and civic groups host meal packing events with KATW logistics) and an international ministry partner network of more than 20 named organizations (Family Legacy, Vision Trust, Children of the Nations, Convoy of Hope, Feed the Hungry, Africa New Life, and others) that delivers programs in-country. The organization is ECFA-accredited, holds a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, and reports a 2024 program expense ratio of 90% programs / 10% administration and fundraising. No public revenue figure is disclosed.

Name

Kids Around the World

Legal name

Kids Around the World, Inc.

Website

https://kidsaroundtheworld.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kids Around the World is a 501(c)(3) faith-based nonprofit that delivers integrated FOOD, PLAY, and STORY programs—volunteer-packed meals (OneMeal), upcycled playground construction, and Bible-based storytelling (KIDStory)—through 180 Hope Zone communities reaching 11,900+ children across 7+ countries, funded via donations and corporate partnerships since 1994.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Aid Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311), Community Food Services (624210), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

School Feeding & Child Nutrition Programs (BPADAJAD), Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI)

Keywords

• Humanitarian aid programs
• Child hunger relief
• Playground construction
• Bible storytelling curriculum
• Faith-based nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Rockford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Charitable donations from individuals, churches, and organizations fund the FOOD, PLAY, and STORY programs. Primary revenue source for nonprofit operations.
2. Meal Sponsorship: Corporate and individual sponsors pay $0.30 per meal to fund food programs. Sponsors receive impact reporting on meals distributed.
3. Legacy Giving / Planned Giving: Long-term planned giving programs for donors leaving estate gifts to support ongoing mission work.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Kids Around the World is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers three integrated child-focused programs: FOOD (the OneMeal mobile meal-packing program producing shelf-stable meals of red lentils, fortified rice, dehydrated vegetables, and vitamins distributed overseas through in-country partners), PLAY (upcycling and building playgrounds for impoverished communities from equipment donated by U.S. parks and recreation partners), and STORY (the KIDStory oral-based, interactive Bible storytelling curriculum delivered via StoryClubs). These three programs converge in Hope Zones, a community-transformation model partnering with local churches across the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Uganda, South Sudan, the Philippines, Panama, and other countries.

Product overview

Kids Around the World is a faith-based nonprofit organization operating as a single integrated ministry rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The organization delivers three core programs—FOOD (OneMeal meal packing), PLAY (upcycled playground building), and STORY (KIDStory Bible storytelling)—that combine in Hope Zone communities for holistic child and community transformation. Additional offerings include Global Outreach Trips for volunteer participation, Brand Partnerships for corporate engagement, Legacy Giving for planned philanthropy, and the Partners in Play sub-brand partnership with Little Tikes Commercial. The KIDStory Resource Hub mobile app supplements the STORY program with training materials. All programs serve the mission of sharing God's transforming hope with children and communities globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OneMeal: Nutrient-rich meal program with red lentils, rice, vegetables, and vitamins packed at volunteer events
• KIDStory
• Hope Zones

Products and services

• FOOD Program (OneMeal) Mobile meal-packing program in which volunteers assemble shelf-stable nutrient-rich meals of red lentils, fortified white rice, dehydrated vegetables, and vitamins/minerals at partner-hosted events across the United States; meals are distributed overseas to orphanages, schools, feeding centers, churches, and homes. Meals are sponsored at $0.30 per meal.
• PLAY Program Upcycled playground program that refurbishes and installs previously-used playgrounds donated by U.S. parks and recreation departments, schools, and playground partners for communities in developing countries; engages volunteers on Global Outreach Trips and partners with industry leaders including Little Tikes Commercial.
• STORY Program (KIDStory)

Quantifiable outcome

• 3.6 million children reached with programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Family LegacycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry partner collaborating on faith-based programs for children and families in developing countries.
• Vision TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry partner providing support for orphaned and vulnerable children through KATW programs.
• Children of the NationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational nonprofit partner serving children in developing nations through holistic programs.
• Su RefugiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry partner providing community support and spiritual development programs.
• Inheritance International MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational ministry partner collaborating on children's programs.
• Convoy of HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLarge-scale disaster relief and community development nonprofit partner.
• Feed the HungrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHunger relief organization partner for food distribution programs.
• Africa New LifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfrican ministry partner focused on children's education and community transformation.
• Overflowing HandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanitarian partner providing volunteer support for program delivery.
• ZimZam GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal ministry partner for children's programs in developing regions.
• Hope MissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMission organization partner for global outreach programs.
• Little Tikes CommercialcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner through Partners in Play program - 5% of commercial playground sales donated to KATW. Play On Holdings serves as sales partner.
• No Fault SurfacesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner providing playground safety surfaces for installations.
• NoGu StudiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner supporting KATW mission through product donations or contributions.
• M5M FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation partner supporting children's mission programs.
• LoveLight PaperminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner contributing to KATW programs through paper product donations.
• Dream DinnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner supporting meal programs and family initiatives.
• Choco LatteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner contributing to food and meal programs.
• ReLoad LovecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for playground installations in Ukraine, providing play spaces for children affected by conflict.
• Open Door FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Ukraine operations, supporting humanitarian efforts in the region.
• Abaco StrongcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for playground reconstruction in the Bahamas following natural disasters.
• Play On HoldingscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Little Tikes Commercial products, facilitating donations to KATW.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• e3 Partners: Faith-based missions organization that equips local church planters and disciples through oral-based storytelling methodologies similar in spirit to KIDStory. Comparable as an enabling/partner network rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Feed My Starving Children: Faith-based nonprofit operating a near-identical mobile meal-packing model where volunteers at hosted events assemble nutritionally formulated meals for distribution to children overseas. Directly comparable to KATW's OneMeal program on volunteer mechanics, food science, and global hunger-relief mission.
• Show Hope: Faith-based nonprofit serving vulnerable children internationally through care, education, and family support, with strong evangelical donor base. Comparable in size, faith identity, and child-focused community programming.
• Food for the Hungry: Christian humanitarian organization implementing integrated community development including child nutrition, education, and spiritual formation in developing countries. Highly comparable to KATW's Hope Zone model combining physical and spiritual outcomes.
• Children's Hunger Fund: Faith-based nonprofit focused on child hunger relief through food distribution and church-partner networks in the U.S. and abroad. Mirrors KATW's church-channel distribution, child-nutrition focus, and evangelical identity.
• Convoy of Hope: Large-scale faith-based disaster relief and community development nonprofit that distributes food and runs children's feeding programs internationally. Already a named KATW partner; comparable in operational scale, faith alignment, and community outreach delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• Samaritan's Purse: Large evangelical humanitarian organization with international disaster relief, child sponsorship, and ministry programs. Operates at much greater scale than KATW but shares faith alignment, donor base, and international field operations.
• World Vision: One of the largest Christian humanitarian NGOs globally, running child sponsorship, food programs, and community development in dozens of countries. Comparable faith-rooted mission, child focus, and integrated community programs.
• Bethany Christian Services: Faith-based nonprofit providing child and family services including foster care, adoption, and refugee support. Overlaps with KATW on faith-rooted child welfare delivery through a broad service portfolio at greater institutional scale.
• Compassion International: Large evangelical child-sponsorship organization delivering holistic child development (physical, educational, spiritual) through local church partnerships in developing countries. Closely parallels KATW's church-channel Hope Zone model at far larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/kidsaroundtheworld
• Facebookfacebook.com/kidsaroundtheworld
• Instagraminstagram.com/kidsaroundtheworld
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kidsaroundtheworld

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Kids Around the World