Heart for Africa

What Heart for Africa does

Heart for Africa is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2006 by Ian and Janine Maxwell, headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with operational headquarters at Project Canaan — a 2,500-acre integrated children's community in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). The organization pursues a HOPE mission addressing four interconnected challenges: Hunger, Orphans, Poverty, and Education. Its core products and services include: (1) children's homes providing full-time care for 460+ children placed through Eswatini's social welfare department; (2) Project Canaan Academy, an ISASA- and OISESA-accredited independent Christian school serving 370 students from preschool through Grade 8, with planned expansion to Grade 12 by 2030; (3) the Hunger Initiative feeding 6,000+ children weekly across rural Eswatini through local church distribution networks; (4) egg production operations (5,500 eggs daily from 6,000+ laying hens) in partnership with Egg Farmers of Canada; (5) Khutsala Artisan Centre employing 100+ community members producing wire and bead products; (6) The Bridge Program supporting youth ages 18-22 transitioning out of care; and (7) El Roi Medical Clinic providing on-site healthcare.

The business model is donation-funded with diversified revenue streams: recurring monthly individual donations, child sponsorship subscriptions, service trip fees ($2,990-$3,290 per person for 12-day trips), legacy/planned giving (wills, trusts, stock, life insurance), foundation and corporate grants, and emerging commercial revenue from GlobalGAP-certified vegetable exports to South Africa, Khutsala artisan wholesale sales, and a forthcoming vanilla harvest. The technology stack is standard web-based — donation portals, child sponsorship management via qgiv, and e-commerce for artisan products at heartforafrica.org and projectcanaan.com — with no proprietary AI or platform technology. Distribution occurs through online donation channels, mail-in contributions (P.O. Box 21287, Chattanooga, TN), and immersive service trips that convert participants into long-term donors. The organization employs 1-10 U.S.-based remote staff coordinating operations that span a workforce of 400+ local Eswatini employees supporting 2,800+ family members, plus a volunteer base of 100+ annually traveling from North America.

Name

Heart for Africa

Legal name

Heart for Africa, Inc.

Website

https://heartforafrica.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Heart for Africa is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating Project Canaan, a 2,500-acre integrated children's community in Eswatini providing residential care for 460+ orphaned and vulnerable children, accredited K-12 education, weekly feeding programs reaching 6,000+ children, and commercial agriculture and artisan ventures, funded primarily through individual donations, child sponsorships, and service trips from North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Aid and Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (624210), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Infrastructure, Housing & Community Development (BPAGABAL), Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH), Rural Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment (BPAGABAA), Nutrition & Food Security (Global Health) NGOs (HLAJAKAH)

Keywords

• Humanitarian aid services
• Child welfare programs
• Orphan care services
• Hunger relief programs
• Community development

Headquarters

HQ city

Roswell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individuals supporting the HOPE mission (Hunger, Orphans, Poverty, Education). Monthly donors receive regular updates, stories, and impact reports. The organization emphasizes consistent giving for long-term planning.
2. Child Sponsorship: Monthly sponsorship program where donors contribute to help cover the cost of caring for children at Project Canaan. Contributions fund shared systems including housing, food, healthcare, education, and caregiving. Sponsors receive updates about their specific child.
3. Service Trip Fees: Revenue from volunteer travel programs to Eswatini. Trip costs range from $2,990 (shared accommodation) to $3,290 (private accommodation) per person, covering lodging, ground transportation, and meals during the 12-day experience.
4. Commercial Ventures: Sustainable revenue through agricultural exports (vegetables to South Africa under GlobalGAP certification), vanilla project (first harvest anticipated), Khutsala Artisan Centre products, and egg production. These initiatives reduce dependence on donations over time.
5. Legacy Giving: Planned giving through wills, trusts, retirement account beneficiaries, stock donations, and life insurance designations. Supports long-term sustainability of Project Canaan operations.
6. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Funding from foundations and occasional grant funding for specific programs and initiatives. The organization has engaged with foundations for sustainability projects including The Bridge Program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Heart for Africa operates Project Canaan, a 2,500-acre integrated children's community in Eswatini that provides full-time residential care, education, nutrition, and healthcare for 460+ orphaned and vulnerable children, while running a Hunger Initiative feeding 6,000+ rural children weekly and commercial ventures (artisan, egg, and agricultural operations) that employ 400+ local community members. The organization funds these programs through individual donations, child sponsorships, service trip fees, foundation grants, and earned income from sustainable enterprises.

Product overview

Heart for Africa is a faith-based humanitarian nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) that does not operate a traditional product in the SaaS sense. Instead, it offers a portfolio of charitable programs centered around its HOPE mission: Hunger relief, Orphans care, Poverty decrease, and Education. The core initiative is Project Canaan, a 2,500-acre integrated community in Eswatini featuring children's homes housing over 460 children, Project Canaan Academy (accredited school), agricultural operations including egg production and greenhouse farming, and Khutsala Artisan Centre. Supporting programs include the Hunger Initiative feeding 6,000+ children weekly, Child Sponsorship Program, Legacy Giving options, and Service Trips to Eswatini. The Bridge Program provides transition support for young adults aging out of care. These programs work together as an integrated ecosystem addressing the interconnected needs of vulnerable children and communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Child Sponsorship Program Monthly sponsorship program for individual donors that funds housing, food, healthcare, education, and caregiving for orphaned and vulnerable children at Project Canaan. Sponsors receive regular updates about their sponsored child.
• General Donations Flexible one-time or recurring monthly financial contributions that support Project Canaan's overall operations including food production, education, job creation, and care for orphaned and vulnerable children.
• Legacy Giving Planned giving program that accepts bequests in wills or trusts, stock and appreciated securities, retirement account beneficiary designations, and life insurance gifts to support long-term organizational sustainability.
• Service Trips to Eswatini 12-day volunteer travel experiences from North America to Project Canaan in Eswatini, including Camp Canaan activities, community outreach, hunger initiative participation, and cultural immersion. Trip costs are $2,990 (shared accommodation) or $3,290 (private accommodation) per person and cover lodging, ground transportation, and meals.
• Project Canaan A 2,500-acre integrated community in Eswatini that houses children's homes for 460+ orphaned and vulnerable children, Project Canaan Academy, agricultural and egg production operations, the Khutsala Artisan Centre, and the El Roi Baby Home.
• Hunger Initiative Community feeding program that reaches more than 6,000 children weekly in rural Eswatini through a network of local churches and partnerships with Feed My Starving Children, Gleanings for the Hungry, and Egg Farmers of Canada, providing MannaPack meals and protein from egg production.
• Project Canaan Academy Fully accredited independent Christian school (ISASA and OISESA recognized) serving children from preschool through Grade 8 at Project Canaan, with plans to expand to Grade 12 by 2030. Offers music programs including marimba, guitar, piano, choir, plus technology and leadership development.
• Khutsala Artisan Centre On-site artisan workshop employing more than 100 community members to produce hand-crafted wire and bead products sold wholesale to partners including Feed My Starving Children, generating sustainable income that supports the organization's meal programs.
• The Bridge Program Transition program supporting young adults aged 18 to 22 as they move out of Project Canaan care into adulthood, providing structured pathways into employment, further education, or vocational trades.
• Egg Production Operations Egg farming operation with two barns housing 6,000+ laying hens that produce approximately 5,500 eggs daily in partnership with Egg Farmers of Canada and International Egg Foundation, supplying protein for children in care and surrounding communities.
• El Roi Medical Clinic On-site medical clinic at Project Canaan providing healthcare services to children and staff, with hospital referral partnerships including The Luke Commission for more advanced care.
• Greenhouse Farming Initiative Agricultural program producing vanilla (first harvest expected) and GlobalGAP-certified vegetables exported to South Africa, supporting sustainable food systems at Project Canaan.
• Adult Education and Training Vocational and skills training programs for community members and older children at Project Canaan, including carpentry, electrical, maintenance, mechanics, IT, and job shadowing opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 460+ children receiving long-term care with formal court orders and no other options available
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Egg Farmers of CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership providing egg distribution program supporting children at Project Canaan and surrounding communities. Between 2016 and 2026, approximately 16 million eggs distributed through this initiative. Provides reliable protein source for children in care.
• Gleanings for the HungrycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Food partner contributing to the Hunger Initiative that reaches 6,000+ children weekly in rural Eswatini. Part of coordinated food supply network.
• Khutsala Artisan CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012On-site artisan workshop employing 100+ community members producing hand-crafted wire and bead products. Products sold wholesale to partners including Feed My Starving Children, generating income for the organization.
• Feed My Starving Children (FMSC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Long-term food partnership supplying MannaPack meals to Project Canaan. Khutsala artisan products are sold at FMSC packing sites, generating income that helps purchase meals shipped back to feed children.
• International Egg FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting egg production operations at Project Canaan. Collaborated on building egg barns housing 6,000+ laying hens producing 5,500 eggs daily.
• The Luke CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal hospital partnership in Eswatini providing healthcare services for children at Project Canaan. Children are taken to The Luke Commission when medical care is needed.
• Local Churches (Eswatini)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership network with churches across rural Eswatini serving as distribution points for the Hunger Initiative. Churches identify children in need and organize weekly meal distribution.
• Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccreditation body recognizing Project Canaan Academy as a fully accredited independent Christian school. Also recognized by Office of Independent Schools Evaluations, Southern Africa (OISESA).
• Office of Independent Schools Evaluations, Southern Africa (OISESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccreditation body providing formal recognition of Project Canaan Academy's educational standards and programs.
• GlobalGAPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertification body for agricultural exports. Project Canaan's vegetable production holds GlobalGAP certification, enabling exports to South Africa.
• Candid (GuideStar)minorOthersNonprofit profile available on Candid platform providing organizational information and impact data to donors.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• International Justice Mission: Faith-based organization protecting vulnerable children globally. Comparable in faith-rooted mission and donor base targeting child welfare outcomes, though focused on legal protection rather than residential care.
• MAP International: Christian global health organization providing medicines and community health programming in Africa. Comparable as a faith-based nonprofit serving vulnerable populations with health and food assistance in similar geographies.

Direct peers

• Food for the Hungry: Christ-centered international NGO focused on holistic child development, food security, and community transformation in Africa. Directly comparable to Heart for Africa's Hunger Initiative and integrated HOPE model.
• African Children's Aid Education and Development Foundation (ACAEDF): Faith-rooted NGO operating children's homes, schools, and community programs in Africa. Closely comparable in mission, faith-based governance, and integrated care model for orphans and vulnerable children.
• Children International: Child sponsorship nonprofit supporting youth through education, healthcare, and community programs. Closely mirrors Heart for Africa's sponsor-a-child model and emphasis on long-term, holistic child outcomes.

Broad incumbents

• Project HOPE: Global health and humanitarian nonprofit running community development and child-focused programs. Comparable in combining nutrition, education, and economic empowerment for vulnerable children and families.
• World Vision: Major international Christian humanitarian organization with sponsorship and community development programs across sub-Saharan Africa. Comparable as a faith-rooted NGO combining child welfare, food security, and economic empowerment.
• Samaritan's Purse: Faith-based humanitarian organization running child sponsorship (Operation Christmas Child), agricultural, and emergency relief programs globally. Comparable faith-driven funding model and integrated community development approach.
• Compassion International: Large faith-based child sponsorship organization operating in dozens of countries including Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). Highly comparable to Heart for Africa's child sponsorship model and integrated child development framework.

Emerging players

• Set Free Movement / Tiny Homes Foundation (Swaziland/Eswatini): Faith-based initiatives operating orphan care and education programs in Eswatini. Comparable as a country-specific, faith-rooted NGO addressing orphan and child welfare with on-the-ground residential care.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCY世俗XKq9T1Z2z
• Facebookfacebook.com/heartforafrica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/heart-for-africa
• Instagraminstagram.com/heartforafricaorg

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Subsidiaries7 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 Heart for Africa