Global Mobility

What Global Mobility does

Global Mobility USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit humanitarian organization founded by David Richard in 2012 and headquartered in North Hollywood, California. The organization manufactures and distributes custom-fitted manual wheelchairs across five product families (standard, complex rehab, active, sports, and pediatric/recliner), plus Rough Rider wheelchairs sourced from Whirlwind Wheelchair International, at an approximate unit cost of $250 per chair for manufacture, delivery, and fitting. Its primary focus is serving children and adults with disabilities in low-income countries, with secondary domestic U.S. outreach.

The organization's core technology and operational model centers on in-country wheelchair and seating clinics led by ATP-SMS certified seating specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and trained seating mobility technicians who custom-fit each chair to the recipient. The model relies on a multinational partner network that includes in-country host organizations, logistics donors (DHL for air freight, American Presidential Line for ocean containers, Fed-Ex Freight for trucking, U.S. Navy Project Handclasp), in-country manufacturers (Hope Haven Guatemala, Whirlwind Wheelchair International), and clinical/advocacy partners (Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Shriners Hospital for Children, Operation USA). Recipient training in chair use, care, and maintenance is bundled into each clinic.

The revenue model is donation- and grant-funded rather than commercial; pricing is not publicly disclosed as products are provided at no cost to recipients. Cumulative scale since 1996 (including predecessor Wheels for Humanity) is over 100,000 children and adults served across 72 countries. The organization operates with 11-50 employees and is governed by a board chaired by Drew Plotkin (Principal and Creative Director of Launch DRTV), with founder David Richard serving as President. As a nonprofit, it has no parent company, no funding rounds, and no M&A activity.

Name

Global Mobility

Legal name

Global Mobility USA

Website

https://globalmobilityusa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Global Mobility USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manufactures and distributes custom-fitted manual wheelchairs to children and adults with disabilities, primarily in low-income countries, through in-country seating clinics and a multinational partner logistics network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Mobility Equipment and Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Mobility Aids (Wheelchairs, Scooters, Walkers, Canes) (HLAHAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pediatric Rehabilitation & Mobility DME (Adaptive Seating, Pediatric Mobility) (HLAHAMAI), Mobility Device Sales, Rental & Service (Wheelchairs, Scooters, Walkers) (HSABAKAC), Wheelchair, Seating, Mobility & Transfer Training In-Home (HSABADAO)

Keywords

• Wheelchair distribution services
• Mobility aid manufacturing
• Disability humanitarian services
• Custom wheelchair fitting
• Nonprofit mobility programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Van Nuys

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Global Mobility USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit humanitarian organization that manufactures, sources, refurbishes, and distributes custom-fitted wheelchairs and mobility aids to persons with disabilities in low-income countries and domestically. Wheelchair families include standard, complex rehab, active, sports, recliner/pediatric, and Rough Rider models, each individually fitted during in-country seating clinics led by ATP-SMS certified specialists. The organization also deploys medical teams (doctors and nurses) and provides training and education to recipients, families, and partner organizations on wheelchair use, care, and maintenance.

Product overview

Global Mobility USA is a nonprofit humanitarian organization that provides a comprehensive family of mobility products consisting of standard wheelchairs, complex rehab wheelchairs, active wheelchairs, sports wheelchairs, pediatric wheelchairs, and Rough Rider wheelchairs. These products are distributed through in-country wheelchair and seating clinics where they are custom-fitted to each recipient's individual needs. The organization also provides medical services through teams of doctors and nurses, and offers wheelchair training and education programs. Wheelchairs are sourced through refurbishment of donated equipment, in-country manufacturing partnerships (such as Hope Haven Guatemala), and imported chairs, with each wheelchair costing approximately $250 to manufacture, deliver, and fit.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Standard Wheelchairs
• Complex Rehab Wheelchairs
• Active Wheelchairs
• Sports Wheelchairs
• Pediatric and Recliner Wheelchairs
• Rough Rider Wheelchairs
• Wheelchair and Seating Clinics
• Medical Services
• Wheelchair Training and Education

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100,000 children and adults served globally since founding
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DHLcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDHL has donated free shipping by air of wheelchairs around the globe, enabling global distribution of mobility equipment.
• American Presidential LinecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAmerican Presidential Line donates ocean containers to ship wheelchairs around the world.
• Fed-Ex FreightcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDonates trucking to transport wheelchairs to refurbishing facilities.
• SamsungminorOthersDonated computers, monitors, cell phones for corporate headquarters.
• Christopher & Dana Reeve FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheir Quality of Life grants provided wheelchairs, medical consultation, and educational curriculum for children in Guatemala. Also provides blogger (Michael Collins) and ambassador (Angela Rockwood).
• JockeyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors annual event. VP of Jockey International traveled to Guatemala to participate in international seating clinic. Donated clothing for Guatemala clinics.
• Launch DRTVcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenerous donation of IT support, photography, and creation of world-class videos. CEO participated in many international seating clinics throughout the world. Drew Plotkin is Principal and Creative Director.
• Operation USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonates warehouse space at their Wilmington, CA facility to store and load ocean containers for international shipments.
• Paul Hastings LLPminorOthersProvided legal services for incorporation and Human Resource department.
• Hope Haven GuatemalacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides employment for 17 people with disabilities and manufactures the HH Child's complex rehab wheelchair that is delivered around the world.
• U.S. Navy Project HandclaspcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides donated shipping for international programs.
• Whirlwind WheelchaircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Mobility is the fulfillment center to ship Rough Rider wheelchairs for the U.S. market. Rough Rider wheelchairs also included in international shipments.
• Pacific Dental ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors annual event, provides volunteer dentist for Guatemala clinics.
• Ethiopia SmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupports annual event, sponsors wheelchairs for international programs.
• Hope Haven WestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides wheelchairs and ambulatory aid equipment along with volunteer team members for international seating clinics.
• Golden Years Mortgage SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupports annual event sponsoring children's wheelchairs.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Walkabout Foundation: Peer nonprofit that provides wheelchairs and rehabilitation equipment to people with disabilities in developing countries and funds mobility research; comparable mission and recipient profile.
• Free Wheelchair Mission: Direct peer nonprofit that designs, manufactures, and distributes low-cost wheelchairs to individuals with disabilities in developing countries, with comparable distribution model and beneficiary population.
• Whirlwind Wheelchair International: Direct peer that designs and manufactures rugged, low-cost wheelchairs for low-income countries; Global Mobility is the U.S. fulfillment partner for Whirlwind's Rough Rider chair.
• Motivation Charitable Trust: Direct peer charity that designs and distributes appropriate wheelchairs and mobility aids to disabled people in low- and middle-income countries, with similar clinical fitting and training methodology.
• Joni and Friends: Peer faith-based nonprofit that provides wheelchairs and disability ministry services internationally, including wheelchair distribution to low-income countries through partner networks.
• Hope Haven International: Direct peer as a humanitarian nonprofit that manufactures and distributes wheelchairs (including the HH Child's complex rehab chair that Global Mobility fulfills globally) and operates in-country seating clinics for persons with disabilities in developing countries.

Broad incumbents

• Permobil: Broader incumbent commercial manufacturer of complex rehab and pediatric power wheelchairs; relevant as a reference point for the clinical-grade standards Global Mobility's ATP-SMS-led clinics aim to match.
• Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation: Broader incumbent nonprofit focused on spinal cord injury advocacy and quality-of-life grants; Global Mobility is a current grantee and operates within its ambassador ecosystem (e.g., Angela Rockwood, Michael Collins).
• Variety - the Children's Charity: Broader incumbent nonprofit that funds mobility equipment (including pediatric wheelchairs) for children with disabilities worldwide; comparable end-beneficiary population and funding sources.
• Sunrise Medical: Broader incumbent commercial manufacturer of manual and powered wheelchairs and mobility aids including pediatric and complex rehab; relevant as the for-profit benchmark for the product categories Global Mobility distributes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/GIVE4MOBILITY/status/880136499420774400
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCuOnSbzVGfwtnwts7Hiak_w/feed
• Facebookfacebook.com/globalmobilityusa
• Instagraminstagram.com/davidlrichard55
• Pinterestpinterest.com/globalmobility

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 Global Mobility