Do it Foundation
The Do it Foundation is a Costa Rican nonprofit founded in 2005 that distributes free wheelchairs to mobility-impaired individuals across Guanacaste and Nicaragua while running health, education, and environmental programs; it is 100% volunteer-run and affiliated with Grupo Do It.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersComunidad, Costa Rica
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Do it Foundation does
Do it Foundation is a Costa Rican nonprofit organization founded in 2005 by John Scheman and headquartered in Liberia, Guanacaste. Its core mission is the distribution of free wheelchairs to individuals with mobility disabilities in underserved communities, alongside complementary health, education, and environmental programs. Since inception, the foundation has distributed more than 30,000 wheelchairs and supported more than 100,000 people across roughly 12 municipalities in Guanacaste Province, with recent geographic expansion into the Upala region of Nicaragua.
Operationally, the foundation imports pre-fabricated wheelchair kits from its long-standing U.S. partner Free Wheelchair Mission (a relationship in place since 2005) and assembles them locally with volunteer labor. Throughput runs at approximately 1,800 chairs per year — roughly four 40-foot shipping containers at ~450 chairs each. Its 11–50 listed team members are 100% volunteer and unpaid, which means nearly all donated funds flow directly to program delivery rather than overhead. The foundation also hosts inbound U.S. donor and volunteer trips, formalized through a partnership with Right at Home.
The foundation sits within the Scheman Family Foundation ecosystem and is affiliated with Grupo Do It, John Scheman's commercial real estate group in Guanacaste, which provides back-office leverage. Revenue is generated through donations and recurring fundraising events — including the November 2025 'Friendsgiving Brasilito Impact' event targeting $75,000–$90,000. The 2025 Vision Trip delivered 156 wheelchairs in a single campaign cycle, and the foundation has begun rolling out a successor product (GEN 4 JOY, mid-2026) from its core supplier partner.
Do it Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Do it Foundation
- Legal name
- Do It Foundation
- Website
- https://doitcenterfoundation.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Do it Foundation is a Costa Rican nonprofit founded in 2005 that distributes free wheelchairs to mobility-impaired individuals across Guanacaste and Nicaragua while running health, education, and environmental programs; it is 100% volunteer-run and affiliated with Grupo Do It.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Do it Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability and Mobility Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)
Keywords
Where Do it Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Comunidad
- HQ country
- Costa Rica
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Do it Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Donations: The foundation is funded entirely through monetary and in-kind donations from individuals, corporations, and partner organizations. No pricing is charged for wheelchairs or programs — all services are free to beneficiaries.
- Corporate & Family Group Support: Operational and strategic support provided through the Scheman Family Foundation and Grupo Do It, the affiliated real estate and commercial enterprise group founded by John Scheman.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free wheelchair donation to individual recipients |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Do it Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Do It Foundation is a Costa Rican nonprofit that distributes free wheelchairs and runs health, education, and environmental programs for underserved populations. Wheelchairs are imported from Free Wheelchair Mission (GEN 2, GEN 3 foldable, and GEN 4 JOY), hand-assembled, individually fitted to each recipient, and delivered free of charge via annual Vision Trip events and direct home deliveries across Costa Rica and southern Nicaragua. All programs and services are provided at no cost to beneficiaries and are funded entirely through donations.
Product overview
The Do It Foundation is a Costa Rican nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of charitable programs focused on health, education, environment, and mobility. The core offering is the Wheelchair Donation Program, which distributes free wheelchairs through Vision Trips and year-round distribution, working with partners like Free Wheelchair Mission. The foundation also operates Education Programs (school support, supplies, scholarships), Health Programs (rural healthcare access), and Environmental Programs (conservation, beach cleanups). Fundraising events like the Friendsgiving Fundraiser support specific community initiatives. All programs are delivered through volunteer-run operations with partner organizations including municipalities, Lions Clubs, and healthcare institutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Wheelchair Donation Program Free distribution of wheelchairs (GEN 2, GEN 3 foldable, and GEN 4 JOY models from Free Wheelchair Mission) to people with physical disabilities in Costa Rica and southern Nicaragua. Each chair is hand-assembled and individually fitted to the recipient at no cost, delivered via Vision Trip events or direct home delivery.
- Vision Trip Program Annual multi-day volunteer missions that coordinate recipient identification, wheelchair assembly, and distribution across multiple regions of Costa Rica (including Liberia, Puntarenas, Upala, Bagaces, and Guanacaste) and into southern Nicaragua. Includes home deliveries for recipients unable to attend community events.
- Health Programs Initiatives expanding healthcare access in underserved Costa Rican communities through partnerships with clinics, hospitals (including Clínica Bíblica), Ebais clinics, and the Costa Rican Red Cross.
- Education Programs Support for underserved schools across Costa Rica through infrastructure improvements, supplies, and scholarships for children in need.
- Environmental Programs Conservation initiatives including beach cleanups, wildlife preservation, funding for environmental research, and community action to protect Costa Rica's natural resources.
- Friendsgiving Brasilito Fundraiser Annual fundraising event supporting Brasilito community infrastructure, after-school programs, music and arts, healthcare, nutrition, and sports equipment.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30,000+ free wheelchairs distributed since 2005
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Do it Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Do it Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Do it Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Free Wheelchair MissioncoreLong-standing partnership with the Free Wheelchair Mission, a faith-based nonprofit based in California. Free Wheelchair Mission designs and manufactures durable, cost-effective wheelchairs (GEN 2, GEN 3, GEN 4 JOY) tailored for developing countries. They have distributed over 1.5 million wheelchairs in 95 countries with a vision to reach 3 million by 2035. Do It Foundation serves as their closest partner charity in Costa Rica, importing, assembling, and distributing wheelchairs across the country — always free of charge. Each wheelchair costs ~$100 + import duties + in-country transport.
- Grupo Do ItcoreThe foundation began as the charitable arm of Grupo Do It. Grupo Do It, founded by John Scheman, is a commercial real estate and business group in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, encompassing developments such as Ciudad Nya, Do It Center El Lagar (the largest heavy materials import and hardware store in Guanacaste), and other enterprises. The foundation benefits from operational support and infrastructure shared with the family group.
- Guanacaste Community Fund (GCF)minorEstablished by the Costa Rica-USA Foundation for Cooperation (CRUSA). John Scheman serves as a trustee of GCF, linking the foundation to broader regional development efforts in Guanacaste.
- Hospital Clínica BíblicaminorPrestigious hospital with which Do It Foundation partners to expand health services in underserved areas. Has collaborated on large-scale wheelchair distribution events (up to 1,000 chairs) alongside Lions Clubs and other organizations.
- Lions Club (Liberia, Atenas, Costa Rica)minorJohn Scheman is a longtime member of the Lions Club of Atenas. Lions Clubs chapters across Costa Rica collaborate with the foundation on identifying beneficiaries and delivering wheelchairs to home recipients. Lions Club Liberia conducted 6 home deliveries in the 2025 Vision Trip.
- Municipalities (Puntarenas, Liberia, Santa Cruz, Upala)minorLocal government partners across Guanacaste province and Alajuela that collaborate with Do It Foundation to identify wheelchair recipients, host distribution events, and facilitate home deliveries. Multiple municipalities serve as distribution hubs in Vision Trips.
- El Lagar Do It CenterminorGuanacaste's largest heavy materials import and hardware store, founded by John Scheman in 2001. Its warehouse is used to assemble wheelchairs before distribution. Affiliated with Grupo Do It.
- Right at HomeminorA U.S.-based medical services franchise that sends annual volunteer teams (12+ volunteers per trip) to Costa Rica for the Vision Trip, in partnership with Free Wheelchair Mission and Do It Foundation. Participated in the 2018 Vision Trip delivering ~60 wheelchairs.
- CEPIAminorLocal Costa Rican organization co-presenting the Friendsgiving Brasilito Impact fundraiser with Do It Foundation and ADI Brasilito (November 8, 2025, at Patagonia del Mar, Brasilito). Event aims to raise $75,000–$90,000 for community infrastructure, tutoring, arts programs, and healthcare.
- ADI BrasilitominorLocal community organization co-presenting the Friendsgiving Brasilito Impact fundraiser alongside Do It Foundation and CEPIA to support Brasilito community infrastructure and programs.
- Costa Rican Red CrossminorThe foundation has partnered with the Costa Rican Red Cross to expand access to rural healthcare through health initiatives and programs.
- Event Sponsors (Grupo Do It, NYA, Genera, Blue River Resort, Mar Vista, Gold Coast Realty, Marina Flamingo, Ohana Photos, Peak Integrated Marketing, Christie's International Real Estate, Deli Cafe, VG Realty)minorCorporate sponsors for the Friendsgiving Brasilito Impact fundraiser event (November 8, 2025), providing financial and promotional support for the community fundraising initiative targeting Brasilito's infrastructure and social programs.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Do it Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Motivation Charitable Trust: UK-based disability charity designing and distributing appropriate wheelchairs globally. Comparable mobility-aid mission and developing-country focus, but primarily operating outside Latin America.
- Fundación DEK: Latin America-focused foundation working on disability inclusion and mobility. Comparable regional mission and Costa Rica/Latin America adjacency, with similar donor-driven disability services.
Broad incumbents
- Joni and Friends: Established U.S. disability nonprofit serving people affected by disability globally through wheelchairs, family support, and advocacy. Comparable focus on disability mobility but with a much larger institutional footprint and broader program portfolio.
- Lions Clubs International: Global service organization with extensive wheelchair and disability programs. Do It Foundation's distribution partners (Lions Club chapters in Liberia, Atenas, etc.) overlap directly with Lions' international mobility mission.
Emerging players
- Whirlwind Wheelchair International: Nonprofit initiative developing and distributing rugged, low-cost wheelchairs for developing countries. Directly comparable product/mission but with an additional design-and-build component versus Do It's import-and-distribute model.
Direct peers
- Walkabout Foundation: U.S./UK nonprofit that distributes wheelchairs and rehabilitation services in developing countries. Directly comparable mission of providing free wheelchairs to underserved populations, with similar donor-driven fundraising approach.
- Mobility Worldwide: U.S./global nonprofit that builds and distributes hand-powered carts and mobility devices to people with disabilities in developing countries. Directly comparable mission, donor-funded model, and volunteer-driven assembly operations.
- Chariots of Hope: U.S.-based nonprofit distributing free wheelchairs to developing countries. Directly comparable model: donated/assembled chairs, partner-driven last-mile delivery, similar target beneficiary profile.
- Hope Haven International: Faith-based nonprofit providing mobility equipment, rehabilitation, and disability services across Central America and Africa. Comparable focus on wheelchair distribution, family-style community partnerships, and donor-supported operating model.
- Free Wheelchair Mission: California-based faith nonprofit that designs and distributes the wheelchairs (GEN 2, GEN 3, upcoming GEN 4 JOY) used by Do It Foundation. Has shipped 1.5M+ chairs across 95 countries and is Do It's closest upstream partner and supply source.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Do it Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceDo it Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Do it Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Do it Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Do it Foundation 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 Do it Foundation
What does Do it Foundation do?
Do It Foundation is a Costa Rican nonprofit that distributes free wheelchairs and runs health, education, and environmental programs for underserved populations. Wheelchairs are imported from Free Wheelchair Mission (GEN 2, GEN 3 foldable, and GEN 4 JOY), hand-assembled, individually fitted to each recipient, and delivered free of charge via annual Vision Trip events and direct home deliveries across Costa Rica and southern Nicaragua. All programs and services are provided at no cost to beneficiaries and are funded entirely through donations.
Is Do it Foundation a public or private company?
Do it Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Do it Foundation founded?
Do it Foundation was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Do it Foundation based?
Do it Foundation is headquartered in Comunidad, Costa Rica, in the Latin America region.
How does Do it Foundation make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate & Family Group Support.
Who are Do it Foundation's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Motivation Charitable Trust and Fundación DEK. Broad incumbents are Joni and Friends and Lions Clubs International. Whirlwind Wheelchair International is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Walkabout Foundation, Mobility Worldwide, Chariots of Hope, Hope Haven International and Free Wheelchair Mission.
Does Do it Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Do it Foundation.
What industry is Do it Foundation in?
Do it Foundation's product category is Disability and Mobility Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAA, Private Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8600.