Enlace

What Enlace does

Enlace is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1993 by Ron Bueno that links U.S. churches with churches in El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Nepal to address multidimensional poverty. Its core offering is a four-step Church Partnership Program (Link, Invest, Experience, Engage) under which U.S. churches invest $5,000 annually to sponsor a partner church for one year of coaching, leadership development, project management training, and community engagement support. The organization complements this with Short-Term Service Trips, Vision Trips, project sponsorships (e.g., $200 eco-stoves, water systems, housing, composting latrines), and the Center for Community Transformation in El Salvador, which hosts a Study Abroad Program in partnership with Wheaton College, Vanguard University, and Southeastern University.

Enlace is not a technology company; its operational backbone is field-based church coaching, volunteer service trips, and donor stewardship supported by standard nonprofit digital tooling (Classy.org for donations, Constant Contact for email, Google reCAPTCHA on forms). Revenue is generated entirely from charitable giving through multiple streams: (1) church sponsorships at $5,000/year, (2) the Juntos monthly sustainer program, (3) the ENLACE Coffee Subscription ($40-$120/month tiers delivering ethically sourced Central American coffee via Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters), (4) project sponsorship giving, (5) peer-to-peer fundraising via Team ENLACE and personal pages, and (6) ancillary channels including legacy/estate giving and a branded merchandise storefront. In 2024 the organization reported supporting 120 partner churches, training 2,323 leaders, completing 323 projects across 302 communities, and reaching 136,982 people. Primary customers are U.S. pastors and church leaders, with secondary engagement from individual donors, university students, and a small number of corporate partners (e.g., John Houston Homes Family of Companies).

Name

Enlace

Legal name

ENLACE

Website

https://enlace.link

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Enlace is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1993 that links U.S. churches with churches in El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Nepal to deliver coaching, training, and resources addressing multidimensional poverty. It serves 120 partner churches and supports individual donors through recurring giving, coffee subscriptions, and service-trip programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Faith-Based Community Development and Poverty Alleviation Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Infrastructure, Housing & Community Development (BPAGABAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Infrastructure, Energy & Urban Development Aid Programs (BPADABAJ)

Keywords

• Church partnerships
• Poverty alleviation services
• Community development training
• Faith-based nonprofit ministry
• International mission partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Irvine

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Church Sponsorships: ENLACE generates revenue primarily through donations from individuals and churches. The primary giving mechanism is the Juntos Sustainers monthly giving program. Church partners invest $5,000 to sponsor one church for one year, funding coaching and leadership development.
2. Coffee Subscription Program: ENLACE partners with Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters to ship specialty coffee directly to supporters' doorsteps monthly. Supporters select a monthly donation tier ($40-$120) and receive coffee delivered monthly, combining philanthropy with a tangible perk.
3. Project Sponsorship: Donors can sponsor specific development projects identified by partner churches in Central America and Nepal, including water systems, housing, eco-stoves, composting latrines, and other community-led initiatives.
4. Fundraising and Events: ENLACE facilitates peer-to-peer fundraising through Team ENLACE (athletic events), personal fundraising pages for birthdays/occasions, and annual events like galas to support specific initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Enlace is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that links U.S. churches with partner churches in Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua) and Nepal to address multidimensional poverty through training, coaching, and resources. The organization delivers a structured four-step Church Partnership Program (Link, Invest, Experience, Engage), Short-Term Service Trips, Vision Trips, and supports community-led development projects including water systems, housing, eco-stoves, and sanitation infrastructure.

Product overview

ENLACE is a nonprofit organization that operates as a unified program portfolio centered on linking churches with training, coaching, partners, and resources to address multidimensional poverty. The core offerings consist of the Church Partnership Program (a structured four-step pathway), Short-Term Service Trips, Vision Trips, and the Center for Community Transformation (which includes a Study Abroad Program). Supporting offerings include the ENLACE Coffee Subscription (a monthly delivery perk), ENLACE Juntos monthly sustainer giving, the Shine Collective (women's empowerment focus), Team ENLACE athletic fundraising, project sponsorship, and free downloadable eBooks/resources. These products and programs work together as an integrated ecosystem where church partnerships drive service trips and project identification, while donor programs provide funding and engagement pathways.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ENLACE Coffee: Coffee subscription program where monthly donors receive ethically sourced premium coffee from Central America, partnered with Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters.
• Juntos
• Shine Collective
• Team ENLACE
• Center for Community Transformation

Products and services

• Church Partnership Program A four-step partnership linking U.S. churches with churches in Central America and Nepal for community transformation. Steps include Link (initial meeting and vision trip), Invest ($5,000 sponsors one church for one year with coaching and leadership development), Experience (short-term service trips), and Engage (ongoing relationship through prayer, education, and project sponsorship). Built for pastors, missions pastors, and church leaders who want a structured framework for international engagement.
• Short-Term Service Trips Church-based service trips to Central America or Nepal where participants work alongside local church partners on community development projects, focusing on encouragement, fellowship, and learning rather than direct implementation. Designed for U.S. church groups seeking international mission experiences.
• Vision Trips Educational trips for pastors and church leaders to visit ENLACE programs in Central America or Nepal, assess community needs, and explore partnership opportunities. Designed as a precursor engagement before committing to a full Church Partnership.
• ENLACE Coffee Subscription Monthly subscription program delivering ethically sourced premium coffee from Central America, partnered with Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters. Tiers include $40 (one 12oz bag), $60 (two bags), $100 (four bags), and $120 (5lb bag) per month, combining donor support for poverty alleviation with a tangible recurring perk.
• ENLACE Juntos Monthly Giving Program Monthly sustainer giving program where donors contribute at any level and receive monthly email impact reports about how churches are ending poverty in their communities. Core recurring-revenue vehicle for unrestricted donor support.
• Center for Community Transformation Located in El Salvador, this program provides learning, training, and research opportunities for community development practitioners and scholars. Hosts the ENLACE Study Abroad Program and serves as an academic hub for university partners and visiting researchers.
• ENLACE Study Abroad Program In-country, field, and classroom-based learning experience for undergraduate and graduate students focusing on poverty alleviation and community transformation. Includes courses in Spanish, Latin American Studies, Church-based Community Development, Economic Development, and Microenterprise Development, plus internship opportunities with Enlace in El Salvador.
• Shine Collective Network of groups dedicated to learning about women in extreme poverty and supporting initiatives that empower women to transform communities in Central America and Nepal. Functions as both an awareness community and a recurring donor channel.
• Team ENLACE Athletic fundraising program allowing individuals or teams to raise money through sporting events such as runs and swims to support Enlace's church empowerment work. Operates as a peer-to-peer fundraising channel.
• Sponsor a Project Program allowing donors to contribute directly to specific Enlace initiatives and community development projects identified by partner churches, including water systems, housing, eco-stoves, and composting latrines.

Quantifiable outcome

• 136,982 people positively impacted in 2024 through 323 projects across 302 communities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Conscious Cup Coffee RoasterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerENLACE partners with Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters to source and ship ethically sourced specialty coffee from Central America to supporters' doorsteps. The roaster uses premium beans from equitable coffee farms that prioritize worker well-being, with small batch roasting and artisanal attention to detail.
• CREDATECcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCREDATEC is a microfinance institution in El Salvador founded by Ron Bueno. It serves as a sister organization to ENLACE, providing microenterprise development and microfinance services that complement ENLACE's community transformation work. CREDATEC offers credit and financial services to community members participating in ENLACE programs.
• Wheaton College (Human Needs and Global Resources Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerENLACE collaborates with Wheaton College's Human Needs and Global Resources Program, led by Dr. James Huff (Associate Professor and Associate Director). Dr. Huff has worked with ENLACE since 2008 to implement evaluation studies assessing the impact of development initiatives on social, economic, and physical well-being of rural communities.
• Vanguard UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerENLACE partners with Vanguard University for its Study Abroad Program. Students from Vanguard have participated in the program, earning academic credit while interning with ENLACE in El Salvador.
• Southeastern UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoutheastern University students have participated in ENLACE's Study Abroad Program, with alumni reporting significant impact on their professional and spiritual development.
• STOA MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTOA Ministries provided eye doctors and support staff for eye care clinics in ENLACE communities in San Martin, El Salvador. The team provided vision testing, eye dilation for disease detection, glasses distribution, and glaucoma medication.
• Assemblies of God Christian UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerENLACE staff and church coaches have studied theology at Assemblies of God Christian University, with programs supporting the organization's mission and methodology.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Gospel for Asia: Mission organization operating church-based community development and扶贫 programs across South Asia and Latin America; comparable in church-partner-as-agent model and Asia overlap (Nepal).
• Latin America Mission: Faith-based organization focused exclusively on Latin America with church partnership and community development programs in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua — overlapping geography and approach.
• Living Water International: Faith-based nonprofit providing clean water and sanitation in Central America (including El Salvador and Nicaragua); overlaps with ENLACE's water systems and eco-stove/latrine projects and faith-based partner church mobilization.
• Adventures in Missions: Faith-based missions organization that mobilizes short-term teams for service trips and long-term church partner relationships; matches ENLACE's vision trips and short-term service trip offerings.
• Partners International: Faith-based nonprofit that mobilizes U.S. churches to partner with indigenous church leaders overseas for community transformation; matches ENLACE on church-to-church partnership model and leadership development in restricted-access regions.
• Food for the Hungry: Faith-based child and community development organization that partners with local churches in Latin America, Africa, and Asia for poverty alleviation; closest large peer in church-based community development model.
• Bright Hope: Church-to-church partnership nonprofit serving the extreme poor in Central America (including Nicaragua and Guatemala) and beyond, with similar grassroots project emphasis and short-term mission trip engagement.

Broad incumbents

• World Relief: Large-scale faith-based humanitarian organization that partners with local churches worldwide for poverty alleviation; significantly larger but overlapping church-partnership model and international footprint.
• Compassion International: Global faith-based child sponsorship organization with church partnerships in Central America, South America, and Asia; much larger scale but overlapping faith-driven sponsorship donor model.

Others

• Project Concern International (PCI) / Rise Against Hunger: Faith-rooted international development and hunger relief organization partnering with U.S. churches and volunteers; comparable donor-base and short-term engagement model though oriented to food-relief rather than church-to-church delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Enlace_Links
• Facebookfacebook.com/LINKENLACE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/enlace-usa
• Instagraminstagram.com/enlace_links
• Xx.com/enlacetweets

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Enlace