Design Outreach
Design Outreach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops and deploys appropriate-technology products — most notably the LifePump hand pump and related water, sanitation, and medical devices — for low-income communities in more than twelve developing countries, funded primarily through individual donations and capital campaigns.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersFranklin, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Design Outreach does
Design Outreach is a 501(c)(3) Christian nonprofit founded in 2012 and headquartered in Gahanna, Ohio, that develops and deploys appropriate-technology products for low-income communities in the developing world. Its core technology is the LifePump, a deep-reaching, community-owned hand pump designed to access clean groundwater where conventional shallow-well pumps fail. The product portfolio has expanded to include the LifeTap valve, the MaxLife Centralizer retrofit, the LifeLatrine sanitation unit, the KupolaCare negative-pressure wound-therapy device, and LifePumpLink, a satellite-based remote-monitoring system that transmits performance data from deployed pumps.
The organization operates in more than twelve countries, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa, with permanent field offices in Malawi and Zambia where LifePump has achieved national-level government acceptance (Malawi 2019, Zambia 2020/2022). Distribution is supported by a network of trained local community committees responsible for pump ownership and maintenance, and a new South Africa-based manufacturing partnership (2025) is intended to localize production.
Design Outreach's revenue model is donation-based rather than commercial: LifePumps are typically funded through discrete $20,000 capital campaigns from individual donors, churches, and monthly givers, supplemented by larger multi-year fundraising pushes such as the 'Beyond Measure' campaign targeting $15 million by 2026. A separate subsidiary, DO Medical LLC (formed 2023), is intended to commercialize medical-device products such as KupolaCare outside the nonprofit structure, and Design Outreach UK (DOUK, founded 2023) extends fundraising and partnership reach internationally. The organization is staffed by approximately 30 FTE plus an engineering volunteer network drawn from retired alumni of Battelle, Johnson & Johnson, and GE Aviation.
Design Outreach firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Design Outreach
- Legal name
- Design Outreach, Inc.
- Website
- https://doutreach.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Design Outreach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops and deploys appropriate-technology products — most notably the LifePump hand pump and related water, sanitation, and medical devices — for low-income communities in more than twelve developing countries, funded primarily through individual donations and capital campaigns.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Design Outreach industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Humanitarian Engineering / WASH Technology
- NAICS
- Industrial Design Services (54142)
- SIC
- Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Community Development & Social Impact Programs (EDAIAGAA)
Keywords
Where Design Outreach is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Franklin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Design Outreach business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Primary revenue source through one-time and recurring donations from individuals supporting DO's mission. Donors can give through the organization's website or by contacting staff directly. Funds support technology development, deployment, and Gospel outreach programs.
- Monthly Giving Circle: Recurring monthly donation program where supporters commit to regular contributions. Members receive updates on work and progress, invitations to special events, and small appreciation gifts.
- LifePump Campaigns: Campaign-based fundraising where individuals or groups raise funds for specific LifePump installations. Each campaign has a goal of $20,000 to provide a community with a LifePump, LifePumpLink, and training program.
- Support-Raised Staff: Staff members raise their own financial support similar to missionaries, with donors contributing to cover their salary and ministry expenses. Position start dates are negotiable and interviews occur until positions are filled.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | LifePump Campaign - $20,000 per community |
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly Giving Circle - Variable donation amount |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Design Outreach product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Design Outreach is a Christian nonprofit that engineers, manufactures, and deploys life-sustaining technologies for marginalized communities in developing countries. Its core product portfolio is the LifePump deep-reaching hand pump and its WASH ecosystem (LifePumpLink remote monitoring, LifeTap valve, MaxLife Centralizer upgrades, LifeLatrine sanitation), with a medical device line under DO Medical LLC (KupolaCare NPWT). Technologies are not commercially sold but funded by donations, grants, and partner support, then deployed by field offices in Malawi, Zambia, and through NGO partners across Africa, Haiti, Guatemala, and beyond.
Product overview
Design Outreach offers a portfolio of life-sustaining technologies focused on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and medical devices for developing countries. The core product is LifePump, a hand pump that provides reliable clean water access at greater depths than standard pumps. Supporting modules include LifePumpLink (satellite-based remote monitoring), LifeTap (self-closing valve), and the MaxLife Centralizer (hand pump upgrade). LifeLatrine addresses sanitation needs. DO Medical, a subsidiary established in 2023, develops KupolaCare, a negative pressure wound therapy device for under-resourced healthcare facilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LifePump: Flagship hand pump technology designed to provide reliable clean water access in remote communities, reaching depths of up to 150 meters with minimal maintenance requirements.
- LifePumpLink
- LifeTap
- MaxLife
- LifeLatrine
- KupolaCare
Products and services
- LifePump Flagship deep-reaching hand pump designed to provide reliable access to clean water in rural communities of developing countries. Capable of reaching depths of up to 150 meters (nearly 500 feet) — roughly 3x deeper than standard hand pumps — and engineered for a 30+ year operational lifespan with minimal maintenance, using rotary motion for ergonomic operation suitable for all ages. Funded by donations and deployed through field offices and NGO partners.
- LifePumpLink Satellite-based remote monitoring system for LifePump installations that delivers real-time data on pump uptime, usage, and performance to field staff globally. Includes a mobile app for electronic site assessment, installation reporting, maps, and alerts, enabling proactive maintenance and minimizing downtime.
- LifeTap Durable, dependable self-closing valve designed for community tap stands. Prevents water waste from leaks or breakage, easy to operate even for children, provides increased flow rate, and resists contamination. Deployed alongside LifePump installations.
- MaxLife Centralizer Low-cost component for upgrading existing Afridev and India Mark II hand pumps. Reduces frequency of breakdowns by an estimated 70-80% and extends maintenance intervals from approximately 6 months to over 2 years. Co-developed with Poldaw Designs and approved by the Malawian government for use across the country.
- LifeLatrine Innovative and affordable latrine solution designed for single-family rural use. Engineered to be emptied and potentially removed and reused, addressing issues of pit latrine collapse and high replacement costs common to rural sanitation programs.
- KupolaCare Wound Therapy Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device developed by DO Medical LLC for under-resourced healthcare facilities. Designed to be durable, simple, easy to repair, sterilizable, and not reliant on electricity — addressing the reality that approximately 80% of donated medical equipment fails in developing-country settings.
Quantifiable outcome
- LifePump provides clean water reliably for 30+ years with minimal maintenance
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Design Outreach
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Design Outreach technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Design Outreach partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- South Africa Manufacturing PartnerminorNew manufacturing partner in South Africa to create updated LifePump components and enable local production. This partnership helps ensure LifePump remains a reliable source of safe water for remote African communities.
- World VisioncorePartnership in the Hundred Pump Project where LifePumps were installed across Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia). World Vision partnership included pilot project with independent review reporting promising results presented at conferences.
- Poldaw DesignscoreJoint development partnership with Poldaw Designs to create the MaxLife Centralizer. This low-cost component for Afridev and India Mark 2 pump upgrades was co-developed and has demonstrated ability to reduce breakdowns by 70-80% in field testing.
- Exact Machine CorpcoreManufacturing partner led by Rich Arthur (Manufacturing Operations Director and President/Owner). Provides manufacturing expertise, installation and maintenance training with DO partners, and facilities for volunteer events (e.g., cleaning LifePump components).
- Local Pastors and Evangelistic OrganizationscorePartnership with ministries across the globe who share DO's values and mission to spread the Gospel. Local pastors and evangelistic organizations collaborate to share the good news of the Gospel and connect people with local churches alongside technology installations.
- Three Creeks Church, The Vineyard Church of Delaware County, The Matthew 712 ProjectminorVolunteer partnership for special events at Exact Machine Corporation facilities. Volunteers assembled LifeTaps for deployment and cleaned LifePump components (270 rods for 18 communities).
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Design Outreach competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- World Vision: Large international NGO with broad child-welfare, WASH, and emergency programs, and an existing DO partner on the Hundred Pump Project across Africa. A broader incumbent with WASH as one of many verticals, but competes for the same donor dollars and increasingly overlapping field geographies.
Direct peers
- Water Wells for Africa: Nonprofit dedicated to drilling and maintaining water wells across sub-Saharan Africa. Directly comparable to DO's LifePump mission with similar geography, donation-funded model, and emphasis on durable rural water infrastructure.
- Water.org: International nonprofit tackling water access and sanitation through microfinance, founded by Gary White and Matt Damon. Comparable focus on durable water solutions in developing countries and similar advocacy-driven approach, though Water.org emphasizes financial solutions rather than direct technology provision.
- Lifewater International: Faith-inspired nonprofit focused on clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in rural communities across Africa and Asia. Closely comparable to DO on beneficiary focus, faith-based donor community, and commitment to lasting WASH infrastructure.
- WaterAid: Global nonprofit focused on water, sanitation and hygiene in developing countries, with field programs in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Closely comparable mission to DO's WASH focus and similar donor-supported delivery model, though WaterAid operates at materially larger scale.
- Generosity.org: Faith-driven nonprofit providing clean water access to vulnerable communities globally. Comparable to DO on evangelical Christian donor base, water-focused mission, and field implementation model in developing countries.
- Engineers Without Borders USA: U.S.-based nonprofit that partners with developing communities on engineering-led infrastructure projects. Highly comparable to DO on engineering-as-mission positioning, volunteer-driven model, and focus on appropriate technology for low-resource environments.
- Water For People: U.S.-based WASH nonprofit working in nine countries across Africa, Latin America, and Asia with a focus on durable, locally-financed water services. Directly comparable to DO in geographic footprint, donor-supported model, and emphasis on long-lasting infrastructure.
- charity: water: U.S.-based nonprofit funding clean water access projects in developing countries via a donation-driven model with strong brand and donor transparency. Direct overlap with DO on water-access mission, beneficiary base, and donor-supported (non-commercial) deployment model.
Regional players
- WaterAid America: U.S. fundraising affiliate of WaterAid focused on engaging American donors and supporters. Operates in the same WASH space but primarily raises funds from U.S. donors for global WaterAid programs rather than implementing its own field technology.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Design Outreach social profiles
Digital presenceDesign Outreach compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Design Outreach financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Design Outreach leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
Design Outreach subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Design Outreach funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Design Outreach 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 Design Outreach
What does Design Outreach do?
Design Outreach is a Christian nonprofit that engineers, manufactures, and deploys life-sustaining technologies for marginalized communities in developing countries. Its core product portfolio is the LifePump deep-reaching hand pump and its WASH ecosystem (LifePumpLink remote monitoring, LifeTap valve, MaxLife Centralizer upgrades, LifeLatrine sanitation), with a medical device line under DO Medical LLC (KupolaCare NPWT). Technologies are not commercially sold but funded by donations, grants, and partner support, then deployed by field offices in Malawi, Zambia, and through NGO partners across Africa, Haiti, Guatemala, and beyond.
Is Design Outreach a public or private company?
Design Outreach is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Design Outreach founded?
Design Outreach was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Design Outreach based?
Design Outreach is headquartered in Franklin, United States, in the North America region.
How does Design Outreach make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are monthly Giving Circle, lifePump Campaigns and support-Raised Staff.
Who are Design Outreach's main competitors?
World Vision is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Water Wells for Africa, Water.org, Lifewater International, WaterAid, Generosity.org, Engineers Without Borders USA, Water For People and charity: water. WaterAid America is listed as a regional player.
Does Design Outreach have an API?
No public API is recorded for Design Outreach.
What industry is Design Outreach in?
Design Outreach's product category is Humanitarian Engineering / WASH Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADALAO, Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement, with a secondary code of EDAIAGAA, Community Development & Social Impact Programs. Its NAICS code is 54142 and its SIC code is 3845.