Christalis

What Christalis does

Christalis is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 83-0427806) founded in 2005 and headquartered in Burtonsville, Maryland, that delivers child welfare and family-strengthening services to vulnerable populations in southwestern Uganda. Its flagship program is Christalis Home, a residential care facility near Kasese that provides shelter, food, clothing, education (primary through university), healthcare, and a family environment to children orphaned, abandoned, abused, or otherwise exploited. Alongside this, the Child & Family Development Program provides tuition, uniforms, school supplies, medical care, and Christmas gifts to children living with guardians in the surrounding community, and the Family Development / Assistance Program layers on microloans ($142–$285), vocational training, and small business support primarily for single mothers and grandmothers. A domestic sub-brand, Lilly's Gifts, extends basic-needs support into the DC/Maryland/Virginia area, including a 2026 Summer Food Drive with Laurel Advocacy & Referral Services (LARS).

The organization is staffed by a small core team — President & CEO Shalini David, Uganda Project Manager Renee Titus, Child & Family Development Manager Jenna Swamy, Accountant Kala Jagga — supported by three governance bodies (U.S. Operating Board, Uganda Board, Advisory Board). Revenue is generated through a tiered child-sponsorship model ($20/month primary, $40/month secondary, $120–$150/month Christalis Home or higher education), one-time gifts via a Gift Catalog ranging from $5 to $1,200+, event fundraising (annual Superhero 5k Run/Walk at $35–$40 entry, themed Silent Auction), and donation-based Event Rentals of decorative items. The organization publicly reports a 93% program / 4% fundraising / 3% administrative cost ratio, serves over 350 children cumulatively since 2005, and distributes funds through standard web, social, and direct mail channels rather than proprietary technology.

Name

Christalis

Legal name

Christalis, Inc.

Website

https://christalis.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Christalis is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2005 that runs a residential home, child and family development programs, and microloan support for vulnerable children and families in southwestern Uganda, funded via child sponsorships, donations, and annual fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Child Welfare Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations (BPAGACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs (HLAJAKAG), Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB)

Keywords

• Child welfare nonprofit
• Orphan care services
• Child sponsorship programs
• Humanitarian aid uganda
• Nonprofit fundraising events

Headquarters

HQ city

Burtonsville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Child Sponsorship: Monthly recurring donations from sponsors supporting children in Christalis Home ($120-$150/month) or the Child & Family Development Program (primary $20/month, secondary $40/month, higher education starting at $120/month). Sponsors receive updates, photos, and can communicate with sponsored children.
2. One-time Donations: One-time gifts through the Gift Catalog offering items from $5 (toy) to $1,200+ (university education). Donors can also give to general operations, medical needs, food, clothing, and other necessities.
3. Event Fundraising: Annual events including Superhero 5k Run/Walk ($35-$40 registration), Silent Auctions, and Event Rentals (decorative items for rent). Proceeds directly support children and programs.
4. Event Rentals: Rental of decorative items including vases, votives, flower baskets, and event supplies. Suggested donation prices from $0.25 to $5 per item.
5. Family Sponsorship & Microloans: Family sponsorship at $1,000 per family, small business sponsorship, and microloans ($142 partial, $285 full) primarily for single mothers and grandmothers to build sustainable livelihoods.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels14 records

Core offering

Christalis is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates residential and community-based programs for orphaned and vulnerable children in southwestern Uganda. Its core offerings include the Christalis Home (residential shelter with education, food, clothing, medical care, and family-style caregiving) and the Child & Family Development Program (tuition, uniforms, school supplies, medical care, and Christmas gifts for children staying with their guardians). The organization also runs Lilly's Gifts in the DMV area, child sponsorship tiers, a gift catalog, microloans for single mothers and grandmothers, and recurring fundraisers including the annual Superhero 5k Run/Walk and Silent Auction.

Product overview

Christalis is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates multiple programs serving underprivileged children in southwestern Uganda. The core offerings include Christalis Home (a residential orphanage providing shelter, education, food, clothing, and healthcare), the Child & Family Development Program (supporting children in their own family units with tuition and supplies), and Lilly's Gifts (providing basic needs and Christmas gifts to families in the Maryland/Virginia/DC area). The organization also operates fundraising initiatives including the annual Superhero 5k Run/Walk, Silent Auctions, and Event Rentals, as well as volunteer programs in both the US and Uganda. Sponsorship and gift catalog programs enable donors to support specific children or provide items like education, goats, and microloans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lilly's Gifts: Lilly's Gifts provides basic needs, emergency items, and Christmas gifts to children and families in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. Named after the founder's grandmother who loved giving thoughtful presents to everyone.

Products and services

• Christalis Home
• Child & Family Development Program
• Lilly's Gifts
• Child Sponsorship
• Gift Catalog
• Superhero 5k Run/Walk
• Silent Auction
• Event Rentals
• School Sponsorship Program
• Assistance Program
• Family Development

Quantifiable outcome

• Served over 350 children with education, medical needs, shelter, food, clothing, and support since 2005.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Laurel Advocacy & Referral Services (LARS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026LARS and Christalis partner on summer food drives to provide food for children in low-income families who lack access to school meals during summer months. Collection dates June 21 - July 12, 2026. Focus areas include Northern Prince George's County, Western Anne Arundel County, and Howard County in Maryland.
• Lilly's Gifts Partner Organizations (7 total)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLilly's Gifts program has partnered with 7 organizations to provide Christmas gifts and basic necessities to children and families in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area.
• Central Maryland ChamberminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollection site for summer food drive at 1344 Ashton Rd. Suite 205, Hanover, MD 21076.
• Forever Fit Physical Therapy & WellnessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMultiple collection sites across Maryland (Columbia, Severna Park, Crofton, Gaithersburg) for summer food drive.
• Tomenko Family DentistryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollection site for summer food drive at Silver Spring location.
• Montpelier Family DentistryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollection site for summer food drive at Laurel location.
• SPM LawminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollection site for summer food drive at Columbia location.
• Brooks Business ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollection site for summer food drive in Burtonsville, MD.
• Washington Adventist UniversitycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for Superhero 5k Run/Walk event. Corporate sponsor for 2026. Collection site for summer food drive.
• U.S. Dream AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPast project partner for Christmas gift program.
• Afghans At Risk / Operation Allies WelcomeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPast project providing items for children and families of Afghan evacuees under Department of Homeland Security's Operation Allies Welcome program (Quantico & Fort Lee Locations).
• Chef Ashish AlfredminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored 'Lights, Camera, Auction' event with exclusive culinary experiences.
• Walla Walla UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents helped build Christalis Home in 2015/2016.
• Local ChurchesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamilies in programs are linked to local churches and support groups.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Watoto Child Care Ministries: Uganda-based nonprofit providing residential care, education, and family strengthening for orphaned and vulnerable children; highly comparable as a domestic Ugandan peer with similar programs.
• Compassion International: Largest child sponsorship-focused NGO operating a similar monthly-sponsor model for children in developing countries including Uganda; directly comparable in revenue mechanics and beneficiary cohort.
• ChildFund International: Child sponsorship-driven NGO working in Africa including Uganda; comparable in targeting vulnerable children through long-term individual sponsor relationships and community development.
• Bright Hope (formerly Hope International Development Agency): Small US-based nonprofit supporting child sponsorship, education, and microenterprise in Uganda and other developing regions; comparable scale, donor model, and Ugandan field presence.
• SOS Children's Villages: Operates family-based residential care for orphans in Uganda and ~130 countries; directly comparable to Christalis Home's residential care model for orphaned children.

Regional players

• Kibuye Hope Hospital / Friends of Kisoro: US-based nonprofit supporting health, education, and community programs in rural Uganda; comparable small-scale diaspora-led model serving southwestern Ugandan communities.

Broad incumbents

• World Vision: Major international child-welfare NGO with active Uganda programming and child sponsorship; broader scope and scale than Christalis but overlaps materially in mission and donor acquisition model.
• Plan International: Global NGO focused on children's rights, education, and welfare with active Uganda programming; comparable beneficiary cohort with sponsorship and community development programming.
• Save the Children: Large established NGO with extensive child welfare and education programs in Uganda; broader portfolio but overlapping mission around vulnerable children's education, health, and protection.

Emerging players

• African Children's Aid Education and Development Foundation: Smaller Africa-focused child welfare nonprofit supporting education and basic needs; comparable scale and operating model to Christalis for sub-Saharan vulnerable children.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ChristalisInc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCE1DWe1UBJrMKAHPO-SbhNw
• Facebookfacebook.com/ChristalisInc
• Instagraminstagram.com/christalisinc
• Pinterestpinterest.com/christalisincuganda
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/christalis-inc-

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 Christalis