Project PEARLS
Project PEARLS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers integrated poverty relief — scholarships, daily feeding, health care, and women's empowerment — to over 800 children and families across five Philippine communities, funded by individual sponsorships and corporate CSR partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersCaloocan, Philippines
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Project PEARLS does
Project PEARLS (Peace, Education, Aspiration, Respect, Love, Smiles) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2010 by Filipino-American Melissa Villa, registered with the U.S. State of California (Federal Tax ID 27-2624202) and separately with the Philippine SEC (CN201109816). The organization delivers integrated child and family poverty relief across five Philippine geographies — Tondo (Manila), Bocaue (Bulacan), Naic (Cavite), Zamboanga Sibugay, and Botolan (Zambales) — serving over 800 scholars from preschool through college and trade school, over 200,000 nutritious meals annually, and a daily Health Clinic in Tondo.
The core service portfolio comprises the Scholarship Program (annual sponsorships from USD 220 preschool to USD 2,100+ college), the Hunger Relief/Feeding Program (over 9,000 meals weekly across three communities), the G.R.O.W. women's empowerment and livelihood program (launched July 2019, sells handmade home decor and accessories), PEARLS Health Clinic and periodic Medical & Dental Missions, plus learning programs (Toy Library/Time-to-Learn, After School, Brain Booster, LitClub) and special projects (Cassie's Bag of Dreams gift-giving, BayaniHAN emergency relief). Delivery is on-the-ground through staff and volunteers in Philippine communities.
The business model is donation-driven rather than transactional: revenue streams include individual donor sponsorships (tax-deductible via Project PEARLS USA 501(c)(3)), corporate CSR partnerships (Globe Telecom's Hapag Movement, Concentrix/Think Human Fund PHP 12.6M in 2024, Megaworld Hotels Sampaguita Project), and modest product sales from G.R.O.W. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors with founder Melissa Villa as Executive Director and operates a U.S. fundraising entity (Hayward, California) to tap the Filipino-American diaspora and global philanthropists, channeled primarily through the projectpearls.org website (Givebutter) and corporate partnership activations.
Project PEARLS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Project PEARLS
- Legal name
- Project PEARLS
- Website
- https://projectpearls.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Project PEARLS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers integrated poverty relief — scholarships, daily feeding, health care, and women's empowerment — to over 800 children and families across five Philippine communities, funded by individual sponsorships and corporate CSR partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Project PEARLS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Humanitarian and Community Development Services
- NAICS
- Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Community Food Services (624210)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)
Keywords
Where Project PEARLS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Caloocan
- HQ country
- Philippines
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
Project PEARLS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations and Sponsorships: Project PEARLS receives donations from individuals worldwide who sponsor scholars, fund feeding programs, or contribute to general operations. The organization offers scholarship sponsorship programs at various levels from preschool to college, as well as one-time donations for specific programs.
- Corporate Partnerships and CSR: Corporations partner with Project PEARLS for Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, providing financial support, in-kind donations, and employee volunteer opportunities. Partnerships include companies like Globe, Megaworld Hotels, Concentrix, and various other corporate entities.
- G.R.O.W. Program Livelihood Products: The G.R.O.W. (Giving Resources and Opportunities to Women) program sells handmade products including home decor, bags, and accessories. Proceeds support the women's livelihood program and the Project PEARLS Feeding Program.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Preschool/Time-to-Learn Program sponsorship |
| Other | Annual | Elementary School (Kindergarten to Grade 6) sponsorship |
| Other | Annual | High School (Grades 7 to 12 or ALS Program) sponsorship |
| Other | Annual | College sponsorship |
| Other | Annual | Trade or Vocational School sponsorship |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | One-day Hunger Relief Program sponsorship |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Project PEARLS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Project PEARLS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization delivering integrated community programs in the Philippines spanning education scholarships (preschool through college/trade school), daily hunger relief feeding, women's livelihood empowerment via the G.R.O.W. program, free healthcare through community clinics and medical/dental missions, and supplementary learning initiatives (Toy Library, After School, Brain Booster, LitClub). Services are delivered directly to children and families in impoverished communities across Tondo (Manila), Bocaue (Bulacan), Naic (Cavite), Zamboanga Sibugay, and Zambales, funded primarily through individual donations, corporate CSR partnerships, and sponsored giving programs.
Product overview
Project PEARLS operates as a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected community development programs rather than a unified technology product. The core programs include the Scholarship Program (education sponsorship from preschool to college), Hunger Relief/Feeding Program (daily nutritious meals), G.R.O.W. women's empowerment initiative, Health Clinic and Medical Missions, and various learning programs (Toy Library, After School, Brain Booster, LitClub). Special projects include Cassie's Bag of Dreams (school supply distributions) and BayaniHAN emergency relief. In February 2026, the organization announced the PEARL Intelligence Network (PIN), a water quality monitoring platform aggregating environmental data for government and research stakeholders.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- G.R.O.W. Giving Resources and Opportunities to Women - An empowerment program for women and girls living in poverty, focusing on skills development, livelihood training, and personal empowerment. Established July 2019 as an initiative of Project PEARLS.
Products and services
- Scholarship Program Educational sponsorship program supporting students from preschool through college and trade school, providing school supplies, uniforms, allowances, mentorship, and access to medical and dental check-ups.
- Hunger Relief Program Daily feeding program providing nutritious meals to children in underserved communities, currently serving over 9,000 meals weekly across Tondo, Bulacan, and Cavite locations.
- G.R.O.W. (Giving Resources and Opportunities to Women) Women's empowerment and livelihood program providing skills development, mentorship, and income-generation opportunities through upcycled materials and crafts.
- PEARLS Health Clinic Free healthcare clinic providing over-the-counter medicines, prescribed medications, multivitamins, and emergency financial assistance for families in Tondo community.
- Medical and Dental Missions Periodic mobile medical and dental clinics providing free check-ups, family planning seminars, reproductive health education, and nutrition counseling in partnership with healthcare professionals.
- Toy Library and Time-to-Learn Program Early childhood development program providing safe play spaces and basic literacy tutorials for children aged 4-6, implemented in partnership with Philippine Toy Library and Books for the Barrios.
- After School Program Free tutoring program providing academic support in English, Math, and Science for grade school and high school students, conducted every Sunday to help prevent school dropout.
- Brain Booster Program Art and creativity workshop program conducted on Saturdays to develop artistic skills, fine motor skills, and cultural appreciation among preschool to elementary children.
- LitClub Literacy program operated in partnership with LitWorld, fostering social-emotional development through the 7 Strengths framework for children ages 10-15.
- Cassie's Bag of Dreams Annual gift program distributing high-quality backpacks with school supplies to students in impoverished communities, with over 1,660 students receiving gifts over five years.
- BayaniHAN (Emergency Relief Operations) Emergency relief program providing homeless individuals with medical check-ups, grooming services, counseling, clothing, footwear, and job placement assistance.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 800 scholars supported from preschool to college/trade school
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Project PEARLS
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Project PEARLS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Project PEARLS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- AGREAcorePartnership for urban gardening initiatives. AGREA provided 200 grow-at-home kits including vegetable seeds and gardening tools for families in Naic, Cavite during pandemic. Joint effort with Department of Agriculture for food security programs.
- LitWorldcoreEstablished LitClub in four Philippine communities (Naic, Cavite; Bocaue, Bulacan; Botolan, Zambales; Zamboanga Sibugay). LitWorld's 7 Strengths program cultivates social-emotional development and literacy skills through trained mentors.
- Philippine Toy LibrarycorePartnership to provide Toy Library - a safe space for children to play, read, and learn. Implements Time-to-Learn program for children aged 4-6 to prepare them for formal schooling.
- Books for the BarrioscoreProvides books and educational materials for children in underserved communities. Supports literacy programs and learning centers.
- Globe TelecomflagshipInternational partnership through Globe's Hapag Movement. Since 2022, Hapag Movement has provided food packs to 95,000+ Filipinos and produced 2,662 livelihood training graduates. Project PEARLS serves as international donation conduit for US-based supporters. In 2024, Globe Rewards points donations raised Php17.8 million.
- Memory ProjectcoreUS-based charitable organization creating portraits for children facing challenges. Partnered since 2017 to provide meaningful personal history through art. Over 700 children photographed and received portraits.
- Megaworld Hotels & ResortscoreSampaguita Project partnership supporting 5,000 families. Includes livelihood opportunities through Dwellbeing upcycling enterprise and Project PEARLS Foundation. Featured thanksgiving event at Project PEARLS community in Bocaue with feeding program and workshops.
- Archipelago BuilderscorePartnership to build Health Clinic in Helping Land, Tondo. Provides free healthcare services including medicines for simple illnesses and multivitamins for children in the community.
- The Garden of Hope FoundationcoreAsian Girls Campaign partnership for 2025 under theme 'Empowering Girls through Community-Building.' Orientation events held in Cavite and Tondo for youth participants aged 15-19 to execute UN Sustainable Development Goals projects.
- Department of Agriculture (Philippines)corePartnership through Agriculture Training Institute to provide 600 urban gardening kits for families in Bocaue, Bulacan and Naic, Cavite during pandemic for sustainable food sources.
- Philippine Dental Association (Bulacan Chapter)minorParticipates in medical and dental missions providing free healthcare services to Tondo, Bulacan, and Zambales communities.
- iVolunteer PhilippinescorePlatform partnership for recruiting and managing volunteers. Established in 2009 to help Filipinos find volunteering opportunities matching their skills and advocacy. Manages volunteer sign-ups for Project PEARLS outreach events.
- LBC FoundationcoreBox-A-Smile Christmas Gift-Giving Activity benefiting 3,000 children from Project PEARLS communities. Corporate partnership for humanitarian causes.
- NBA Philippines / NBA CaresminorBasketball clinic for children in Helping Land, Tondo with NBA players Jordan Clarkson, Trey Burke, and Horace Grant. Event for underprivileged children showcasing NBA Cares community outreach.
- UPSminorWishes Delivered campaign bringing Christmas gifts to children in Helping Land. Corporate partnership for holiday giving programs.
- UnilabminorCorporate partner providing medicines and health products for community health programs.
- Mondelez InternationalminorCorporate partner supporting feeding and nutrition programs for children in underserved communities.
- Alaska AirlinesminorCorporate partner supporting Project PEARLS initiatives through donations and employee engagement programs.
- Pass it ForwardminorPartner organization supporting community development initiatives and programs.
- Samaritans PurseminorInternational Christian organization providing disaster relief and community support in partnership with Project PEARLS.
- NAFCON (North American Filipino Contractors Association)minorFilipino-American organization supporting Project PEARLS programs and initiatives.
- Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Manila GalleriacoreHotel partners supporting International Women's Day events and initiatives for women's empowerment and community building.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Project PEARLS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Feed the Children Philippines: Feed the Children Philippines runs feeding programs and child-focused support services for food-insecure Filipino families. Directly comparable on hunger-relief focus, target demographics (impoverished children), and operational model in Philippine communities.
- Caritas Manila: Caritas Manila is a Catholic social action nonprofit providing education, healthcare, and social services to indigent families in Manila. Comparable as a Philippine nonprofit addressing child poverty, hunger, and education access with deep community-level service delivery.
- Gawad Kalinga: Gawad Kalinga is a Philippine-based nonprofit focused on poverty alleviation through holistic community development, including housing, education, and livelihood programs. Highly comparable to Project PEARLS in mission (ending poverty), target beneficiaries (impoverished Filipino communities), and integrated service model.
- ABS-CBN Foundation: ABS-CBN Foundation is a Philippine nonprofit running education, hunger relief (Bantay Bata, feeding programs), and disaster response programs. Comparable as a domestic Filipino nonprofit with integrated education-nutrition-health programs targeting impoverished children.
Emerging players
- Hapag Movement: Hapag Movement is Globe Telecom's flagship hunger-relief initiative providing food packs and livelihood training to Filipinos. Functions both as a peer (hunger relief) and as Project PEARLS's flagship corporate partner; comparable on beneficiary demographics and food security mission.
Broad incumbents
- ChildFund Philippines: ChildFund Philippines runs child sponsorship, education, health, and livelihoods programs for at-risk Filipino children. Directly comparable as a sponsorship-driven international nonprofit with similar child-focused mission and geographic concentration in the Philippines.
- Philippine Red Cross: Philippine Red Cross provides humanitarian aid, disaster relief, health services, and community programs across the Philippines. Comparable on humanitarian aid delivery, health clinic operations, and community-based service model.
- Save the Children Philippines: Save the Children Philippines implements education, health, nutrition, and child protection programs across the Philippines. Overlaps significantly with Project PEARLS on education sponsorship, feeding programs, and humanitarian aid, though at much larger scale.
- World Vision Philippines: World Vision Philippines is a large international NGO operating child sponsorship, education, health, and nutrition programs across underserved Filipino communities. Comparable as a more established, broader-scope peer targeting similar demographics and program mix (scholarships, feeding, healthcare) in the same geographies.
- UNICEF Philippines: UNICEF Philippines delivers education, child nutrition, healthcare, and child protection programs at national scale. Comparable as a much larger institutional peer addressing overlapping child welfare and education issues across the Philippines.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Project PEARLS social profiles
Digital presenceProject PEARLS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Project PEARLS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Project PEARLS subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Project PEARLS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Project PEARLS 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 Project PEARLS
What does Project PEARLS do?
Project PEARLS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization delivering integrated community programs in the Philippines spanning education scholarships (preschool through college/trade school), daily hunger relief feeding, women's livelihood empowerment via the G.R.O.W. program, free healthcare through community clinics and medical/dental missions, and supplementary learning initiatives (Toy Library, After School, Brain Booster, LitClub). Services are delivered directly to children and families in impoverished communities across Tondo (Manila), Bocaue (Bulacan), Naic (Cavite), Zamboanga Sibugay, and Zambales, funded primarily through individual donations, corporate CSR partnerships, and sponsored giving programs.
Is Project PEARLS a public or private company?
Project PEARLS is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Project PEARLS founded?
Project PEARLS was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Project PEARLS based?
Project PEARLS is headquartered in Caloocan, Philippines, in the Asia region.
How does Project PEARLS make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations and Sponsorships are the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnerships and CSR and G.R.O.W. Program Livelihood Products.
Who are Project PEARLS's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Feed the Children Philippines, Caritas Manila, Gawad Kalinga and ABS-CBN Foundation. Hapag Movement is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are ChildFund Philippines, Philippine Red Cross, Save the Children Philippines, World Vision Philippines and UNICEF Philippines.
Does Project PEARLS have an API?
No public API is recorded for Project PEARLS.
What industry is Project PEARLS in?
Project PEARLS's product category is Nonprofit Humanitarian and Community Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDADALAB, International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs. Its NAICS code is 62423 and its SIC code is 8300.