Resource Exchange International

What Resource Exchange International does

Resource Exchange International (REI, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1988 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with a regional office in Singapore. REI connects skilled professionals with strategic global opportunities through a "Training Trainers" capacity-building methodology, deploying long-term resident staff, short-term professional teams, and apprentices into partner countries to deliver programs across healthcare, education, business, and agriculture sectors. Over 35+ years the organization has operated in 7 countries (Djibouti, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Vietnam) and deployed 1,325 short-term teams for medical, education, and business development work. The Vietnam government recognized REI in 2018 as the second-largest humanitarian contributor after the World Bank.

REI's revenue model relies on charitable donations and merchandise sales rather than fees for service. Donations are accepted via credit card (with an optional 3% processing fee), bank transfer, stock transfer, checks, and recurring subscriptions (weekly through annual cadences). A branded merchandise store operated through Bonfire sells apparel and mugs, with proceeds directed to the mission. Distribution is executed through in-country program delivery via long-term staff and short-term professional teams, supplemented by an online donation platform and direct phone/mail outreach. Marketing reaches supporters through the organization website, blog content, email newsletters, and social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn).

The organization's strategic positioning is anchored in a listening-first, partnership-based model in which REI asks host governments and institutions to define their own development priorities before deploying resources. Named institutional partners include the Government of Vietnam (since 1991), Kazakh-American Free University (KAFU) in Kazakhstan where REI staff serve as Associate Professors, Duke University Medical Center through volunteer engagement, and Holistika, a locally seeded nonprofit in Indonesia. Leadership includes Founder Doug Sparks, Director of Training and Professional Development Sean McKelvey, Director of Communications Wendy Moore, Director of Recruiting Maryellen Morgan, Central Asia Director Ron Wiley, and Associate Director Jeanine Wiley, supported by a small staff and a broad volunteer base. No revenue figures are publicly disclosed.

Name

Resource Exchange International

Legal name

REI, Inc.

Website

https://resourceexchangeinternational.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Resource Exchange International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates capacity-building programs across 7 countries, deploying skilled professionals to train local trainers in healthcare, education, business, and agriculture, funded by donations and merchandise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Development and Humanitarian Aid Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Development Cooperation & Foreign Aid Administration (BPAIAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Inbound Exchange Hosting & Visiting Student Administration (EDAIABAK), Short-Term Exchange & Visiting Student Programs (EDAIABAG)

Keywords

• International development services
• Capacity building programs
• Professional volunteer placement
• Nonprofit training services
• Humanitarian development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Colorado Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, REI operates primarily through charitable donations from individuals and organizations. They accept credit card donations, checks, stock transfers, and bank account transfers. A 3% processing fee is charged on credit card transactions.
2. Merchandise Sales: REI operates a merchandise store selling branded apparel and items. Proceeds from merchandise sales advance the organization's mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Resource Exchange International is a nonprofit organization that connects skilled professionals with strategic global opportunities in emerging nations, building local capacity through a "Training Trainers" methodology delivered via long-term resident staff, short-term professional teams, and apprenticeships. Programs span healthcare, education, business, and agriculture sectors across seven countries (Djibouti, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Vietnam), funded primarily by charitable donations and supported by a branded merchandise store.

Product overview

Resource Exchange International (REI) is a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) that connects skilled professionals with strategic global opportunities for knowledge sharing, building local capacity, and fostering long-term transformation. The organization operates country-specific development programs across seven nations (Djibouti, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Vietnam), offering professional training, medical teams, business development, and education initiatives. Supporting infrastructure includes the REI Merch Store for merchandise sales and the REI Give Site donation management platform. Volunteer and apprenticeship programs enable professionals to serve abroad across various sectors including healthcare, agriculture, business, and education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Global Development Programs Multi-sector international development programs delivered across seven country programs, focused on education, business, health, and sustainable development initiatives. Targeted at governments, hospitals, universities, and local professionals in emerging nations.
• Professional Training & Exchange Programs Programs that connect skilled professionals with international opportunities for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and long-term community transformation. Designed for mid-career professionals, university faculty, healthcare practitioners, and business specialists.
• Volunteer & Apprenticeship Opportunities Service pathways offering long-term staff positions, apprenticeships, internships, and short-term volunteer placements for professionals serving in international development roles across REI's country programs. Open to professionals across healthcare, education, business, and agriculture sectors.
• REI Merch Store Branded merchandise store on Bonfire selling apparel, mugs, and accessories with proceeds advancing REI's mission to train emerging leaders.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,325 short-term medical, education and business teams deployed over 35+ years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Government of VietnamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991In 1991, REI began its partnership with the Government of Vietnam by asking 'What do you need to achieve the development you want to see?' This listening-first approach led to 35+ years of collaboration, with REI's role prioritizing being invited, relational engagement, and long-term partnership.
• Kazakh-American Free University (KAFU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerREI partners with Kazakh-American Free University (KAFU) in Oskemen, Kazakhstan. Faculty and staff receive leadership training that changes how they engage with the next generation of students. REI staff serve as Associate Professors and trainers at the university.
• Duke University Medical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Walter Lee from Duke University Medical Center serves as an REI volunteer, contributing professional growth through cross-cultural exchanges that develop the ability to understand and navigate diverse perspectives.
• HolistikaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerREI Indonesia team supported the establishment of Holistika, a newly established local nonprofit organization focused on holistic development approaches in Indonesia.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Partners in Health: Nonprofit that delivers healthcare capacity building and training in low-resource settings. PIH operates a long-term partnership model very similar to REI's training-of-trainers methodology, with deep government relationships in countries like Haiti, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone.
• IREX: International nonprofit focused on education, leadership, and capacity development in emerging markets. IREX operates professional exchange and training programs similar to REI's model, with comparable country presence in Central Asia and Southeast Asia.
• World Learning: Nonprofit operating international exchange, training, and development programs. World Learning's professional exchange and institutional capacity building approach mirrors REI's training-of-trainers methodology in emerging markets.
• Counterpart International: Nonprofit that builds capacity of civil society, governments, and communities in developing countries. Counterpart's food security, civic engagement, and leadership development programs are closely comparable to REI's sector mix and country footprint.
• Global Communities: Nonprofit partnering with governments and local institutions to drive community development in emerging economies. Global Communities' capacity-building methodology and country presence in regions overlapping with REI make it a strong comparable.
• Relief International: International nonprofit delivering health, education, and economic development programs in fragile contexts. Relief International operates in similar geographies (Central/Southeast Asia, North/East Africa) and shares REI's sector portfolio and partnership-driven model.

Broad incumbents

• Mercy Corps: Large international development nonprofit operating across multiple sectors and geographies. Mercy Corps shares REI's multi-country, multi-sector (health, education, economic development) approach but at significantly larger scale with institutional funding.
• FHI 360: International development nonprofit specializing in education, health, and economic development programming globally. FHI 360 shares REI's training and capacity-building orientation and multi-sector country programs, but with substantially larger institutional funding base.
• Peace Corps: US government agency deploying volunteers for capacity building in developing countries. The Peace Corps shares REI's volunteer-deployment model for skills transfer in education, health, and agriculture, though as a federal agency it operates at far greater scale.
• International Rescue Committee: Major humanitarian and development organization working in crisis-affected and emerging markets. IRC's health, education, and economic recovery programming closely parallels REI's sector mix, though IRC operates at much greater scale with government and UN funding.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xinstagram.com/reiinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/resourceexchangeinternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/resource-exchange-international
• Instagraminstagram.com/reiinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Resource Exchange International