Resource Exchange International
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersColorado Springs, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
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.
Resource Exchange International firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Resource Exchange International industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Resource Exchange International is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Colorado Springs
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Resource Exchange International business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- 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.
- Merchandise Sales: REI operates a merchandise store selling branded apparel and items. Proceeds from merchandise sales advance the organization's mission.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Merchandise Store |
| Other | Monthly | Credit Card Donations |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Recurring Gift Options |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Resource Exchange International product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Resource Exchange International
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Resource Exchange International technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Resource Exchange International partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Government of VietnamcoreIn 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)coreREI 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 CenterminorDr. 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.
- HolistikaminorREI 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
Resource Exchange International competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
Resource Exchange International social profiles
Digital presenceResource Exchange International financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Resource Exchange International leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Resource Exchange International subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Resource Exchange International funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Resource Exchange International 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 Resource Exchange International
What does Resource Exchange International do?
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.
Is Resource Exchange International a public or private company?
Resource Exchange International is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Resource Exchange International founded?
Resource Exchange International was founded in 1988. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Resource Exchange International based?
Resource Exchange International is headquartered in Colorado Springs, United States, in the North America region.
How does Resource Exchange International make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales.
Who are Resource Exchange International's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Partners in Health, IREX, World Learning, Counterpart International, Global Communities and Relief International. Broad incumbents are Mercy Corps, FHI 360, Peace Corps and International Rescue Committee.
Does Resource Exchange International have an API?
No public API is recorded for Resource Exchange International.
What industry is Resource Exchange International in?
Resource Exchange International's product category is International Development and Humanitarian Aid Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAIAG, Development Cooperation & Foreign Aid Administration, with a secondary code of EDAIABAK, Inbound Exchange Hosting & Visiting Student Administration. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 9721.