What Because International does

Because International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 and headquartered in Nampa, Idaho, with a team of 36 employees. Its mission centers on designing, manufacturing, and distributing The Shoe That Grows - a patented, expandable children's shoe that adjusts in four places to span five sizes and last for several years rather than months. The shoe received the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Patents for Humanity Award in 2018 and has been manufactured at the Umoja Shoe Company in Mombasa, Kenya since 2019. The organization has distributed more than 500,000 pairs across 120+ countries, with 103,548 pairs distributed in 2025 alone across 28 countries.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit construct combining product sales, charitable donations, and entrepreneur-support programming. Direct revenue comes from e-commerce sales of The Shoe That Grows in four variants ($10 sample, $20 standard, $20 Christmas shoebox, $30 Buy One Give One), with bulk pricing down to $16/pair at 100+ units. Donation revenue flows through one-time gifts and The Sole monthly giving program at $10/month per pair distributed. Beyond the core shoe, the organization runs the Because Accelerator (16-week program for social entrepreneurs with physical products), the Because Fellowship (mentorship, networking, and revenue-based finance for alumni), branded merchandise sales, and a gift catalog featuring alumni-made products.

Distribution reaches end beneficiaries through five Kenyan partner organizations (Dhamira Moja, G-BiACK, CIFORD Kenya, Kiwimbi Kenya, Swahiba Networks) plus global channel partners including Operation Christmas Child, Girl Scouts councils, and church mission projects. Key supporters include Alturas ($150,000 gift in October 2025) and Zoho (free software for fellowship participants in December 2025). Specific annual revenue is not disclosed; the 2025 Annual Report states only that revenue grew by double-digit percentages year-over-year.

Name

Because International

Legal name

Because International

Website

https://becauseinternational.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Because International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that designs, manufactures, and distributes The Shoe That Grows, a patented expandable shoe, to children in poverty. It combines product sales, donations, and entrepreneur-support programs (Because Accelerator and Fellowship) to serve beneficiaries across 120+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Footwear

NAICS

Shoe Retailers (45821)

SIC

Retail-Shoe Stores (5661)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s & Baby Footwear Retail (CRAAADAF)

Keywords

• Expandable children's footwear
• Nonprofit shoe distribution
• Social entrepreneur support
• Poverty alleviation products
• Humanitarian footwear programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Nampa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Direct sales of The Shoe That Grows through website e-commerce. Products include standard distribution shoes ($20), Buy One Give One ($30), Christmas shoebox shoes ($20), and sample shoes ($10). Bulk discounts available for orders of 10+ pairs.
2. Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individual donors. $10 per pair donated. Monthly giving program called The Sole.
3. Fellowship Program Support: Support for social entrepreneurs through the Because Fellowship, which provides mentoring, networking, and funding opportunities
4. Merchandise Sales: Branded merchandise including t-shirts, books, socks, and hats sold through the website
5. Entrepreneur Products: Products from Because Accelerator alumni sold through gift catalog to support their businesses

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Because International designs, manufactures, and distributes The Shoe That Grows, a patented expandable shoe that adjusts in four places to expand five sizes and lasts for years, providing foot protection for children in poverty. The organization sells the shoe directly through its e-commerce website in multiple purchase variants (standard, Christmas shoebox, Buy One Give One, and sample), accepts donations to fund distributions, and supports social entrepreneurs through its Accelerator and Fellowship programs.

Product overview

Because International offers a single core product line centered on The Shoe That Grows, an expandable shoe designed to grow five sizes and last for years, addressing foot protection needs for children impacted by poverty. The product is available in four variants: standard distribution/personal use ($20), Christmas Shoebox packaging ($20), Buy One Give One ($30), and Sample Shoe ($10). Beyond the core product, the organization provides Mission Project and Girl Scouts programs for churches and youth organizations, and operates the Because Fellowship and Because Accelerator programs supporting social entrepreneurs globally. The company also sells merchandise including entrepreneur-made products from accelerator alumni and branded Because merchandise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Shoe That Grows Patented expandable shoe that adjusts in four places to expand five sizes, designed for children impacted by poverty. Made with durable rubber synthetic blend and high-quality buckles and buttons. Manufactured in Mombasa, Kenya since 2019. Awarded the 2018 U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Patents for Humanity Award.
• The Shoe That Grows: Christmas Shoebox Variant Specialized variant of The Shoe That Grows designed for inclusion in Christmas shoeboxes through Operation Christmas Child and similar programs. Priced at $20.00 per pair with age-based sizing options (Ages 2-4, 5-9, 10-14). Bulk discount pricing available starting at 10 pairs.
• The Shoe That Grows: Buy One Give One Personal purchase option where ordering one pair ships one to the buyer and distributes a second pair through partner organizations in Kenya. Priced at $30.00 per pair.
• The Shoe That Grows: Sample Shoe Single shoe sample (not a pair) available for $10.00 for individuals or organizations to evaluate the product before placing larger orders. Size Medium. Limit one per customer.
• Mission Project Church-based mission program for Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, or Awana programs. Includes sample shoe, five videos, cultural activities, activity printables, and digital assets. Teaches children about alleviating poverty through practical action.
• Because Fellowship Program for entrepreneurs making a difference with products in communities impacted by poverty. Provides mentoring, networking, funding through revenue-based finance loans, and impact measurement support. Works with alumni of the Because Accelerator.
• Because Accelerator Free 16-week business accelerator program for entrepreneurs with innovative physical products. Includes training curriculum, mentoring, networking, and pitch competition for funding. The largest cohort was in 2023 with 24 entrepreneurs.
• The Sole Monthly Giving Program Monthly giving community where members donate $10/month to distribute pairs of The Shoe That Grows to children worldwide. Includes welcome packet, quarterly reports, and annual updates.
• Entrepreneur Products Gift Catalog Handmade products created by alumni of the Because Accelerator. Includes items such as SoaPen Hand Soap, Uganics Soap Bars, Reform Africa Toiletry Bag, Whamboy Designs Earrings, Omukama Shampoo Bar, GreenJoy Reusable Straws, Art of Hoping Plant Hanger, Adire Lounge Hand Printed Scarves, Botanica Organic Repellent, Mawejje Creations Banana Fiber Earrings, Clay Cosmo Detox Clay Facial, and Awawo Eco Bamboo Stud Earrings.
• Because Branded Merchandise Branded merchandise including The Power of Small Things Softcover book ($10), Innovation Over Poverty T-Shirt ($20), Because Socks ($5), Women's Innovation Over Poverty Tank ($20), Innovating to Fight Poverty T-Shirt ($20), and Innovation Over Poverty Hat ($20).

Quantifiable outcome

• 83% of students reported experiencing foot injury from walking barefoot within the last six months
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Umoja Shoe CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Manufacturing partner in Mombasa, Kenya where all pairs of The Shoe have been manufactured since 2019, creating jobs in one of the communities where shoes are most distributed.
• Dhamira MojacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Based Organization providing structural and sustainable support to alleviate poverty, focusing on orphans, youth, women and marginalized individuals in Busia County, Kenya. Executive Director Sarah Martha leads distribution efforts.
• G-BiACKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated to transforming lives through sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship, helping underserved people build self-reliance and restore local ecosystems.
• CIFORD KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity development organization focused on empowering rural communities across three counties through gender advocacy, sustainable livelihoods, and health initiatives.
• Kiwimbi KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelieves that a good education for every child is the backbone of every community's success. Committed to removing barriers to and furthering education.
• Swahiba NetworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks within slum and rural communities across Kenya to empower marginalized and underprivileged kids and families to participate meaningfully in society.
• Operation Christmas ChildcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor Christmas shoebox program through which thousands of pairs of The Shoe That Grows are distributed annually in shoeboxes worldwide.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Conscious Step: Conscious Step produces cause-driven apparel and socks with embedded charitable donations, comparable in mission-driven consumer product model and GTM, though operating in apparel rather than footwear.
• Oliberté: Oliberté is an African-manufactured ethical footwear brand, sharing Because International's emphasis on local production in the regions it serves, but operating as a for-profit premium footwear label rather than a humanitarian nonprofit.

Direct peers

• TOMS: TOMS pioneered the one-for-one footwear donation model that Because International's Buy-One-Give-One directly mirrors. Both sell casual footwear through e-commerce with an embedded charitable donation mechanic tied to each purchase.
• Bombas: Bombas uses a one-for-one donation model for socks and apparel, directly comparable to Because International's BOGO footwear mechanic. Both are mission-driven apparel brands scaling through e-commerce and giving-based marketing.
• Soles4Souls: Soles4Souls is a nonprofit that distributes shoes to people in need across more than 120 countries, directly overlapping Because International's core distribution mission and end beneficiary profile.
• Warby Parker: Warby Parker's 'Buy a Pair, Give a Pair' program established the template for the one-for-one donation model that Because International employs with The Shoe That Grows, making it a closely analogous social-enterprise peer.
• Samaritan's Feet: Samaritan's Feet is a nonprofit focused on distributing shoes to underprivileged children and communities worldwide, sharing Because International's children-footwear focus and humanitarian distribution model.

Others

• Buckner International: Buckner International runs humanitarian aid programs for children and families including footwear distribution, making it an adjacent nonprofit peer addressing overlapping vulnerable-child beneficiary populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/becauseinternational

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 Because International