Brave Heart Fund

What Brave Heart Fund does

Brave Heart Fund is a Lebanese non-profit charitable organization founded in November 2003 by families affected by Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), based in Hamra, Beirut, and operating with a small team of approximately 10 staff (3 core, supported by a committee and board). Its core function is to provide financial assistance for life-saving heart surgeries and medical interventions to underprivileged Lebanese children diagnosed with CHD, channeling 100% of donations directly to medical costs. The organization is the first and only patient fund of its kind in Lebanon dedicated to pediatric cardiac care, and operates in deep affiliation with the Children's Heart Center (CHC) at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), which performs 65-75% of Lebanon's pediatric cardiac surgeries and delivers a 98% surgical success rate. Treatment coverage spans open-heart surgeries, closed-heart surgeries, cardiac catheterizations, diagnostic tests, cardiac imaging, and EKGs, including support for the first pediatric heart transplant in Lebanon in 2017.\n\nThe organization runs a multi-channel fundraising operation including an online donation platform supporting multiple currencies (USD, LBP, EUR), domestic and international bank transfers, individual patient crowdfunding campaigns (Heart Heroes), a branded gift goods store (Gifts from the Heart), celebration registries (weddings, birthdays, anniversaries), event ticketing, and corporate partnership programs. GTM is community-led and event-driven, leveraging celebrity goodwill ambassadors (Nadine Labaki since 2008), advertising partners (Impact BBDO, OMD), student outreach, and annual awareness campaigns in partnership with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. Technology stack is minimal — a donation web platform built and maintained by Born Interactive — with no proprietary AI, data, or software products. Since 2003, Brave Heart has funded approximately 4,800 cardiac surgeries and 10,890 diagnostic/imaging procedures, with ~250 surgeries and 230 interventional procedures per year on average over the past decade.

Name

Brave Heart Fund

Legal name

Brave Heart Fund

Website

https://braveheartfund.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Brave Heart Fund is a Lebanese non-profit founded in 2003 that funds life-saving heart surgeries and medical interventions for underprivileged children with Congenital Heart Disease, operating through the Children's Heart Center at AUBMC and relying entirely on donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Cardiac Health Charity

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Rare Disease & Special Needs Support Organizations (BPAGACAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF)

Keywords

• Pediatric cardiac funding
• Congenital heart disease
• Nonprofit healthcare donations
• Medical charity fundraising
• Patient crowdfunding

Headquarters

HQ city

Beirut

HQ country

Lebanon

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: 100% of individual donations go directly to cover surgeries and medical interventions for underprivileged children with CHD. Donors can give online, via bank transfer, or through crowdfunding campaigns.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Brand partnerships with companies for fundraising programs, loyalty program activations, percentage-of-proceeds donations, event sponsorships, and in-kind contributions.
3. Gift Goods Store: Sale of branded merchandise including T-shirts, tote bags, hoodies, sweatshirts, socks, water bottles, and phone beads. Proceeds support heart surgeries.
4. Celebration Registries: Wedding, baby, birthday, and anniversary registries where guests donate to Brave Heart instead of gifts.
5. Event Ticketing and Donations: Ticket sales and donations for fundraising events such as theater performances and iftar gatherings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Brave Heart Fund is a Lebanese non-profit organization founded in 2003 that provides financial assistance to underprivileged children suffering from Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). The fund partners with the Children's Heart Center (CHC) at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) to cover the costs of surgeries, interventions, and post-operative care for pediatric cardiac patients who cannot afford treatment.

Product overview

Brave Heart Fund is a charitable fundraising initiative offering a portfolio of donation-based services centered on providing financial assistance for underprivileged children with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) in Lebanon. The core offering is the Donation Platform, which enables direct financial contributions to fund heart surgeries and medical procedures. Supporting products include the Gifts from the Heart merchandise program (featuring branded apparel and accessories from Lebanese designer collaborations), individual Heart Heroes Crowdfunding campaigns for specific children, and CHD Awareness Campaigns developed in partnership with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. All offerings operate under a strict 100% donation policy, directing all funds toward surgeries and medical interventions at the Children's Heart Center (CHC) at AUBMC.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Donation Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,800+ children treated since 2003
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Children's Heart Center (CHC) at AUBMCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Primary medical partner since Brave Heart's founding in 2003. CHC is the leading pediatric cardiac center in Lebanon and the Middle East with 98% surgical success rate. Performs 65-75% of all pediatric cardiac surgeries in Lebanon. Medical team provides pro bono services.
• American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for Children's Heart Center. Brave Heart was established at AUBMC in 2003 and incorporated as Lebanese non-profit in January 2020 while maintaining affiliation. AUBMC Social Services assesses family eligibility for financial aid.
• Lebanese Ministry of Public Health (MOPH)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner since 2006 for awareness campaigns. MOPH provides partial coverage for medical expenses for Lebanese children alongside Brave Heart's contributions.
• Born InteractivemajorTechnology or IntegrationDesign and development partner for website and digital platforms. Created and maintains braveheartfund.org website and digital infrastructure.
• Impact BBDOmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertising and marketing agency partner supporting campaigns and brand initiatives.
• OMDmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner providing advertising and media placement services.
• DJ Rodge (Roger Saad)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerGoodwill ambassador and supporter who helped launch crowdfunding campaign for patient Nadine A. Combines music influence with humanitarian cause.
• Nadine LabakimajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFilm director and actor, Goodwill Ambassador since 2008. High-profile advocate for Brave Heart's mission.
• LotominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor (last 5 years) supporting fundraising initiatives.
• MersacominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor (last 5 years) supporting fundraising initiatives.
• Arope InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor (last 5 years) supporting fundraising initiatives.
• Mix FMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRadio media partner supporting awareness and campaigns.
• AquafinaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIn-kind contributor providing products for events and fundraisers.
• Zaatar W ZeitminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIn-kind contributor from restaurant sector supporting Food for the Heart program.
• SpinneysminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIn-kind contributor from retail sector supporting fundraising initiatives.
• Global ArchminorOthersMembership organization Brave Heart is part of for networking and advocacy.
• Giving Tuesday LebanonminorOthersParticipates in Giving Tuesday Lebanon annual giving initiative.
• UNGCNLminorOthersUN Global Compact Network Lebanon membership for CSR and sustainability alignment.
• Lana El SahelyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGoodwill ambassador who co-launched crowdfunding campaign for patient Nadine A.
• Leïa KminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration with jewelry brand for fundraising merchandise.
• Ta GueuleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStreetwear designer collaboration for Brave Heart branded hoodies and sweatshirts.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Medical Corps: Global humanitarian organization delivering healthcare, including surgical services, in conflict and disaster zones with an active Lebanon presence. Comparable donation-funded medical delivery model, though much broader than Brave Heart's CHD focus.
• Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders): Large international medical humanitarian organization providing surgery and emergency care in crisis regions, including Lebanon. Broader in scope but comparable charity-funded medical delivery model to underprivileged populations.

Direct peers

• Children's HeartLink: Global nonprofit partnering with pediatric cardiac programs in underserved regions to train medical teams and expand access. Comparable in pediatric cardiac mission and developing-country medical partnership model.
• International Children's Heart Foundation: Provides free cardiac surgery to children in developing and middle-income countries via medical missions and partner hospitals. Closely comparable to Brave Heart on pediatric cardiac focus, charity funding model, and reliance on pro bono surgical teams.
• Saving Little Hearts: U.S. nonprofit that funds cardiac surgeries and related care for underprivileged children with congenital heart defects. Closely aligned mission, donor-funded patient assistance model, and CHD-only focus.
• Baby Heart Foundation: Funds and conducts pediatric cardiac surgeries and catheterizations for children in developing countries, primarily through medical missions. Comparable on patient-funding model and pediatric cardiac surgery focus.
• Chain of Hope: UK-based charity funding children's heart operations in low- and middle-income countries and building local cardiac surgical capacity. Directly comparable mission, donation-funded model, and emerging-markets pediatric cardiac focus.
• HeartGift Foundation: U.S.-based nonprofit that funds and arranges life-saving heart surgeries for children from developing countries, mirroring Brave Heart's patient-funding model for CHD. Directly comparable in mission, donation-driven funding model, and reliance on partner medical centers.

Regional players

• Palestinian Children's Relief Fund: U.S.-based charity funding medical care, including surgeries, for children in the Middle East, including Palestinian territories and the broader region. Comparable charitable pediatric medical-funding model with regional focus adjacent to Lebanon.
• Muntada Aid: UK-headquartered charity operating across the Middle East and Africa providing medical aid including surgeries for underprivileged populations. Comparable Middle East-region medical charity model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@breaveheartfund
• Facebookfacebook.com/BraveHeartFund
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brave-heart-fund
• Instagraminstagram.com/braveheartfund

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 Brave Heart Fund