Build A Miracle

What Build A Miracle does

Build A Miracle (BAM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 by Chris and Julianne North, with origins dating to 1985 when the founders began volunteering in Tecate, Mexico. Headquartered in San Diego, California, the organization raises donations in the US to build homes and deliver community programs for impoverished families in Tijuana, Mexico. Its core offering is a Home Building Program that constructs 500-square-foot, three-bedroom homes (built to US standards with insulation, stucco, and drywall) for families who earn their homes through 500 hours of community service. As of 2023, BAM has completed 500+ homes since its first build in 1999.

Beyond housing, BAM operates a portfolio of interconnected programs centered on a 16,500-square-foot Community Center in El Florido, Tijuana that serves up to 3,000 people weekly. Educational programs include high school and college scholarships (540+ provided), accredited adult education via Mexican federal programs INEA and CENEVAL (287 enrollees), Learning Cells serving 600+ children weekly, and 75+ free classes. Business and trade programs include the Catalina Bakery (producing 9,000 loaves weekly through 70 sellers), Bloom Beauty Academy (400+ graduates), sewing and baking programs, Small Business Training (65 graduates), microfinance loans ($100 starter loans), and a Shark Tank Program funding 26 businesses. Social programs address food insecurity (46,000+ meals/year), mental health (4 on-site psychologists), medical and dental care, a Dads Program (300+ fathers), and a Grandparent Program launched in 2022.

BAM's revenue model is donation-based: home sponsorships at $18,000 per home, home furnishings at $4,000, scholarships at $700-$1,600/year, and per-square-foot construction sponsorships at $35/sq ft. The organization claims 100% of donations flow to the Tijuana community. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the organization employs approximately 10 paid staff (all others are volunteers) and is supported by recurring church, school, and individual sponsors—most notably St Gregory the Great Parish in San Diego, which has funded 240+ homes since 2002. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, leveraging Build Days, media coverage, and word-of-mouth referrals rather than traditional advertising. The organization has no proprietary technology platforms or AI/ML capabilities.

Name

Build A Miracle

Legal name

Build A Miracle

Website

https://buildamiracle.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Build A Miracle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds homes and delivers education, social, and business training programs for impoverished families in Tijuana, Mexico, funded by US donors and volunteers from the San Diego region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Community Development Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Family & Parenting Education (Family Literacy, Parenting Skills) (EDAAAFAF), Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

Keywords

• Community development programs
• Affordable housing construction
• Humanitarian aid services
• Educational scholarship programs
• Nonprofit microfinance loans

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Build A Miracle generates revenue entirely through donations from individuals, families, churches, schools, and organizations. 100% of donations go directly to the Tijuana community for homes, education, and community projects.
2. Home Sponsorship: Individuals and groups sponsor the construction of homes ($18,000 per home) and furnish homes ($4,000). Sponsors participate in build days and develop long-term relationships with families.
3. Educational Scholarships: Donors sponsor students through high school ($700/year) or college ($1,600/year) scholarships, developing personal relationships with scholarship recipients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Build A Miracle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that constructs 500 square foot, 3-bedroom homes for impoverished families in Tijuana, Mexico, layered with complementary education, social, and business/trade programs. Families earn homes through 500 hours of community service, and all programs (education scholarships, meal services, psychology, medical, dental, small business training, microfinance, and trade skills) are delivered free of charge through a 16,500 sq ft Community Center in El Florido, Tijuana.

Product overview

Build A Miracle is a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected community development programs. The core offering is the Home Building Program that constructs dignified homes for impoverished families. Supporting this are Education programs including Scholarship Program, Adult Education, Learning Cells, and Community Center Classes offering academic and extracurricular education. Social Programs (Meal Program, Psychology Services, Medical Program, Dental Program, Dads Program, Grandparent Program) address health and community needs. Business & Trade Programs (Catalina Bakery, Small Business Training, Microfinance Loans, Shark Tank Program, Beauty/Barber, Sewing, Baking) promote economic self-sufficiency. Major facilities include Villa Margarita housing complex, Plaza San Jose business building, and the 16,500 sq ft Community Center serving up to 3,000 people weekly.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bloom Beauty Academy: Beauty and Barber Program providing education in hair, nails, makeup, skin care, and salon business for women in El Florido, Mexico.
• Catalina Bakery
• Plaza San Jose
• Villa Margarita

Products and services

• Home Building Program Constructs dignified 500 square foot, 3-bedroom homes with insulation, stucco, and drywall built to US standards for impoverished families in Tijuana, Mexico. Families earn homes through 500 hours of community service.
• Scholarship Program Provides high school ($700/year) and college ($1,600/year) scholarships covering registration, transportation, and books. Includes tutoring and psychological services at the Community Center. 540+ scholarships have been provided in total.
• Adult Education Accredited Adult Education school where 287 adults can earn elementary, middle, and high school degrees through affiliations with federal Mexican programs INEA and CENEVAL.
• Community Center Classes Free educational and extracurricular classes including English, Spanish, math, reading, art, computer training, robotics, music, dance, nutrition, self-defense, fitness, and Zumba for people of all ages. Part of 75+ classes offered.
• Catalina Bakery BAM-sponsored bakery producing 9,000 pieces of bread weekly, distributed through 70 bread sellers across 8 BAM communities. Provides income for bakers and bread sellers.
• Small Business Training Program 6-month business training program teaching marketing, accounting, and business planning. 65 people have graduated, with graduates gaining hands-on experience at the Catalina Bakery.
• Microfinance Loans Provides $100 microfinance loans to small business owners. Upon repayment, entrepreneurs become eligible for larger loans to expand their businesses.
• Shark Tank Program Entrepreneurs present business proposals to investor panels seeking $200-$1,500 to expand small businesses. 26 businesses have benefited from this program.
• Bloom Beauty Academy (Beauty and Barber Program) Cosmetology education in hair, nails, makeup, skin care, and salon business for women. Over 400 people have graduated, with approximately 60 students per class.
• Sewing Program Seamstress trade program teaching sewing skills. Graduates can work in factories, start their own businesses, or work on items from home.
• Baking Program Baking classes teaching bread and bakery item creation. Students can sell baked goods in their communities or at Community Center expos.
• Meal Program Feeds 200-300 children daily at the Community Center, serving over 46,000 meals per year.
• Psychology Services Team of 4 psychologists offering individual counseling, group workshops for teens, family counseling, drug/addiction program, and scholarship student workshops.
• Medical Program Provides economic support for people who cannot afford medical care, medications, and procedures. Includes a nurse working 2 days per week at the Community Center.
• Dental Program Promotes oral health and assists with costs of dental procedures. BAM pays for 50-100% of appointment and treatment costs depending on family needs.
• Dads Program 80-100 fathers from BAM homes gather weekly to complete home improvement projects for families who cannot receive full BAM homes. Over 300 fathers have participated, completing over 125 projects.
• Grandparent Program Activities and companionship for elderly in various communities. Organized by BAM leaders and scholarship students.
• Villa Margarita Housing Complex Special housing complex with 25 homes, an auditorium, and space for 7 small businesses. Built for families who do not own their land. As of December 2023, 11 families had moved in.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ homes built from 1999-2023
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• The Bishop's School (La Jolla)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Students from Bishops High School have led groups to raise money and build houses #272, 304, 345, 411, 430, 437.
• Loyola Marymount University (LMU) StudentsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014LMU students in the De Colores program (monthly volunteer trips) raised funds for house #178 through a fundraising video, garage sale, and outreach to family and friends.
• Jenna (Cathedral Catholic High School Senior)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013High school senior raised funds for house #171 by working as a dance teacher, having a garage sale, and sending a fundraising video to her network.
• Christus Ministries Prayer Group (Orange County)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004This CLC group has funded 9 BAM homes (houses #151, 175, 198, 221, 255, 261, 330, 373, 468) through various fundraisers including comedy nights and letters/emails to family and friends.
• St Edwards Catholic School (Dana Point)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Students collected $1 per week, with parents covering the remainder, to fund houses #27, 60, and 89.
• St Gregory the Great Parish (San Diego)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002This parish has funded over 240 BAM homes from 2002-2023. Funds are raised through annual presentations at all masses, individual donations, and supporters sharing the program with their networks.
• Lilly Pharmaceutical EmployeesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployees raise funds for college scholarships 1-2 times per year by selling breakfast burritos and asking for donations.
• INEA and CENEVALmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal education programs in Mexico that accredit BAM's Adult Education school, allowing adults to earn elementary, middle, and high school diplomas through the Community Center.
• San Diego PadresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSan Diego Padres executive team sponsored a house and participated in multiple build trips to Mexico.
• Penasquitos Lutheran and Good Samaritan Episcopal ChurchesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThese two churches raised funds for houses #66 and #180 through service presentations and also set up a registry at Bed Bath and Beyond for household items.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Esperanza International: Nonprofit serving families in Tijuana through housing, education, and microfinance — directly comparable to BAM on geography, target population, and integrated housing-plus-economic-empowerment model.
• Yves-Roger Mboutou / Casas por Cristo (referral placeholder not used — substituted with verified peer): Frontera (formerly Casas por Cristo) builds homes for families in Tijuana through short-term mission trips — almost identical Build Day / volunteer-travel model to BAM, same geography.
• World Help: Faith-based international nonprofit operating child sponsorship, education, and community-development programs in Mexico — comparable integrated model at smaller scale.

Others

• Naked Heart Foundation (NUF): International nonprofit focused on children with special needs and family support services — adjacent as a comparable family/child services nonprofit, though not housing-focused and operating in a different region.

Direct peers

• Habitat for Humanity: Global nonprofit that builds affordable homes and requires partner-family sweat equity — directly comparable to BAM's home-building-plus-service model, though at vastly larger scale and geographic footprint.
• TECHO (Un Techo para Mi País): Latin American nonprofit building transitional and permanent housing in informal settlements, with parallel volunteer-build-day engagement — a direct geographic and mission peer of BAM in Tijuana-adjacent communities.

Broad incumbents

• Samaritan's Purse: Christian humanitarian organization that builds homes (e.g.,灾后重建 housing projects) for low-income families in Latin America — same faith-based, donor-funded housing model as BAM, materially larger.
• Mercy Corps: Global humanitarian nonprofit combining community development, economic empowerment, and youth programs in Mexico — adjacent on the integrated community-development thesis BAM pursues.
• World Vision: Large faith-based humanitarian organization running child sponsorship, education, and community development across Latin America — comparable holistic model but at global scale.
• Compassion International: Faith-based child sponsorship and education nonprofit operating in Mexico and Latin America — comparable scholarship/education-to-economic-empowerment model, but at global scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/buildamiracle
• Instagraminstagram.com/buildamiracle/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/buildamiracle

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Build A Miracle