Community in Action

What Community in Action does

Community in Action (legal entity ASSOCIAÇÃO COMUNIDADE EM AÇÃO) is a grassroots non-profit NGO founded in 2004 by Zak Paster and Luiza Paster and headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The organization operates as a volunteer-placement platform connecting international volunteers and social entrepreneurs with community outreach programs in 10+ favelas across Rio, including Complexo do Alemão, Rocinha, Vidigal, Pavão-Pavãozinho, Manguinhos, and Providência. Programmatic offerings include six individual volunteer tracks (art/graffiti, English teaching, childcare, manual labor, urban gardening, youth athletics), customizable group volunteer projects for organizations such as Global Leadership Adventures and Nike, and a Create Your Own Project option.

The organization holds dual regulatory status: OSCIP recognition in Brazil (CGC/CNPJ 07.121.369/0001-00) enabling government partnerships at federal, state, and municipal levels, and US 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (Community in Action Rio, Inc., EIN 20-8421010) enabling tax-deductible donations from American donors. Core technology is minimal — the platform is a website (communityinaction.org) handling volunteer enrollment, information dissemination, and donation processing, supplemented by Instagram, video content, and email newsletter channels. No proprietary software, AI, or API infrastructure is evidenced.

The business model combines individual volunteer program fees ($150–$650 depending on duration, with additional lodging at $25/night and materials at $25/week), individualized group program pricing for organizational and corporate clients, and tax-deductible donations. Operations are supported by a small core team of 10+ staff including founders, an Operations Manager, an Administrative Manager, community leaders embedded in the favelas, and board members. The organization reports cumulative impact metrics including 1,000+ foreign volunteers hosted, 10,000+ students served through educational programs, 12 computer labs established, 200+ homes and community spaces painted, 10 homes built or renovated, 5 community gardens built, and 2,000+ residents referred to job interviews.

Name

Community in Action

Legal name

ASSOCIAÇÃO COMUNIDADE EM AÇÃO (COMMUNITY IN ACTION)

Website

https://communityinaction.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Community in Action is a Rio de Janeiro-based non-profit NGO, founded in 2004, that places international volunteers in social outreach programs across 10+ favelas, offering individual volunteer tracks, group projects, and corporate CSR engagements funded by program fees and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Volunteer and Community Development Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery (EDADALAC), International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD), Volunteer Program Funding, Scholarships & Fundraising Support (EDAIAGAO)

Keywords

• Volunteer abroad programs
• International volunteering
• Community development services
• Social outreach programs
• Non-governmental organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Rio de Janeiro

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Volunteer Program Fees: International volunteers pay program fees that cover administrative support, logistics, materials, and are reinvested into community programs. Fees range from $150 (1 week) to $650 (8 weeks). Additional fees for lodging ($25/night) and material costs ($25/week for certain projects).
2. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting social outreach programs. Recognized as 501(c)(3) non-profit in the US (EIN #208421010) and OSCIP in Brazil.
3. Group Volunteer Programs: Customized group volunteer programs for organizations with pricing varying by number of participants and volunteering days. Works with organizations like Global Leadership Adventures and Nike.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Community in Action is a non-profit NGO that recruits, places, and supports international volunteers to deliver social outreach programs in ten favelas across Rio de Janeiro, including English teaching, art/mural painting, child care, manual labor, urban gardening, and youth athletics. The NGO provides end-to-end volunteer placement services covering pre-departure logistics, on-ground orientation, Portuguese translation, lodging coordination, and emergency support, and supplements this with customized group programs for organizations and tax-deductible donation processing through its 501(c)(3) and OSCIP entities.

Product overview

Community in Action is a non-profit volunteer organization operating in Rio's favelas since 2004. The organization offers a portfolio of volunteer programs including Support Local Art/Graffiti Initiatives, Teach English Classes, Provide Child-Care Support, Support Manual Labor Projects, Support Urban Gardening Initiatives, and Support Youth Athletic Programs. These individual project offerings are complemented by Group Volunteer Projects and Create Your Own Project options. The organization also provides volunteer placement services with comprehensive support packages and accepts tax-deductible donations through its 501(c)(3) status.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Support Local Art/Graffiti Initiatives
• Teach English Classes
• Provide Child-Care Support
• Support Manual Labor Projects
• Support Urban Gardening Initiatives
• Support Youth Athletic Programs
• Group Volunteer Projects
• Create Your Own Project
• Volunteer Placement Services
• Donation Processing

Quantifiable outcome

• Served more than 10,000 students of all ages through educational programs
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers9 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

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• CabanaCopa HostelminorOthersPartner hostel located near the beach, 5-minute walk to metro with air-conditioned rooms. One of several hostel partnerships providing accommodation options for international volunteers.
• Copa Roots HostelminorOthersBoutique hostel partner near the beach, 5-minute walk to metro with air-conditioned rooms. Provides lodging for volunteers during their Rio placement.
• Pura Vida HostelminorOthersPartner hostel located near the beach at the entrance of a favela, 10-minute walk to metro. Large hostel option for volunteers.
• Bamboo Rio HostelminorOthersPartner hostel near the beach with air-conditioned rooms, 5-minute walk to metro. Provides volunteer accommodation options.
• SprayVidacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal graffiti art initiative that partnered with Community in Action to paint and reform over 200 homes, schools, and community spaces in favelas including Rocinha. Working with local artists to add vibrant colors to communities.
• Oca dos Curumins NGOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity center and NGO that hosts hundreds of children and adults weekly offering literacy classes, tutoring, capoeira, computer training, and women's empowerment. Community in Action helped connect this NGO to international foundation and secured $15,000 in funding.
• PlaylifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO community partner in Vidigal favela directed by Tamires Domingos. Combines soccer and English education programs, providing dynamic platform for youth empowerment.
• Há Esperança NGOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial project that received support from Community in Action including financial donation for classroom facilities, computers, school supplies, and help obtaining official NGO legal status (CNPJ) in Rio.
• Abraco CampeaominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organization that received support from Community in Action including large volunteer groups who helped design and create a community garden producing fruits and vegetables for residents.
• Global Leadership AdventurescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth leadership program organization that sends volunteer groups to Rio for social development experiences. Students rated the Community in Action team very high, describing it as one of their favorite local partners.
• NikeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that conducted soccer donation event with Community in Action, bringing group of volunteers to support favela youth programs.
• Local Schools and Public InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with schools throughout Rio's favelas where volunteers teach classes, support sporting programs, and implement various outreach initiatives. Includes daycares, primary and secondary schools, and universities.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Love Volunteers: International volunteer placement organization offering programs in over 30 countries including Brazil. Competes for the same individual and group volunteer travelers that Community in Action serves.
• Global Volunteers: US-based nonprofit running fee-paid volunteer service programs in multiple countries with a community-development focus. Directly comparable mission and target volunteer demographic to Community in Action.
• Maximo Nivel: Latin America-focused volunteer and Spanish-study provider headquartered in Costa Rica with operations across the region including Brazil. Directly comparable for travelers choosing between Brazil-based volunteer programs.
• Cross-Cultural Solutions: Nonprofit running short-term international volunteer programs with a strong community-development orientation. Comparable in mission and target volunteer demographic, though with broader geographic reach than Community in Action.
• International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ): One of the world's largest international volunteer placement organizations, offering fee-based programs across dozens of countries including Brazil. Directly comparable to Community in Action's core model of placing international volunteers in grassroots community projects.
• Projects Abroad: Global volunteer and intern placement organization running programs in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Directly competes with Community in Action for fee-paying international volunteers seeking grassroots community development experiences.
• A Broader View Volunteers: US-based nonprofit that places international volunteers in community projects across Latin America, Africa and Asia, including Brazil. Closely comparable non-profit structure and program catalog to Community in Action.
• Volunteering Solutions: International volunteer placement company offering programs in 25+ countries including Brazil. Competes head-to-head for the same fee-paying international volunteer segment that Community in Action targets.

Regional players

• Favela Tour / Favela Experience Operators (e.g., Rocinha Favela Tour): Local Rio-based operators that bring paying visitors into the same favelas where Community in Action works. Adjacent rather than direct competition but operates in the same geography and touches the same tourist flow.

Others

• Global Leadership Adventures: Existing channel partner of Community in Action, organizing youth service-learning trips to Rio. Comparable as an organization that sources and delivers fee-paid group volunteer experiences in Latin America.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/volunteerinrio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-in-action

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Community in Action