The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award is a New Zealand registered charity (12 staff) operating the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award programme for youth aged 14-25, delivering Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels across schools, Open Award Centres, and Recognised Activity Providers via the Online Record Book digital platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- Headquarters—
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award does
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award is the New Zealand national operator of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, a globally recognized youth development programme established in 1956. Founded in 1963 and operating as a registered charity (CC26585) with a lean team of 12 employees, the organization delivers a structured extracurricular framework to young people aged 14-25 across New Zealand. The programme is organized around three progressive award levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold) and five core activity sections (Voluntary Service, Physical Recreation, Skills, Adventurous Journey, and Gold Residential Project), with two inclusive pathways (Kākāriki for participants with intellectual disabilities and He Aratūtahi for additional flexibility) extending reach to underserved youth.
The Award's operational backbone is the Online Record Book (ORB), a web-based platform where participants register, log activities, submit evidence, and receive Award Leader approvals. ORB also supports Award Leader administration, Adventurous Journey management, and completion reporting. Alumni-facing tools include a CV Builder and Digital Badges, enabling former participants to translate Award achievements into professional credentials and verifiable digital badges.
Commercially, the organization does not operate on conventional for-profit mechanics. Revenue is generated through participant registration fees, licensing fees paid by schools and organizations operating as Award Units, and charitable donations and grants; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The programme is delivered through a tri-channel model: school Award Units (with trained Award Leaders), Open Award Centres (for youth not enrolled in schools), and Recognised Activity Providers (specialized adventure/expedition providers). Marketing relies on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube), twice-term Award Leader newsletters, monthly online Award Leader Hui training sessions, digital brochures, and direct school engagement. Strategic partnerships include Education Outdoors New Zealand (EONZ) and the Mountain Safety Council (MSC) as Core partners, plus several adventure and training providers.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award
- Legal name
- The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award
- Website
- https://dofehillary.org.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award is a New Zealand registered charity (12 staff) operating the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award programme for youth aged 14-25, delivering Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels across schools, Open Award Centres, and Recognised Activity Providers via the Online Record Book digital platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Development Programme
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Talent Development, Competitions & Academic Pathways (Olympiads, Research, Early College) (EDAKALAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Scholarships, Grants & Donor-Funded Awards Management (EDALAJAB), Assessment, Certification & Qualifications Frameworks (BPADAKAL)
Keywords
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Participant Registration and Licensing Fees: Schools and organizations pay licensing fees to operate as Award Units. Participants may pay registration fees for the Award program.
- Donations and Grants: The organization receives charitable donations and grant funding from supporters and partners.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award is a structured youth achievement programme in New Zealand offering three progressive award levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold) that require participants to complete activities across four core sections: Voluntary Service, Physical Recreation, Skills, and Adventurous Journeys. The Gold level adds a Residential Project. The programme is delivered through schools, Open Award Centres, and Recognised Activity Providers, with a digital platform (Online Record Book/ORB) used by participants to log activities and by Award Leaders to approve and track progress.
Product overview
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award operates as a youth achievement programme with a digital-first approach. At its core is the Online Record Book (ORB), a web-based platform that serves as the primary interface for participants to record activities, submit evidence, and receive approval from Award Leaders. The programme is structured around three progressive Award levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold) and five core sections (Voluntary Service, Physical Recreation, Skills, Adventurous Journey, and Gold Residential Project). To support diverse participant needs, the programme offers specialized pathways including Kākāriki for participants with intellectual disabilities and He Aratūtahi for additional support. Alumni can access a CV Builder tool and Digital Badges to leverage their achievements professionally. Award delivery is supported through the Award Leader Handbook, monthly online Hui sessions, and a network of Recognised Activity Providers. The programme is delivered through schools, Award Units, and Open Award Centres throughout New Zealand.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Companies that use The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- NZ Sailing TrustminorAdventure activity provider supporting participants with sailing-based Adventurous Journeys and maritime skill development activities.
- Peel Forest Outdoor CentreminorOutdoor activity provider delivering Adventurous Journey experiences in the Canterbury region.
- Education Outdoors New Zealand (EONZ)corePeak industry body for outdoor education that provides safety management frameworks, training resources, and guidance for Adventurous Journeys. CEO Fiona McDonald participates in Award Leader Hui sessions.
- Helen Anderson TrustminorTrust focused on supporting rangatahi (youth) with intellectual and physical disabilities to participate in the Award. Andy Woodhouse provides training on accessibility.
- Peak Performance Outdoor TrainingminorOnline training provider offering expedition training and manuals specifically designed for Duke of Edinburgh's Award Adventurous Journeys.
- Mountain Safety Council (MSC)coreNational organization providing outdoor safety training, gear lists, e-learning tools, and resources for Adventurous Journey preparation.
- Department of Conservation (DOC)minorGovernment agency managing national parks and conservation areas where many Adventurous Journeys take place.
- Support AdventureminorAdventure support organization providing resources and guidance for participants undertaking Adventurous Journeys.
- Outdoor Training New ZealandminorTraining provider where Award Leaders can access professional development and qualification support for delivering outdoor activities.
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GirlGuiding New Zealand: Delivers structured badge, outdoor, and personal development programs for girls and young women through volunteer-led units. Comparable in progressive achievement framework and volunteer-driven delivery.
- Scouts Aotearoa: New Zealand's largest youth development movement, delivering structured badge and achievement pathways through school-age cohorts. Highly comparable in target demographic, volunteer-driven delivery, and credentialing framework.
- The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award: The global governing body of which the Hillary Award is the New Zealand national operator. Operates the same Award framework worldwide and is the most directly comparable organization in mission, structure, and program.
- Spirit of Adventure Trust: Provides youth sailing and tall-ship development voyages in New Zealand. Comparable in adventure-based youth development and recognition-credential model, though narrower in delivery mode.
- Graeme Dingle Foundation: New Zealand charity running school-based youth development programs covering resilience, mentoring, and life skills. Closely comparable as a school-delivered youth charity with multiple structured programs.
- Outward Bound New Zealand: Delivers outdoor and adventure-based personal development courses for New Zealand youth. Comparable in adventure-delivery model, reliance on safety accreditation, and youth personal-development mission.
Broad incumbents
- YMCA New Zealand: Large national youth and community organization offering a broader portfolio of programs across fitness, education, and youth services. Comparable in target demographics and charity structure but with a much wider scope.
Emerging players
- Big Brothers Big Sisters New Zealand: Youth mentoring charity operating in New Zealand schools and communities. Comparable as a school-linked youth development charity, though focused on 1:1 mentoring rather than credentialed achievement pathways.
Others
- Education Outdoors New Zealand (EONZ): Peak industry body for outdoor education providing safety management frameworks for schools. Partner organization to the Hillary Award and an adjacent enabling body in the outdoor-education delivery stack.
- New Zealand Mountain Safety Council: National body providing outdoor safety training, e-learning, and resources. Functions as a strategic partner to the Hillary Award but is also an adjacent safety-and-training organization in the outdoor education ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award social profiles
Digital presenceThe Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award 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 The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award
What does The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award do?
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award is a structured youth achievement programme in New Zealand offering three progressive award levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold) that require participants to complete activities across four core sections: Voluntary Service, Physical Recreation, Skills, and Adventurous Journeys. The Gold level adds a Residential Project. The programme is delivered through schools, Open Award Centres, and Recognised Activity Providers, with a digital platform (Online Record Book/ORB) used by participants to log activities and by Award Leaders to approve and track progress.
Is The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award a public or private company?
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award founded?
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
How does The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Participant Registration and Licensing Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations and Grants.
Who are The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GirlGuiding New Zealand, Scouts Aotearoa, The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, Spirit of Adventure Trust, Graeme Dingle Foundation and Outward Bound New Zealand. YMCA New Zealand is listed as a broad incumbent. Big Brothers Big Sisters New Zealand is listed as an emerging player. Others are Education Outdoors New Zealand (EONZ) and New Zealand Mountain Safety Council.
Does The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award.
What industry is The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award in?
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award's product category is Youth Development Programme. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKALAI, Talent Development, Competitions & Academic Pathways (Olympiads, Research, Early College), with a secondary code of EDALAJAB, Scholarships, Grants & Donor-Funded Awards Management. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8200.