Education Across Borders

What Education Across Borders does

Education Across Borders (EAB) is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN #81-0590067) operating since 1999 a 'Full Circle Model' of community development in partnership with marginalized rural communities in the Dominican Republic. The organization delivers three interconnected programs: a Health Program (180+ latrines built, 250+ water filters delivered, 118 home projects completed, and two free-access community clinics); an Education Program providing scholarships across primary, middle, high school, trade school, and university levels (supporting ~100 students annually, with documented outcomes of 22 college graduates, 10 trade school graduates, and 106 high school graduates); and a Service Immersion Program running short-term (typically one-to-two week) immersion trips for US participants in rural Dominican communities.

EAB's beneficiary base is rural Dominican communities facing extreme poverty — including Batey Libertad, Arroyo del Toro, Franco Bidó, and Janey — and its participant base is primarily US college students, high school students, and parish/faith-community groups drawn from a partner network of 15+ institutions (e.g., Loyola Marymount University, University of Portland, Seattle Preparatory School, Holy Names Academy, Jesuit High School, Gonzaga College High School). The organization is governed by a board and led by founder John J McLaughlin IV; it operates with approximately 8 employees.

EAB's business model is donation-funded. Revenue streams include individual donations (one-time gifts and recurring 'Partner' subscriptions at monthly, quarterly, or annual cadences), program-specific fundraising for health projects and scholarships (suggested unit prices ranging from $50 for a water filter to $6,000 for dignified housing, and $600–$4,000/year for scholarships), corporate event sponsorship (Spring HUG, Spring Fiesta; sponsors include Slalom, B3 Wealth Strategies, Chateau Ste. Michelle), and small affiliate commissions from Bookshop.org (10%), Better World Beans coffee sales, and the Giving Assistant cash-back portal. Distribution occurs through the organization's website, direct mail, in-person immersion trips, retreats and workshops (virtual and in-person), and community events. EAB is currently in a post-pandemic restructuring phase supported by the John J McLaughlin III Memorial Fund, which carries a stated $1 million goal.

Name

Education Across Borders

Legal name

Education Across Borders

Website

https://educationacrossborders.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Education Across Borders is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with marginalized rural communities in the Dominican Republic to deliver health infrastructure, multi-level scholarships, and service-learning immersion programs for US students and parish groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Community Development Nonprofit

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Student Welfare, Pastoral Care & Safeguarding Services (EDAIAHAI), On-Ground Orientation, Travel, Transfers & Logistics Support (EDAIAHAL)

Keywords

• Community development nonprofit
• International service learning
• Rural health programs
• Education scholarships
• Charitable donations

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: EAB relies on donor generosity through one-time gifts and recurring 'Partner' program donations made monthly, quarterly, or yearly. The organization maintains a 501(c)(3) status with EIN #81-0590067 making contributions tax-deductible.
2. Program-Specific Donations: Donors can contribute to specific initiatives including health projects (water filters, emergency medicine, latrines, clinic supplies, housing), and scholarship programs at various educational levels (university, technical school, high school, middle school).
3. Affiliate Marketing: EAB earns 10% commission on sales through Bookshop.org affiliate links, and supports Better World Beans coffee sales which benefit EAB's sustainability work. Giving Assistant program provides percentage-based donations from partner retailers.
4. Event Sponsorships: Spring HUG fundraiser and Spring Fiesta events attract corporate sponsors including Slalom consulting and other business partners who provide financial support and auction donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Education Across Borders is a nonprofit organization that partners with marginalized communities in the Dominican Republic to deliver health interventions (latrines, water filters, dignified housing, community clinics), education scholarships across all levels (elementary through university), and US-based service-learning immersion programs. The organization operates a 'Full Circle Model' that addresses immediate health needs to enable educational attainment, while fostering reciprocal service engagement between Dominican and US participants.

Product overview

Education Across Borders is a nonprofit organization operating a multi-faceted community development model focused on marginalized communities in the Dominican Republic. The organization offers three core interconnected programs: a Health Program (providing latrines, water filters, housing, and community clinics), an Education Program (offering scholarships for 100 students annually across all education levels), and a Service Immersion Program (facilitating US participants' service-learning trips to the Dominican Republic). Supporting offerings include Retreats & Workshops, a Volunteer Program for Pacific Northwest residents, and Donation & Fundraising Programs. The organization employs a 'Full Circle Model' that addresses immediate health needs to enable educational achievement, while fostering a culture of service that empowers beneficiaries to 'pay forward' their blessings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Health Program
• Education Program
• Service Immersion Program
• Retreats & Workshops
• Volunteer Program Local volunteer opportunities for Pacific Northwest residents, including individual and group volunteer opportunities to support the organization's mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• 180+ latrines built across 5 communities
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 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.

• BookshopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBookshop is an online book retailer that supports independent bookstores and nonprofits. EAB earns 10% commission on all sales made through their affiliate page. Bookshop also sends an additional 10% to independent bookstores, aligning with EAB's community values. EAB curates book lists including Dominican Literature, The DR for Kids, Service & Spirituality, and Justice & Peace studies.
• Better World BeansminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBetter World Beans is a specialty coffee company using direct trade to ensure dignified wages for farmers. Founder Andrew Hermann traveled to Franco Bidó with EAB and learned about coffee production from family farmers. Buying coffee from BWB supports the sustainability of EAB's work.
• Slalom consultingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSlalom consulting is a business advisory firm that sponsors EAB's Spring Fiesta event. They represent one of EAB's business partner sponsors helping to fundraise and raise awareness for the organization.
• B3 Wealth StrategiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured sponsor of EAB, listed among business partners supporting the organization.
• Manus TacosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business partner and sponsor of EAB.
• CavalierminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partner and sponsor of EAB.
• Chateau Ste. MichelleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partner and sponsor of EAB.
• Goudy CommonsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partner and sponsor of EAB.
• Better World BeansminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured sponsor of EAB, coffee company whose direct trade model supports EAB's sustainability work.
• Seattle Destination LightingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partner and sponsor of EAB.
• Mother HuggersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partner and sponsor of EAB.
• Giving AssistantminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCash-back shopping portal that enables percentage donations to EAB when users shop at partner retailers including Michaels (3%), Lowe's (4%), and eBay (1%).

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Projects Abroad: Large-scale international volunteer and service-learning provider offering programs across many countries and disciplines. Broader incumbent with similar service-trip model but operating at much greater scale than EAB.
• Habitat for Humanity International: Large nonprofit combining affordable housing construction with volunteer build trips and donor engagement. Comparable to EAB's home construction outputs and immersion-trip volunteer model but at vastly greater scale.
• Cross-Cultural Solutions: Established international volunteer-abroad nonprofit with multi-country programs. Comparable business model (volunteer fees + donations) but broader geographic and programmatic scope than EAB.

Direct peers

• Amizade: Faith-inspired nonprofit running service-learning immersion programs in multiple countries, partnering with US universities and communities. Closely mirrors EAB's solidarity/justice framing and school/parish-based recruitment.
• Esperanza International: Dominican Republic-focused nonprofit combining housing construction, education, and community development in batey communities. Directly comparable to EAB on geography, target beneficiary population, and the housing/education model.
• Global Volunteers: Operates short-term service-learning immersion trips paired with community development projects in developing countries. Directly comparable to EAB's service immersion model combining homestays, service work, and reciprocal learning.
• Hogar de Esperanza: Faith-based nonprofit operating in the Dominican Republic with education, housing, and child sponsorship programs. Closely aligned with EAB's DR footprint, faith-based funding base, and integrated health/education model.
• International Service Learning (ISL): Runs brief international service-learning trips for university and high school students in Latin America and the Caribbean. Directly comparable to EAB's DR-focused immersion programs targeting college and high school participants.

Others

• Medical Teams International: Faith-inspired nonprofit deploying mobile medical clinics and community health programs in developing countries. Comparable to EAB's free-access community clinic component but operates across multiple countries.

Emerging players

• Unearth the World: Smaller nonprofit curating service-learning trips in Latin America with an emphasis on ethical engagement and reciprocity. Compares to EAB on immersion trips targeting US students and solidarity framing.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/educationacrossborders
• Instagraminstagram.com/educationacrossborders
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/education-across-borders

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Education Across Borders