H.E.L.P. International

What H.E.L.P. International does

H.E.L.P. International is a privately held nonprofit humanitarian organization founded in 2000 and headquartered in Johnstown, Colorado. The organization delivers community development programs across multiple countries including Uganda, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Kenya, Ethiopia, Israel, Brazil, and Mozambique, with stated reach into 123 countries cumulatively. Its core offerings center on education (H.E.L.P. Primary School serving 650 students in Masese, Uganda, with 18 teachers and 35 staff), women's economic empowerment (Bigger Than Beads program employing 120 artisans), humanitarian supply distribution (305+ containers shipped globally from its Northern Colorado warehouse), vocational training, clean water infrastructure, medical outreach (Malawi), and local community assistance through its H.E.L.P. @ Home program serving 10,000+ families annually in Northern Colorado.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid nonprofit model comprising recurring child sponsorship ($35/month via help-uganda.com), one-time and recurring donations processed through givebutter.com, mission trip fees for the Travel With a Purpose program (trips to Brazil, Kenya, Israel, Uganda), and product sales of Ugandan handcrafted jewelry and Kenyan baskets through the warehouse marketplace. Additional program-level funding flows through named partnerships (Christian Friends of Israel, US AID-Uganda, Samuel Isaac Medical Partners, Amazon Outreach, among 18 documented partners). The organization has no proprietary technology platform; operations rely on standard web infrastructure, third-party donation processing, and community-led engagement through volunteers, mission teams, and local partner organizations. Cumulatively the organization reports $127-129M in in-kind donations, 4,025+ people educated in vocational training, and 5,000+ children educated at its primary school since 2009.

The organization is led by co-founders Jean Kaye (President) and Don Wilson, with Ronny Sitanga as International Director based in Uganda, and is governed by a Board of Directors with members spanning Johnson & Johnson, Columbia University, Molloy College, and multiple entrepreneur backgrounds. A separate Uganda Advisory Board provides on-the-ground governance.

Name

H.E.L.P. International

Legal name

H.E.L.P. International

Website

https://helpint.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

H.E.L.P. International is a Colorado-based nonprofit humanitarian organization founded in 2000 that delivers community development programs including primary education, women's economic empowerment, humanitarian supply distribution, vocational training, and medical outreach across 123 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian and Community Development Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD)

Keywords

• Humanitarian relief services
• Community development programs
• Child sponsorship programs
• International education initiatives
• Faith-based nonprofit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Johnstown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting humanitarian relief, education, clean water, disaster relief, and community development programs worldwide. Donations are processed through givebutter.com platform.
2. Child Sponsorship: Monthly sponsorship program at $35 per month to support children in Masese, Uganda. Includes school fees, meals, and educational support.
3. Product Sales (Bigger Than Beads): Sale of handcrafted jewelry made by 120 women artisans in Masese, Uganda. Products sold in the United States and to tourists and higher-income Ugandan buyers.
4. Product Sales (Kenyan Baskets): Sale of handcrafted baskets from Kenya through the warehouse marketplace.
5. Mission Trip Fees: Fees for Travel With a Purpose program offering short-term, faith-based mission opportunities in countries such as Brazil, Kenya, Israel, and Uganda. Dates include April 24, 2026 - May 1, 2026 for Amazon Mission Trip.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

H.E.L.P. International is a humanitarian and community development nonprofit that delivers education, clean water, vocational training, women's empowerment, and disaster relief services to underserved communities across 123 countries. Its primary offerings include operating H.E.L.P. Primary School in Masese, Uganda, the Bigger Than Beads women's cooperative, a Northern Colorado warehouse that ships supply containers globally, the Burkina Faso Project of Hope, Israel Partnership Program, Malawi Medical Outreach, and the Travel With a Purpose mission trip program.

Product overview

H.E.L.P. International is a humanitarian organization offering a portfolio of community development programs rather than a commercial product suite. The core offerings include H.E.L.P. Primary School (education for 650+ students in Uganda), Bigger Than Beads (women's empowerment jewelry program for 120+ artisans), a Northern Colorado Warehouse (humanitarian relief distribution hub with 302+ containers shipped globally), H.E.L.P. @ Home (local Colorado outreach), Burkina Faso Project of Hope (education, clean water, vocational training), Israel Partnership Program (supply shipments and Aliyah support), Malawi Medical Outreach (healthcare and agricultural training), and Travel With a Purpose (short-term mission trips). All programs follow a hand-up philosophy focused on long-term sustainable impact through education, economic empowerment, and community transformation rather than short-term charity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bigger Than Beads: Women's empowerment initiative supporting Ugandan women artisans in the jewelry cooperative, providing business training, quality control, and access to international markets.
• Travel With a Purpose

Products and services

• H.E.L.P. Primary School A primary school in Masese, Uganda established in 2009 under a tree that has grown to serve 650 students with permanent buildings, seven primary grades, vocational training, and secondary scholarships. The school provides free education to children from families who could not otherwise afford it, with a feeding program to address hunger so children can learn.
• Bigger Than Beads A women's empowerment initiative in Masese, Uganda providing business training, quality control, financial literacy, and market access for 120+ women artisans producing handcrafted jewelry from recycled paper. The program creates sustainable income through domestic and international market connections.
• Northern Colorado Warehouse (Humanitarian Relief Hub) A humanitarian relief hub in Northern Colorado serving as a volunteer center, local disaster response distribution point, outlet for Uganda women's empowerment products, marketplace for Kenyan handcrafted baskets, workforce re-entry training space, and staging center for global mission teams. Over 302 containers of supplies have been shipped from this facility.
• H.E.L.P. @ Home Local outreach program bringing the hand-up approach to families in Colorado communities, providing emergency assistance, seasonal outreach, mentoring, and connections to employment and community resources to help individuals rebuild lives with dignity and long-term stability.
• Burkina Faso Project of Hope A three-phase community development initiative in Burkina Faso including education (school investment), clean water (community well drilling), and vocational training (computer technology, mechanical repair, entrepreneurship development) to create local employment and generational transformation.
• Israel Partnership Program Partnership with Christian Friends of Israel since 2001 shipping containers of clothing, household essentials, and medical supplies. Includes Aliyah support for Jewish families returning to Israel and the Push for Fulfillment Resource Center for the Ethiopian Jewish community with educational advancement and youth programming.
• Malawi Medical Outreach Medical outreach program providing treatment, public health education, sanitation training, and preventive care. The location has evolved into an agricultural training project promoting sustainable farming techniques and food security for families in rural Malawi.
• Travel With a Purpose Short-term faith-based mission opportunities in countries including Brazil, Kenya, Israel, and Uganda, offering medical outreach, educational support, vocational training, and community development alongside local leaders. Experiences designed to build relationships, strengthen local capacity, and share faith through compassionate service.
• Child Sponsorship Program Monthly child sponsorship program at $35/month supporting children at H.E.L.P. Primary School in Masese, Uganda, covering school fees, school meals, and educational support services. Over 5,000 children have been educated through this program since 2009.
• Clean Water Well Initiative Clean water infrastructure program providing $10,000 community wells to bring clean water access to underserved communities.
• Vocational Training and Micro Loans Vocational training program offered at $150 per student per course combined with $200 micro loans to support small business development. Programs cover computer technology, mechanical repair, and entrepreneurship for adults in communities served.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5,000 children educated at H.E.L.P. Primary School since 2009; 650 students currently enrolled with 18 teachers and 35 staff
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Christian Friends of IsraelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001Long-standing partnership since 2001 to bring practical support, encouragement, and hope to the people of Israel. H.E.L.P. International ships containers filled with thousands of pieces of clothing, essential household goods, and critical medical supplies. Also supports Aliyah families and Ethiopian Jewish community through 'Push for Fulfillment' resource center.
• United Way 211 LCDCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner in Northern Colorado for community development and support services.
• Larimer County Detention CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for local outreach and support services in Larimer County, Colorado.
• Resurrection Christian SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local Colorado school for community engagement and support.
• Windsor Charter AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local Colorado charter school for community involvement.
• Wa Yesu Government of UgandacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partnership in Uganda supporting community development initiatives in Masese and surrounding areas.
• US AID-UgandacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational development partnership supporting Uganda programs and community development.
• TILA (The International Leadership Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting leadership development initiatives.
• Ministries Int'l SWAGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational ministry partnership for missions and community support.
• Sending Warmth Around the Globe FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partnership supporting global humanitarian initiatives.
• Center for Hope TeeltAABaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting hope and development initiatives.
• Burkina Faso PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting Burkina Faso Project of Hope including education, clean water, and vocational training programs.
• St Joseph Shinning Little StarsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting education and development programs.
• Amazon OutreachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Amazon mission trips and outreach programs in Brazil.
• Kingdom Connections Int.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational kingdom-focused ministry connection for missions support.
• Samuel Isaac Medical PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical partnership supporting healthcare outreach and training programs including Malawi medical missions.
• Kyne FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partnership supporting development and community initiatives.
• Jinja Miracle Centre Gateway ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Jinja Miracle Centre Gateway Church in Uganda where Ronny Sitanga serves as Marrieds Pastor. Core partnership for community development and church-based initiatives.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Mercy Corps: Major international humanitarian organization with active programs in Uganda, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and other H.E.L.P. countries focused on economic empowerment, water/sanitation, and education. Comparable scope though much larger.
• Catholic Relief Services: Large international humanitarian organization operating in Uganda, Burkina Faso, Malawi, and dozens of other countries with humanitarian aid, education, and community development programs. Comparable mission; broader scale and institutional funding.

Direct peers

• World Vision: Large faith-based humanitarian organization running child sponsorship, education, clean water, and community development programs across dozens of countries including Uganda and Burkina Faso. Comparable program mix and donor base.
• Compassion International: Faith-based child sponsorship organization serving children in Uganda and other developing countries with similar $35-$40/month sponsorship model. Closest comparable in terms of operations, target beneficiary, and donor acquisition mechanics.
• Samaritan's Purse: Faith-based humanitarian organization with disaster relief, containerized aid distribution, and short-term mission trip programs (e.g., 'Operation Christmas Child'). Directly comparable in faith-based humanitarian aid and volunteer engagement model.
• Children's HopeChest: Faith-based child sponsorship and community development organization with deep Uganda presence and a similar community-led partnership model. Comparable in beneficiary focus and sponsor acquisition approach.
• Food for the Hungry: Faith-based community development organization operating in Uganda, Burkina Faso, and other countries with education, clean water, and vocational training programs. Closely comparable to H.E.L.P.'s 'hand-up, not hand-out' dignity-centered model.
• Bright Hope: Faith-based international development organization working in Uganda, Malawi, Ethiopia, and Burkina Faso on education, clean water, and economic empowerment. Closely comparable in country footprint and program types.

Emerging players

• Adventures in Missions: Faith-based short-term mission trip organization offering programs in Uganda, Brazil, Kenya, and similar countries. Comparable to H.E.L.P.'s 'Travel With a Purpose' mission trip model.
• Watermark Outreach / 127 Worldwide: Faith-based nonprofit operating in Uganda with community development, education, and clean water programs similar to H.E.L.P.'s Burkina Faso and Uganda work. Smaller-scale direct peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HELP-International-100066574069398
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/h-e-l-p-international

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about H.E.L.P. International