Magicians Without Borders

What Magicians Without Borders does

Magicians Without Borders (MWB) is a 501C(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002 by Tom Verner, a former psychology professor, and co-founder Janet Fredericks, operating from Bristol, Vermont with a core team of approximately 7 staff. The organization delivers live magic performances to children in refugee camps, orphanages, hospitals, and disaster zones, and operates The Sorcerer's Apprentice education program — a long-term curriculum teaching magic, theater, and performance skills designed to build confidence, discipline, and self-esteem in at-risk youth across seven active education chapters (Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Brazil, India, South Africa, Ukraine, and Vermont). MWB has performed in over 40 countries, reaching more than one million beneficiaries since inception, and conducts six international missions per year, with an intensified focus on Ukraine since 2022 in partnership with organizations such as Jesuit Refugee Service and a French sister organization, Magiciens Sans Frontières.

The underlying "technology" stack is intentionally low-tech and field-oriented: a curated podcast (MWB Conversations, distributed across 11 platforms), a self-guided online video course (Become a Magician, sold at $299), and an online store — none of which constitutes proprietary AI or platform infrastructure. The service model is executed through a distributed network of regional partner NGOs and local magician-leaders (e.g., Diego Vargas in Costa Rica, Tamara Jimenez in Colombia, Jacques Le Sueur in South Africa), creating a community-led, alumni-driven chapter ecosystem rather than a centralized employment model.

MWB's revenue mechanics are diversified across donations (primary, tax-deductible, including monthly recurring), a three-tier membership program ($5/$10/$20 per month), online magic courses ($299 one-time), fee-based Magic Service Trips combining tourism and volunteer performance, and emerging chapter-level earned revenue (Colombia students generated approximately $4,370 USD in 2025 through paid performances). Customer segments served are refugee children and families, at-risk youth in underserved communities, hospitalized children (notably pediatric oncology), and disaster-affected populations, with no anchor institutional buyer and no traditional B2B sales motion.

Name

Magicians Without Borders

Legal name

Magicians Without Borders

Website

https://magicianswithoutborders.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Magicians Without Borders is a 501C(3) nonprofit founded in 2002 that delivers live magic performances and the Sorcerer's Apprentice education program to refugee, orphaned, hospitalized, and at-risk children across 40+ countries, primarily funded by donations, memberships, and online courses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Magic Entertainment and Education

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (813990), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (71151), Fine Arts Schools (61161)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circus, Magic & Variety Shows (THAJAFAH), Entrepreneurship, Business & Innovation Camps (EDAMALAL)

Keywords

• Humanitarian magic performances
• Magic education programs
• Refugee camp entertainment
• Nonprofit magic organization
• Youth magic training

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Primary revenue source from individual donors, corporations, and organizations. MWB accepts tax-deductible donations and encourages monthly recurring donations. The organization is a 501C(3) nonprofit.
2. Membership Program: Monthly subscription tiers (Basic $5, Silver $10, Gold $20) offering exclusive discounts at magic shops, conventions, and premium event access.
3. Online Magic Courses: Self-guided video courses (Become a Magician Library Edition at $299) teaching magic performance skills, sold through their online store.
4. Student Performance Revenue: Colombia education chapter produces paid shows, generating approximately $4,370 USD in 2025. Students earn income from performances, demonstrating entrepreneurial empowerment.
5. Magic Service Trips: Fee-based volunteer trips combining tourism, magic performance, and community service in countries like India, Costa Rica, and Colombia.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Magicians Without Borders is a 501C(3) nonprofit that delivers live magic performances to children in refugee camps, orphanages, hospitals, and disaster areas across 40+ countries, alongside The Sorcerer's Apprentice structured magic education program operated through local chapters in 7 countries. It monetizes through individual/corporate donations, tiered membership subscriptions ($5-20/month), the $299 Become a Magician online course, fee-based Magic Service Trips, and corporate event services.

Product overview

Magicians Without Borders operates as a single unified non-profit offering centered around using magic to create positive social impact. The core offerings consist of live magic performances for refugee and orphan children, and The Sorcerer's Apprentice education program teaching magic to at-risk youth through local chapters worldwide. Supporting offerings include Magic Service Trips for volunteer tourists, the SOS Magic Strike Force for disaster response, the MWB Conversations weekly podcast, the Become a Magician online course (Personal and Library editions), and an MWB Membership program. Corporate event services (keynote speakers, workshops, magic shows) are also offered for hire.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MWB Conversations: Weekly show/podcast where Carlos López, Global Programs Director, talks about social magic and how it creates change.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million people entertained since 2001
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• Magiciens Sans FrontièrescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026French sister organization of MWB; collaborated on 8th Ukraine mission extending through Romania in May 2026. Joint performances at Jesuit Refugee Service locations. Together they delivered four performances for underserved communities in Romania.
• 3D CharitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Lviv-based charity running development programs for orphaned children. MWB conducted first full 3-day magic education intensive workshop with them. Students performed for donors in graduation showcase.
• Murphy's MagicminorOthersSupported the 3D Charity magic workshop intensive in Lviv, Ukraine.
• Zaporuka NGOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUkrainian organization MWB partners with for pediatric oncology support. MWB performed at National Cancer Institute and Zaporuka's Dacha halfway house for families.
• Autism Voice RomaniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRomanian autism advocacy organization. MWB performed for young people with autism, creating unprecedented emotional connections during the show.
• Jucărie şi MagieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBucharest's magic shop, one of finest in Europe, built over 12 years by owners Bogdan and Florentina. MWB shared mission with Romania's local magic community.
• Our ChildrencoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMumbai, India partner since 2009. MWB's Sorcerer's Apprentice program runs continuously in Mumbai with ongoing chapter since 2014.
• AsaprosarcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSalvadoran Rural Health Association in Santa Ana, El Salvador. MWB has collaborated since 2004 with Barefoot Angel Program for children living in poverty.
• Glasswing InternationalmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEl Salvador partner for San Salvador education chapter (2015-2017). Helped establish second chapter in El Salvador.
• KOIKAmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKorean international development organization. Partner for Ahuachapán, El Salvador chapter (2019-present).
• La CometamajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCosta Rica local partner for San José education chapter (2016-present). Hosts magic classes with alumni teacher Adal Villalobos.
• Fundación Bella FlormajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBogotá, Colombia partner for first education chapter (2012-2018).
• Fundación Nueva Vida Para TodosmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBogotá, Colombia partner for ongoing education chapter (2019-present), led by alumni Tamara Jimenez.
• Juguemos en el BosquemajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMedellín, Colombia partner for education chapter (2019-present), led by Ricardo Montoya.
• ONG CasaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBrazil partner for Uberlândia education chapter (2018). Led by Kyle Dickey for year-long program.
• CouldC Training & Development and R-CitymajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCape Town, South Africa partners for education chapter (2019-present), led by Jacques Le Sueur.
• Fundación GuaicaramominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for 40-hour intensive magic program in Barranca de Upía, Meta, Colombia (2014).
• Jesuit Refugee ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational refugee service organization. MWB performed in Uganda (2005) and Romania (2026) at JRS locations.
• Project World ImpactminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPWI partnership badge displayed on MWB website as partner organization.
• Homo FaberminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolish organization empowering Ukrainian refugees through essential skills training (public speaking, English). MWB performed for their community.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Right To Play: Larger international NGO using sport and play for child development in disadvantaged communities. They share MWB's belief in play-based child empowerment, but operate at significantly greater scale with a broader programmatic scope.
• War Child: Established international NGO focused on children affected by war, including in Ukraine, Colombia, and multiple African countries that overlap with MWB's geographies. They share the conflict-zone child welfare focus but use more conventional psychosocial and education programming.
• Save the Children: Major international child welfare NGO that operates many of the same country programs and conflict-zone humanitarian responses as MWB. They are a much larger incumbent, but share the mission of supporting refugee and at-risk children globally.

Direct peers

• Musicians Without Borders: Direct peer using music instead of magic for healing and community building in post-conflict regions. Shares the 'X Without Borders' humanitarian model, focus on war-affected communities, and long-term community-based program structure.
• Clowns Without Borders: Direct peer that uses performance arts (clowning vs. magic) to bring joy to children in crisis zones, refugee camps, and disaster areas. They share the same humanitarian entertainment model, beneficiary base, and geographic focus as MWB.
• Magiciens Sans Frontières: French sister organization that performs magic in humanitarian settings. MWB explicitly collaborated with them on the 8th Ukraine mission in May 2026, conducting joint performances at Jesuit Refugee Service locations. They are the most direct functional peer in the magic humanitarian space.

Others

• Ashoka: Global network of social entrepreneurs and changemakers. MWB has received Ashoka grant funding via Magic Power (Salvadoran young magicians' organization). Ashoka is a funding/ecosystem enabler rather than direct competitor, with similar mission of youth empowerment through innovative social models.
• Room to Read: International education nonprofit supporting at-risk youth through literacy and girls' education programs, including in several of the same countries as MWB (India, Colombia). They share the youth education development model but focus on academic rather than arts-based curricula.
• Engineers Without Borders: Adjacent peer sharing the 'X Without Borders' brand model but applied to engineering rather than magic. They demonstrate the scalability of the 'X Without Borders' nonprofit brand template that MWB has adopted, and operate in many of the same countries.

Emerging players

• MagicAid Foundation: Smaller emerging nonprofit using magic to support sick children in hospitals. Shares MWB's magic-as-tool-for-child-welfare approach and the hospital-based performance model, though more narrowly focused on pediatric medical settings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/magicandhope
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3BR7wrZQpMVMz3YAoWGs8Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/MagiciansWithoutBorders
• Instagraminstagram.com/MagiciansWithoutBorders
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/magicians-without-borders

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Magicians Without Borders