Orphaned Starfish Foundation

What Orphaned Starfish Foundation does

The Orphaned Starfish Foundation (OSF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation founded in 2001 by former Wall Street banker Andrew B. Stein, headquartered at 55 Exchange Place, Suite 402, New York, NY. The organization provides technology-based education, job training, and job placement assistance to vulnerable children worldwide — specifically orphans, victims of abuse, survivors of trafficking, indigenous children, at-risk youth, and refugees. OSF operates 81 technology centers embedded in partner orphanages, schools, and community centers across 34 countries, delivering a curriculum that includes English language instruction (via Rosetta Stone and dedicated teachers), web design, computer programming (HTML/C++), robotics engineering (LEGO Mindstorms), 3D printing, life skills, microloans, and the Peggy Drummond Memorial Scholarship Fund supporting 100+ students in higher education. Specialized programs include the H.E.L.O. Haiti Filmmaking Academy (Never Give Up Creative Academy) and the "If These Walls Could Talk" international art installation. Over 90% of graduates attain positive outcomes and 100% demonstrate basic computing proficiency per disclosed program metrics.

OSF's revenue model is purely donation-driven, with five disclosed streams: individual donations ($20–$100,000+), corporate sponsorships, dedicated scholarship donations ($500–$40,000 per student), stock donations processed via the Director of Operations, and airline mile donations. The organization reports that 90% of donations flow directly to programs, with an implied cost basis of approximately $120 per student per year. Donation tiers are structured as one-time/perpetual commitments ranging from $200 (a child's technology education) to $100,000 (English language programming across all OSF programs). Go-to-market is multi-modal: event-driven (25th Anniversary Gala at Cipriani Wall Street in October 2026, Miami Beach Bandshell concert in April 2026), community-led (Starfish Advocates, peer-to-peer birthday fundraisers), and direct-to-consumer (website, email newsletter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter). Corporate anchors include Johnson & Johnson (HOLA career panels, LEA STEM workshop), Carlson Family Foundation (Rosetta Stone for Mexico), BlackRock, Delta Air Lines, and Loews Hotels; institutional partners include Save the Children, Rotary Club, and USAID. The organization is governed by a 14-member Board of Directors chaired by Andy Stein as Founder & Executive Chairman, with a 13-person staff and operating geographies spanning North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Name

Orphaned Starfish Foundation

Legal name

Orphaned Starfish Foundation

Website

https://osf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Orphaned Starfish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2001 that operates 81 technology centers across 34 countries, delivering technology-based education, English language training, job training, and scholarships to orphans, trafficking survivors, abuse victims, refugees, and at-risk youth worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Education and Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Computer Training (61142), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Education Access & EdTech for Equity (Low-cost Learning, Skills Platforms) (BPAGALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Learning Device Ecosystems & 1:1 Program Solutions (Devices, MDM, Charging) (EDAJAMAL), Homeless, Foster Care & Highly Mobile Youth Education Services (EDAJAEAG), Education Systems & Skills Technical Assistance (BPADAEAI), Scholarships, Grants & Education Benefits Administration (Financing-adjacent) (FSAKAEAM)

Keywords

• Nonprofit education programs
• Workforce development training
• Digital literacy education
• Youth vocational training
• Orphan education services

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute via the website using credit card payments through the igfn.us platform. Donations range from $20 to $100,000+ supporting various programs and initiatives.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor OSF programs, technology centers, events, and initiatives. Examples include Johnson & Johnson's STEM LEA workshop and Carlson Family Foundation's Rosetta Stone access.
3. Scholarship Donations: Dedicated funding for the Peggy Drummond Memorial Scholarship Fund supporting students' university education, from $500 supplies to $40,000 full four-year scholarships.
4. Stock Donations: OSF accepts stock donations as an alternative giving method, processed through contact with Karla Osorio, Director of Operations.
5. Airline Mile Donations: Donors contribute airline miles to help top students travel for experiences like the annual gala and to support annual site visits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

OSF builds, equips, and staffs computer technology centers at partner orphanages, schools, and community centers across 34 countries, then delivers technology-based education, English language instruction, computer programming, robotics, job training, life skills, microloans, and scholarships to vulnerable children. The foundation commits to each program for the long term, providing ongoing teacher salaries, curriculum support, job placement, and higher-education scholarships to help beneficiaries achieve financial independence.

Product overview

The Orphaned Starfish Foundation (OSF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides technology-based education and job training to vulnerable children worldwide. OSF operates as a program-based organization rather than a traditional software product company. Its core offerings include Technology Centers (81 computer labs across 34 countries), English Language Programming (via Rosetta Stone and teachers), Computer Programming (HTML/C++), Web Design Training, Robotics Engineering (LEGO Mindstorms), 3-D Printing, Job Training & Placement, Life Skills Training, Microloans, Scholarships (Peggy Drummond Memorial Scholarship Fund supporting 100+ students), The Arts programs (including 'If These Walls Could Talk'), and Filmmaking (including the H.E.L.O. Haiti Filmmaking Academy). Over 90% of OSF students achieve positive outcomes through these integrated programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Never Give Up Creative Academy: Haiti's first orphan-run film and music academy founded by Kendy and Kenderson, former Helo Haiti orphans
• Peggy Drummond Memorial Scholarship Fund
• If These Walls Could Talk
• OSF Robotics Initiative
• OSF Freedom Project

Products and services

• Technology Centers Program OSF builds, equips, and staffs computer-equipped technology centers at partner orphanages, schools, and community centers worldwide, providing students with computers, internet access, and technology education. The program operates 81 tech centers across 34 countries and serves as the operational foundation for all other OSF educational offerings.
• English Language Programming OSF provides English language education through Rosetta Stone software and hired English teachers at technology centers, helping students in developing countries achieve fluency that can more than double their annual salary.
• Computer Programming and Web Design Training Training in HTML and C++ programming languages and web design skills delivered at OSF technology centers, equipping students with coding and digital design skills in high demand across multiple industries in the international market.
• Robotics Engineering Program Hands-on robotics labs using LEGO Mindstorms kits and other educational platforms, with introductory coding classes and project-based learning. Students learn computer science and basic engineering elements by creating projects such as functional prosthetic arms and irrigation systems.
• 3-D Printing Initiative Students design objects on computers and create them physically through 3D printing technology, with aspirations to print furniture and produce objects that help people with physical disabilities.
• Job Training and Placement OSF teaches students the skills needed to obtain jobs and become financially independent, with job placement assistance provided through partnerships with companies to help students transition to higher education or employment.
• Life Skills Training Vital program for children growing up in institutions teaching practical skills including how to open a bank account, budget, go to the doctor, rent an apartment, and other independent living essentials.
• Microloan Program OSF offers microloans to students who present exceptional business proposals, supporting entrepreneurship and self-employment among OSF graduates, with documented success including franchise development.
• Peggy Drummond Memorial Scholarship Program The OSF Scholarship Program provides deserving students around the world with educational opportunities to pursue high school, technical training, and university degrees, with scholarship tiers ranging from $500 in supplies to $40,000 for a full four-year university scholarship. The program has sponsored over 100 students globally.
• Arts Program (including "If These Walls Could Talk") OSF introduces students to various forms of arts including photography, ballet, painting, and dance. Includes the "If These Walls Could Talk" international art installation by artist Justin Garcia that captures the voices of abused and sex-trafficked children worldwide.
• Filmmaking Program and H.E.L.O. Haiti Filmmaking Academy OSF partners with We Make Movies to teach students film production and editing, including the H.E.L.O. Haiti Filmmaking Academy at the Helo Haiti Orphanage. The academy includes a classroom for up to 12 students, a music studio, and a video editing workspace; students Kendy and Kenderson won the OSF Filmmaking Competition and Best Student Film at the We Make Movies International Film Festival.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% of graduates attain positive outcomes
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Charlie VillanuevaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026New partnership with former NBA player Charlie Villanueva to renovate a volleyball and basketball court in OSF Dominican Republic program in Sosúa. This is an investment in youth development, community engagement, and long-term opportunity through sports.
• Johnson & Johnson (HOLA - Hispanic Organization for Leadership and Achievement)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Johnson & Johnson's HOLA chapter hosts career panels with professionals from various industries to mentor OSF students in Latin America. The partnership also includes Operation Smile's LEA STEM workshop where 12 students from OSF program Niños y Niñas de Cristo participated in leadership and career development activities. J&J provides professionals who share personal experiences and teach students about resilience, career selection, and workplace skills.
• Carlson Family FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Carlson Family Foundation has generously provided Rosetta Stone access to all OSF students in Mexico, enabling English language learning across OSF's Mexico programs.
• We Make MoviescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSF works alongside We Make Movies to teach students filmmaking and editing. The partnership has inspired the Helo Academy Haiti initiative, where students won the OSF Filmmaking Competition and Best Student Film at the We Make Movies International Film Festival.
• Save the ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAndy Stein has partnered with Save the Children in various countries where OSF operates programs.
• Rotary ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Rotary Club partnerships support OSF programs in various countries.
• USAIDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with USAID to support OSF programs in various countries.
• Snow Lion FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports Atisha Primary School and Namgyal Middle School in Nepal, providing education for Tibetan refugees. OSF provides technology centers at these schools.
• Rosetta StonecoreTechnology or IntegrationEnglish language learning software provided to technology centers through Carlson Family Foundation sponsorship, enabling students to develop speaking, reading, and writing skills in English.
• GreenviewminorOthersEric Ricaurte, OSF's Treasurer and Director of Finance, is the founder of Greenview, an international consultancy in travel and tourism sustainability. Eric brings sustainability expertise to OSF's operations.
• Levy Public Relations and EventsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPR and events partner supporting OSF communications and event execution.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Digital Promise: Nonprofit focused on EdTech innovation and equity in education, particularly for underserved learners — directly comparable to OSF's mission of using technology to expand educational access for vulnerable populations.
• CAMFED (Campaign for Female Education): Multi-country nonprofit supporting girls' secondary and tertiary education in sub-Saharan Africa, with multi-year scholarships and post-graduation mentorship — closely mirrors OSF's scholarships-for-vulnerable-children model.
• Pencils of Promise: Nonprofit that builds schools and delivers education programs in developing countries, with a comparable operating model of donor-funded infrastructure and direct service to underserved children — directly comparable to OSF's tech-center-plus-scholarship approach.
• One Laptop Per Child (OLPC): Nonprofit that distributes learning devices and educational software to children in developing countries — the most direct technology-and-education counterpart to OSF's computer lab and curriculum model.
• Room to Read: Global nonprofit focused on literacy and gender equality in education across low-income countries, combining school infrastructure with long-term scholarships — a near-direct analog to OSF's technology-center-plus-university-scholarship model.
• Malala Fund: Nonprofit advocating for girls' education and funding programs in developing countries, including secondary-school and university support — overlaps with OSF's scholarship and education-access mission for at-risk girls.
• Pratham: Large nonprofit providing education programs to underprivileged children in India and beyond, with a model of low-cost, high-reach interventions — comparable in scale and methodology to OSF's community-based tech education.

Emerging players

• Compudopt: Nonprofit that distributes refurbished computers and digital literacy programs to underserved youth — a more narrowly focused emerging peer with overlapping technology-for-education mechanics.

Broad incumbents

• UNICEF: UN agency focused on children's rights, education, and protection globally — a massive incumbent in the same mission space and a potential institutional funding partner for OSF.
• Save the Children: Large international NGO with programs in education, child protection, and refugee support — already an OSF partner and a much broader incumbent serving many of the same vulnerable populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ostarfish
• YouTubebit.ly/2QcABD7
• Facebookfacebook.com/orphanedstarfish
• Instagraminstagram.com/orphanedstarfish
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/orphaned-starfish-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Orphaned Starfish Foundation