Project HERO

What Project HERO does

Project HERO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity founded in 2013 and headquartered in Oceanside, California, with an operating footprint across Carlsbad, San Marcos, and Tracy. The organization delivers character development, mentorship, and martial arts programs to K-12 students, prioritizing children affected by public school budget cuts and those lacking access to extracurricular activities, positive role models, or mental health support. Its mission—"Helping Everyone Reach & Overcome"—is operationalized through free or low-cost after-school and summer programs delivered on-site at schools and off-site at partner martial arts studios, supplemented by scholarships and emergency aid.

The product portfolio comprises School Programs (K-12 after-school martial arts and character development via Martial Arts International in Carlsbad/San Marcos and Castro Martial Arts in Tracy), Camp 360 – The Hero's Journey (a summer mentorship camp currently in fundraising), Roy's Dream Scholarship and the Hero Scholarship (character-progress-based student awards), an Online Mentorship Program, and the COVID-19 Community Fund (emergency online education and family aid). There is no proprietary software, platform, mobile app, API, or AI/ML capability; the technology footprint is limited to a GoDaddy Website Builder-hosted marketing site and PayPal-based donation processing, with outreach conducted via email newsletter and the #HEROMVMT social media presence.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable contributions solicited via the website, email, and social channels, with complete fund-use control retained by the Board of Directors. Programs are provided free or at reduced cost, with financial-need scholarships available. With 11 employees and no disclosed institutional grants, corporate sponsorships, or fee-for-service revenue, Project HERO operates as a lean, community-led nonprofit dependent on a diffuse donor base and on its two core martial arts studio partnerships to reach students across its regional California footprint.

Name

Project HERO

Legal name

Project HERO

Website

https://projectherousa.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Project HERO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free or low-cost character development, mentorship, and martial arts programs to K-12 students across Carlsbad, San Marcos, and Tracy, California, through school-site partnerships with Martial Arts International and Castro Martial Arts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Character Development & Mentorship Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

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

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAJ

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGADAI

Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGADAM

Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

Keywords

• Youth mentorship programs
• Character development programs
• After-school programs
• Martial arts instruction
• Youth empowerment nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Oceanside

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity, Project HERO generates revenue entirely through donations and charitable contributions from individuals, organizations, and community supporters. Donations are solicited via the website with PayPal integration. The organization retains complete control over the use and distribution of donated funds under the direction of the Board of Directors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Project HERO is a nonprofit that provides free or low-cost K-12 after-school character development and martial arts programs through school-site and partner-studio delivery, plus a summer Camp 360 mentorship program, online mentorship, COVID-19 community emergency aid, and student scholarships. The organization serves children and youth in Carlsbad, San Marcos, and Tracy, California, with the stated mission of empowering kids by providing environment, resources, and heroes to nurture their character and capabilities.

Product overview

Project HERO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating as a youth empowerment and character development nonprofit. The organization offers a portfolio of programs including School Programs (K-12 after-school character development and martial arts training through partnerships with Martial Arts International in Carlsbad and Castro Martial Arts in Tracy), Camp 360 - The Hero's Journey (summer mentorship camp), Scholarship opportunities (Roy's Dream Scholarship and Hero Scholarship for students demonstrating character growth), and COVID-19 Community Fund emergency programs (online education, mentorship, and financial aid). These programs are designed to empower children by providing heroes, mentors, and resources to help them build character and overcome obstacles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Camp 360: A summer camp program inspired by the Hero's Journey, providing mentors and guides to teach kids skills and confidence to become their own hero.
• Roy's Dream Scholarship
• Hero Scholarship
• COVID-19 Community Fund

Products and services

• After-School School Programs (K-12 Character Development & Martial Arts)

Quantifiable outcome

• Programs in all 9 public elementary schools in Carlsbad and 1 school in San Marcos, California

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Martial Arts International (Aaron Lobell)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMartial Arts International, led by Aaron Lobell, is a core program partner providing after-school martial arts instruction in Carlsbad, California. The partnership serves all 9 public elementary schools in Carlsbad and 1 school in San Marcos. Programs include beginner karate classes, Saturday dojo access, belt testing with promotional ceremonies, and uniform sponsorship transfers. Students receive Orange/White belts upon passing belt tests. The program teaches posture, focus, self-discipline, and self-defense applicable to all areas of life.
• Castro Martial Arts (Julio Castro)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCastro Martial Arts, led by World Sport Karate Champion Julio Castro, serves the Tracy, California community since 2006. The program goes beyond martial arts training to include academic achievement, physical conditioning, peer interaction, and life skills development. Focus areas include dealing with bullies, avoiding drugs and gangs, building self-confidence, self-respect, and self-discipline. The program employs positive reinforcement to build self-esteem and positive attitudes and values. CMA is devoted to molding tomorrow's champions through martial arts experience.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• KIPP Foundation: Nonprofit charter school network addressing educational inequity through extended-day programming and character development — partial overlap with Project HERO's focus on character growth and academic outcomes for underserved students.

Direct peers

• 4-H: Youth development organization delivering mentorship, leadership, and life-skills programming through local club networks — comparable to Project HERO's character development, mentorship, and community-anchored delivery model.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development nonprofit providing after-school programs, mentorship, and character-building activities for K-12 youth — directly comparable in mission, beneficiary population, and community-based delivery model to Project HERO.
• Girls Inc. Nonprofit delivering youth development programming focused on empowerment, self-confidence, and life skills — comparable in mission (empowering youth), delivery channel (school and community partnerships), and target outcomes.
• Camp Fire: Youth development nonprofit combining mentorship, out-of-school time programming, and youth-led leadership — comparable to Project HERO's blend of Camp 360-style immersive experiences, mentorship, and character curriculum.
• Police Athletic League (PAL): Youth development nonprofit delivering athletic, educational, and character-building programs to at-risk youth — closely comparable to Project HERO's use of martial arts to teach discipline, self-defense, and life skills.
• After-School All-Stars: Nonprofit providing comprehensive after-school programs to underserved youth in schools — directly comparable to Project HERO's on-site school delivery and free/low-cost access model targeting the same beneficiary pain points.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: Mentorship-focused youth nonprofit pairing young people with adult role models — comparable to Project HERO's mentorship and role-model pillar and its school-and-community-based delivery approach.

Broad incumbents

• United Way: Large-scale grantmaking and fundraising nonprofit that funnels donations to community programs including youth development — comparable as a fundraising and grant-distribution counterpart rather than direct programmatic peer.
• YMCA of the USA: Large incumbent youth and community services organization offering after-school programs, sports instruction, and mentorship across a broad portfolio — overlapping with Project HERO's youth programming but at vastly greater scale and geographic breadth.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/project-hero

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Project HERO