Rise International
Rise International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2016 that delivers sustainable construction, entrepreneurship training through the in loco fellowship, and community development programs across Sub-Saharan Africa, primarily in Lesotho, Kenya, and Zambia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersCanton, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Rise International does
Rise International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2016 and headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts, with operational headquarters in Maseru, Lesotho. The organization delivers sustainable construction services, entrepreneurship training through its in loco fellowship program, and community development initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa, with active operations in Lesotho, Kenya, and Zambia.
The organization's core products are physical buildings and the human capital built alongside them. Construction uses a portfolio of proprietary low-carbon methods, including insulated concrete (ICEB), sandbag, and shipping container systems, with FSC-certified timber and lime plasters applied on landmark projects such as the Stadium of Life. Materials R&D has begun extending into hempcrete. The in loco fellowship trains local builders and entrepreneurs; the program reports a 56.7% income uplift for participants and is being scaled, with a 14-fellow cohort — the largest to date — deployed in Kenya in 2025.
Rise operates a 100% self-funding model in which every donated dollar flows directly to social entrepreneurship programs while BOND Events underwrites all operational costs. Funding sources include individual donations, foundation grants (Action Ireland Trust, Quinn Family Foundation), corporate sponsorships, and university partnerships via COIL programs. Graduate social enterprises (for example, a furniture workshop generating M15,000 over three years) contribute token revenue. The beneficiary base is highly distributed across schools and rural communities, while the funder base is moderately concentrated among a small number of institutional anchors.
Rise International firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rise International
- Legal name
- rise International
- Website
- https://riseint.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Rise International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2016 that delivers sustainable construction, entrepreneurship training through the in loco fellowship, and community development programs across Sub-Saharan Africa, primarily in Lesotho, Kenya, and Zambia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rise International industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Social Services
- NAICS
- Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (236220)
- SIC
- Heavy Construction Other Than Bldg Const - Contractors (1600), Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB), International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH), Sustainable Cities, Urban Development & Green Infrastructure (BPADALAL)
Keywords
Where Rise International is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Canton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Rise International business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Rise International is a 100% self-funding nonprofit organization. All donations go directly to social entrepreneurship programs. The organization accepts one-time and recurring donations through its website, with billing options for monthly, quarterly, or annual cycles.
- Social Enterprise Revenue: Some supported enterprises generate revenue that supports community programs. For example, Phelisanong Children's Centre's Conference Hall Catering Business has hosted 18+ events over 3 years, generating M15,000+ in revenue reinvested into the child nutrition program.
- Volunteer and Sponsorship Programs: Rise International offers sponsorship opportunities and hosts volunteers at all levels to help plan and deliver social enterprise training programs in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
Rise International product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rise International is a US-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates sustainable construction projects and the "in loco Fellowship" program in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a primary focus on Lesotho. The organization builds community infrastructure using eco-friendly methods such as shipping containers, Interlocking Compressed Earth Blocks (ICEB), sandbag construction, and FSC-certified timber, while training and placing social entrepreneur fellows to lead locally-driven development initiatives.
Product overview
Rise International is a nonprofit organization operating a portfolio of social enterprise programs focused on sustainable construction, entrepreneurship training, and community development across Sub-Saharan Africa. The organization functions as a unified program model centered on its core in loco Fellowship, which combines hands-on construction training with business incubation. Supporting programs include the Design & Build initiative (utilizing shipping containers, ICEB, and sandbag construction methods), the Entrepreneurship & Workskills incubation track, and the ESG Impact measurement framework. Project initiatives like the 5 Hub Schools infrastructure program and flagship developments such as the Kick4Life Stadium of Life showcase the practical application of their integrated approach, where fellows gain real-world experience while delivering sustainable community infrastructure.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- in loco Fellowship: A fellowship program that equips recent graduates in the built environment with hands-on experience in design and construction, combined with business and entrepreneurship training. The program transforms job seekers into job creators through a 'learning by doing' approach.
- Pioneer Incubation Program
- 5 Hub Schools Project
Products and services
- in loco Fellowship A fellowship program that trains and places social entrepreneurs directly within underserved communities in Sub-Saharan Africa (primarily Lesotho) to lead locally-driven sustainable development initiatives. Designed for aspiring local leaders who commit to staying in their communities and executing construction and social enterprise projects.
- Sustainable Construction Projects Community construction projects delivered in Lesotho and surrounding regions using eco-friendly building methods including shipping containers, Interlocking Compressed Earth Blocks (ICEB), sandbag construction, and FSC-certified timber. Targeted at underserved communities needing affordable housing and community infrastructure.
Quantifiable outcome
- 56.7% average monthly income increase for in loco graduates
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Rise International
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Rise International technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Rise International partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Action Ireland Trust (AIT)flagshipMajor funding partner for the 5 Hub Schools project providing essential infrastructure improvements (flushing toilets, food gardens, rainwater harvesting, kitchens) at five schools in Lesotho. Action Ireland Trust has brought 90+ volunteers from Ireland to work alongside communities, providing both funding and hands-on support for construction projects.
- Kick4LifeflagshipCollaborated on the Stadium of Life project, Africa's first FSC-certified timber stadium. Rise International provided design and construction expertise while Kick4Life contributed as the local charity and football club. The stadium serves as a multi-purpose hub for sports, education, and community programs.
- Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)coreGlobal leader in promoting responsible forest management. FSC certified the Stadium of Life project, making it Africa's first FSC-certified timber stadium and first FSC-certified project in southern Africa.
- DNVcoreIndependent expert in assurance and risk management that certified the Stadium of Life as an FSC project, providing third-party validation of sustainable construction practices.
- MTO ForestrycoreSource of FSC-certified timber for the Stadium of Life project. MTO Forestry's FSC-certified plantations in Mpumalanga, South Africa, provided the 8,584 treated Eucalyptus poles used in construction.
- Avans UniversityminorMaster's students from Avans University in the Netherlands conducted research in partnership with Rise International (2022) to assess the practicality of employing hemp as a construction material in Lesotho.
- Nottingham Trent University (NTU)coreCollaborative Online International Learning (COIL) program partner. NTU environmental students evaluated ecological footprint of building materials in Lesotho, contributing to sustainable housing research.
- National University of Lesotho (NUL)coreCOIL program partner. NUL economics students conducted cost analyses of building materials for affordable housing, assessing affordability for low-income households.
- Lerotholi Polytechnic (LP)coreCOIL program partner. LP architecture students assessed social impact of construction materials, considering community acceptance, safety, and cultural relevance.
- University International Catalonia (UIC Barcelona)coreParticipates in Rise International's annual International Workshop programs. University students join with ARUP professionals and local volunteers to construct community infrastructure using sustainable methods.
- ARUPcoreGlobal engineering and design firm whose professionals volunteer in Rise's International Workshop programs. Participants work alongside students and local volunteers to construct eco-friendly infrastructure.
- Limkokwing University of Creative TechnologyminorPartnership for lectures and educational sessions on sustainability and architecture. Collaborated on special lecture on holistic sustainability with Rise's international interns.
- Possible Dreams FoundationcorePartnered with Rise International to pilot community development programs, including a pedestrian bridge construction project with Ha Sekants'i community in Lesotho.
- God's Love CentrecoreOrphanage in Lesotho that has been a program partner since 2017-2018. Rise helped support the orphanage through the in loco fellowship program and infrastructure improvements.
- IDAL (Intellectual Disability & Autism Lesotho)coreRise designed and built the IDAL Centre pavilion, a timber-made structure for intellectual disability and autism services. In loco fellows conducted participatory design workshops with IDAL members and their families.
- African Library ProjectminorDonated books to the Morija Hub loan-out library, the only library in Morija.
- Books for LesothominorDonated books to the Morija Hub loan-out library, supporting literacy and educational access in Lesotho.
- Wrexham AFCminorFootball club twinning partnership with Kick4Life, Rise's partner organization. The collaboration opens pathways for youth development through sport, skills development, and life-changing opportunities connected to the Stadium of Life.
- Ubu (South Africa)coreLeading sandbag construction company from South Africa that collaborated with in loco fellows to design and construct sustainable sandbag kitchen facilities at schools.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Rise International competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Room to Read: Room to Read operates literacy and girls' education programs across Africa and Asia, combining school infrastructure with education program delivery and outcome measurement. Both organizations are international development nonprofits focused on community-owned education outcomes in low-income regions.
- Opportunity International: Opportunity International provides microfinance, training, and incubation to small entrepreneurs in Africa and other developing regions. Rise's Entrepreneurship & Workskills program and Pioneer Incubation track align on the mission of converting underserved entrepreneurs into sustainable business owners.
- WaterAid: WaterAid is an international nonprofit focused on clean water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure in developing countries. Rise's borehole drilling, rainwater harvesting, and flushing-toilet installations for schools are direct functional analogues to WaterAid's rural WASH delivery model.
- buildOn: buildOn is a nonprofit that partners with rural communities in developing countries to construct schools and run youth service programs. Like Rise, it combines sustainable school construction (often using local and eco-friendly methods) with youth empowerment outcomes, and it draws on international volunteers and corporate partnerships for funding.
- Habitat for Humanity International: Habitat for Humanity builds sustainable, community-led housing and runs volunteer construction programs across Sub-Saharan Africa. Rise mirrors this community-partnered build model but specializes in education and entrepreneurship infrastructure using local sustainable materials.
- Pencils of Promise: Pencils of Promise builds schools and supports education programs in Ghana, Guatemala, Laos, and Nicaragua, with a comparable model of donor-funded infrastructure plus community-led development and measurable student outcomes, mirroring Rise's school-infrastructure-plus-education focus in Lesotho.
- Kick4Life: Kick4Life is a Lesotho-based sports-for-development charity and Rise's partner on the Stadium of Life project. Both organizations are small Lesotho-rooted NGOs operating youth, health, and community programs with international volunteer engagement.
- TechnoServe: TechnoServe is an international nonprofit that develops entrepreneurship and SME programs across Africa, including skills training, incubation, and market access. The in loco Fellowship's job-seeker-to-job-creator model closely parallels TechnoServe's business-catalyst approach in emerging markets.
Broad incumbents
- BRAC: BRAC is one of the largest international development NGOs, running integrated programs in education, microenterprise, and community empowerment across Africa and Asia. As a broad incumbent in the development sector, BRAC provides scale context for Rise's smaller, geographically focused model.
Emerging players
- EarthEnable: EarthEnable provides low-cost sustainable flooring and housing materials in East Africa, pioneering natural-material construction for underserved communities. Rise's ICEB and sandbag construction methods make it a peer in the sustainable-rural-construction niche, though EarthEnable focuses on housing rather than community infrastructure.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Rise International social profiles
Digital presenceRise International financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rise International leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Rise International funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rise International M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Rise International
What does Rise International do?
Rise International is a US-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates sustainable construction projects and the "in loco Fellowship" program in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a primary focus on Lesotho. The organization builds community infrastructure using eco-friendly methods such as shipping containers, Interlocking Compressed Earth Blocks (ICEB), sandbag construction, and FSC-certified timber, while training and placing social entrepreneur fellows to lead locally-driven development initiatives.
Is Rise International a public or private company?
Rise International is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Rise International founded?
Rise International was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Rise International based?
Rise International is headquartered in Canton, United States, in the North America region.
How does Rise International make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are social Enterprise Revenue and volunteer and Sponsorship Programs.
Who are Rise International's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Room to Read, Opportunity International, WaterAid, buildOn, Habitat for Humanity International, Pencils of Promise, Kick4Life and TechnoServe. BRAC is listed as a broad incumbent. EarthEnable is listed as an emerging player.
Does Rise International have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rise International.
What industry is Rise International in?
Rise International's product category is Nonprofit Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAEAK, Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming, with a secondary code of EDADALAB, International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs. Its NAICS code is 813410 and its SIC code is 1600.