Lifting Hands International

What Lifting Hands International does

Lifting Hands International (LHI) is a 501(c)(3) public charity headquartered at 1167 W Brooklyn Ave in Salt Lake City, Utah, founded in January 2016 by Hayley Smith. The organization collects, sorts, packs, and ships donated humanitarian aid from a volunteer-powered warehouse in American Fork, Utah to refugee populations worldwide, operating under the tagline "Simply Humanitarian." Since 2016, LHI has shipped 190+ 40-foot containers of aid, set up 970+ furnished apartments for resettled refugees in Utah from over 20 countries, and supported 500,000+ refugees globally through programs targeting Ukrainian, Afghan, Syrian, Yazidi, Rohingya, Central American, and Somali populations.

LHI's program portfolio spans international aid distribution (Beyond Borders), a Refugee Community Center in Serres, Greece located 100 meters from camps (offering English/German classes, Female-Friendly Space, Child-Friendly Space, and aid warehouse), the Animal Tracks livestock livelihood program (formerly Gather for Goats), the Utah Welcome Program for resettled refugees, US Border Aid, the Maternal Health Program, and dedicated Ukraine Response and Gaza Response programs. There is no proprietary technology platform; operations rely on warehouse logistics, volunteer labor, and on-the-ground staff. The Greece center alone maintains a structured team of 11+ named program managers.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable donations via an online portal, Giving Machines at physical retail locations, cryptocurrency (Bitcoin/Ethereum via The Giving Block), international wire transfers (USD/EUR/GBP via Wise), ACH, Zelle, appreciated stock, and planned giving through FreeWill. LHI reports delivering $250 of aid per $10 donated through in-kind donations, discounted shipping, and volunteer labor, and holds a 4-Star Charity Navigator rating and the Candid Platinum Transparency Seal for eight consecutive years.

Name

Lifting Hands International

Legal name

Lifting Hands International

Website

https://lhi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lifting Hands International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit humanitarian aid organization that collects, warehouses, and ships donated supplies from Utah to refugees in twelve-plus countries and operates a community center in Greece serving camp populations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Aid and Refugee Relief Services

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH)

Keywords

• Humanitarian aid services
• Refugee relief programs
• Disaster response
• International aid shipments
• Resettlement support

Headquarters

HQ city

Salt Lake City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: LHI generates revenue entirely through charitable donations from individuals, organizations, and fundraising campaigns. They accept donations via online portal, checks, cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum through The Giving Block), wire transfers (USD, EUR, GBP), ACH, Zelle, appreciated stock, and planned giving through wills.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

LHI collects, sorts, packs, and ships donated humanitarian aid supplies — primarily through its volunteer-powered warehouse in American Fork, Utah — directly to refugee populations both at home (US border shelters and Utah resettlement) and abroad (Ukraine, Greece, Jordan, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Somalia, Kenya, Burundi, Moldova). Its portfolio of programs includes Beyond Borders (international container shipments), Animal Tracks (livestock distribution for sustainable livelihoods), the Greece Refugee Community Center (education and safe spaces), US Border Aid, Utah-based resettlement and maternal healthcare, and emergency responses in Ukraine and Gaza.

Product overview

Lifting Hands International (LHI) is a humanitarian nonprofit organization, not a software product company. LHI operates a portfolio of interconnected aid and refugee support programs rather than a unified software platform. The core offerings include: the Beyond Borders International Aid program (humanitarian warehouse and shipping), Animal Tracks (livestock distribution for sustainable livelihoods), a Refugee Community Center in Greece (education and support services), US Border Aid, Utah-based refugee programs (warehouse, maternal health, resettlement), Ukraine Response, Gaza Response, Greatest Need Fund, and Giving Machines. The Shipment Tracker is a supplementary tool for donor transparency. Programs work together synergistically - the Utah warehouse feeds international shipments, the Greece center provides on-the-ground support, and various aid programs address immediate and long-term refugee needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Animal Tracks: Expanded livestock program (formerly Gather for Goats) providing animals such as milk goats to refugee families for sustainable income and nutrition. Now includes more animals for more refugee populations in more parts of the world.
• Refugee Center (Greece)
• Beyond Borders
• Border Aid
• Welcome Program
• Maternal Health Program

Products and services

• Beyond Borders (International Aid) International humanitarian aid program that collects, sorts, packs, and ships essential items from LHI's warehouse in American Fork, Utah to refugees in hotspots and disaster zones worldwide including Jordan, Ukraine, Somaliland, Bangladesh, and California.
• Animal Tracks Livestock program (formerly Gather for Goats) providing milk goats and other animals to refugee families, enabling sustainable livelihoods through milk production and animal breeding income; the Syria goat program has resulted in 1,126 goats distributed and over 1,850 baby goats born.
• Greece Refugee Center Refugee community center located 100 meters from camps in Serres, Greece, offering English and German classes, a Female-Friendly Space, Child-Friendly Space, computer space, library, music programs, and an aid distribution warehouse serving 1,100+ camp residents.
• US Border Aid Program collecting and delivering aid to shelters along the US southern border that support refugee families from Central America and other regions seeking asylum.
• Utah Refugee Programs (Welcome Program, Maternal Health, Warehouse) Local Utah programs including the humanitarian aid warehouse in American Fork, maternal healthcare pairing expecting refugee mothers with trained support volunteers, and the Welcome Refugee Program assisting resettled refugees by providing fully furnished apartments with household items in partnership with local resettlement agencies; since 2021, 970+ apartments have been set up for families from over 20 countries.
• Ukraine Response Emergency humanitarian response in Ukraine including warm meals, emergency aid hubs, transportation support, shelter operations, and partnership with local organizations such as Ukraine Frontline Hospitals, Ordinary People, and City of Strength.
• Gaza Response Humanitarian aid response in Gaza providing food, water, medicine, and psychological first aid to civilians affected by conflict.
• Greatest Need Fund Flexible fund allowing LHI to respond quickly to urgent and unforeseen refugee needs as they arise, supporting initiatives like solar lights for Yazidi camps in northern Iraq.
• Giving Machines Vending machine-style donation kiosks where donors can purchase specific items like milk goats, food boxes, or school kits for refugees. LHI is a 2025 Light The World Global Partner with machines in multiple US retail locations during the holiday season.
• Shipment Tracker Online tracking tool allowing supporters to view the status of aid shipments and see distribution photos from refugee communities worldwide.
• LHI Gear E-commerce Online shop selling branded LHI merchandise where 100% of proceeds support high-impact refugee programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• $250 worth of aid delivered per $10 donated

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• International Rescue CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLHI partnered with the International Rescue Committee to assist with housing setup for Afghan refugees being resettled in Utah through the Afghan Refugee Aid program.
• Jabal ZamzamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity based in Al Mafraq, Jordan that works with vulnerable populations including local Syrian refugees. Partnered with LHI to identify families in need and help find reliable local source for goats in the Gather for Goats program.
• Ukraine Frontline HospitalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Ukrainian organization that delivers surgical tools and supplies to medical professionals in warzone hospitals. LHI partners with UFH to provide essential equipment for frontline medical care.
• Ordinary PeoplecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner organization in Ukraine providing psychological support sessions and community services for displaced populations in Dergachi and surrounding areas.
• City of StrengthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner organization in Kherson, Ukraine operating Family Support Centers and repair teams for families in conflict-affected areas.
• The Giving BlocksupportingTechnology or IntegrationIndustry leader in facilitating secure cryptocurrency donations. Partnership enables LHI to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies.
• Granite Education FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with education foundation in Salt Lake City, Utah to support underprivileged refugee families in the Granite School District.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Rescue Committee: Major humanitarian aid and refugee resettlement organization. LHI directly partners with IRC on Afghan refugee resettlement in Utah, indicating overlapping mission and operational coordination in refugee resettlement services.
• HIAS: Jewish American nonprofit providing refugee resettlement and humanitarian aid worldwide. Closely comparable to LHI's resettlement welcome program, Border Aid, and international aid distribution work.
• World Relief: Faith-based humanitarian organization providing refugee resettlement, humanitarian aid, and disaster response. Directly comparable to LHI's resettlement and international aid programs serving refugees in the US and abroad.
• International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC): Faith-based humanitarian organization providing emergency relief and development aid to vulnerable populations. Comparable to LHI in scale and operational approach, particularly in serving Eastern European and Middle Eastern refugee populations.
• Church World Service: Faith-based humanitarian organization delivering refugee resettlement and emergency response. Operates directly in refugee resettlement and humanitarian aid distribution, mirroring LHI's core programs.
• ShelterBox: International disaster relief nonprofit providing emergency shelter and essential supplies to families displaced by conflict and disasters. Comparable to LHI's Beyond Borders aid shipments and refugee household setup programs.

Broad incumbents

• Mercy Corps: Large global humanitarian organization delivering emergency relief, food security, and livelihood programs in conflict-affected regions. Comparable to LHI's Beyond Borders and Animal Tracks programs in terms of target populations and operating geographies.
• CARE International: Major international humanitarian organization fighting global poverty and providing emergency aid. Comparable to LHI's international humanitarian aid distribution and livelihood programs across multiple continents.
• USA for UNHCR: US fundraising arm of the UN Refugee Agency. Comparable to LHI in serving refugees globally through donor-funded humanitarian aid, though at significantly larger institutional scale.
• Catholic Charities USA: Network of Catholic nonprofit agencies providing humanitarian aid, refugee resettlement, and social services. Comparable to LHI's refugee resettlement, Border Aid, and basic needs programs serving vulnerable populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/liftinghandsint
• Facebookfacebook.com/liftinghandsinternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lifting-hands-international

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Lifting Hands International