The Kindness Project

What The Kindness Project does

The Kindness Project (TKP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 84-2299018) headquartered in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, that provides free material resources to registered foster and kinship families across eastern Pennsylvania. Its core service is a physical boutique, The Kindness Exchange, where credentialed foster families shop at no cost for clothing (newborn to teen sizes), shoes, furniture, car seats, strollers, hygiene products, school supplies, and toys. TKP reports distributing hundreds of thousands of dollars in free resources to over 3,000 children in foster care annually across at least nine Pennsylvania counties (Lehigh, Northampton, Bucks, Berks, Montgomery, Monroe, Carbon, Schuylkill, and surrounding areas), with planned expansion into New Jersey via a mobile boutique called The Kindness Express.

The organization's underlying technology stack is minimal and non-differentiated: it operates a WordPress-based informational website (mykindnessproject.org) with donation processing through third-party platforms (Givebutter, PayPal, Venmo) and email marketing via Constant Contact. TKP has no proprietary technology, mobile application, or API. Its service model is fundamentally operational and relationship-driven, relying on referrals from county Children and Youth Services offices and nonprofit foster care agencies (Diakon, KidsPeace, Pinebrook Family Answers, Access Services, Salvation Army Children's Services, IMPACT Project, Safeguards Foster Care) to reach eligible families.

TKP's business model is donation-based and volunteer-driven, with no revenue-generating pricing structure for service recipients. Funding comes from four streams: (1) monetary donations including $5/month recurring gifts, (2) in-kind item donations distributed through the boutique, (3) merchandise sales (TKP Llama stuffed animals 'Sunny' and 'Ray' plus branded apparel via Merchloop), and (4) annual event fundraising (Mini Golf Tournament, Pairing & Caring). The organization is led by Founder/Executive Director Jenae Holtzhafer with a lean team of three core paid staff (Gabby Toedter, MSW as Associate Director; Lauren Sumereau as Administrative Assistant) supported by a Board of Directors and a network of corporate Impact Partners including Wawa, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, PPL Electric, Wegmans, and others.

Name

The Kindness Project

Legal name

The Kindness Project

Website

https://mykindnessproject.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Kindness Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a free physical boutique (The Kindness Exchange) in Emmaus, PA that distributes clothing, furniture, and essential items to over 3,000 foster and kinship children annually across eastern Pennsylvania, funded entirely through donations, merchandise sales, and event fundraising.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Emmaus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Monetary Donations: The organization accepts financial contributions through multiple platforms including Givebutter, PayPal, and Venmo. Monthly recurring donations are encouraged at a rate of $5/month. These funds support operational expenses including physical space maintenance and operational costs to sustain free services.
2. Item Donations: The organization accepts donations of essential items including clothing, furniture, baby equipment, and hygiene products. These donated items are then distributed free of charge to registered foster families through The Kindness Exchange boutique.
3. Merchandise Sales: The organization sells branded merchandise including TKP Llama stuffed animals (Sunny and Ray). All proceeds from merchandise sales go directly back into The Kindness Project's mission to support foster children.
4. Event Fundraising: Annual events including the Mini Golf Tournament and Pairing & Caring event serve as fundraising opportunities with sponsorship packages, silent auctions, and raffle items generating revenue for the organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Kindness Project distributes free essential items — clothing, shoes, beds, car seats, hygiene products, diapers, school supplies, and toys — to registered foster and kinship families through two main channels: The Kindness Exchange, a physical boutique in Emmaus, PA, and The Kindness Express, a mobile boutique serving Eastern Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey. The organization is fully donation-funded, volunteer-driven, and supported by monthly corporate impact partners and event sponsorships.

Product overview

The Kindness Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operating primarily as a resource distribution service for foster families in eastern Pennsylvania. Its core offerings include The Kindness Exchange (a physical boutique in Emmaus, PA) and The Kindness Express (mobile boutique) that provide free clothing, shoes, essential items, furniture, and more to foster children. Supplementary programs include Kindness Connections (family events and support), annual fundraising events (Mini Golf Tournament, Pairing & Caring), and merchandise (TKP Llama Stuffy, TKP Merch). The organization serves registered foster and kinship families throughout Lehigh, Northampton, Bucks, Berks, Montgomery, Monroe, Carbon, Schuylkill, and surrounding counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Kindness Exchange Physical boutique in Emmaus, PA where registered foster families shop at no cost for clothing (newborn to teen), shoes, personal items, furniture (cribs, beds), equipment (car seats, strollers), hygiene products, and toys for children in their care.
• The Kindness Express (Mobile Boutique) Customized mobile boutique that brings essential items — clothing, shoes, toys, hygiene products, and school supplies — directly to children impacted by foster care across Eastern Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey, removing transportation barriers for resource families.
• Kindness Connections Family fun events, activities, enrichment opportunities, and community connection programs for registered foster and kinship families.
• Pairing & Caring Event Annual fundraising event featuring a silent auction to raise funds supporting The Kindness Project's mission.
• TKP Mini Golf Tournament Annual 9-hole mini golf tournament fundraiser bringing together community partners, sponsors, and supporters to raise funds for foster care support.
• TKP Llama Stuffy (Sunny & Ray) Two branded stuffed llamas — Sunny (white) and Ray (brown) — outfitted with a specialty Kindness Project bandana. All proceeds support the organization's mission.
• TKP Merch Branded clothing and accessories sold via Merchloop to raise funds for The Kindness Project.

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered impact partner, kindness/promise sponsor, core partner and agency partner.

• Wawaimpact partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly Impact Partner providing financial support to sustain TKP operations and free services for foster families.
• Starbucksimpact partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly Impact Partner supporting The Kindness Project's mission to serve children in foster care.
• New Tripoli Bank (NTTLG)impact partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly Impact Partner providing financial contributions to support TKP operations.
• PPL Electricimpact partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly Impact Partner supporting community initiatives for foster families.
• Chick-fil-Aimpact partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly Impact Partner contributing to TKP's foster care support mission.
• Josh Early Candiesimpact partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly Impact Partner supporting The Kindness Project through community giving.
• SEC TVimpact partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly Impact Partner providing promotional support for TKP mission.
• Red Robin (Lehigh Valley)impact partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly Impact Partner supporting community foster care initiatives.
• Cactus Blueimpact partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly Impact Partner contributing to TKP's mission.
• Faith Churchimpact partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly Impact Partner providing faith-based community support.
• Wegmansimpact partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity business partner supporting TKP foster care programs.
• Martin Guitarkindness/promise sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for TKP Mini Golf Tournament at Promise/Kindness level, supporting fundraising efforts.
• Lehigh County Children and Youth Servicescore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty agency partner that refers foster families to TKP services. Referrals to Lehigh County doubled between 2016-2017.
• Diakon Adoption and Foster Carecore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit adoption and foster care agency where Joyce Riche serves as Director. Strategic partner connecting families with TKP resources.
• KidsPeaceagency partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFoster care services provider in Bethlehem, PA that refers families to TKP services.
• Pinebrook Family Answersagency partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFoster care agency partner providing referral links on TKP website.
• Access Servicesagency partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFoster care services provider with partnership link on TKP website.
• Safeguards Foster Careagency partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFoster care agency partner providing referral resources.
• Salvation Army Children's Servicesagency partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgency partner providing foster care and adoption services in eastern PA.
• IMPACT Projectagency partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFoster care services organization listed as helpful resource partner.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Foster Love: Provides clothing, birthday, and graduation support specifically to foster children across the U.S. Operates a near-identical model of donated goods distributed directly to resource families, the closest comparison set for TKP's The Kindness Exchange.
• Together We Rise: Nonprofit that distributes clothing, suitcases, and essential items to youth in foster care nationally. Closest functional peer to TKP's boutique + mobile model serving the same beneficiary population with donated goods.
• Good+ Foundation: Provides essentials such as clothing, gear, and toys to families in need, including kinship and foster families, through donations and corporate partnerships. Directly comparable mission, beneficiary base, and goods-distribution mechanics.
• Raise the Future: Adoption and foster care support organization providing essential resources and supportive programming to families raising children adopted from foster care. Closely comparable beneficiary group (resource/foster/kinship families) and service bundle to TKP.

Broad incumbents

• Baby2Baby: National nonprofit distributing diapers, clothing, and basic necessities to children living in poverty, including those in the foster system. Operates at scale with high-profile corporate partnerships analogous to TKP's Impact Partner sponsor ecosystem.
• Cradles to Crayons: National nonprofit collecting and distributing clothing, baby gear, and school supplies to children living in low-income situations. Larger, multi-region comparable of TKP's goods-distribution model, though serving a broader population than just foster care.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/My.T.K.P
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kindnessproject

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Kindness Project