What BorderLinks does

BorderLinks is a Tucson, Arizona-based nonprofit founded in 1987 that delivers experiential education programs on U.S.-Mexico border issues, migration, and social justice. Its core offering is a portfolio of in-person and virtual "delegations" — immersive 1- to 14-day programs (typically 5-7 days) for groups of 7-24 participants drawn from universities, faith communities, high schools, and civic associations — at $275 per person per day, all-inclusive of programming, interpretation, lodging, meals, and transportation. Programs are anchored in popular-education methodology and place-based learning in the Arizona-Sonora borderlands (with historical reach into Chiapas), and include desert migrant-trail walks, witnessing of federal court proceedings such as Operation Streamline, simulations of the legal immigration system, and structured meetings with a 30+ partner community network that includes Derechos Humanos, No More Deaths, Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project, Southside Presbyterian Church, and Casa de la Esperanza.

The organization supplements delegations with standalone workshops (Legal Immigration Simulation, Immigration History Timeline, Solidarity Framework, Mass Incarceration) delivered in person and virtually, a Plática Series of speaker and book events, seasonal virtual workshops, and dormitory accommodations (34-48 bed capacity) at $65/person/night that double as a programmatic asset and ancillary revenue stream. Revenue is diversified across delegation fees, tiered "justice-scale" workshop pricing ($0-$75), dorm rental, individual donations (with a current monthly-giving match program), and fiscal-sponsorship fees for partner organizations.

BorderLinks operates with a small staff of approximately 11 people (including two Co-Directors, program organizers, delegation leaders, and kitchen staff) under a shared-leadership governance model adopted in 2020 that replaced a traditional Executive Director structure. It serves 500+ participants annually, owns its Tucson campus at 620 S. 6th Ave., and is governed by a Board of Directors including representatives with ties to Indigenous, faith, academic, and human-rights communities. The technology stack is intentionally low-tech — Squarespace web, Zoom, GiveLively/PayPal, and LGL Forms — with no AI/ML capabilities and no venture or growth-equity backing.

Name

BorderLinks

Legal name

BorderLinks

Website

https://borderlinks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BorderLinks is a 1987-founded Tucson, Arizona nonprofit that runs 1- to 14-day experiential learning delegations, workshops, and virtual programs on U.S.-Mexico border issues, migration, and social justice for universities, faith communities, civic groups, and individuals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tucson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Delegation Fees: In-person delegations charge $275 per person per day including all programming, interpretation, lodging, meals, and transportation. Deposits of $1,000 for groups and $100 for individuals required at booking. Uses a reparations and equity pricing model.
2. Dorm Rental: Nightly rate of $65 per person per night. Includes dorm style sleeping space, fully equipped shared kitchen, common areas, yard with picnic tables, gender neutral bathrooms, showers, parking lot, wifi, bedding, towels, coffee, tea. Uses reparations and equity model with optional sliding scale pricing.
3. Workshop Fees: Virtual workshop registration fees based on justice pricing scale with tiered rates from free to $75. In-person workshop pricing varies based on group needs and length.
4. Individual Donations: Accepts donations from individuals supporting migrant justice education. Currently has a matching donation program where new or increased monthly donations are matched by $500.
5. Fiscal Sponsorship Services: Accepts donations on behalf of partner organizations including Arizona-Palestine Solidarity Alliance (APSA) and Tucson Community Rapid Response.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

BorderLinks provides immersive educational delegations (1–14 days) and standalone workshops that bring groups and individuals to the U.S.–Mexico borderlands for experiential learning on migration, borders, and social justice. Programming combines desert trail walks, court proceeding observations, interactive workshops, and direct meetings with migrants, advocates, and community partners, with translation, lodging, and meals provided. The organization also runs shorter virtual delegations and workshops as well as on-site dormitory accommodations.

Product overview

BorderLinks is a nonprofit educational organization offering experiential learning programs focused on border, migration, and social justice education. The core offerings consist of in-person delegations (1-14 day immersive programs in the Arizona-Sonora borderlands) and virtual delegations (online alternatives developed during COVID-19). These delegations are supplemented by standalone workshops (Legal Immigration Simulation, Immigration History Timeline, Solidarity Framework, Mass Incarceration Workshop) and dormitory rental accommodations. The organization also hosts a Plática Series of virtual speaker events and seasonal open-registration workshops. All programs use popular education pedagogy to connect participants with community partners, migrants, and activists while building understanding of immigration policies and inspiring action for migrant justice.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• In-Person Delegations Experiential learning programs of 1–14 days for groups of 7–24 people (universities, churches, civic associations) exploring borders and migration through workshops, desert walks, community partner meetings, and court visitations in the Arizona-Sonora borderlands. Includes programming, interpretation, lodging, meals, and transportation at $275 per person per day.
• Virtual Delegations Fully online delegation programming including interactive workshops, virtual community partner meetings, reflection sessions, and action planning delivered via video conference.
• Workshops Interactive educational sessions covering the Legal Immigration Simulation, Immigration History Timeline, Solidarity Framework, and Mass Incarceration workshops, plus others, available for groups staying at BorderLinks or delivered to external classes, churches, and civic groups. Available in-person or virtual with 3–4 weeks advance notice required.
• Dorm Rental On-site dormitory accommodations at the Tucson BorderLinks facility at $65 per person per night, featuring dorm-style sleeping space, fully equipped shared kitchen, common areas, gender-neutral bathrooms, parking, wifi, bedding, towels, coffee, and tea. Sliding-scale reparations and equity pricing available.
• Virtual Open-Registration Workshops Open-registration virtual workshops on topics such as Racial Capitalism and White Nationalism, Media Propaganda Decoding, Visioning for Social Movements, and Immigration Narratives, priced on a justice scale.
• Delegation Scheduling Services Custom itinerary planning for delegations through a formal inquiry process requiring at least 3 months lead time, with BorderLinks staff consulting with trip leaders to design itineraries including workshops, community partner meetings, desert walks, and action planning activities tailored to group goals.
• Fiscal Sponsorship Services BorderLinks accepts and processes donations on behalf of partner organizations including the Arizona-Palestine Solidarity Alliance (APSA), Tucson Community Rapid Response, and Alianza Indigena Sin Fronteras, channeling donor contributions through its 501(c) infrastructure.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500 people annually gain in-depth understanding of borderland conditions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

41 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Paisanos UnidoscoreOthersCommunity partner organization based in Tucson that BorderLinks delegations meet with and learn from as part of the experiential education program.
• Flowers and BulletscoreOthersTucson-based community partner organization that BorderLinks delegations engage with to learn about border issues and activism.
• Mariposas Sin FronterascoreOthersTucson-based organization providing support to LGBTQIA+ detainees during and after immigration detention. Long-standing community partner of BorderLinks.
• Casa de la EsperanzacoreOthersLocated in Sasabe, this organization serves migrants and communities in need. BorderLinks connects participants including staff member Wendy Lopez through Dora Rodriguez who works at Casa de la Esperanza.
• No More DeathscoreOthersHumanitarian aid organization working to prevent deaths in the Arizona desert. BorderLinks delegations learn from this organization about migrant humanitarian efforts.
• Southside Presbyterian ChurchcoreOthersTucson church that is part of the Sanctuary Movement. BorderLinks delegations meet with this congregation as part of faith-based education about immigration.
• Southside Workers CentercoreOthersTucson-based workers center that BorderLinks delegations engage with to learn about labor issues affecting border communities.
• ScholarshipsA-ZcoreOthersTucson organization providing resources and scholarships to make higher education accessible regardless of immigration status. Long-standing BorderLinks partner.
• Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights ProjectcoreOthersOrganization providing legal services to immigrants in detention in Tucson and Florence, Arizona. Delegations learn about immigration detention and legal processes.
• Sierra Club BorderlandscoreOthersEnvironmental organization focused on borderlands issues. BorderLinks delegations learn about the intersection of environmental and border issues.
• Frontera de CristocoreOthersDouglas-based community organization working on border issues. BorderLinks delegations visit this area to understand different border contexts.
• Café JustominorOthersCoffee cooperative in Agua Prieta, Mexico that BorderLinks delegations may visit to learn about fair trade and economic alternatives.
• Borderlands TheaterminorOthersTucson theater organization using art to address border and immigration issues. Delegations may engage with this partner for arts-based education.
• End Streamline CoalitioncoreOthersCoalition working to end Operation Streamline, a federal prosecution program. BorderLinks delegations witness these proceedings and learn from the coalition's work.
• Coalicion de Derechos HumanoscoreOthersHuman rights coalition in Arizona focused on immigration issues. Tania Garcia interned with Derechos Humanos/BorderLinks during her university years.
• Tucson Sanctuary MovementcoreOthersMovement of churches providing sanctuary to immigrants. Born from the faith-and-conscience-based U.S. Sanctuary Movement of the 1980s that gave rise to BorderLinks.
• Keep Tucson TogethercoreOthersCoalition working on immigration issues in Tucson. Board member Trayce Peterson is involved with this organization.
• Arizona-Palestine Solidarity Alliance (APSA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBorderLinks accepts donations on behalf of APSA. Organizations share solidarity work and have collaborated on events including mural projects.
• Tucson Community Rapid ResponsecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBorderLinks accepts donations on behalf of Tucson Community Rapid Response, which provides a 24-hour hotline for reporting ICE activity.
• Alianza Indigena Sin FronterasminorOthersIndigenous alliance working on border issues. Listed as a fiscal sponsorship or sponsorship relationship.
• Southern Border Community CoalitioncoreOthersNational coalition that BorderLinks participates in to advocate for border community issues.
• Tucson Coalition for PalestineminorOthersLocal coalition for Palestine solidarity. BorderLinks co-hosts events with this coalition.
• Derechos HumanoscoreOthersTucson-based human rights organization that is a key community partner for BorderLinks delegations.
• DACAmented Voices in HealthcareminorOthersTucson organization focused on healthcare access for DACA recipients. Delegations learn about the intersection of immigration status and healthcare.
• Casa Mariposa Visitation ProgramminorOthersVisitation and accompaniment program for those affected by immigration detention in Eloy/Tucson.
• La Linea GalleryminorOthersGallery in Nogales focused on border-related art and issues. May be visited by delegations exploring the border context.
• Primavera FoundationminorOthersBoard member Trayce Peterson also serves on the board of Primavera Foundation, connecting BorderLinks to additional community resources.
• SplitSeed ProductionsminorOthersArt-based organization co-founded by board member Trayce Peterson that uses interventions to inform and explore human rights and justice issues.
• Stop the Hate CollectiveminorOthersLocal coalition that board member Trayce Peterson works with to address hate crimes and discrimination.
• Unitarian Universalist Justice Arizona Network (UUJAZ)minorOthersCo-Director Ren Manning serves as co-chair on the board of UUJAZ, connecting BorderLinks to faith-based justice organizing.
• Freedom Education FundminorOthersCo-Director Ren Manning co-founded this scholarship fund for undocumented students at Prescott College in 2014.
• Keep Prescott TogetherminorOthersNorthern Arizona deportation defense network that Co-Director Ren Manning supported starting in 2019.
• Prescott CollegecoreOthersEducational institution where Co-Director Ren Manning taught courses and conducted research. Students from Prescott College participate in BorderLinks programs.
• Indivisible TohonocoreOthersGrassroots organization providing civic engagement opportunities on the Tohono O'odham Nation. Board member April Ignacio is a co-founding member.
• Tucson Anti-Repression Crew (TARC)minorOthersLocal organization focused on anti-repression work in Tucson communities.
• Peoples Defense InitiativeminorOthersTucson-based defense organization working on immigration and social justice issues.
• Tucson Tenants UnionminorOthersTenants union in Tucson that Peoples Defense Initiative is affiliated with.
• Migrants Trail WalkminorOthersOrganization sponsoring the Annual Migrant Trail that BorderLinks participates in and supports.
• Tucson Peace CenterminorOthersLocal peace and justice organization in Tucson's coalition network.
• Pima County Justice for All InitiativecoreOthersBorderLinks endorsed this county-level initiative and works with coalition partners on its implementation.
• #SaveAsylum CoalitioncoreOthersNational coalition that BorderLinks serves on to advocate for asylum seekers and protection policies.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hope Border Institute: El Paso/Ciudad Juárez-based binational faith-rooted organization doing policy analysis, accompaniment, and border immersion experiences. Closely aligned with BorderLinks in mission, faith framing, and experiential learning methodology.
• Global Exchange: San Francisco-based human rights organization that runs "Reality Tours" — short-term educational delegations focused on social justice issues including immigration and the U.S./Mexico border. Highly comparable curated experiential education product targeting activist-minded travelers.
• Coalición de Derechos Humanos: Arizona-based human rights coalition that documents border enforcement abuses and runs the Migrant Trail. Listed as a BorderLinks community partner, with overlapping education, advocacy, and migrant justice missions and a similar Tucson-anchored operating model.
• No More Deaths: Tucson-based humanitarian organization that places volunteers in the desert to provide water, food, and medical aid to migrants. Listed as a BorderLinks community partner and offers directly comparable binational borderlands programming and educational exposure to the same migrant justice themes.
• Witness for Peace: National nonprofit that organizes delegations to U.S./Mexico border and Latin America to learn about migration, trade, and U.S. policy impacts. Closely mirrors BorderLinks' delegation model, group composition (university/church delegations), and educational framing.
• Al Otro Lado: Binational legal services and education organization serving migrants, refugees, and deportees at the U.S./Mexico border. Operates education, accompaniment, and direct service programs that overlap with BorderLinks' social-justice education approach.
• Frontera de Cristo: Douglas, AZ / Agua Prieta, Sonora border ministry that runs short-term mission and immersion trips focused on migration, faith, and cross-border community. Directly comparable faith-rooted experiential education model targeting church and university groups.
• Unite the Poor / Casa de la Esperanza: Sasabe, Sonora-based migrant shelter and community organization that hosts delegations and volunteers from the U.S. side. A direct BorderLinks community partner with directly comparable binational education and accompaniment programming.
• Kino Border Initiative: Binational Jesuit organization based in Nogales, AZ/Sonora that provides immersion experiences, humanitarian aid, and education along the U.S./Mexico border. Operates with a similar experiential education, faith-rooted, community-partner model that closely mirrors BorderLinks' delegations.

Emerging players

• Innovation Law Lab: Portland-based legal innovation organization supporting immigrant rights through legal services, movement support, and education. Smaller and more legal-services-oriented than BorderLinks, but operates in the same migrant justice ecosystem with shared university/faith constituencies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClmnXFg54uRbqzHii8RLWMw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/borderlinks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 BorderLinks