What Blessman International does

Blessman International is a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit humanitarian organization founded by Dr. Jim Blessman and Beth Blessman, operating programs in South Africa's Limpopo Province with additional reach into Swaziland and Lesotho. The organization delivers a portfolio of integrated services — feeding programs distributing roughly 6 million meals annually to 60,000+ children through 12 feeding hubs, clean water provision via 62 drilled wells, sanitation through 300+ Enviro Loo waterless composting toilets, education support (School in a Box tablets, tutoring), sports ministry (Sports 4 Christ affiliated with Fellowship of Christian Athletes), vocational training (sewing, agriculture), youth recovery programming (The Landing / Celebrate Recovery), and faith formation via two planted churches. Operations are anchored at three campuses — Blessman Campus, Del Cramer Campus, and Mountain View Farm Campus — supported by 35 in-country staff and 7 US-based employees in Urbandale, Iowa.

The organization's revenue model is donation-driven and segmented: individual one-time and recurring monthly donations, the "One Child at a Time" child sponsorship program priced at $31 per month per child (delivered via the Bridgely online portal), church partnerships across the US, corporate giving (Hy-Vee, Hy-Line International, Vermeer, Musco Lighting, Rotary International grants), planned/legacy giving, and mission trip participation fees. Pricing transparency is limited to child sponsorship at $31/month and college internships at an estimated $2,600/month in living expenses; general donations are unrestricted. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer and direct-to-donor via website, social media, newsletter, blog content, KCCI earned media coverage, the annual gala, golf tournament, and volunteer packaging events with Meals from the Heartland.

Underlying technology is modest and operational rather than transformative: a proprietary data collection system tracks attendance, meals, education reports, medical records, and quarterly anthropometric measurements (height, weight, arm circumference) at the Del Cramer Child Development Center; fingerprint scanners handle attendance registration; SIM-card water meters provide remote well monitoring; and the Bridgely platform underpins sponsor-child communication. The organization is ECFA-accredited and holds a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, with leadership undergoing a professionalization phase through the recent appointment of an Executive Director (Brett Hendrickson) and a multi-institutional egg-protein research initiative with the University of Iowa Carver School of Medicine, Hy-Line International, and Versova.

Name

Blessman International

Legal name

Blessman International

Website

https://blessmaninternational.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Blessman International is a US-based Christian nonprofit that delivers feeding, clean water, sanitation, education, sports, and faith-formation programs to 60,000+ children across South Africa, Swaziland, and Lesotho, funded by individual donors, church partners, and corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Faith-based Humanitarian Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Community Food Services (62421), Religious Organizations (8131), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries (BPAGAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs (HLAJAKAG), Rural Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment (BPAGABAA), International & Global Public Health Aid Administration (Government Donors) (HLAJALAO), Volunteer Program Funding, Scholarships & Fundraising Support (EDAIAGAO)

Keywords

• Humanitarian aid services
• Child sponsorship programs
• Feeding program services
• Clean water initiatives
• Faith formation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Urbandale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals supporting feeding programs, water projects, child sponsorship, and general ministry operations. Monthly giving program available.
2. Child Sponsorship: $31 per month per child sponsorship program through the One Child at a Time initiative, with sponsors communicating with children via online portal
3. Church Partnerships: Partnerships with churches across the United States providing financial support, mission trip participants, and community outreach connections
4. Corporate Giving: Corporate sponsorships, event sponsorships, mission trip sponsorships, matching gifts, and grants from businesses like Hy-Vee and Hy-Line International
5. Planned Giving: Estate planned giving through bequests, endowment contributions, and legacy gifts to sustain long-term ministry operations
6. Mission Trip Fees: Team members raise funds to cover trip costs including lodging at Lodge of Dreams, activities, and ministry supplies

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Blessman International is a faith-based nonprofit ministry that operates child sponsorship, feeding, clean water, sanitation, education, vocational training, and spiritual development programs for vulnerable children and families in South Africa. It runs three integrated campuses in Limpopo Province, supports 12 feeding hubs across Southern Africa, and engages American donors, churches, and corporate partners through recurring sponsorships, mission trips, and grants.

Product overview

Blessman International is a nonprofit humanitarian organization operating a portfolio of community development programs in South Africa. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of programs including: a Feeding Program serving 50,000+ children through 11 feeding hubs; child sponsorship through the One Child at a Time program; Sports 4 Christ athletic programming; Girls Empowerment menstrual health initiatives; The Landing Celebrate Recovery youth support; Spiritual Development through churches and outreach; Enviro Loo sanitation facilities; Clean Water well drilling; Agricultural Training at farms; Data Collection systems for tracking child development; Sewing Center vocational training; School in a Box digital education; and a College Internship Program. The organization also facilitates Mission Trips to South Africa and operates the Lodge of Dreams campus accommodation. These programs work together to address physical needs while sharing the message of Jesus Christ with impoverished communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Feeding Program A network feeding program that prepares and serves meals through feeding hubs to children throughout Southern Africa, in partnership with Convoy of Hope and Meals from the Heartland. Started by feeding 300 children annually and grew to over 6 million meals per year.
• One Child at a Time A child sponsorship program benefiting children at the Del Cramer Child Development Center through a collective fund supporting food, tutoring, spiritual development, and loving care. Sponsors contribute $31 per month and communicate with sponsored children via the Bridgely online portal.
• Sports 4 Christ A sports program affiliated with Fellowship of Christian Athletes that helps students learn about Christ while developing soccer and netball skills in a gospel-centered atmosphere, with Musco Lighting-donated LED sports complex.
• Girls Empowerment Provides sustainable menstrual health solutions and education for young women, including distribution of washable reusable menstrual hygiene kits.
• The Landing - Celebrate Recovery A Christ-centered program for youth to cope with hurts, hang-ups, and habits, addressing destructive behaviors, unhealthy relationships, addictions, anger, shame, and past abuse. Reaches 250+ youth annually.
• Clean Water Initiative A well-drilling program providing clean water for drinking and bathing to families, students, and communities, with farmers utilizing drip irrigation systems. Has delivered 8 million gallons of clean water through 62 wells.
• Mission Trips Short-term mission team experiences in South Africa where participants engage in outreach and service projects in local schools and communities, while staying at Lodge of Dreams and enjoying optional wildlife safaris. Approximately 100 people participate annually.
• College Internship Program A transformative program in South Africa providing professional development and personal growth opportunities for college students in fields including agriculture, education, engineering, IT, and medical/health-related areas. Living expenses are estimated at $2,600 per month excluding airfare.
• Lodge of Dreams On-campus lodging facility providing safe, comfortable accommodation for mission team members with kitchen facilities and individual chalets. Construction supported by Vermeer Corporation including the work of Adam DeJong.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60,000 children fed 3-5 meals per week
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Convoy of HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongest-standing ministry partner for 22+ years. Manages logistics of shipping 6 million meals annually from Meals from the Heartland to Africa through customs and to 12 feeding hubs. Provides significant funding assistance for nutritional programs and disaster relief.
• Meals from the HeartlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides food packets (rice and soy protein meals) - typically 6 million meals annually. Blessman International recruits volunteers monthly to package meals at their West Des Moines headquarters. Partnership since 2008.
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlessman International is the official service provider of FCA for all of South Africa. Sports 4 Christ program affiliated with FCA, helping students learn about Christ through soccer and netball. Goal to host American coaches and athletes for sports clinics.
• Focus on the FamilymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner10-year partnership distributing food through Methodist churches in Durban area. Received shipping container of Meals from the Heartland food annually. Partner in disaster relief efforts following Durban flooding.
• Hy-Line InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPoultry breeding company donated 1,200 Silver Brown pullets for egg research project to document benefits of adding one egg per day to child feeding program. Partnership with University of Iowa Carver School of Medicine for research.
• VersovamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Blessman International and Hy-Line International on egg research project. Bruce Dooyema traveled to South Africa to provide expertise for the project.
• University of Iowa Carver School of MedicinemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating on research project measuring benefits of adding egg protein to malnourished children's diets. Medical students assist with clinical rotations at Mokopane Hospital.
• NB SafarisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHunt Against Hunger partnership where hunting enthusiasts hunt African animals; meat is donated to feeding centers to provide essential protein for children.
• Musco LightingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated and installed LED professional sports lighting for Sports 4 Christ complex. Company president visited campus to celebrate partnership. Lighting enables evening games and community events.
• Enviro LoocoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of waterless composting toilet systems. Blessman International has installed 300+ systems throughout South Africa. Company Loo's R Us dedicated to service and upkeep.
• Vermeer CorporationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided block-making machine and engineers to assist with construction of Del Cramer Campus. Sent staff to work with ministry for months. Sent nephew Adam DeJong to oversee Lodge of Dreams construction. Ongoing support for mission teams.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Samaritan's Purse: Evangelical Christian relief organization providing food, water, and medical aid internationally. Comparable donor base, faith-forward branding, and integrated physical-plus-spiritual program model, but at much larger operational scale.
• World Vision: One of the largest Christian humanitarian NGOs, operating child sponsorship, water/sanitation, and feeding programs across Sub-Saharan Africa. Highly comparable program mix and target beneficiary population, but at vastly greater global scale.
• Compassion International: Faith-based child sponsorship organization serving children in developing countries including Africa. Directly comparable child sponsorship model (similar monthly price point), donor engagement mechanics, and Christ-centered program framing.

Regional players

• Focus on the Family: Long-tenured Blessman partner (10+ years) with overlapping US evangelical donor base and ministry focus. Comparable donor demographics and faith-aligned branding, but Focus on the Family's primary programming is family advocacy rather than international relief.

Direct peers

• Food for the Hungry: Christian international relief and development organization focused on child sponsorship, community development, and disaster response in Africa and other regions. Closely comparable integrated ministry model and donor engagement mechanics.
• Cross International: Catholic-aligned international humanitarian organization supporting feeding, clean water, and child welfare in Africa. Comparable mid-sized faith-based NGO serving Sub-Saharan African children through integrated physical and spiritual programming.
• Missions of Hope International: Faith-based nonprofit operating feeding, education, and church planting programs in Kenya. Closely comparable integrated ministry model targeting vulnerable African children, with similar mix of child sponsorship, feeding hubs, and church partnerships.
• Convoy of Hope: Faith-based humanitarian relief organization and Blessman's longest-standing partner (22+ years). Both deliver food, water, and disaster relief globally with a Christian ministry framework, making program models, donor bases, and partner networks closely comparable.
• Meals from the Heartland: Iowa-based hunger relief partner that supplies Blessman's food packet supply chain. Comparable as a faith-rooted, volunteer-driven, Midwest-anchored anti-hunger organization serving international beneficiaries through packaged meals.

Emerging players

• Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA): Faith-based sports ministry that is Blessman's official South Africa service partner. Comparable evangelical branding, US donor base, and sports-plus-faith programming model, though FCA's primary focus is athletics rather than hunger relief.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/blessman_intl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCsB7sH6CmmWYvhVhyBqwVGw
• Facebookfacebook.com/BlessmanInternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blessman-international
• Instagraminstagram.com/blessmaninternational

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Blessman International