Role foundation

What Role foundation does

R.O.L.E. Foundation (legal name YAYASAN ROLE BALI INDONESIA) is a Bali-based non-profit founded in 2007 by Australian surfer and former businessman Mike O'Leary, who passed away in November 2019. The foundation operates two integrated skills centers in Nusa Dua, Bali: Bali WISE, which provides hospitality, digital literacy, and professional life-skills training to marginalized young Indonesian women for placement in Bali's tourism industry, and the ZeroWaste Center, which delivers ecological knowledge and waste management training to local governments, businesses, communities, and children. Since inception, Bali WISE has educated over 400 women, with 100 new scholarships funded annually through the foundation's flagship ROW FOR R.O.L.E. canoe race event.

The foundation is funded through a diversified mix of individual donations, corporate sponsorships, event fundraising, social enterprise sales, and institutional grants. Donation channels include BNI bank transfer, QRIS, PayPal (with monthly recurring tiers from $5 to $500), and Give2Asia for tax-deductible US and Singapore contributions. The annual ROW FOR R.O.L.E. event raised IDR 874M in 2026 (peaking at IDR 1.06B in 2023), with corporate sponsors including Hyatt Corporation (lead sponsor, 2026), Hilton, Conrad, Alila Villa Uluwatu, and over 20 additional tiered partners. Complementary earned-income streams include the Local Jamu herbal drink social enterprise launched during COVID-2020 and a 10–20% revenue-share partnership with AquaMarine Diving on dive bookings. Institutional support includes a Hilton Global Foundation grant (2022) and Australian Government (AusAID / Australian Consulate) funding for the ZeroWaste Center.

Operating with a 11–50 person team led by Executive Director Fena Evans and Chief Operating Officer Handoko Rama, the foundation pursues a community-led and event-driven GTM motion targeting CSR-motivated corporations, hospitality industry partners, and individual donors. Distribution is concentrated in Indonesia with international donor reach via Give2Asia, and the foundation is wholly independent with no parent company. The technology footprint is intentionally minimal — the foundation is service- and community-driven rather than software-driven — and revenue mechanics rely on relationship-led fundraising and recurring donor cultivation rather than a scalable technology platform.

Name

Role foundation

Legal name

YAYASAN ROLE BALI INDONESIA

Website

https://rolefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

R.O.L.E. Foundation is an Indonesia-based non-profit operating Bali WISE, a hospitality and life-skills training program for marginalized young Indonesian women, and the ZeroWaste Center, an environmental education program, funded via donations, corporate sponsorships, and the annual ROW FOR R.O.L.E. canoe race.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit Education and Social Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO), International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)

Keywords

• Women's skills education
• Environmental training
• Hospitality training
• Nonprofit education
• Community development

Headquarters

HQ city

Kuta

HQ country

Indonesia

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: Primary revenue stream from individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and event fundraising. Accepts donations via bank transfer (BNI), QRIS, PayPal (one-time and monthly recurring), and Give2Asia for international donors.
2. Social Enterprise - Local Jamu: Production and sale of Local Jamu (traditional Indonesian herbal drink) created during COVID-19 to generate funding. Supports local farmers and communities providing ingredients while funding foundation operations.
3. Event Fundraising: Annual ROW FOR R.O.L.E. canoe race generates donations from participants who raise minimum Rp 2,500,000 through crowdfunding. Corporate teams can participate for CSR accreditation.
4. Diving Trip Referral: Partnership with AquaMarine Diving where 10-20% of booking totals are donated to R.O.L.E. Foundation programs supporting Bali WISE and ZeroWaste Center.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Role Foundation runs two main skills-education centres in Bali: Bali WISE, which provides hospitality, English, and life-skills training to marginalized Indonesian women, and the ZeroWaste Center, which delivers environmental education and waste-management training to women, schoolchildren, and businesses. The foundation also operates a social-enterprise line, Local Jamu, producing traditional tonics.

Product overview

R.O.L.E. Foundation operates two core programs: Bali WISE is an educational skills center focused on Bali's hospitality industry that empowers marginalized young Indonesian women through skills education and job placement; the ZeroWaste Center is an environmental skills center providing waste management training. Additionally, the foundation runs social enterprises including Local Jamu (herbal drink product supporting local farmers) and diving trip partnerships. The flagship fundraising event is ROW FOR R.O.L.E., an annual canoe race. Together these initiatives aim to empower local communities through practical education programs for sustainable development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bali WISE: Educational skills center focusing on Bali's hospitality industry, empowering young marginalized Indonesian women through skills education to break the poverty cycle and develop sustainable communities.
• ZeroWaste Center
• Local Jamu

Products and services

• Bali WISE A free vocational training programme for marginalized Indonesian women delivering hospitality, English, and life-skills training, with hands-on practice in a working kitchen, canteen, and simulated front-office environment. Designed for women from disadvantaged backgrounds seeking employment in Bali's hospitality sector.
• ZeroWaste Center An environmental education and waste-management training programme that delivers awareness sessions and hands-on training to women, schoolchildren, community groups, and local businesses in Bali. Operates an on-site sorting and composting facility to teach practical waste-management skills.
• Local Jamu A social-enterprise product line of traditional Indonesian jamu (herbal tonic) drinks produced as part of Role Foundation's mission-aligned revenue activities. Sales support the foundation's non-profit programmes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400 women educated and empowered since inception
• +2 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

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Right Reasons FundingcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership for organizing ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5 fundraising event. Right Reasons Funding handles registration, promotion materials, and sponsorship outreach. Contact: DJ Denton at [email protected]
• Hyatt CorporationflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Lead sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5. Includes Hyatt Regency Bali, Grand Hyatt Bali, Andaz Bali. Provides venue for event finish line and exclusive vouchers for top fundraisers.
• AzurbalicoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Pacific Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5. Provides waterproof dry bags for participants.
• Abyss Ocean WorldcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Pacific Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5.
• AquaMarine DivingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for underwater adventure bookings. 10-20% of total booking donated to R.O.L.E. Foundation programs. Dive sites include Tulamben USAT Shipwreck, Amed, Blue Lagoon, Nusa Penida Manta Point.
• Give2AsiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDonation partner for international donors from Singapore and the US to make tax-deductible donations to R.O.L.E. Foundation.
• Women of AsiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndian Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5. Founder Karl Gart wrote the Bali WISE anthem 'I Know the Longer Way'.
• Rotary Club Nusa DuaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBali WISE Sponsor providing support for the women's education program.
• TravelokaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBali WISE sponsor.
• SeaTrekminorGTM or Marketing PartnerZeroWaste Center sponsor.
• WarisanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerZeroWaste Center sponsor.
• BaliSwimminorGTM or Marketing PartnerZeroWaste Center sponsor.
• Peppers SeminyakminorGTM or Marketing PartnerZeroWaste Center sponsor.
• Yogi and BoominorGTM or Marketing PartnerZeroWaste Center sponsor.
• Alila Villa UluwatuminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBali WISE Education Partner providing hospitality training support.
• Mimi and MargeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBali WISE sponsor.
• RentokilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerZeroWaste Center sponsor.
• JuiceboxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBali WISE Education Partner.
• Mayo Resort North BaliminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAtlantic Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5.
• Smart Energy TechnologyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAtlantic Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5.
• Bottles for EarthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAtlantic Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5.
• Grill'dminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAtlantic Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5.
• ICS Travel GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAtlantic Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5.
• CarasunminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAtlantic Sponsor providing sunscreen for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5 rowers.
• All4Diving & Akaya BaliminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndian Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5.
• Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak BeachminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndian Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5 (IHG Hotel).
• Leoni GelatominorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndian Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5.
• Locavore NXTminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndian Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5.
• tenplusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndian Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5.
• Body Factory BaliminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndian Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5.
• Radisson Blu Resort Bali UluwatuminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndian Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5.
• Cocoon Medical SpaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndian Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5.
• REVĪVŌ Wellness Resort Nusa Dua BaliminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndian Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5.
• FINNSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndian Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5 (Beach Club).
• The Pilates ProjectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndian Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5.
• BIMC Siloam Nusa Dua HospitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndian Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5.
• Breman BreweryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndian Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5.
• The Bali PhysiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndian Sponsor for ROW FOR R.O.L.E. 5.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• U-Go Foundation: Grantmaking organization funding scholarships for marginalized young women in Southeast Asia. Comparable in mission (women's economic empowerment through education) and funding structure (donor-funded scholarships).

Regional players

• Sustainable Thailand Foundation: Thailand-based NGO focused on environmental education and community development. Regional peer in Southeast Asia delivering similar dual social-environmental mission in a different country.
• Rasio Education: Indonesia-based nonprofit focused on education access for marginalized children. Similar skills-education mission for Indonesian beneficiaries, though targeting children rather than young women.
• Solemen Indonesia: Bali-based nonprofit supporting marginalized individuals with welfare, education, and skills programs. Operates in same donor and hospitality-corporate sponsorship ecosystem as Role Foundation.

Broad incumbents

• Mercy Corps Indonesia: Large INGO with Indonesia operations focused on youth economic opportunity and disaster recovery. Operates at broader scale than Role Foundation but shares skills-training and marginalization-reduction mission.

Direct peers

• IDEP Foundation: Bali-based NGO delivering environmental education, sustainable agriculture, and community resilience programs. Closely matches Role Foundation's ZeroWaste Center in geography, environmental education mission, and Bali community focus.
• Kopernik: Indonesia-based nonprofit distributing simple technologies to underserved communities. While technology-focused rather than hospitality, both operate in Indonesia with marginalized communities, blending donor funding with earned revenue.
• Yayasan Dian Desa: Indonesian NGO focused on rural community empowerment and skills training. Comparable in mission, geographic footprint within Indonesia, and donor-supported vocational education model.
• Friends International: INGO operating social businesses and vocational training for marginalized youth in Southeast Asia. Directly comparable to Role Foundation's model of combining skills training (hospitality) with social enterprise revenue generation for program sustainability.
• Bali Children's Project: Bali-focused nonprofit supporting education access for underprivileged children. Same Bali operating geography and donor base as Role Foundation, with overlapping corporate hospitality sponsorship network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/zerowastecenterbyrole
• Instagraminstagram.com/zerowastecenterbyrole

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Role foundation