Wholly Kicks

What Wholly Kicks does

Wholly Kicks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 83-2597303) founded in 2018 by Tyg Taylor and headquartered in Aurora, Colorado. Its core service is the distribution of brand-new shoes and socks to people facing financial hardship, delivered through invitation-only events hosted by trusted partner organizations including Title 1 schools, shelters, and nonprofit organizations serving low-income individuals. The organization reports distributing 34,000+ to 36,500+ new pairs since its first event in 2019, operates with 1-10 employees, and serves a network of 90+ local schools and nonprofits alongside 60+ trusted partners across Aurora and Denver.

The operating model is relationship-driven rather than transactional: Wholly Kicks does not sell shoes, host public events, or distribute used footwear. Instead, partner organizations request events through an online form, and Wholly Kicks coordinates sizing, logistics, and volunteer support on the ground, with events serving between 20 and 1,500 guests and requiring 62+ volunteer hours each. Supporting programs include a volunteer program, a community shoe drive program, event sponsorship opportunities, and referral pathways for case managers and school liaisons. In 2025 the organization moved into a new 2,500 sq ft warehouse and set a goal of distributing 10,000+ pairs in the year.

The business model is donation-funded. Cash contributions follow a stated unit economics of $24 per complete pair delivered, and the organization separately accepts in-kind donations of new shoes, socks, and laces from individuals, businesses, and partners. Additional revenue streams include event sponsorships, corporate giving campaigns, legacy and planned giving, and gifts of stock via E*TRADE. Marketing is limited: the organization relies primarily on its website, an email newsletter, its Instagram account (@WhollyKicks), partner referrals, and community word-of-mouth rather than paid acquisition. No proprietary technology, AI/ML capabilities, mobile applications, or APIs are part of the offering.

Name

Wholly Kicks

Legal name

Wholly Kicks

Website

https://whollykicks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wholly Kicks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that distributes brand-new shoes and socks to people facing financial hardship via invitation-only events at Title 1 schools, shelters, and partner nonprofits in Aurora and the Denver Metro area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Footwear Distribution

NAICS

Shoe Retailers (45821)

SIC

Retail-Shoe Stores (5661)

akta.pro primary industry

Athletics Fundraising, Sponsorships & NIL Support (EDALAIAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Outdoor & Hiking Footwear (CRAAACAD)

Keywords

• Charitable shoe distribution
• Nonprofit footwear programs
• Humanitarian assistance services
• Community aid distribution
• Donated goods outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Aurora

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations: Wholly Kicks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 83-2597303) that operates entirely on donations. Financial contributions support shoe purchases, warehouse operations, and event coordination. $24 donated equals 1 complete pair delivered.
2. In-kind shoe and sock donations: The organization accepts donations of new shoes, socks, and laces from individuals, businesses, and partners. These in-kind donations are sorted and distributed at community events.
3. Event sponsorship: Corporate partners, businesses, and organizations sponsor scheduled shoe distribution events at Title 1 schools, shelters, or community nonprofits. Sponsorship covers event costs and allows the organization to say yes to more partner requests.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Wholly Kicks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that distributes brand-new shoes and socks to individuals and families facing financial hardship. Distributions are delivered through shoe events hosted by partner schools, shelters, and other nonprofit organizations in the Aurora and Denver, Colorado metro area, using a relationship-based, invitation-only model designed to preserve the dignity of recipients.

Product overview

Wholly Kicks is a nonprofit organization operating as a single, unified charitable service rather than a platform. The core offering is shoe distribution events at partner locations (schools, shelters, nonprofits) where individuals in financial hardship receive brand-new shoes and socks. This core service is supported by complementary programs including a shoe donation acceptance program, volunteer coordination, community shoe drive organization, event sponsorship opportunities, and legacy/stock giving options. The organization does not offer a technology product but rather provides direct charitable services focused on walking with people experiencing economic disparity in Aurora and Denver.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Partner-Hosted Shoe Distribution Events Free, invitation-only shoe events hosted at partner schools, shelters, and nonprofit organizations in Aurora and Denver, where individuals and families facing financial hardship receive a new pair of shoes and socks fitted on site.
• Donation Program General donation program accepting one-time and recurring financial contributions from individuals and organizations to fund the purchase of new shoes and socks and the operating costs of shoe events.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Sponsorship opportunities for businesses and corporate philanthropy programs to underwrite individual shoe events or broader operations in exchange for recognition as supporters of the nonprofit's mission.
• Shoe Drive Program Community-driven shoe drive program through which supporters raise funds (and in some cases collect new shoes) on behalf of Wholly Kicks to be distributed at upcoming shoe events.
• Legacy and Planned Giving Planned-giving program allowing supporters to include Wholly Kicks in their estate plans, charitable bequests, or other long-term giving arrangements to sustain the organization's mission.
• Gifts of Stock

Quantifiable outcome

• 36,500+ new shoes and socks distributed to individuals across Aurora and Denver
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Local Community Partners (60+ trusted partners)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Over 60 trusted community partners established since 2019, including schools, shelters, and nonprofits that help Wholly Kicks reach individuals and families across Aurora and Denver metro area.
• Title 1 SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWholly Kicks partners with Title 1 preschools and elementary schools to host shoe distribution events for students experiencing financial hardship. These partnerships enable the organization to reach children who need new shoes for school.
• ShelterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner shelters serve as distribution locations for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Wholly Kicks coordinates events to serve shelter residents with new shoes and socks.
• Nonprofit OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWholly Kicks partners with various nonprofit organizations, case managers, and street-level community organizations across Aurora and Denver to reach those most in need. These partnerships facilitate referrals and event hosting.
• Corporate Sponsors and BusinessessupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBusinesses sponsor shoe events, donate products (shoes, socks, laces), host giving campaigns, or collaborate on community initiatives. Race directors and event organizers partner to promote Wholly Kicks' mission.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• TOMS: TOMS built its brand around a "One for One" shoe-giving model and remains a major footwear brand with embedded giving. While for-profit rather than nonprofit, its shoe-distribution philanthropy makes it a comparable category incumbent.
• Feeding America: Feeding America is the largest U.S. hunger-relief nonprofit, distributing essential goods through a network of partner agencies and food banks. While food-focused, its "distribute essentials via trusted local partners" operating model parallels Wholly Kicks' school/shelter partnership structure.

Emerging players

• Dress for Success: Dress for Success provides professional clothing and shoes to individuals re-entering the workforce. While broader in scope (clothing vs. shoes-only), its nonprofit distribution-to-people-in-need model and workforce-focused beneficiary overlap make it thematically comparable.

Direct peers

• Shoes That Fit: Shoes That Fit is a nonprofit that provides new shoes to children in Title 1 and low-income schools across the U.S. Its school-channel model, footwear-only focus, and child-population overlap with Wholly Kicks make it a direct peer.
• Samaritan's Feet: Samaritan's Feet is a nonprofit that distributes new shoes to children and families in need, often through school and community events. Its focus on shoe distribution via trusted partner channels makes it highly comparable to Wholly Kicks' event model.
• Soles4Souls: Soles4Souls is a nonprofit that distributes new and gently-used shoes to people in need across the U.S. and globally, partnering with schools, shelters, and humanitarian organizations. It is the closest direct analog to Wholly Kicks in mission, distribution model, and donor base.
• Buckets of Love: Buckets of Love is a community-based nonprofit distributing shoes and essentials to children and families in need, often through school and church partnerships. Its grassroots volunteer-driven model closely mirrors Wholly Kicks' community-led approach.
• Operation Warm: Operation Warm provides new coats, shoes, and other essentials to children in need through school and community partnerships. Its basic-needs distribution model and school-anchor channel align closely with Wholly Kicks' approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/whollykicks
• Facebookfacebook.com/whollykicks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wholly-kicks

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Wholly Kicks