R O W Foundation

What R O W Foundation does

ROW Foundation is a United States 501(c)(3) private foundation, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Lisle, Illinois, that works to close the epilepsy treatment gap in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It operates as the project-management arm of the "ROW Global" social enterprise, alongside ROW Global Health (a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 2021 that mobilizes public-sector donations) and OWP Pharmaceuticals (which donates profits and anti-seizure medications back to the foundation). ROW targets the estimated 39 million people with undiagnosed and untreated epilepsy in LMICs—approximately 80% of the world's 65 million epilepsy patients—through four program pillars: consistent anti-seizure medication grants, EEG diagnostic clinic support, healthcare-worker training, and stigma reduction.

The organization does not develop proprietary technology; its operational backbone is program management, resource mobilization, and partner coordination. Key service offerings include bi-annual anti-seizure medication shipments (over $22 million cumulatively), the TeleEEG Clinic Program (72 clinics across 28 countries since 2019, supporting more than 20,000 diagnoses), externally developed training courses such as BPNA's Pediatric Epilepsy Training (PET1, deployed in Zambia and Zimbabwe with BAND Foundation) and Pretola's online Epilepsy Assessment and Management Course (4 editions, 494 clinicians from 55 countries), and the annual Amanda Award recognizing excellence in epilepsy care. The foundation's 75 partner organizations span 38 countries and include hospitals (Connaught Hospital, Ola During Children's Hospital), faith-based clinics (Loreto Health Services), and dedicated epilepsy NGOs (Epilepsy Alliance of Sierra Leone, Pretola Global Health, TeleEEG).

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable donations and in-kind grants, with no commercial sales. Cash inflows are sourced from individual donations processed via Network for Good, corporate matching gifts, donor-advised fund grants (including international donations routed through TrustBridge Global in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland), and event-based fundraising (annual "Going Global to Save Lives" gala, Giving Tuesday campaigns). The largest single contribution is in-kind: anti-seizure medications supplied by OWP Pharmaceuticals. The organization operates with a 1-10 person staff and is governed by an uncompensated board of directors and advisory council that includes former pharmaceutical executives and senior epileptologists, including a former President of the International League Against Epilepsy.

Name

R O W Foundation

Legal name

ROW Foundation

Website

https://rowglobal.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ROW Foundation is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2014, that improves epilepsy care access in low- and middle-income countries through medication grants, EEG diagnostic clinics, and healthcare-worker training, reaching 75 partners across 38 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Global Health Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH)

Keywords

• Epilepsy treatment access
• Global health programs
• Medication access grants
• Epilepsy care training
• Nonprofit healthcare

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisle

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, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: ROW Global Health raises funds through individual donations, corporate matching gifts, and major donor cultivation. Donors contribute via online platforms (Network for Good), checks, and Donor-Advised Funds.
2. Medication Donations (in-kind): OWP Pharmaceuticals donates anti-seizure medications which ROW Foundation distributes as grants to partner organizations. This is an in-kind revenue stream that enables program delivery.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

R O W Foundation is a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that distributes anti-seizure medications, funds EEG diagnostic clinics, and delivers specialized training programs to improve epilepsy care in low- and middle-income countries. It operates through a network of 75 partner organizations across 38 countries, targeting individuals affected by epilepsy and associated psychiatric disorders.

Product overview

ROW Foundation operates as a portfolio of healthcare-focused organizations working to improve epilepsy treatment access in under-resourced areas worldwide. The core structure includes ROW Foundation (the 501(c)(3) private foundation established in 2014 that serves as project manager) and ROW Global Health (the 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 2021 to mobilize public sector resources). These entities work in coordination with partner OWP Pharmaceuticals, which donates medication and profits. Key service offerings include: anti-seizure medication grants shipped to 75 partners across 38 countries; TeleEEG diagnostic clinic programs that establish EEG testing capabilities; Pediatric Epilepsy Training (PET1) programs; and the annual Amanda Award recognizing excellence in epilepsy care. Programs are delivered through international NGO partnerships with organizations like Healey International Relief Foundation, Medical Assistance Sierra Leone, and others.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Anti-Seizure Medication Grants
• TeleEEG Clinic Program
• Pediatric Epilepsy Training (PET1)
• SUDEP Master Class Training
• Amanda Award

Quantifiable outcome

• 75% treatment success rate achieved in peri-urban community in Zambia through ROW-supported medication and monitoring
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• TeleEEGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Since 2019, ROW has partnered with TeleEEG to establish and support epilepsy medical clinics in low-income areas. TeleEEG provides EEG machines, trains local healthcare professionals, and offers ongoing interpretation through 120+ volunteer neurophysiologists. 72 clinics established in 28 countries diagnosing over 20,000 cases.
• OWP PharmaceuticalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOWP Pharmaceuticals is a pharmaceutical company created as part of the ROW social enterprise. It focuses on supporting providers and patients in the U.S. with beneficial medications while donating profits and medication to ROW Foundation. This is the core supplier of anti-seizure medications distributed globally.
• British Paediatric Neurology Association (BPNA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBPNA's Pediatric Epilepsy Training (PET1) program, the 'gold standard' in the UK for pediatric epilepsy training, is being deployed in LMICs through a 'training of trainers' approach. ROW supports the mobilization of UK, Kenya, and South Africa pediatric neurologists.
• Danny Did FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with ROW to support SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) Master Class training conducted by Pretola Global Health, with 315 participants from 50 countries.
• Pretola Global Health & Consulting LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPretola, led by CEO Tolu Olaniyan (2023 Amanda Award recipient), delivers the Epilepsy Assessment and Management Course (EAMC), an online 3-month training. 4 editions have trained clinicians from 55 countries. Also provides SUDEP Master Classes.
• Healey International Relief FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partner in Sierra Leone. Collaboration with Loreto Clinic since 2018 to provide ongoing supplies of epilepsy medication. Executive Director Josephine Garnem presented the 2024 Amanda Award.
• Medical Assistance Sierra Leone (MASL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership established for providing epilepsy medication and support in Sierra Leone communities.
• Loreto Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based community health center in Makeni, Sierra Leone's Northern Province. Provides medical care and conducts regular clinics in outlying rural areas. Home of 2024 Amanda Award winner Nurse Adama Marian Michael. Partnership since 2018.
• British Medical AssociationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided resources to help establish the TeleEEG clinic at Hospital Infantil Regional Universitario Dr Arturo Grullon in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
• Rotary Club SantiagosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with ROW and British Medical Association to provide resources for the TeleEEG clinic in the Dominican Republic.
• Zambian Paediatric AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the launch of BPNA Pediatric Epilepsy Training (PET1) in Zambia. Hosted Levy Mwanawasa Medical University training session.
• Paediatric Association of ZimbabwecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the launch of BPNA Pediatric Epilepsy Training (PET1) in Zimbabwe. 27 new faculty members trained (half from Zambia, half from Zimbabwe).
• Epilepsy Alliance of Sierra LeonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddressing epilepsy treatment and knowledge gaps in schools and local communities in Sierra Leone. Executive Director Max Bangura leads stigma reduction efforts.
• Connaught HospitalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment hospital in Sierra Leone providing epilepsy care, part of ROW's partner network.
• Ola During Children's HospitalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildren's hospital in Sierra Leone providing epilepsy treatment, part of ROW's partner network.
• Henry's Heroes FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Brunello Cucinelli boutique on Rush Street in Chicago for Giving Tuesday fundraising event.
• TrustBridge GlobalsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational giving platform partner enabling donors in UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland to make tax-deductible contributions to ROW Global Health.
• Network for GoodsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline donation platform used by ROW Global Health for accepting individual donations and monthly giving.
• AmericaressupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting improved epilepsy care in under-resourced areas.
• Regions Stroke & Epilepsy FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in epilepsy care support.
• United Children's Charity FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting epilepsy care.
• Cure Children's Hospital of UgandasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Uganda supporting epilepsy care for children.
• Purple Bench InitiativesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization addressing epilepsy awareness and support.
• Rachael K FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting epilepsy care.
• Cuatro Por Venezuela FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting epilepsy care in Venezuela.
• Mfuwe Epilepsy FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal foundation in Mfuwe, Zambia partnering on epilepsy education and stigma reduction initiative funded by Rotary Global Grant.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• PATH: A global health innovation nonprofit that develops and delivers health solutions, including medicines and diagnostics, for underserved populations. Comparable in combining medication access, diagnostics, and capacity building in LMICs.
• International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE): A global professional and scientific organization advancing epilepsy research, education, and training. ROW's own director Emilio Perucca is a former ILAE President, and the organizations share a focus on training and standards in epilepsy care globally.
• Partners In Health: A large global health equity nonprofit operating in under-resourced countries through healthcare delivery, training, and partnerships. Comparable to ROW's model of combining training, infrastructure, and medication access in LMICs, but operating at much greater scale across multiple disease areas.
• Epilepsy Foundation: A U.S.-based disease-specific nonprofit providing education, advocacy, and research funding for epilepsy. Comparable disease focus and support-oriented mission, though primarily domestic in orientation versus ROW's LMIC focus.
• Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières: A medical humanitarian organization providing emergency healthcare and training in under-resourced and crisis settings. Comparable in LMIC program delivery, healthcare worker training, and NGO partnership model.

Direct peers

• Direct Relief: A medical aid nonprofit that distributes pharmaceuticals and medical supplies globally to underserved communities. Directly comparable to ROW's medication-grant distribution model and target beneficiary population.
• Danny Did Foundation: A U.S.-based nonprofit focused on SUDEP awareness and seizure-monitoring technology. Danny Did is an existing ROW partner with directly aligned mission around SUDEP education in LMICs.
• Americares: A health-focused humanitarian aid organization that donates medicines and supplies and supports health programs in under-resourced settings. Americares is an existing ROW partner and directly comparable in mission and donation-driven model.
• CURE International: A nonprofit operating specialty pediatric hospitals in low- and middle-income countries, including the Cure Children's Hospital of Uganda which is a ROW partner. Highly comparable in mission to deliver specialty care and surgical treatment to under-served pediatric populations.
• Healey International Relief Foundation: A nonprofit providing medical relief and health programs in Sierra Leone and other under-resourced regions. Healey is a long-term ROW partner and directly comparable in operating model and geographic focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPAfJGr0ArwfiD3vd1MFZSw
• Facebookfacebook.com/ROWGLOBAL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/row-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/row_foundation

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 R O W Foundation