What Better Lives does

Better Lives is a US-registered non-profit charitable organization headquartered in Seal Beach, California, with a regional office in London, United Kingdom. It assists families, schools, and children in disadvantaged rural communities across at least eight countries (Tanzania, Uganda, Cambodia, Philippines, Ethiopia, Nepal, Mexico, and the United States) through three integrated program pillars: GROW (food security via Food Always In The Home/FAITH household gardens and Grow-own-Breakfast/GOB school gardens), EARN (income generation via market gardens and Village Community Banking/VICOBA microfinance groups, including a 2026-launched community grain milling center), and BUILD (housing and infrastructure via Rent-to-Own/RTO homes and School Water, Sanitation & Hygiene/SWASH facilities). The organization does not deliver programs directly; instead it provides funding, methodology, mentoring, and measurement support to a network of 14+ local implementation partners (community-based organizations) who understand local contexts and operate the programs on the ground.

The underlying 'technology' is a codified community development methodology — including a Pyramid, Mandala, Programs, Practices (Plan, Relate, Solve, Agree, Design, Resource, Implement), and Principles (Ownership, Teamwork, Leadership, Purpose) framework — delivered through human facilitation rather than a software platform. There is no mobile app, no public API, no integrations, and no AI/ML components described. Program outcomes are documented in qualitative case studies (e.g., 800+ children and 80+ families served by Lishe Bora's GOB program in Kilimanjaro in 2025; TZS 195,500 generated by Tunaweza VICOBA's milling center in its first 10 days in Ngara, Tanzania in June 2026).

Better Lives' business model is a donation-driven non-profit: revenue (better characterized as contribution income) comes from individual donors, institutional grants, school partnerships, and a per-program / per-partner online donation storefront. There is no commercial pricing. Go-to-market relies on a website (betterlives.org), a Facebook page, an email newsletter, and a partner referral channel — including a student travel program operated in partnership with UK-based expedition company True Adventure and recurring UK school partners such as Parmiter's School. The organization has earned GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency in 2018 and 2019, and operates with no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no disclosed funding rounds or commercial revenue.

Name

Better Lives

Legal name

Better Lives

Website

https://betterlives.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Better Lives is a US-based non-profit that funds and mentors a network of 14+ local partner organizations across 8 countries, delivering GROW (food security), EARN (microfinance and income generation), and BUILD (housing and WASH) programs to disadvantaged rural families, schools, and children.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Community Development Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Rural Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment (BPAGABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Access & Quality (International Development) (BPAGABAE), Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC), K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)

Keywords

• Community development programs
• Rural poverty alleviation
• Sustainable agriculture initiatives
• Microfinance services
• International nonprofit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Seal Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Program Donations: Individual and organizational donors contribute funds to support specific programs (GOB gardens, FAITH gardens, VICOBA groups, SWASH facilities, RTO homes) or general operations. Donors can contribute to specific local partners or programs.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Better Lives is a non-profit organization that assists disadvantaged rural families, schools, and children in developing countries through three program pillars: GROW (food security via Food Always In The Home gardens and school Grow-own-Breakfast gardens), EARN (income generation through Village Community Banking microfinance groups and market gardens), and BUILD (housing and infrastructure through Rent-to-Own homes and School Water, Sanitation & Hygiene facilities). Programs are funded by individual/organizational donations and grants, then delivered through a mentored network of local implementation partners in Tanzania, Uganda, Cambodia, the Philippines, and other regions, with a complementary student travel program bringing international school groups to assist on-site.

Product overview

Better Lives offers a unified three-pillar program approach consisting of GROW, EARN, and BUILD programs designed to assist families, schools, and children in disadvantaged rural communities. The GROW program provides FAITH gardens and school GOB gardens for food security; the EARN program offers VICOBA microloans and market garden support for income generation; and the BUILD program delivers RTO housing and SWASH facilities for improved living and education conditions. All programs work together through a pathway methodology that addresses Access Knowledge, Apply Resources, Strengthen Health, Earn Income, Improve Home, and Enhance Education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GROW Program Core program pillar assisting disadvantaged rural families with Food Always In The Home (FAITH) organic vegetable gardens and schools with Grow-own-Breakfast (GOB) programs to improve nutrition and food security; delivered through local implementation partners.
• EARN Program Core program pillar providing Village Community Banking (VICOBA) microfinance groups and market garden support to help disadvantaged rural families generate sustainable income; delivered through local implementation partners.
• BUILD Program Core program pillar supporting disadvantaged rural families with Rent-to-Own (RTO) housing and supporting schools with Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (SWASH) facilities to improve living conditions and education infrastructure; delivered through local implementation partners.
• Food Always In The Home (FAITH) Garden Organic vegetable gardening program enabling disadvantaged rural families to grow their own nutritious produce at home for consistent year-round food access.
• Grow-own-Breakfast (GOB) School Garden Program School-based garden initiative where schools establish organic vegetable gardens to provide breakfast to students and generate supplementary income for school operations.
• Village Community Banking (VICOBA) Group Community-based savings and lending group program that provides microloans to members for income-generating activities and small business development.
• Rent-to-Own (RTO) Home Affordable housing program allowing disadvantaged rural families to rent homes with the option to purchase over time, building equity and residential stability.
• School Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (SWASH) Facilities School infrastructure program providing water systems, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education to improve student health, attendance, and learning conditions.
• VICOBA Grain Milling Center Community grain milling service operated by VICOBA groups to provide affordable grain processing to local families, saving travel time and generating income for the group.
• Student School Travel Program Service-learning travel program hosting international school groups (UK and US) at partner community sites in Tanzania and Cambodia, providing students with service, education, and discovery experiences while contributing volunteer labor to GROW, EARN, and BUILD projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• Lishe Bora Group's GOB program provided food to over 800 children and 80 families in 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SODAT (Ngara, TZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal implementation partner in Ngara, Tanzania providing VICOBA microfinance groups, agricultural programs, and community development. SODAT has launched a grain milling center with support from Better Lives.
• Lishe Bora (Kilimanjaro, TZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal implementation partner in Kilimanjaro region operating Grow-own-Breakfast school garden programs. Supports multiple schools with breakfast programs reaching 800+ children.
• Tupendane (Moshi, TZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal implementation partner in Moshi/Kahe area supporting schools with GOB programs and VICOBA groups. Provides training and mentoring to community families.
• Wamukisa (Kikondo and Kasaka, UG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal implementation partner in Uganda working since 2014. Supports families with FAITH gardens, agricultural programs, and education sponsorship. Formed by Wamukisa team leaders David, Enock, and Shafan.
• KCM Success Group (Utete, TZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal implementation partner in Utete district managing transportation, farming, and education projects. Supports schools with banana farming and breakfast programs.
• Peaksneng Thormacheat Shop (Siem Reap, KH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial enterprise in Cambodia assisting families with organic vegetable gardens and micro-loans for pig-rearing. Also operates guesthouse for visiting student groups.
• Healthy Life Reinforcement (Battambang, KH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal implementation partner in Cambodia focused on organic vegetable growing programs and family support services.
• Tabitha CambodiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Cambodia that enables poorest families to alleviate poverty through savings programs.
• SeeBeyondBorders CambodiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization training teachers, developing school infrastructure, and supporting local families' educational needs.
• Children's Future International CambodiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing comprehensive educational and personal growth opportunities to vulnerable children in Cambodia.
• Transrural Trust NepalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner assisting women in disadvantaged rural areas to transform natural resources, traditions, and skills into sustainable enterprises.
• Waves of Love PhilippinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner helping children grow up healthy, educated, and trained to earn income through food, shelter, and education resources.
• Responsible Financial Consulting PhilippinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing financial counseling to low-income families preparing to receive microloans.
• Quest Building PhilippinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner building, renovating, and maintaining school buildings, kitchens, and water distribution systems.
• Happy Shine Garden Shop PhilippinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner assisting low-income families with organic vegetable gardens for health, nutrition, and income.
• Molly's Network (Dar es Salaam, TZ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner helping formalize small community organizations and assisting Better Lives partners in Tanzania with registration.
• True AdventurecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExpedition company that organizes and leads student travel programs to Better Lives partner communities in Tanzania and Cambodia.
• UK Parmiter's SchoolcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK school that regularly sends student groups to assist Better Lives projects in Tanzania and Cambodia, contributing labor and funding to community programs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• TechnoServe: Larger international nonprofit that works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries—covers the income-generation piece of Better Lives' EARN program at greater scale.

Direct peers

• Room to Read: Focuses on literacy and girls' education in low-income communities across Asia and Africa, including school infrastructure and school-based programming—overlaps with Better Lives' school partnerships and GOB programs.
• Heifer International: International development nonprofit focused on ending hunger and poverty through sustainable agriculture, livestock, and income-generation programs in rural communities—closely parallels Better Lives' GROW and EARN pillars.
• Self-Help International: Works with rural farming families in developing countries on food security, microcredit, and clean water—closely aligned with Better Lives' combined GROW/EARN/BUILD rural development approach.
• WaterAid: International nonprofit focused on clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in developing countries—directly comparable to Better Lives' SWASH school facilities program under BUILD.
• FINCA International: Operates Village Banking (VICOBA-style) microfinance groups across Africa, Latin America, and Asia to provide financial services to low-income families—directly comparable to Better Lives' EARN program methodology.
• Habitat for Humanity: Builds affordable housing with partner families using rent-to-own and incremental construction models—directly comparable to Better Lives' BUILD Rent-to-Own (RTO) housing program.
• Opportunity International: Provides microfinance, savings, and training to people in developing countries, particularly in rural agricultural communities—overlaps with Better Lives' EARN and GROW income-generation work.
• Grameen Foundation: Global nonprofit using microfinance and digital technology to fight poverty in rural communities of developing countries—shares the microfinance-based rural livelihoods focus of Better Lives' VICOBA groups.
• Village Enterprise: Provides entrepreneurship training, seed capital, and mentorship to people living in extreme poverty in rural Africa—closely parallels Better Lives' market garden and microfinance income-generation model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/betterlives
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/better-lives-usa

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 Better Lives