Border Angels
Border Angels is a San Diego-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 that provides direct humanitarian aid, advocacy, and education to migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers along the US-Mexico border, funded entirely through donations and volunteer-driven programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Border Angels does
Border Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit humanitarian organization founded in 1986 by Enrique Morones and headquartered at the Sherman Heights Community Center at 2258 Island Ave in San Diego, California. The organization provides direct humanitarian aid, advocacy, and education to migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers along the US-Mexico border, having evolved from its original mission of supporting farmworker migrants in the canyons of North San Diego County into a multi-program operation spanning the entire border region. Services are delivered free of charge to beneficiaries and are entirely volunteer-supported, with operational leadership consisting of Interim Executive Director Dulce Aguirre alongside Communications Director Marian Ruiz, Volunteer Coordinator Osvaldo Ruiz, Educational Programs Coordinator Ana Miguel, and Administrative Assistant Marlene Barrios, and governance provided by a Board of Directors led by President Luis Osuna.
The organization operates an integrated portfolio of programs addressing the full migrant journey: prevention via Water Drops that leave life-saving supplies in desert routes; immediate relief via the monthly Caravan of Love supporting 11+ migrant shelters in Tijuana; detention support via the Familias Reunidas Bond Program (established December 2019) providing up to $5,000 per case in immigration bond assistance across Otay Mesa, Adelanto, Golden State Correctional Facility, and Imperial Regional detention centers; post-mortem support via the Volviendo A Casa funeral and transportation program; Day Laborer Outreach at three monthly sites; and Educational Programs featuring documentary screenings and university presentations. A 2024 Wilderness First Responder certification cohort of 29 volunteers from six border aid organizations (No Más Muertes, Borderlands Relief Collective, MADR, Cruz Rosa, Al Otro Lado) was funded through a $13,000 Giving Tuesday campaign and delivered by NOLS and Larkspur Rescue, formalizing a multi-organization training coalition.
Border Angels is funded 100% through donations, with intake channels including Pledge.to, Venmo (@border-angels), check-by-mail, retail affiliate programs (Ralphs Community Rewards at 1-3% of purchases, Rite Aid fundraising, Food 4 Less rewards, Amazon Smile at 0.05%), corporate workplace giving, merchandise sales, vehicle donations through Careasy.org, and planned giving/bequests. Volunteer coordination runs through the Bloomerang platform. Reported program outcomes include a 92% consumption rate on Water Drop supplies in the Otay Mountains area, 140+ individuals assisted through the Bond Program, 13 families served through Volviendo A Casa, and monthly supply distribution to 11+ Tijuana shelters. The organization carries 501(c)(3) status under Tax ID 01-0777554 and has 1-10 paid employees.
Border Angels firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Border Angels
- Legal name
- Border Angels
- Website
- https://borderangels.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Border Angels is a San Diego-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 that provides direct humanitarian aid, advocacy, and education to migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers along the US-Mexico border, funded entirely through donations and volunteer-driven programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Border Angels industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Humanitarian Aid Services
- NAICS
- Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI), Immigrant & Refugee Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAG)
Keywords
Where Border Angels is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Border Angels business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: 100% donation-funded organization. Accepts monetary donations through online platforms (Pledge), Venmo, check-by-mail, and designated campaign funds for specific programs (Water Drop, Caravan of Love, Bond Program, Day Laborer Outreach, Volviendo A Casa).
- Retail Partner Programs: Ralphs Community Rewards (1-3% of purchases), Rite Aid fundraising, Food 4 Less rewards card registration, Amazon Smile (0.05% of purchases). These programs generate passive donations when supporters shop using registered loyalty cards.
- Corporate Workplace Giving: Workplace charitable giving programs where employees designate Border Angels as their charity of choice through employer-sponsored giving platforms.
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of merchandise including t-shirts, stickers, pins, water bottles through the Border Angels shop. International shipping available.
- Vehicle Donations: Car donation program through Careasy.org; donors receive tax deduction benefits. Proceeds from vehicle sales support operations.
- Planned Giving: Bequest and planned giving program for long-term donor estate planning.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels11 records
Marketing channels6 records
Border Angels product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Border Angels provides direct humanitarian aid, advocacy, and education for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers along the US-Mexico border. Its core offerings include desert water drops to prevent migrant deaths, supply caravans to Tijuana shelters, immigration bond assistance up to $5,000 per individual for ICE detainees, day laborer outreach with 'Know Your Rights' education, funeral/transportation assistance for deceased migrants, and educational presentations on immigration and border issues. All services are provided free of charge to recipients and are 100% funded by donations.
Product overview
Border Angels is a nonprofit humanitarian organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on migrant support along the US-Mexico border. The core offerings include the Water Drop Program (desert supply drops), Caravan of Love (shelter aid in Tijuana), Familias Reunidas Bond Program (immigration bond assistance), Day Laborer Outreach, Volviendo A Casa (funeral/transportation assistance), and Educational Program (presentations and trips). These programs are funded through individual donations, corporate partnerships (Ralph's, Food 4 Less, Rite Aid), and volunteer coordination via Bloomerang. The organization does not offer a software product; all offerings are direct humanitarian services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Water Drop Program Monthly volunteer-led humanitarian program that ventures into harsh mountain and desert terrains along US-Mexico migration routes to leave life-saving supplies including water, food, warm clothing, and first-aid kits to prevent dehydration, hypothermia, and death among migrants making perilous journeys. Demonstrated 92% consumption rate of dropped supplies in the Otay Mountains area.
- Caravan of Love Monthly caravan program that distributes essential supplies — cleaning supplies, hygiene kits, clothing, baby items, and food — to 11+ migrant shelters in Tijuana that serve women, women with children, men, and LGBTQ+ migrants awaiting asylum, deported individuals, and those rebuilding lives in Tijuana.
- Familias Reunidas Bond Program Immigration bond assistance program providing up to $5,000 in bond payment per individual for immigrants and asylum seekers detained in ICE facilities in California (Otay Mesa, Adelanto, Golden State Correctional Facility, Imperial Regional) who qualify for release on bond but cannot afford it. The program has assisted over 140 detainees as of November 2024, reuniting families and freeing qualifying migrants from detention. 100% of donations to this program go directly to bonds.
- Day Laborer Outreach Program Monthly outreach program that visits at least three sites where day laborers congregate (often outside Home Depot and Lowe's stores) in the San Diego/Tijuana border region. Provides food, hygiene products, and work gear (hats, gloves, safety glasses), while documenting instances of threats of deportation and racial discrimination and distributing 'Know Your Rights' educational materials.
- Volviendo A Casa (Returning Home) Program that assists low-income families with funeral expenses and transportation of migrant bodies for proper burials, coordinating with respective consulates to help return deceased migrants to their home countries. Has served 13 families since 2019, beginning with the Anduezar case following a fatal border wall fall.
- Educational Program Educational program offering presentations and trips that cover immigration policies and border issues, including day laborer site visits, educational water drops, documentary screenings of 'Love Has No Borders' with Q&A sessions. Delivered to universities, colleges, community organizations, and fundraisers upon request via Google Forms.
- Green Cards For Kids Program providing assistance to children and families related to immigration documentation and support services.
- Border Angels Merchandise Shop Online merchandise store selling Border Angels branded t-shirts, stickers, pins, and water bottles. International shipping available. Proceeds support the organization's humanitarian programs.
Quantifiable outcome
- 92% consumption rate of water drop supplies in Otay Mountains
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Border Angels
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Border Angels technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Border Angels partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- RalphscoreRalphs Community Rewards program where 1-3% of qualified purchases are donated to Border Angels when customers link their Ralph's Rewards Card. Customers register their card on Ralphs website, select Border Angels (organization name likely 'Angeles de la Frontera') as their community contribution organization, and donations are automatic with no extra cost to the shopper.
- Rite AidminorRite Aid fundraising partnership allows customers to support Border Angels each time they fill a prescription or shop at Rite Aid. Customers register via RxFundraising.com to designate their support.
- Food 4 LessminorFood 4 Less rewards card program supports Border Angels when registered customers shop and use their rewards card. Easy enrollment through store rewards program.
- Amazon SmileminorAmazon Smile program donates 0.05% of eligible Amazon purchases to Border Angels when customers select the organization as their charity (Tax ID: 01-0777554). International shipping available for Border Angels merchandise through main Amazon store.
- Sherman Heights Community CentercoreBorder Angels main office is located in the Sherman Heights Community Center at 2258 Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92102. This appears to be an organizational hosting relationship.
- No Más MuertescoreBorder aid organization that participated alongside Border Angels in the 80-hour Wilderness First Responder training. Part of a coalition of six border aid organizations that trained together through NOLS/Larkspur Rescue.
- Borderlands Relief CollectivecoreBorder aid organization that participated alongside Border Angels in the 80-hour Wilderness First Responder training. Part of a coalition of six border aid organizations that trained together through NOLS/Larkspur Rescue.
- MADRcoreBorder aid organization that participated alongside Border Angels in the 80-hour Wilderness First Responder training. Part of a coalition of six border aid organizations that trained together through NOLS/Larkspur Rescue.
- Cruz RosacoreBorder aid organization that participated alongside Border Angels in the 80-hour Wilderness First Responder training. Part of a coalition of six border aid organizations that trained together through NOLS/Larkspur Rescue.
- Al Otro LadocoreBorder aid organization that participated alongside Border Angels in the 80-hour Wilderness First Responder training. Part of a coalition of six border aid organizations that trained together through NOLS/Larkspur Rescue.
- NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School)coreNOLS provided the Wilderness First Responder curriculum for the 80-hour training. Training was facilitated by Larkspur Rescue team. The training equipped volunteers with skills to respond to medical emergencies in austere desert conditions.
- Larkspur RescuecoreLarkspur Rescue facilitated the NOLS Wilderness First Responder training course for 29 volunteers from six border aid organizations. Provided expert instruction in medical emergency response for remote/high-risk environments.
- Tijuana Migrant ShelterscoreOver 11 shelters in Tijuana supported through monthly Caravan of Love trips. Includes spaces for women, women with children, men, and LGBTQ+ migrants. These shelters receive donated supplies including cleaning items, hygiene kits, clothing, baby items, and food.
- BloomerangcoreVolunteer management platform used by Border Angels for coordinating volunteering. Volunteers create accounts, complete applications, sign waivers, and sign up for events through the Bloomerang portal. Events are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Border Angels competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society): HIAS is a global Jewish nonprofit providing refugee resettlement, legal aid, and advocacy services. Broad incumbent — operates in the same refugee resettlement and asylum space as Border Angels but with a different population focus and at much larger organizational scale.
- International Rescue Committee: IRC is a large international humanitarian organization providing resettlement, asylum, and refugee support services across the US. Broad incumbent — operates at vastly greater scale than Border Angels in adjacent refugee/asylum services but does not focus on the US-Mexico desert water-drop or bond-assistance niche.
- Catholic Charities USA: Catholic Charities operates the largest US nonprofit network providing immigration legal services, refugee resettlement, and humanitarian aid. Broad incumbent — overlaps with Border Angels' legal aid, family reunification, and shelter support missions but as part of a much wider social services portfolio.
- RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services): RAICES is the largest immigration legal services nonprofit in Texas, providing bond assistance, legal representation, and humanitarian aid. Broad incumbent — operates a bond assistance program functionally identical to Border Angels' Familias Reunidas, but at far greater scale in a different border state.
Direct peers
- Humane Borders: Humane Borders operates water stations and provides humanitarian aid to prevent migrant deaths in the Sonoran Desert. Direct peer — runs the same water-drop humanitarian model in Arizona that Border Angels runs in the Otay Mountains/Jacumba/Ocotillo corridors.
- Al Otro Lado: Al Otro Lado provides legal services and humanitarian aid to migrants, refugees, and deportees at the US-Mexico border. Direct peer — coalition partner in the joint WFR training and operates overlapping bond/legal-aid and binational shelter support programs.
- No Más Muertes: No Más Muertes is a humanitarian aid organization that places water and supplies in the Arizona desert along US-Mexico migration routes. Direct peer — participated alongside Border Angels in the same coalition NOLS Wilderness First Responder training and runs the same water-drop mission model in a different border geography.
- Borderlands Relief Collective: Borderlands Relief Collective is a volunteer-led humanitarian aid group providing direct aid to migrants in the Arizona border region. Direct peer — confirmed coalition partner in the joint six-organization Wilderness First Responder training program with Border Angels.
- Las Américas Immigrant Advocacy Center: El Paso-based nonprofit providing legal services, advocacy, and humanitarian aid to immigrants and refugees. Direct peer — operates in the same US-Mexico border humanitarian/legal-aid space, particularly overlapping with Border Angels' bond assistance and educational programming mission.
Emerging players
- La Cooperativa Campesina de California: California nonprofit representing farmworker grantees across the state. Emerging player — closely related mission serving migrant farmworker populations (Border Angels' original 1986 constituency); a board member's organization, indicating direct programmatic ties.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Border Angels social profiles
Digital presenceBorder Angels compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Border Angels financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Border Angels leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Border Angels funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Border Angels M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Border Angels
What does Border Angels do?
Border Angels provides direct humanitarian aid, advocacy, and education for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers along the US-Mexico border. Its core offerings include desert water drops to prevent migrant deaths, supply caravans to Tijuana shelters, immigration bond assistance up to $5,000 per individual for ICE detainees, day laborer outreach with 'Know Your Rights' education, funeral/transportation assistance for deceased migrants, and educational presentations on immigration and border issues. All services are provided free of charge to recipients and are 100% funded by donations.
Is Border Angels a public or private company?
Border Angels is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Border Angels founded?
Border Angels was founded in 1986. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Border Angels based?
Border Angels is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does Border Angels make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are retail Partner Programs, corporate Workplace Giving, merchandise Sales, vehicle Donations and planned Giving.
Who are Border Angels's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society), International Rescue Committee, Catholic Charities USA and RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services). Direct peers are Humane Borders, Al Otro Lado, No Más Muertes, Borderlands Relief Collective and Las Américas Immigrant Advocacy Center. La Cooperativa Campesina de California is listed as an emerging player.
Does Border Angels have an API?
No public API is recorded for Border Angels.
What industry is Border Angels in?
Border Angels's product category is Humanitarian Aid Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAAAH, Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAI, Refugee & Immigrant Support Services. Its NAICS code is 6242 and its SIC code is 8300.