Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation

What Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation does

The Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation (KBNF) is a Canadian-registered non-profit charitable society headquartered in Langley, BC, with a warehouse/distribution facility in Delta, BC, and a Liberian affiliate (KBNF-Liberia) operating a distribution center at the ELWA campus in Monrovia. Founded in 2000 and incorporated as a BC non-profit society in 2003, KBNF's stated mission is to enhance the delivery and quality of neuroscience care in West Africa for a target population of more than 275 million people across Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, where provider density is severely constrained (Ghana has 25 neurosurgeons for 33 million people; Liberia has 2 for 5 million).

KBNF delivers services through three core operational pillars: (1) Shipping & Acquisition — approximately 50 forty-foot containers of donated medical equipment and supplies shipped to date, including 7 containers to 3 countries in 2024 and 500 hospital beds via a Vancouver Coastal Health partnership; (2) Education & Training — a three-layer mentorship model reaching 110 nurses in-person in 2024 plus ongoing WhatsApp-based cohorts; and (3) Neurosurgical Advancement Trips — 1-2 multinational medical missions per year, with the February 2026 mission being the largest ever at 34 team members from 5 countries, providing free brain and spine surgeries (35 life-changing surgeries in 2024). Supporting programs include newborn baby gift incentives for prenatal care, ambulance provision and medic training, neuro-endoscope deployment for hydrocephalus, and a planned Legacy Centre in Vancouver.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable means: individual donations via separate Canadian and US donor portals, the KBNF Champions monthly giving program at $5/month, annual memberships ($30 adults, $15 students), event fundraising (Walk for the Bu at $20/$35 registration; Christmas Gala), corporate and foundation grants (Rick's Heart Foundation, Health Partners International), and matching-grant campaigns. The 2025 25th-anniversary gala generated over CDN $147,000 via a $50,000 matching challenge — the foundation's largest fundraiser to date. KBNF operates with 7 paid staff and an unpaid volunteer Board of Directors drawn from Canada, the US, Ghana, and Sweden, and is governed independently with no parent company, venture, or private equity ownership.

Name

Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation

Legal name

Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation

Website

https://kbnf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Short description

KBNF is a Canadian-registered non-profit foundation that enhances neuroscience care in West Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone) by shipping donated medical equipment, training healthcare professionals, and conducting volunteer multinational medical missions that deliver free brain and spine surgeries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Global Health Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

Keywords

• Neurosurgical missions
• Medical equipment supply
• Healthcare training programs
• Global health nonprofit
• Neuroscience capacity building

Headquarters

HQ city

Langley

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: KBNF receives donations from individuals through its Canadian and USA donor portals. Donations fund container shipments of medical equipment, neurosurgical missions, and training programs. A challenge grant of CDN $50,000 was matched in 2024, with over $147,000 raised.
2. Monthly Giving Program: KBNF Champions program allows supporters to contribute $5/month for ongoing work consistency. This provides predictable recurring revenue for operations.
3. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues of $30 per year or $15 for students. Members have voting rights at the Annual General Meeting. Note: membership fee is not a charitable donation.
4. Event-Based Fundraising: Annual Walk for the Bu event with registration fees ($20 individual, $35 family) and fundraising pages for participants. Christmas Gala events also generate revenue with ticket sales.
5. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Partnership with organizations like Health Partners International for medication programs. Rick's Heart Foundation provides financial support for transport and ambulance purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation (KBNF) is a non-profit foundation that delivers free brain and spine surgeries and ships donated medical equipment to West African hospitals through multinational medical missions, container logistics, and on-site clinical training. Its three-pillar model combines Shipping & Acquisitions, Education & Training, and Neurosurgical Advancement Trips to build sustainable neuroscience care in Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

Product overview

Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation (KBNF) is a non-profit charitable organization, not a technology product company. Its offerings consist of healthcare humanitarian programs organized around three core pillars: (1) Shipping and Acquisition - shipping containers of medical equipment and supplies to West Africa; (2) Education and Training - initiatives including mentorship programs and WhatsApp groups for nurses; and (3) Neurosurgical Advancement Trips - medical missions providing free brain and spine surgeries. Supporting programs include the Walk for the Bu annual fundraiser, KBNF Champions monthly giving, Liberia warehouse distribution center, newborn baby gift boxes, ambulance and medic training, neuro-endoscope provision, and a planned Legacy Centre warehouse in Vancouver. All programs focus on enhancing neuroscience care delivery in West Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone) for a population of 275+ million people.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Medical Equipment and Supplies Shipping Program Core logistics program that ships 40-foot containers of donated medical equipment and supplies from KBNF's Delta, BC warehouse to hospitals and clinics across West Africa. In 2024, 7 containers were shipped to 3 West African countries, and approximately 50 containers have been shipped to date.
• Education and Training Program Education initiative that builds local neuroscience capacity in West Africa through a three-layer model combining side-by-side mentorship, horizontal collaboration among regional professionals, and vertical collaboration between senior neurosurgeons and frontline providers. In 2024, 110 nurses received in-person training in neuro-specific care, wound care, patient rotation, and pain management.
• Neurosurgical Advancement Trips (Medical Missions) Multinational medical missions conducted 1-2 times per year deploying teams of 15-34 volunteer neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and specialists who perform free brain and spine surgeries and train local staff at partner hospitals. In 2024, 2 missions delivered life-changing surgery to 35 patients; the February 2026 Liberia mission was the largest ever with 34 team members from 5 countries.
• Walk for the Bu Annual Fundraising Campaign Annual community fundraising walk event that engages supporters in raising money to fund free neurosurgeries for West African patients. Sponsors can contribute $4,000 to fund one surgery; registration is $20 individual and $35 family, including lunch.
• KBNF Champions Monthly Giving Program Recurring monthly donation program for ongoing support, billed at $5/month or more per donor, providing predictable operational funding for KBNF's mission.
• Newborn Baby Gift Box Program Incentive program providing shoebox-sized gift packages containing clothing, blankets, and supplies to newborn babies, designed to encourage mothers to receive prenatal care and deliver under trained health workers to reduce neonatal and maternal mortality.
• Ambulance and Medic Training Program Emergency services program providing fully outfitted ambulances capable of safely transporting spine-injured patients to hospitals, combined with credited training programs for Liberian ambulance medics.
• Neuro-Endoscope Program Medical equipment program that provides neuro-endoscopic equipment to West African neurosurgeons to treat hydrocephalus without requiring shunt tubes, addressing a critical neurosurgical need in the region.
• KBNF Annual Membership Annual membership program with $30/year dues for adults and $15/year for students, granting voting rights at KBNF's Annual General Meeting. Membership dues are not a charitable donation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35 patients received life-changing surgery in 2024 through 2 Neurosurgical Advancement Trips
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• G4 AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016KBNF is a founding and permanent council member since 2016. The Global Alliance of Surgical, Obstetric, Trauma & Anaesthesia Care is dedicated to building international political priority for these four essential pillars within health care delivery worldwide by 2030.
• Mount Olives Hospital FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014MOU between KBNF and Mount Olives Hospital Foundation in Techiman, Ghana (2014). KBNF helped outfit the hospital with beds, furnishings, operating rooms equipment, linens and supplies. Hospital now serves up to 7,000 patients/month and launched stroke rehab program.
• Ghana Canada Association of BCminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2006Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2006 recognizing collaboration in improving medical care and neuroscience delivery to Ghana and West Africa. Mr. Roger Amenyogbe serves as liaison.
• Vancouver General HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001Agreement of Collaboration between Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital signed in 2001. Dr. Felix Durity was first KBNF Vice-President. VGH neurosurgery division provided fellowship training and continues to supply volunteer specialists for missions.
• University of British Columbia (UBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUBC provides neuro specialty training and education for West African doctors and participates in KBNF neurosurgery missions. Dr. Thomas Dakurah completed neurosurgery fellowship under UBC Neurosurgery Division direction in 1999-2000.
• Vancouver Coastal HealthcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVancouver Coastal Health provides crucial medical equipment along with education and training. Partnership resulted in 500 hospital beds being shipped to West Africa.
• Johns Hopkins UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJohns Hopkins partners in university program development, education and training, and participates in KBNF neurosurgery missions. Dr. John Sampson leads anesthesia residency training program in Liberia.
• Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPHSA provides medical equipment and consumables for West African patients and health workers.
• Diamond DeliverycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDiamond Delivery has provided free transportation of donations within British Columbia for over 13 years, enabling dozens of container shipments to reach West Africa. Founded by Rick Diamond who also started Rick's Heart Foundation supporting KBNF.
• K-Bro Linen SystemsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorK-Bro Linen donates gently used hospital linens, scrubs, patient gowns, and other reusable linens that are in short supply in West African hospitals and clinics.
• Montreal Neurological InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMNI collaborated with KBNF, Toronto General Hospital and National Research Council of Canada in launching first neurosurgery stimulator research study at University of Ghana College of Health Sciences in 2011.
• Institute of Global Perioperative Care (IGPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding members of IGPC (501C3 charitable status 2019). KBNF's American affiliate providing tax receipts for American donations while collaborating on anesthesia residency and critical care program at University of Liberia. President Dr. John Sampson.
• Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational university hospital for Ghana, founded 1923. KBNF's original partner and birthplace of the organization. Recipient of 14 shipments. KBNF developed Master Plan for Emergency & Clinical Specialties Centre.
• Builders without BordersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpearheaded and funded original 2004 Project Brief Neuroscience Centre of Excellence architectural development. Currently exploring partnership for construction of KBNF Legacy Center including warehousing facility in Vancouver, BC.
• Health Partners InternationalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKBNF partnered with Health Partners International in a pilot project to send $560,000 worth of medications for $10,000 to West Africa.
• Swedish African Neurosurgery Collaboration (SANC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSANC collaborates with KBNF on the February 2026 multinational medical mission to Liberia, providing Swedish neurosurgical expertise.
• Helping Those in NeedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS partner collaborating with KBNF on the February 2026 multinational medical mission to Liberia.
• LIFESUPPORTminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner providing transport and logistics support for medical supplies and equipment shipments.
• First-Canadian-LogisticsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLogistics partner supporting transportation and shipping operations for KBNF.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Partners In Health: Global health non-profit that combines direct medical service delivery with long-term capacity building in resource-poor settings, comparable to KBNF's hospital partnerships and training programs in West Africa.
• Health Volunteers Overseas: Sends medical professionals to teach and train local providers in resource-limited settings, directly comparable to KBNF's nurse training, mentorship, and continuing education programs at West African hospitals.
• CURE International: Runs a network of pediatric surgical hospitals in low-income countries with a focus on neurosurgery and orthopedic conditions, closely aligned with KBNF's neurosurgical mission and teaching hospital partnerships.
• African Mission Healthcare: Funds and supports mission hospitals and medical professionals in Africa, including surgeon training and capital projects, sharing KBNF's focus on surgical capacity building across under-resourced African health systems.
• Mercy Ships: Operates hospital ships delivering free surgical care and training in West Africa, directly comparable to KBNF's neurosurgical mission and training model in Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and other West African nations.
• Operation Smile: Provides free specialty surgeries (primarily cleft lip/palate) in low- and middle-income countries via volunteer medical missions, sharing KBNF's mission-trip model and volunteer-driven ethos.
• Project C.U.R.E. Collects and ships donated medical equipment and supplies to hospitals in developing countries; highly comparable to KBNF's container shipping program and medical supply logistics model.

Regional players

• Hope For Haiti: Non-profit delivering essential medical services and supplies to underserved communities in a single Caribbean/Latin American country; structurally similar to KBNF's country-anchored hospital and supply model, but in a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders): Large-scale medical humanitarian organization operating in West Africa with emergency and surgical care capabilities that overlap with KBNF's mission-based clinical delivery and training mandate.

Others

• Duke Global Health Innovation Center (GHIC): Global health research and innovation hub supporting healthcare capacity strengthening in low-resource settings; comparable to KBNF as an academic-aligned partner in West African health system development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/KBNF.org
• Instagraminstagram.com/korle.bu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kbnf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation