Reach the Children

What Reach the Children does

Reach the Children (RTC), legally Reach the Children, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit humanitarian organization founded in 1998 and headquartered at 14 Chesham Way, Fairport, New York. The organization administers community development programs for children and families in sub-Saharan Africa, with primary field operations in Uganda and Kenya and additional activity in Nigeria and Ghana. Its work spans eight program areas: Community Empowerment, Education, Health, Life-Skills/AIDS Prevention, Micro-Enterprise, Orphan Care, and Water & Agriculture. RTC operates on a volunteer-only labor model in which no salaries are paid; the organization claims 100% of donations flow to direct program benefits, with administrative and overhead costs funded separately by private donations.

Service delivery is anchored by on-the-ground partnerships with indigenous groups and local NGOs in target communities, where RTC applies a holistic, deep-penetration model in which single anchor projects (e.g., a school or water spring) expand into coordinated multi-program engagements. Revenue is generated through four streams: individual donations via an online portal powered by software4nonprofits and check payments, micro-donations of $1–$100 through the Google OneToday mobile app, PartnerTrip volunteer expedition fees of $3,998–$4,350 per participant, and a corporate giving program. Donor engagement is supported by unit-priced giving tiers ($1 = 5 children in Stay Alive for one year; $10 = one full child immunization; $1,750 = one refurbished water spring serving 20–50 families), the PartnerTrip experiential channel, and a YouTube presence. The organization holds Guide Star accreditation, federal 501(c)(3) status (Federal ID #16-1569622), and charitable solicitation registrations in New York and Utah.

From a technology standpoint, RTC is a low-tech organization: there is no proprietary software platform, no AI/ML capabilities, and no native mobile application. Donations are processed via a third-party donation platform and the Google OneToday app, and donor communications are handled through a website, email, YouTube, and basic social media. Leadership comprises Kevin Clawson as President/CEO (former Paychex executive and current President of Bountiful Resources Foundation), Mary Harris as Executive Director, Geneviève Pélissier as Vice Chair/Acting Chairman, Pat Jones as Secretary/Treasurer, and John H. Dransfield as a board-aligned director; the board includes international members from multiple African nations, indicating diverse governance over field operations.

Name

Reach the Children

Legal name

Reach the Children, Inc.

Website

https://reachthechildren.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Reach the Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1998 that administers humanitarian aid and self-reliance programs for children and families in sub-Saharan Africa, primarily Uganda and Kenya, funded through individual donations, corporate giving, and volunteer expedition fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Humanitarian Aid Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAEAE

Child Welfare, Foster Care & Adoption Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYBPAGAEAC

Family & Parenting Support Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYBPADAGAG

Child Rights & Protection

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Human Rights, Democracy & Governance

SECONDARYEDADALAC

NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Education Partnerships, Intergovernmental & NGO Programs

Keywords

• Humanitarian aid programs
• Child welfare services
• Community development
• Orphan care support
• Clean water access

Headquarters

HQ city

Fairport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The primary revenue stream comes from individual donors who make contributions to specific projects or the general 'Where It's Needed Most' fund. Donations are received through online portals, mobile apps (Google OneToday), and traditional check payments.
2. Project-Specific Crowdfunding: Revenue is generated through crowdsourced micro-donations ($1 projects via Google OneToday app) where many donors contribute small amounts to complete specific humanitarian projects such as clean water springs ($1,750 each).
3. PartnerTrip Participation Fees: Volunteers pay expedition fees ($3,998-$4,350 per person) which cover travel arrangements, lodging, meals, and project contributions. These funds offset trip expenses while supporting RTC's mission.
4. Corporate Support: Corporate giving programs including employee giving programs, grants, and corporate sponsorships from businesses aligned with RTC's humanitarian mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Reach the Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit humanitarian organization that administers self-reliance programs for children and families in Uganda and Kenya across seven pillars: Community Empowerment, Education, Health, Life-Skills and AIDS Prevention, Micro-Enterprise, Orphan Care, and Water and Agriculture. It also sells paid volunteer service expeditions (PartnerTrips) and offers tiered donation products ($1 Projects and Powerful Projects) as giving vehicles.

Product overview

Reach the Children is a nonprofit humanitarian organization that operates a portfolio of program areas and donation-based giving programs. The core programs include seven holistic development areas: Community Empowerment, Education, Health, Life-Skills/AIDS Prevention, Micro-Enterprise, Orphan Care, and Water and Agriculture. These are delivered alongside two primary giving mechanisms: PartnerTrips (volunteer service expeditions to Africa) and donation programs ($1 Projects and Powerful Projects) that allow supporters to fund specific initiatives. The organization uses a 'teach them to fish' self-reliance approach, supporting projects that achieve sustainability within reasonable timeframes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Empowerment Self-reliance program pillar that empowers local communities in Uganda and Kenya to lead their own development initiatives; targeted by donors who want to support grassroots empowerment work.
• Education Education program pillar supporting schooling and learning opportunities for children in Uganda and Kenya; available as a donation destination for individual and corporate donors.
• Health Health program pillar delivering medical and wellness services to children and families in Uganda and Kenya; funded through donor contributions.
• Life-Skills and AIDS Prevention Program pillar providing life-skills training and HIV/AIDS prevention education to children and families in Uganda and Kenya; supported through donations.
• Micro-Enterprise Micro-enterprise program pillar supporting income-generating small businesses for families in Uganda and Kenya as a path to economic self-reliance.
• Orphan Care Orphan care program pillar providing shelter, food, education, and family-style care for orphaned children in Uganda and Kenya; supported by individual and corporate donations.
• Water and Agriculture Program pillar delivering clean water access (e.g., protected springs) and agricultural support to communities in Uganda and Kenya; priced as discrete unit donations such as $1,750 per water spring.
• PartnerTrips Paid volunteer service expeditions to Uganda and Kenya where participants travel to assist with Reach the Children's on-the-ground programs; priced per participant.
• $1 Projects Micro-donation giving product that lets donors contribute as little as $1 to specific Reach the Children projects; designed as a low-friction entry point for first-time givers.
• Powerful Projects Curated charitable giving product that bundles Reach the Children projects into higher-ticket donation packages for donors seeking a more substantial giving commitment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Each clean water spring ($1,750) provides clean water for 20-50 families (3-10 children each)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• United Nations and its agenciescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReach the Children commits to remain engaged with the United Nations and its agencies to advocate for child-friendly and family-friendly national and international policy changes in Africa. This partnership is described as essential to long-term development success.
• Other Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRTC affirms the need to partner with other NGOs to ensure appropriate levels of knowledge and experience are brought to every aspect of projects. The organization may also partner with for-profit enterprises to realize development objectives while maintaining its principles.
• Indigenous Groups & Organizations in AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRTC develops and organizes teams of volunteers to partner with indigenous groups and organizations in Africa. Each team focuses on the needs of the people served, implementing humanitarian projects and programs through international hands-on service.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SOS Children's Villages: Global nonprofit operating family-style homes for orphaned and abandoned children, including in Africa. Highly comparable to RTC's 'Sustainable Homes for Orphans' model and child-welfare orientation.
• charity: water: A US-based nonprofit funding clean water projects in developing countries, including East Africa. Highly comparable as a small-team donor-funded NGO with a 100%-to-programs model and emphasis on transparent unit economics.
• African Library Project: Small US-based nonprofit building libraries and supporting education access across sub-Saharan Africa. Comparable in scale, volunteer-led operations, and education-focused Africa programming.
• WaterAid: International NGO focused on clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in Africa and Asia. Direct overlap with RTC's Water & Agriculture program and rural-family beneficiary base.
• Compassion International: Child-sponsorship nonprofit operating in Uganda and Kenya with holistic child-development programs including education, health, and orphan care. Closest comparable in mission, geography, and beneficiary segments.

Broad incumbents

• World Vision: Major Christian humanitarian organization running child sponsorship and community development programs across sub-Saharan Africa. Comparable integrated development model with sponsorship funding.
• Save the Children: Large international NGO delivering child welfare, education, health, and emergency response programs across Africa. Comparable mission and beneficiary focus at vastly greater scale, including in Uganda and Kenya.
• UNICEF USA: UN-affiliated organization delivering child survival, education, and protection programs globally. Overlaps with RTC on child welfare and rights programming in Africa.

Regional players

• Kenya Kids Foundation: Small US-Kenya nonprofit supporting education, healthcare, and orphan care in Kenya. Comparable as a similarly sized, volunteer-staffed, community-empowerment-focused Africa NGO.

Emerging players

• Books for Africa: US-based nonprofit shipping books and supporting education access across sub-Saharan Africa. Comparable small-footprint, donor-funded, education-focused Africa program model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCDMhtM4uxI-9wvrt2SGjljg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/reach-the-children

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

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 Reach the Children