Ripple Of One

What Ripple Of One does

Ripple of One is a private nonprofit social services organization founded in 2010 by Stephanie Enders and headquartered in Seneca, South Carolina. The organization delivers a two-year intensive family-empowerment program across four Upstate South Carolina counties (Oconee, Pickens, Greenville, Anderson), targeting low-income families experiencing generational poverty who are currently receiving or at risk of relying on public assistance. Each participant is paired with a dedicated mentor, financial coach, and health coach under the proprietary 'Ripple Recipe' framework, which combines one-on-one mentoring with tangible goal-based incentives including savings matches up to $200 per month, paid internships, vehicle assistance, gift cards, and educational support. Supporting product lines include the Generation Ripple youth curricula (F.I.E.R.C.E. for female youth ages 12-18, R.I.S.E. for male youth ages 12-18, Lil' Ripplers financial-literacy program for children), and the Let's Go Car Program operated with Lake Keowee Auto Group as presenting sponsor. The organization reports graduating 500+ families since 2017 with participants exiting the program holding $5,000-$13,000 in savings and self-sufficiency from food stamps and subsidized housing.

The underlying operational platform is human-delivered rather than technology-delivered: an in-house team of approximately 10-15 paid staff across five physical offices (Seneca HQ, Anderson, Greenville, Pickens, Easley) is supplemented by a volunteer base of mentors, financial coaches, health coaches, and community ambassadors, all receiving Trauma Informed Care training. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on referrals from a network of partner organizations including Dream Center, SC Works, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Foothills Care Center, and local churches, supplemented by a website-based application portal and organic social presence on Facebook and Instagram. The revenue model blends three streams: (1) retail sales from the Ripple Resale thrift store in Seneca with a Ripple Rewards loyalty program, (2) individual donations, and (3) grants from a portfolio of regional foundations (Dabo's All in Team Foundation, Reserve Foundation, Herb Rowe Foundation, Duke Foundation, Prisma Foundation) and corporate sponsors (Milliken, Truist Bank, Upcountry Fiber, Homes for Hope). The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Leighton Cubbage.

Name

Ripple Of One

Legal name

Ripple of One

Website

https://rippleofone.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Ripple of One is a South Carolina nonprofit founded in 2010 that delivers a two-year mentoring, financial coaching, and incentives program helping low-income families across four Upstate counties exit public assistance, supplemented by youth programs, vehicle assistance, and a thrift store.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services (Family Mentoring & Financial Literacy Nonprofit)

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAEAK

Financial Assistance & Benefits Navigation Services

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

SECONDARYEDAJAKAK

Family Advocacy, Parent Training & Support Services

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Special Education Services

Keywords

• Family mentoring services
• Financial literacy education
• Poverty alleviation programs
• Thrift store retail
• Social services nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Seneca

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ripple Resale Store: Thrift store selling donated clothing, furniture, housewares, and electronics. Revenue from retail sales directly supports the organization's programs. The store also operates a Ripple Rewards program where customers earn punches toward discounts.
2. Donations and Fundraising: The organization relies on monetary donations from individuals, grants from foundations (Dabo's All in Team Foundation, Reserve Foundation, Herb Rowe Foundation, Duke Foundation, Prisma Foundation), and corporate sponsors. Website accepts online donations via credit card.
3. Grants and Foundation Support: Funding from multiple foundations and corporate giving programs including Milliken, Truist Bank, Upcountry Fiber, and Homes for Hope. Also receives support through government partnerships with organizations like SC Works and Oconee County.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ripple of One delivers a free, two-year family empowerment program in upstate South Carolina that pairs each participant with a dedicated mentor, financial coach, and health coach. The program layers in matched savings (up to $200 per month), paid internships, and goal-based incentives to move families off public assistance. Adjacent offerings include youth programs (F.I.E.R.C.E., R.I.S.E., Lil' Ripplers), a vehicle-assistance partnership with Lake Keowee Auto Group, and the Ripple Resale thrift store that generates operational revenue. All services are provided at no cost to eligible participants.

Product overview

Ripple of One operates as a single integrated nonprofit program rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The organization offers a comprehensive family empowerment program centered on the Parent Program, which provides mentoring, financial coaching, savings matching, and paid internships to help families move beyond public assistance. Supporting programs include Generation Ripple (youth programs F.I.E.R.C.E., R.I.S.E., and Lil' Ripplers for children and teens), the Car Program (Let's Go Program providing vehicle assistance), the Ripple Resale Store (thrift store generating operational revenue), Ripple Rewards (loyalty program), and volunteer opportunities. The organization serves participants across four upstate South Carolina counties through a combination of direct services, community partnerships, and retail operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Generation Ripple: Teen and Children's Programs including F.I.E.R.C.E. (girls program), R.I.S.E. (boys program), and Lil' Ripplers (children's program)
• Let's Go Program
• Ripple Rewards
• Driven to Work Program

Products and services

• Parent Program Two-year family empowerment program that pairs each adult participant with a dedicated mentor and financial coach, provides savings matching up to $200/month and paid internship opportunities, and uses goal-based incentives to move families from public assistance to financial independence. Free to eligible participants residing in Oconee, Pickens, Greenville, or Anderson counties.
• Generation Ripple Youth Programs (F.I.E.R.C.E., R.I.S.E., Lil' Ripplers) Three youth empowerment programs targeting children and teens (ages 12-18) of Ripple participants: F.I.E.R.C.E. for females (focus on Independence, Education, Real-Life Skills, Core Values, Empowerment), R.I.S.E. for males (focus on Responsibility, Independence, Self-Worth, Evolving), and Lil' Ripplers financial literacy program for children who earn 'Ripple Bucks' through goal-setting.
• Let's Go Car Program Vehicle-assistance program created in partnership with Lake Keowee Auto Group that helps Ripple of One participants who have employment, sufficient income for insurance and maintenance, and are living within budget obtain reliable transportation. Participants must meet monthly with a financial coach.
• Ripple Resale Store Thrift store selling donated, gently used clothing, furniture, housewares, and electronics at 203 Oconee Square Drive, Seneca, SC. Open Monday-Saturday with donation acceptance hours. Revenue from retail sales directly supports Ripple of One operations; the store also offers donation pickup for larger items.
• Ripple Rewards Loyalty program for the Ripple Resale Store where customers earn one punch per $10 spent; after 10 punches, customers can redeem a $20 discount on a future purchase. Drives repeat store traffic and donation support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates leave program with $5,000-$13,000 in savings
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

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.

• Dream Center/Opportunity VillagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipant referral partnership and dual enrollment program. Former Dream Center graduates often enter the Ripple program for continued support in budgeting and financial stability.
• SC Works GreenvillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partnership providing employment services and job placement support for Ripple participants.
• The Salvation ArmycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partnership for individuals completing Salvation Army programs who could benefit from Ripple's financial literacy and independence programs.
• Habitat for Humanity (Oconee County)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership helping Ripple participants become homeowners. Participant Amber received a Habitat for Humanity house through this partnership.
• Foothills Care CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing referrals and integrated care for Ripple participants.
• Talent Rise GreenvilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTalent development and employment services partnership supporting participant career advancement.
• Wider CircleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity connection and support services partnership.
• Pickens County United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way partnership supporting community impact initiatives in Pickens County.
• AIM CharityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable organization partnership providing referrals and support services.
• LoveWell MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based ministry partnership for community outreach and referrals.
• Magnolia HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport services partnership for women and families.
• Kingdom over CultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity outreach partnership.
• Oconee SC Probation OfficeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partnership providing referrals for individuals on probation.
• Anderson Pregnancy Care CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing referrals for pregnant women and new mothers.
• SIP (Sales Innovation Program - Clemson)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClemson University student group that hosts the Tiger Paw Classic golf tournament fundraising event for Ripple. Partnership spotlight for January 2025.
• Lake Keowee Auto GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor of the Let's Go Car Program that provides vehicles to participants who need transportation for employment. Life-changing partnership enabling participants to get to work.
• Homes for HopeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing partnership supporting homeownership initiatives for participants.
• Greenville Woodworkers GuildminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCraftsman partnership providing furniture and woodworking for the resale store.
• Attorney Nathalie MorganminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal services partnership providing pro bono legal support for participants.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Compass Working Capital: Operates Individual Development Account (IDA) matched-savings programs and financial coaching for low-income families pursuing education, homeownership, and business goals — directly comparable to Ripple's savings-match and financial-coaching core.
• Dream Center (Upstate SC) / Opportunity Village: Named Ripple partner providing transitional housing and workforce support, with graduates commonly co-enrolling in Ripple for the financial-literacy and savings-match phase. Operates the same upstate SC population with overlapping wraparound services.
• Circles USA: National community-based poverty-transition initiative pairing low-income participants with volunteer allies and coaching to move toward self-sufficiency — a near-direct analogue of Ripple's mentor + financial coach + incentives model.
• Family Independence Initiative: National nonprofit that empowers low-income families to lead their own move out of poverty through peer networks, data tracking, and direct cash/savings supports — closely parallels Ripple's family-led, asset-building approach.
• Habitat for Humanity: Active referral and homeownership partner for Ripple participants (e.g., participant Amber received a Habitat house), pursuing the same family-stability and homeownership outcomes for low-income populations nationwide.
• LIFT: National anti-poverty nonprofit pairing parents with volunteer coaches to set and achieve financial, educational, and career goals — directly aligned with Ripple's mentor + goal-based incentives design.
• Single Stop USA: Connects low-income individuals to public benefits, tax credits, and financial coaching — directly comparable to Ripple's benefits-cliff navigation and financial-literacy work for families moving off public assistance.

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: Goodwill combines workforce development, financial coaching, and a national network of thrift stores to fund its mission — structurally analogous to Ripple's mentoring-plus-resale-store model, though at vastly greater scale and geographic reach.
• United Way Worldwide: United Way of Oconee County helped catalyze Ripple's founding and Pickens County United Way is a current partner; United Way's local affiliates operate the same community-funded anti-poverty model at broader regional scale.
• The Salvation Army USA: Named Ripple referral partner offering emergency assistance, transitional housing, and family support — operates at vastly larger scale with overlapping service populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/rippleofone
• Instagraminstagram.com/rippleofone/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Ripple Of One