SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates

What SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates does

SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2014 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. The organization inspires and supports student-led donation education and registration efforts on high school, college, and graduate school campuses across the United States. As of recent reporting, SODA operates 150+ active chapters, has educated 411,236 students about organ, eye, and tissue donation, and has registered 20,428 students as donors through its programming. The organization's primary customer segments are students seeking leadership and advocacy opportunities, and Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) seeking structured student engagement in their service areas.

SODA's core offerings include the Chapter Program (ongoing student-led campus organizations), One-Time Event Hosting (flexible single-event engagement), Student Scholarships, Volunteer Hour Certification, an annual Campus Challenge competition, and free resource guides for both students and OPO partners. The organization distributes its programs through a self-serve website application process with quarterly application cycles, conference recruitment at HOSA ILC, AMAT, and Donate Life America events, and a channel partnership network of 35 OPOs that provide local expertise and branded materials. SODA also maintains a specialized HBCU outreach program to address donation disparities in underserved communities.

Technically, SODA operates as a traditional nonprofit with no proprietary technology products. The organization relies on a Wix-hosted website, Google Forms for applications, Donorbox for donation processing, Stockdonator for stock gifts, and active social media presence across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, YouTube, and TikTok for outreach. Revenue is generated through individual donations and a tiered Lifesavers Monthly Giving program priced at $3-$97 per month, with donor benefits including registration cards, stickers, flyers, mentorship, event grants, and merchandise. SODA has 1-10 employees and is governed by a Board of Directors, with revenue figures not publicly disclosed.

Name

SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates

Legal name

SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates

Website

https://sodanational.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates 150+ student-led chapters on US high school, college, and graduate campuses to educate peers about organ donation and register donors, partnering with 35 OPOs to support its mission.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Organ Donation Advocacy

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGACAJ

Blood, Organ & Tissue Donation Organizations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

Keywords

• Organ donation advocacy
• Student volunteer programs
• Donor registration education
• Campus chapter networks
• Nonprofit health advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: SODA receives donations from individual supporters through its website using Donorbox platform. Donations support student chapter operations, event grants, and organizational activities.
2. Lifesavers Monthly Giving Program: Monthly recurring donations at various levels ($3-$97/month) providing sustainable funding. Monthly donors receive tangible benefits including registration cards, stickers, flyers, mentorship, event grants, and SODA merchandise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

SODA inspires and supports student-led organ, eye, and tissue donation education and donor registration efforts on high school, college, and graduate school campuses. The organization delivers this through a campus chapter network (150+ active chapters), one-time event hosting, scholarships, volunteer hour certification, and the annual Campus Challenge competition. SODA supplies free resources, event grants, and mentorship, and pairs each chapter with a local Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) partner to provide donation expertise.

Product overview

SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates operates a student-led advocacy platform focused on organ, eye, and tissue donation education and donor registration. The core offering consists of two engagement pathways: the Chapter Program for students seeking ongoing leadership roles and One-Time Event Hosting for casual volunteers. The organization supports its network through Student Scholarships, Volunteer Hour Certification programs, and the annual Campus Challenge competition. OPO Resource Guides and the Student Resource Hub provide tools and templates for advocates and partner organizations. The platform connects student volunteers with Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) to facilitate education events and registration drives on high school, college, and graduate school campuses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SODA Chapter Program Student-led campus chapters where high school, college, graduate, and professional degree students lead donation advocacy efforts with support from SODA National and local OPO partners. Chapters host education events and donor registration drives.
• One-Time Event Hosting Flexible engagement option for students with limited availability to host individual donation education or registration events without committing to a full chapter structure.
• Student Scholarships Financial awards for student advocates including the Student Advocacy Scholarship (with Second Chance Fundraising), Daniel Gives Back Scholarship, and HBCU Legacy Scholarship, with applications typically due June 15.
• Volunteer Hour Certification Recognition program that provides Letters of Certification for volunteer service hours, including the SODA Service Award (10+ hours) and support for Presidents Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) applications.
• Campus Challenge Annual competitive program where SODA chapters earn points through education events, registration drives, OPO volunteering, and ambassador training, with prizes including trophies and $500 cash awards for winning teams.
• OPO Resource Guides Collection of guides, templates, and tools for Organ Procurement Organizations to support student advocacy, including social media graphics, email templates, press releases, and chapter tracking tools.
• Student Resource Hub Digital resources for student advocates including resource guides, event supply requests, leadership development courses, and chapter establishment support materials.
• Leadership Development Course Training course for student chapter leaders to develop skills in advocacy, event planning, and campus organizing for organ donation education.

Quantifiable outcome

• 411,236 students educated about organ donation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Integration3 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.

• Donate Life AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSODA partners with Donate Life America, the national registry organization for organ donation. The partnership supports student registration drives using RegisterMe.org and aligns SODA with the broader Donate Life movement. SODA displays the Donate Life logo and references Donate Life statistics.
• AATB (American Association of Tissue Banks)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAATB is a national nonprofit that sets standards for safe, ethical tissue donation. AATB partners with SODA on the Campus Challenge and supports tissue donation education efforts.
• AOPO (Association of Organ Procurement Organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAOPO supports OPOs across the US that save lives through organ, eye, and tissue donation. AOPO partners with SODA on Campus Challenge to promote student engagement in donation advocacy.
• EBAA (Eye Bank Association of America)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEBAA leads efforts to restore sight through cornea and ocular tissue donation. Partners with SODA on Campus Challenge to advance eye donation awareness among students.
• Donate Life TexasregionalGTM or Marketing PartnerTexas-based Donate Life organization that partnered with SODA for Campus Challenge, offering bonus prizes for Texas teams including a Sugarwish snack box.
• Second Chance FundraisingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartners with SODA to sponsor the Student Advocacy Scholarship. Provides financial support for student advocates pursuing higher education while continuing donation advocacy.
• Daniel Gives BackcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides the Daniel Gives Back Scholarship for SODA students demonstrating passion for organ donation advocacy. Named after Jorge Bacardi who received a life-saving lung transplant.
• National Kidney Donation Organization (NKDO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNKDO is the largest organization of living kidney donors in the world. They are working to build connections with students and partner with SODA to spread awareness about living kidney donation.
• Cascade Life AllianceregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOPO partner supporting SODA chapters in their service area through volunteer training and donation education.
• Donor AllianceregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOPO partner supporting SODA chapters in Colorado and Wyoming service area.
• Gift of HoperegionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOPO partner supporting SODA chapters in Illinois and northwest Indiana.
• Infinite LegacyregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOPO partner supporting SODA chapters in Maryland, Virginia, DC, and West Virginia.
• Legacy of HoperegionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOPO partner supporting SODA chapters in Alabama.
• LifeCenter NorthwestregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOPO partner supporting SODA chapters in Alaska, Washington, and north Idaho.
• LifeGiftregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOPO partner supporting SODA chapters in Texas.
• LifeNet HealthregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOPO partner supporting SODA chapters in Virginia and Maryland.
• Mid-America TransplantregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOPO partner supporting SODA chapters in Missouri, Arkansas, and Illinois.
• Network for HoperegionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOPO partner supporting SODA chapters in Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee.
• Southwest Transplant AllianceregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOPO partner supporting SODA chapters in Oklahoma.
• VersitiregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOPO partner supporting SODA chapters in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Georgia.
• Donate Life IndianaregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorState Donate Life organization partnering with SODA at events including HOSA ILC.
• Hearts for RussminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization supporting SODA's mission.
• Restore SightminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEye donation advocacy organization partnering with SODA on Campus Challenge.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Generation On: Youth volunteer and service organization that engages students in community impact. Comparable as a peer in student-led advocacy and volunteer hour recognition.
• DoSomething.org: Youth-led nonprofit that drives student social impact campaigns across many causes. Comparable as a peer in the student-led advocacy chapter model with a similar volunteer pipeline and 18-25 demographic focus.
• Hearts for Russ: Donation advocacy organization partnering with SODA's mission. Comparable as a peer in the niche organ donation awareness space.

Direct peers

• Donate Life America: National umbrella organization for organ, eye, and tissue donation, including the RegisterMe.org platform that SODA directs students to. Directly comparable as the apex coordinating body in the same mission space where SODA operates.
• National Kidney Donation Organization (NKDO): Largest organization of living kidney donors, working with SODA to spread awareness about living kidney donation. Comparable as a peer advocacy nonprofit in the organ donation ecosystem.
• Daniel Gives Back: Funds the Daniel Gives Back Scholarship awarded to SODA students. Comparable as a peer organ donation advocacy nonprofit partnering with SODA's student community.

Broad incumbents

• Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA): Lead organization for cornea and ocular tissue donation that co-sponsors SODA's Campus Challenge. Directly comparable mission overlap on donation awareness and student education.
• AOPO (Association of Organ Procurement Organizations): National trade association that supports all 35+ US OPOs which are SODA's primary partners. Highly comparable as the donor ecosystem coordinator across the same organ donation mission.
• AATB (American Association of Tissue Banks): Standards-setting nonprofit for tissue banking that partners with SODA on the Campus Challenge. Comparable as a national donor-mission organization that engages on student education.
• American Red Cross (Blood Services): Operates large-scale student blood donor recruitment programs on US campuses. Comparable as a peer that runs student-led volunteer/registration drives in a related donor-mission space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/sodanational
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC8hPF8gXtrSruRA-0sbVolg/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/sodanational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sodanational
• Instagraminstagram.com/sodanational

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates