Yoga Gives Back
Yoga Gives Back is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes a global network of 200+ yoga ambassadors across 32+ countries to fund micro-loans, education, scholarships, and health programs for marginalized women and children in India.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Yoga Gives Back does
Yoga Gives Back (YGB) is a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2006 by Kayoko Mitsumatsu and headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The organization operates a donation-funded charitable platform that channels resources from the global yoga community into programs supporting marginalized women and children in India. YGB's programmatic portfolio includes micro-loans (SisterAid), primary education for young girls and orphans (Project Shaale), college scholarships for disadvantaged youth (SHE Scholarship for Higher Education), digital skills training (Girls Digital Center), menstrual health support (PAD Project), and a yoga community initiative (Yoga Without Borders). Programs are delivered through partnerships with reputable NGOs in India, which YGB uses to design, implement, monitor, and evaluate initiatives.
The organization does not operate a proprietary technology platform or software product; its digital footprint is limited to a donation-processing stack (Network for Good, Stripe), standard content channels (YouTube, blog, social media), and email newsletters. Revenue is generated entirely through donations and fundraising activities — there is no product or service pricing. YGB runs a tiered annual partner program (Platinum $30K+, Gold $10K+, Silver $5K+, Bronze $2.5K+) with named corporate sponsors and yoga-aligned brands (Liforme, Banyan Botanicals, JALA Clothing, YogiTea, LARABAR, ZICO, and others), and anchors fundraising around flagship events including the Annual Global Gala in Los Angeles, the Global Gathering for India campaign (May–July), International Women's Day events, and a Japan Retreat.
YGB's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, powered by a global network of 200+ ambassadors across 32+ countries — yoga teachers, studio owners, and practitioners who host classes, fundraisers, and community events. The organization operates with a small core team (1–10 employees) supplemented by a Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and volunteer officers. It holds the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency and a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, and in 2025 received a $35,000 grant for the SHE Scholarship Program.
Yoga Gives Back firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Yoga Gives Back
- Legal name
- Yoga Gives Back
- Website
- https://yogagivesback.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Yoga Gives Back is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes a global network of 200+ yoga ambassadors across 32+ countries to fund micro-loans, education, scholarships, and health programs for marginalized women and children in India.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Yoga Gives Back industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International Development Nonprofit
- NAICS
- Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Yoga & Meditation Experiences (Studio Classes, Guided Meditation, Mindfulness) (THAJAHAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Meditation Retreats, Workshops & Immersive Programs (HSADAJAF), Wellness Retreat Centers (Yoga, Meditation & Mindfulness) (THAGAMAB)
Keywords
Where Yoga Gives Back is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Yoga Gives Back business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Yoga Gives Back generates revenue entirely through donations from individuals, yoga practitioners, corporate partners, and event participants. The organization operates online donation campaigns, hosts fundraising events, and receives annual partner contributions. The mantra 'For the cost of one yoga class, you can change a life' frames the donation model.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Yoga Gives Back product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Yoga Gives Back is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes the global yoga community to raise funds for women and children in India. Its core offerings include micro-loan programs (SisterAid), primary education support (Project Shaale), higher education scholarships (SHE), digital literacy training (Girls Digital Center), and menstrual health initiatives (PAD Project). The organization also produces community events such as Global Gatherings, retreats, and galas to engage donors and ambassadors.
Product overview
Yoga Gives Back is a global nonprofit organization that operates as a charitable giving platform rather than a traditional product company. The organization runs multiple programs including micro-loans (SisterAid), hygiene products (PAD Project), primary education (Project Shaale), higher education scholarships (SHE), digital skills training (Girls Digital Center), and yoga community initiatives (Yoga Without Borders). These programs are delivered through fundraising events including the Annual Global Gala, Global Gathering for India campaign, Japan Retreat, and Seva Trip. The organization partners with NGOs in India to design, implement, monitor, and evaluate community-driven initiatives.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- YGB Films: Film content produced by Yoga Gives Back featuring stories and documentaries about their impact work in India.
Products and services
- SisterAid Program Micro-loan program that provides small loans to women in underserved Indian communities to support entrepreneurship and economic self-sufficiency. Supported by donations from the global yoga community.
- Project Shaale Primary education program that funds schooling for children in underserved Indian communities, channeling yoga community donations to cover school fees, supplies, and educational support.
- SHE Scholarship for Higher Education Scholarship program that funds higher education tuition and related costs for women in India, helping them attend college and pursue professional qualifications.
- Girls Digital Center Digital literacy program providing technology training and computer access to girls in India, supported by donations from the global yoga community.
- PAD Project Menstrual health and hygiene program that provides access to sanitary products and education for girls in underserved Indian communities, supported by yoga community donations.
- Yoga Without Borders Yoga retreat and community experience program that brings yoga practitioners together globally (including a Japan retreat) to support the Yoga Gives Back mission through participation, donation, and volunteer engagement.
Quantifiable outcome
- Enriches lives of more than 3,500 women and children annually through micro-loans, education, and scholarships
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Yoga Gives Back
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Yoga Gives Back technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Yoga Gives Back partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered bronze annual partner, bronze annual partner / event sponsor, event sponsor, annual partner and event host.
- Liformebronze annual partnerBronze-level annual partner (contributing $2,500+ annually). Liforme shares YGB's mission and has supported YGB especially during the COVID-19 crisis in India.
- Banyan Botanicalsbronze annual partner / event sponsorLong-term event sponsor providing in-kind support for YGB events.
- Fourth & Heartevent sponsorLong-term event sponsor for YGB's annual events.
- JALA Clothingbronze annual partner / event sponsorBronze partner and event sponsor. JALA has been a partner for over 10 years, sharing YGB's mission.
- LARABARevent sponsorLong-term event sponsor for YGB events.
- GTS Kombuchaevent sponsorLong-term event sponsor for YGB events.
- ZICO Coconut Waterevent sponsorLong-term event sponsor for YGB events.
- LA YOGAevent sponsorLong-term event sponsor for YGB events.
- YogiTeaevent sponsorLong-term event sponsor for YGB events.
- Stafford House Booksbronze annual partnerBronze-level annual partner supporting YGB's mission. Joined as partner in 2023.
- Key West Yoga Sanctuarybronze annual partnerBronze-level annual partner supporting YGB's mission.
- Story Merchantbronze annual partnerBronze-level annual partner supporting YGB's mission.
- International Yoga (India)annual partnerAnnual partner since August 2022, helping share YGB's mission with the yoga community in India.
- Asia Yoga Conference (Hong Kong)event hostHosted YGB's annual event, providing a platform to engage with supporters from around the world.
- Ashtanga Yoga Confluence (San Diego)event hostHosted YGB events in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018, enabling outreach to the Ashtanga yoga community.
- OmYogaShow (London)event hostHosted YGB events in 2015, 2016, and 2017, enabling engagement with the UK and European yoga community.
- Glo (Los Angeles)event hostHosted YGB Annual Gala events in 2017, 2018, and 2019, providing venue and community support for major fundraising events.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Yoga Gives Back competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Heifer International: International nonprofit providing livestock and agricultural resources to women in developing countries to build sustainable income. Comparable to YGB's economic-empowerment mission and India presence, though focused on agricultural value chains rather than micro-loans.
- Yoga Alliance: Largest membership organization for the global yoga community, registering teachers and schools. Comparable as an organizing force within the same yoga community that YGB mobilizes for fundraising, though Yoga Alliance is a professional association rather than a grantmaker.
- CARE International: Major international humanitarian nonprofit focused on women and girls' empowerment and poverty alleviation globally, including India. Comparable in targeting marginalized women through programs (microfinance, education, health) but at substantially larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
Direct peers
- Seva Foundation: Global health-focused nonprofit with significant India programming (eye care, women's health). Comparable to YGB in operating internationally funded health and empowerment programs in India through local partnerships.
- Kiva: Microfinance nonprofit enabling crowdfunded micro-loans to underserved entrepreneurs globally. Comparable to YGB's SisterAid Program in mechanism (micro-loans for economic empowerment) though Kiva operates a tech-enabled lending platform rather than partnering with NGOs.
- Grameen Foundation: International microfinance and poverty-alleviation nonprofit supporting women entrepreneurs in developing countries, including India. Comparable to YGB's SisterAid micro-loan mission in targeting women's economic empowerment, though Grameen operates at materially larger scale.
- Off the Mat, Into the World: Yoga-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofit mobilizing the global yoga community for social justice and humanitarian impact. Highly comparable to Yoga Gives Back in mission, donor base, and grassroots-ambassador model, with a broader programmatic scope (global rather than India-only).
- GiveDirectly: Cash-transfer nonprofit delivering direct economic assistance to households in extreme poverty, with active programs in India. Comparable to YGB in targeting economic empowerment for women and operating in India, but uses direct cash transfers rather than NGO-partnered micro-loans.
- Asha for Education: 501(c)(3) nonprofit funding education for underprivileged children in India through volunteer-driven chapters. Comparable to YGB's Project Shaale and SHE Scholarship programs in focus (India education) and grassroots volunteer fundraising model, though Asha's chapters are more academically focused.
- WIEGO (Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing): Global nonprofit focused on empowering women working in the informal economy, including significant India programming. Comparable to YGB in targeting economic empowerment of marginalized women in India via grantmaking and partner-NGO program models.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Yoga Gives Back social profiles
Digital presenceYoga Gives Back compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Yoga Gives Back financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Yoga Gives Back leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles21 records
Yoga Gives Back funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Yoga Gives Back 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 Yoga Gives Back
What does Yoga Gives Back do?
Yoga Gives Back is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes the global yoga community to raise funds for women and children in India. Its core offerings include micro-loan programs (SisterAid), primary education support (Project Shaale), higher education scholarships (SHE), digital literacy training (Girls Digital Center), and menstrual health initiatives (PAD Project). The organization also produces community events such as Global Gatherings, retreats, and galas to engage donors and ambassadors.
Is Yoga Gives Back a public or private company?
Yoga Gives Back is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Yoga Gives Back founded?
Yoga Gives Back was founded in 2006. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Yoga Gives Back based?
Yoga Gives Back is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Yoga Gives Back make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Fundraising.
Who are Yoga Gives Back's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Heifer International, Yoga Alliance and CARE International. Direct peers are Seva Foundation, Kiva, Grameen Foundation, Off the Mat, Into the World, GiveDirectly, Asha for Education and WIEGO (Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing).
Does Yoga Gives Back have an API?
No public API is recorded for Yoga Gives Back.
What industry is Yoga Gives Back in?
Yoga Gives Back's product category is International Development Nonprofit. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJAHAA, Yoga & Meditation Experiences (Studio Classes, Guided Meditation, Mindfulness), with a secondary code of HSADAJAF, Meditation Retreats, Workshops & Immersive Programs. Its NAICS code is 813219 and its SIC code is 7997.