Network of Nations, Inc

What Network of Nations, Inc does

Network of Nations, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit para-church ministry founded in 2001 and headquartered in DeKalb, Illinois, that serves international students and scholars primarily through Northern Illinois University (NIU). The organization delivers a portfolio of community-based support services including a volunteer-driven airport pickup service from O'Hare International Airport (priced at $40–$60 per student), a weekly Intercultural Café communal meal program, ESL classes and English conversation groups, Chit Chat & Chai social gatherings, a Revelation7 Bible study, a free needs and donations closet, and an online prayer wall. All offerings except the airport pickup are free to participants, with delivery handled entirely by community volunteers from local churches and the DeKalb community.

The organization has no proprietary technology platform; coordination and outreach occur through a closed Facebook community group, Instagram, and WhatsApp groups that collectively connect over 1,600 current students and alumni. Revenue is derived from community donations (processed via the Zeffy platform under a "Cornerstone Donor" program) and modest airport pickup service fees, with no venture, private equity, or institutional investment. Strategic partnerships anchor the operating model: Christ Community Church provides a permanent facility at 316 N 6th Street, Immanuel Lutheran Church and four other local churches rotate hosting of the Intercultural Café, Kishwaukee College delivers ESL curriculum, and NIU's International Student and Faculty Office provides the primary top-of-funnel student referrals.

The business model is best characterized as a community-led, volunteer-powered nonprofit with deep local entrenchment but a single-customer (NIU) and single-geography (DeKalb County) concentration. Achievements are measured in qualitative community outcomes (student testimonials, 25-year operating history, evening meal attendance) rather than financial scale or growth metrics.

Name

Network of Nations, Inc

Legal name

Network of Nations

Website

https://networkofnations.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Network of Nations is a DeKalb, Illinois-based nonprofit para-church ministry that provides volunteer-driven hospitality, ESL classes, meals, and airport pickup services for international students at Northern Illinois University.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Student Support Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)

Keywords

• International student services
• Faith-based community ministry
• Airport pickup service
• ESL conversation classes
• Cultural hospitality programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Dekalb

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization relies on donations from the community as a primary funding source. They have a 'Be a Cornerstone Donor' program and accept donations through Zeffy platform.
2. Airport Pickup Service Fees: The organization charges fees for airport pickup services: $60 for 1 student, $50 each for 2 students, $40 each for 3+ students. These fees cover gas and transportation expenditures for volunteer drivers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Network of Nations is a volunteer-driven, faith-based para-church ministry that provides hospitality and support services to international students and scholars affiliated with Northern Illinois University. Its core offerings include a volunteer airport pickup service from O'Hare, weekly free Intercultural Café dinners, ESL classes and English conversation groups, a Needs and Donations closet, and faith-based gatherings such as Chit Chat & Chai and Revelation7 Bible Study.

Product overview

Network of Nations is a para-church ministry organization (not a technology product company) that provides a portfolio of support services for international students at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. The core offerings include: the Airport Pick Up Service (volunteer-based transportation from O'Hare Airport), Intercultural Café (weekly free dinner gatherings), ESL Classes and English Conversation Groups (language learning programs in partnership with Kishwaukee College), Chit Chat & Chai (social gatherings), Revelation7 Bible Study (faith-based programming), and a Needs and Donations Program (free closet and essential supplies distribution). These services are designed to help international students adjust to life in America, build cross-cultural friendships, and find community support during their studies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Airport Pick Up Service A volunteer-driven transportation service that picks up incoming international students from O'Hare International Airport and brings them to DeKalb, Illinois. Pricing is $60 for 1 student, $50 per student for 2, and $40 per student for 3 or more, with sign-up required 3-4 days in advance. Intended for international students and scholars arriving to study in the area.
• Intercultural Café A weekly free Friday-evening dinner gathering held at Immanuel Lutheran Church during the fall semester, offering home-cooked meals donated by local church community members and cross-cultural fellowship. Open to international students and community members.
• ESL Classes English as a Second Language classes provided in partnership with Kishwaukee College at the organization's facility, developing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills for beginning, intermediate, and advanced learners. Targeted at international students and broader DeKalb community members needing English practice.
• English Conversation Groups Weekly English conversation groups with separate women's (Tuesdays 1:00-2:30 pm) and men's sessions, held at 316 N 6th Street, DeKalb. Designed for international students seeking informal English-language practice.
• Chit Chat & Chai A Friday-evening social gathering held one hour before Intercultural Café at 511 Russell Road, offering a relaxed atmosphere for international students and community members to share stories and cultures.
• Revelation7 Bible Study A weekly Sunday Bible study held from 4:00-5:00 pm at the HOME facility, 316 N 6th Street, DeKalb, featuring fellowship, worship, and pancake breakfasts. Open to international students and community members.
• Needs and Donations Program A free closet-style program providing international students with donated household items, bedding, kitchen supplies, clothing, and seasonal gear including winter coats, helping them set up life in DeKalb.
• Prayer Wall An online prayer request form allowing students and community members to submit requests, with the option to remain anonymous, supporting the organization's faith-based pastoral care.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1600 students and alumni connected through community networks

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate and minor.

• Christ Community ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChrist Community Church has provided space for the organization to have a permanent home, referred to as 'HOME' at 316 N 6th St. The church extends hospitality and offers mission opportunities for its congregation to serve international students.
• DeKalb Chamber of CommercemoderateOthersCommunity partner listed on the organization's website, representing the local business community's support for Network of Nations' mission.
• DeKalb County Nonprofit PartnershipmoderateOthersCommunity partner that supports nonprofit organizations in the DeKalb area, providing resources and networking for Network of Nations.
• Sycamore Chamber of CommerceminorOthersCommunity partner from the adjacent town of Sycamore, expanding the organization's reach beyond DeKalb.
• Northern Illinois University (NIU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIU is the primary institutional partner. The university sends international students to Network of Nations for support services. NoN provides airport pickup, cultural integration, and community connection services that complement NIU's international student support offices.
• Kishwaukee CollegemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerKishwaukee College provides English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at Network of Nations' facility, offering educational programming that serves both NoN community members and the broader DeKalb community.
• Immanuel Lutheran ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Intercultural Café events on Friday evenings during fall semesters. The church provides space and volunteers from its congregation prepare and serve meals to international students and community members.
• Various DeKalb Churches (Crossview Church, Christ Community Church, Bethel Assembly of God, Hillcrest Covenant Church, First Baptist Sycamore)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple local churches take turns hosting and sponsoring the Intercultural Café calendar throughout the fall semester, rotating hosting responsibilities for the weekly community meal events.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Emerging players

• World Relief: World Relief is a faith-based organization supporting refugees and immigrants in the US through hospitality and integration services. It shares the faith-based community-services DNA with Network of Nations but serves refugee populations rather than international students specifically.

Broad incumbents

• Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ): Cru is one of the largest US campus ministries and runs explicit international student ministries alongside broader programming. It overlaps with Network of Nations on faith-based student outreach but at significantly larger scale and broader scope.
• Chi Alpha Campus Ministries (Assemblies of God): Chi Alpha is the Assemblies of God campus ministry network with chapters at many US universities. It overlaps with Network of Nations on faith-based hospitality to international students but operates within a specific denominational structure.
• Navigators: Navigators is an established interdenominational para-church organization with campus ministries that include international student engagement. It shares the volunteer-driven, faith-based DNA but with a much wider ministry portfolio beyond international students.
• InterVarsity Christian Fellowship: InterVarsity is a large, established para-church campus ministry with chapters at hundreds of US universities including NIU. It shares the faith-based, volunteer-driven approach but operates broadly across all student populations, not solely international students.

Direct peers

• International Students Inc (ISI): ISI is a national para-church ministry that mobilizes volunteers to serve international students and scholars across US campuses. It is the most direct functional peer to Network of Nations, with a near-identical faith-based hospitality model and university partnership approach.
• International Friendships Inc (IFI): IFI, headquartered in Columbus, OH, runs a near-identical model of volunteer-driven hospitality, friendship pairings, ESL support, and community meal programs for international students through church partnerships. Its structure and beneficiary base directly mirror Network of Nations.

Regional players

• Greater Europe Mission (GEM): GEM is a faith-based mission organization focused on Europe, working cross-culturally with internationals. It shares the para-church, volunteer-driven ethos with Network of Nations but operates across the Atlantic rather than within US university communities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/networkofnations
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/network-of-nations-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Network of Nations, Inc