Hope To Walk

What Hope To Walk does

Hope To Walk is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2013 and incorporated in 2015 that designs and distributes low-cost prosthetic legs to amputees in developing countries. The organization addresses the affordability gap in prosthetic care by manufacturing prosthetic legs at approximately $250 per unit, a 40x to 100x reduction versus commercial prosthetics priced at $10,000-$25,000. To date, Hope To Walk has fitted nearly 3,000 amputees across 9 countries and operates full-time clinics in 3 countries, supplemented by episodic mission trips and an expanding permanent clinic footprint including a new St. Lucia lab established in 2024.

The organization's core product is a patented below-knee prosthetic design, with clinical validation published in the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics in 2020. Product breadth is expanding through development of an above-knee prosthetic produced via 3D printing in partnership with Virginia Tech, and the organization offers specialized variants such as the INTACT Tier prosthetic rated for 300+ lbs. Technical capacity is reinforced by partnerships with Virginia Tech, VCOM, Villanova, and Radford, which provide engineering R&D and volunteer pipelines.

As a nonprofit, Hope To Walk generates revenue through a diversified mix of individual donations, corporate sponsorships, institutional grants (notably a $50,000 Rotary Global Award in 2019), recurring 5K fundraising events that generate $35,000-$50,000 each, and newer channels including cryptocurrency donations via The Giving Block. Prosthetics are provided free of charge to recipients. The organization is led by founder Phil Johnson (34 years of prosthetics experience) and Reed Kennedy (Volunteer Executive Director as of 2024). Stated geographic expansion targets include the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Name

Hope To Walk

Legal name

Hope To Walk, Inc

Website

https://hopetowalk.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hope To Walk is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that designs and manufactures low-cost prosthetic legs (~$250 per unit) for amputees in developing countries, having fitted nearly 3,000 recipients across 9 countries through full-time clinics and university partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Prosthetic Devices

NAICS

Industrial Design Services (54142)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)

akta.pro primary industry

Limb Prosthetics (Upper/Lower Extremity Prosthetic Systems) (HLAHAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Amputee & Prosthetic Rehabilitation Programs (HLAFAFAL), Prosthetics, Orthotics & Bracing (POB) (HSABAKAG), Prosthetics/Orthotics Rehab & Amputee Rehabilitation (HSADAIAN), Pediatric Rehabilitation & Mobility DME (Adaptive Seating, Pediatric Mobility) (HLAHAMAI)

Keywords

• Low-cost prosthetics
• Prosthetic legs
• Humanitarian aid
• Nonprofit healthcare
• Amputee mobility

Headquarters

HQ city

Blacksburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The primary revenue source. Individuals make one-time or recurring donations via the website (PayPal or credit card). Recurring options include monthly ($21) or annual ($250) child sponsorship donations. One-time donations of any amount are accepted.
2. Cryptocurrency Donations: Hope To Walk accepts cryptocurrency donations via The Giving Block platform, supporting over 100 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin and Ethereum. Donations are processed through Gemini Trust Exchange.
3. Corporate and Institutional Grants: Funding from institutional partners such as Rotary International ($50,000 Global Award), corporate sponsors, and university partners. Also includes designated project gifts where donors specify a particular country or program.
4. Donated Prosthetic Parts and Materials: The organization accepts used prosthetic legs and parts from commercial prosthetic wearers in developed countries. These are repurposed and upcycled for repair and fitting of patients in developing countries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Hope To Walk designs, manufactures, and fits low-cost prosthetic legs (approximately $250 per unit) for amputees in developing countries who cannot afford commercial prosthetics ($10,000-$25,000). The patented Johnson Below-Knee Prosthetic Leg is the primary product, made from locally available PVC pipe, wooden dowel, crepe foam, and fiberglass, and is fitted on-site in under one hour. The organization also operates the Hope For Every Child Amputee Sponsorship Program and trains local technicians for sustainable in-country capacity.

Product overview

Hope To Walk is a nonprofit organization offering low-cost prosthetic legs to amputees in developing countries. The company's core product is the Below Knee Prosthetic Leg, a physical medical device made from PVC pipe, wooden dowel, fiberglass, and crepe foam that costs approximately $250 to manufacture—1/40th to 1/100th the cost of commercial prosthetics. An Above Knee Prosthetic Leg is currently in development with a patented 3D-printed knee design. The organization also offers the Hope For Every Child Amputee Sponsorship Program, which provides ongoing prosthetic replacement as sponsored children grow. All prosthetics are fitted same-day at clinics in developing countries and provided free to recipients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hope For Every Child Amputee: A sponsorship program where sponsors support a child amputee through Hope To Walk. The child receives a new prosthetic leg when needed at no cost until they reach age 18.

Products and services

• Below Knee Prosthetic Leg (Johnson Design) Hope To Walk's primary low-cost below-knee prosthetic leg made from PVC pipe, wooden dowel, fiberglass socket, and crepe foam foot. Costs approximately $250 to manufacture compared to $10,000-$25,000 for commercial prosthetics. Can be fitted on-site in under one hour during a single patient visit. Provided free of charge to amputees in developing countries.
• Above Knee Prosthetic Leg Above-knee prosthetic leg currently in development featuring a patented 3D-printed articulated knee joint, created in collaboration with Virginia Tech engineering students. Targets patients who have lost functional knee joints and require an articulated knee mechanism. Expected cost approximately $200 per unit. Provided free of charge to qualifying amputees.
• Hope For Every Child Amputee Sponsorship Program Child sponsorship program that provides growing children with new prosthetic legs approximately every one to two years until age 18 at no cost to the family. Sponsors commit to an annual donation of $250 or monthly donation of $21, ensuring sponsored children receive replacement prosthetics as they grow.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96.9% of patients wore their prosthesis 6–7 days per week, demonstrating consistent daily use and comfort of the $100 Johnson prosthetic leg.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Rotary International / Rotary Club of Christiansburg-Blacksburg / Rotary Club of Blacksburg / Tegucigalpa Rotary ClubflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerRotary International and three Rotary clubs awarded Hope To Walk a $50,000 Global Award to support the Hope Center in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The award covers manufacturing, fitting, and maintenance of prosthetic devices as well as training and certification of local technicians. The Tegucigalpa Rotary Club provides in-country hosting and support.
• Lions Club InternationalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLions Club International is listed as a sponsor of Hope To Walk, providing organizational support and visibility as part of the global Lions network dedicated to humanitarian service.
• Virginia TechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirginia Tech partners with Hope To Walk through multiple channels: the Mechanical Engineering department collaborates on above-knee prosthetic knee joint development; the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) hosts the first prosthetic center in Honduras; students volunteer on mission trips and have implemented community service projects. Allison Burns represented Hope To Walk on the Virginia Tech homecoming court, raising $3,000 (30 legs).
• Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVCOM maintains an ongoing partnership with Hope To Walk and the Baxter Institute in Honduras. The institution supports Hope To Walk's first prosthetic center and co-founder Michael Mabry was a VCOM medical student when he and Phil Johnson founded the organization.
• Villanova UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVillanova University is listed as a university partner supporting Hope To Walk's mission, contributing academic resources and student engagement.
• Gorilla Glue CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGorilla Glue Company learned that Hope To Walk was using their polyurethane glue to secure prosthetic components (dowels inside PVC pipes) and contacted the organization to donate all the Gorilla Glue it needs for prosthetic manufacturing.
• Kuhn Custom Creation & SawmillingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal sawmill and custom creation business listed as a sponsor of Hope To Walk.
• Kopy KornerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business listed as a sponsor supporting Hope To Walk's operations.
• SPS CompaniesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Hope To Walk, listed among organizational supporters.
• Core Physical TherapyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal physical therapy practice listed as a sponsor of Hope To Walk.
• Pareto InsightminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnalytics/insight firm listed as a sponsor supporting Hope To Walk.
• IT MushroomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology company listed as a sponsor of Hope To Walk.
• Home DepotminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHome Depot is listed as a sponsor, likely providing materials (wood, hardware) for prosthetic manufacturing.
• Broken EarthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBroken Earth (a prosthetics/orthotics company) collaborated with Hope To Walk and Bahamas Relief Cruise to fit amputees in the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian. This partnership enabled multiple amputees to receive new prosthetic legs.
• Bahamas Relief CruisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBahamas Relief Cruise partnered with Hope To Walk and Broken Earth to provide prosthetics to Hurricane Dorian victims in the Bahamas, including double amputee Ricardo McPhee who received two new legs.
• The Giving BlockcoreTechnology or IntegrationThe Giving Block processes cryptocurrency donations for Hope To Walk, enabling the organization to accept over 100 cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) as charitable contributions via the Gemini Trust Exchange.
• Fuze BrandingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFuze Branding is listed as a sponsor of Hope To Walk.
• Martin Arthur CPAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCPA firm listed as a sponsor of Hope To Walk, providing financial/accounting support.
• Baxter Institute (JMA Clinic)flagshipImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe James Moody Adams Clinic at the Baxter Institute in Tegucigalpa, Honduras is Hope To Walk's primary operational base. The institute built a dedicated workshop for Hope To Walk and employs 13 single mothers to sew prosthetic leather straps. It has a 4-year Bible College and medical clinic serving students from 11 nations.
• Hospital Evangelico (Siguatepeque)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHospital Evangelico in Siguatepeque, Honduras is a partner clinic where Hope To Walk has fitted numerous amputees. The hospital serves patients two hours from the Baxter Institute and has been instrumental in expanding Hope To Walk's reach within Honduras.
• Radford University Department of Physical TherapycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRadford University DPT students collaborated with Hope To Walk to create educational handouts for amputee limb care and rehabilitation, distributed globally to HTW clients. DPT students also participate in mission trips to Honduras.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights12 records

Broad incumbents

• Össur: Global manufacturer of prosthetics and orthotics including advanced bionic limbs, serving as the commercial benchmark for cost and technology in the prosthetic leg category.
• Hanger Clinic: Largest U.S. provider of orthotic and prosthetic care with extensive clinical infrastructure, representing the traditional commercial patient-fitting model that Hope To Walk circumvents.
• Ottobock: Global market leader in prosthetics manufacturing, providing high-end commercial prosthetic legs; represents the premium cost alternative ($10,000-$25,000+) that Hope To Walk undercuts by 40-100x.

Direct peers

• Limbs for Life Foundation: U.S.-based nonprofit providing prosthetic limbs and care to amputees worldwide who lack access, similar to Hope To Walk's mission of delivering affordable prosthetics to underserved populations.
• Range of Motion Project (ROMP): Nonprofit operating prosthetic clinics in Guatemala and Ecuador serving low-income amputees; comparable to Hope To Walk's in-country clinic model and patient demographic in Central America.
• D-Rev: Nonprofit designing affordable medical devices for low-income users (notably the ReMotion knee), similar to Hope To Walk's mission of engineered, low-cost prosthetic solutions for developing countries.
• Legs4Africa: Nonprofit providing prosthetic legs to amputees across sub-Saharan Africa, overlapping with Hope To Walk's Tanzania operations and shared focus on training local technicians.
• Standing With Hope: Nonprofit providing prosthetic limbs in Ghana with a U.S.-based volunteer expedition model similar to Hope To Walk's mission trip and donor-funded structure.
• BMVSS (Jaipur Foot): Indian nonprofit famous for mass-producing low-cost prosthetic limbs (Jaipur Foot) and fitting amputees in developing countries at high volume, comparable to Hope To Walk's cost-leadership approach.

Others

• The Prosthetic Foundation: Nonprofit supporting amputees through prosthetic access grants and education; adjacent peer operating in the same mission space but focused on U.S. patient financial assistance rather than global limb delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2YE1v4OP3o1ZEYKVEgRo3Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/hopetowalk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hopetowalk
• Instagraminstagram.com/hopetowalkofficial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Hope To Walk