Mobility Worldwide
Mobility Worldwide is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that designs, builds, and distributes hand-powered mobility carts to people with disabilities in underserved communities across 117 countries, operating through 22+ volunteer-run affiliate workshops in the United States and Africa.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersJefferson City, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Mobility Worldwide does
Mobility Worldwide is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1994 and headquartered in Jefferson City, Missouri. The organization designs, builds, and distributes hand-powered mobility carts to individuals with disabilities in underserved communities across 117 countries. Originally incorporated as PET International in 2004 and rebranded to Mobility Worldwide in 2016, the organization operates through a network of 22+ volunteer-run affiliate workshops in the United States and Africa, supported by 645+ volunteers drawn primarily from welding, automotive, and construction industries.
The organization's product line consists of hand-powered, non-electric mobility carts engineered for rough terrain in developing countries. Core products include the Large Crank Mobility Cart (Standard Edition) with chain-driven hand cranks and solid tires, the Small Crank Mobility Cart for children and smaller individuals, the Solid Seat Pull Cart for users without upper body power, the Action Trike, and the His Wheels Trike designed for local repairs. The Mini-Mart Add-On Kit enables recipients to operate small businesses. Each cart costs approximately $400 to produce and ship, and all units include tools and spare parts for field maintenance.
Mobility Worldwide's revenue model is donation-driven. In 2024, total income of $594,322 came from individual contributions (~40.1%), grants (~27.5%), earned revenue from merchandise sales (~13.3%), and annual gala events (~17.4%), supplemented by legacy giving vehicles such as IRA rollovers and bequests. Total 2024 expenses of $750,091 produced an operating deficit. Recipients receive carts at no cost; donors sponsor carts through the website at roughly $400 per unit. Distribution occurs through trusted international partners who transport carts from US and African manufacturing sites — including active affiliates in Zambia (since 2002) and Sierra Leone (since 2018), with a planned Liberia site — to recipients in the greatest need.
Mobility Worldwide firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Mobility Worldwide
- Legal name
- Mobility Worldwide
- Website
- https://www.mobilityworldwide.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Mobility Worldwide is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that designs, builds, and distributes hand-powered mobility carts to people with disabilities in underserved communities across 117 countries, operating through 22+ volunteer-run affiliate workshops in the United States and Africa.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Mobility Worldwide industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mobility Aids
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Transportation Equipment (3790)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mobility Aids (Wheelchairs, Scooters, Walkers, Canes) (HLAHAMAA)
Keywords
Where Mobility Worldwide is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Jefferson City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
Mobility Worldwide business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: Primary revenue source from individual donations. Donors contribute to build and ship Mobility Carts. Approximately $400 per cart covers production and shipping costs.
- Grants: Foundation and institutional grants supporting operations and international distribution efforts.
- Earned Revenue: Revenue from merchandise sales and other earned income activities.
- Gala Events: Annual gala events and fundraising dinners.
- Legacy Giving: Planned giving including IRA rollovers (up to $100,000, tax-advantaged for those over 70½), bequests, securities donations, and life insurance beneficiary designations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Donation-based | One-time | Donate to build and ship one Mobility Cart |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
Mobility Worldwide product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Mobility Worldwide designs, builds, and donates hand-powered mobility carts (Mobility Carts/handcycles) to people with disabilities in underserved communities, primarily in developing countries. The carts are produced by a volunteer-run affiliate workshop network in the United States and Africa and shipped through trusted international partners to recipients at no cost. The product line includes standard large-crank carts, small-crank carts for children, pull-style carts for users without upper-body strength, the Action Trike, the His Wheels Trike, and an optional Mini-Mart Add-On Kit for economic use.
Product overview
Mobility Worldwide offers a portfolio of hand-powered mobility carts designed for rough terrain in developing countries. The product line includes the Large Crank Mobility Cart (Standard Edition) as the flagship model, the Small Crank Mobility Cart (Small Edition) for children and smaller individuals, and the Solid Seat Pull Cart (Pull Edition) for those without upper body power. Accessory offerings include the Mini-Mart Add-On Kit for economic empowerment. Additional models include the Action Trike with enhanced accessibility features and the His Wheels Trike designed for durability in international settings. All carts are hand-powered, not electric, and come with tools and spare parts for repairs. The organization operates through a volunteer-run affiliate network that has produced over 100,000 mobility carts since 1994.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Large Crank Mobility Cart (Standard Edition) Hand-cranked mobility cart designed for rough terrain and long distances. Features an adjustable cushioned seat, solid tires, and chain-driven hand cranks. Built to go where wheelchairs cannot. Distributed at no cost to recipients in developing countries.
- Small Crank Mobility Cart (Small Edition)
Quantifiable outcome
- 100,000+ Mobility Carts distributed globally since 1994
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Mobility Worldwide
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Mobility Worldwide technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Mobility Worldwide partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Bo Chesire Home (Sierra Leone)coreLocal partner in Bo, Sierra Leone that employs people with disabilities in manufacturing Mobility Carts. Manufacturing affiliate established through agreement signed in 2018.
- United Methodist Men of North Georgia ConferencemajorPartnership announced in May 2018 between Mobility Worldwide-Atlanta and United Methodist Men of North Georgia Conference to provide mobility to vulnerable populations.
- Partners for CarecoreInternational partner in Kenya working to distribute Mobility Carts and create impact in local communities. Mobility Worldwide partners with them to reach people in need of mobility assistance in Kenya.
- East Alabama & West Georgia AffiliatecoreAffiliate workshop (Shop 25) operating in Phenix City, AL, building and shipping Mobility Carts. Led by Sam Singer.
- Liberia Manufacturing SitecoreManufacturing site planned for Gbanga, Liberia on campus of Gbarnga School of Theology, which will employ people who use wheelchairs. Great strides made in 2020 to establish presence in Liberia.
- Hope Haven GuatemalamajorPartnership with Kansas-Moundridge affiliate for distributions. April 2016 distribution documented in Guatemala.
- Room in the Inn Program at Christ United Methodist ChurchminorJulie Vukadinovich, physical therapist at HealthSouth Rehab, coordinates this program and joined the Memphis Board of Directors.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Mobility Worldwide competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Free Wheelchair Mission: Faith-based nonprofit that designs, builds, and distributes free wheelchairs to people with disabilities in developing countries. Closest comparable to Mobility Worldwide in mission, donation-funded model, and global distribution to underserved regions.
- Whirlwind Wheelchair International: Nonprofit that designs and disseminates rugged, low-cost wheelchairs for use in developing countries. Comparable to Mobility Worldwide in hand-powered mobility-aid manufacturing philosophy and focus on rough-terrain durability.
- Motivation Charitable Trust: UK-based disability charity that designs and distributes low-cost wheelchairs and mobility aids to low- and middle-income countries. Directly comparable to Mobility Worldwide in product category, beneficiary focus, and partnership-driven distribution model.
- Hope Haven International: Faith-inspired nonprofit producing and distributing mobility devices including wheelchairs and supportive seating globally. Comparable to Mobility Worldwide as a manufacturing nonprofit with active distribution partnerships (Hope Haven Guatemala appears as a Mobility Worldwide partner).
- Joni and Friends: Christian disability ministry that operates the Wheels for the World program, refurbishing and distributing wheelchairs internationally. Comparable to Mobility Worldwide in faith-based mission, volunteer-driven model, and global recipient distribution.
- Walkabout Foundation: Nonprofit providing wheelchairs and rehabilitation services in developing countries. Comparable to Mobility Worldwide in target beneficiaries (people with mobility disabilities in underserved regions) and donation-supported distribution model.
Broad incumbents
- Latter-day Saint Charities: Religious-affiliated humanitarian arm running one of the largest global wheelchair initiatives. Comparable as a faith-based mobility-aid distributor but operates at a substantially larger scale with broader humanitarian programs beyond mobility.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Mobility Worldwide social profiles
Digital presenceMobility Worldwide compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Mobility Worldwide financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Mobility Worldwide leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Mobility Worldwide subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Mobility Worldwide funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Mobility Worldwide 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 Mobility Worldwide
What does Mobility Worldwide do?
Mobility Worldwide designs, builds, and donates hand-powered mobility carts (Mobility Carts/handcycles) to people with disabilities in underserved communities, primarily in developing countries. The carts are produced by a volunteer-run affiliate workshop network in the United States and Africa and shipped through trusted international partners to recipients at no cost. The product line includes standard large-crank carts, small-crank carts for children, pull-style carts for users without upper-body strength, the Action Trike, the His Wheels Trike, and an optional Mini-Mart Add-On Kit for economic use.
Is Mobility Worldwide a public or private company?
Mobility Worldwide is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Mobility Worldwide founded?
Mobility Worldwide was founded in 1994. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Mobility Worldwide based?
Mobility Worldwide is headquartered in Jefferson City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Mobility Worldwide make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are grants, earned Revenue, gala Events and legacy Giving.
Who are Mobility Worldwide's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Free Wheelchair Mission, Whirlwind Wheelchair International, Motivation Charitable Trust, Hope Haven International, Joni and Friends and Walkabout Foundation. Latter-day Saint Charities is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Mobility Worldwide have an API?
No public API is recorded for Mobility Worldwide.
What industry is Mobility Worldwide in?
Mobility Worldwide's product category is Mobility Aids. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHAMAA, Mobility Aids (Wheelchairs, Scooters, Walkers, Canes). Its SIC code is 3790.