What aviation without borders usa does

Aviation Without Borders USA (AWB-USA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in September 2019 and headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, operating as the tenth and only U.S. national member of the Aviation Sans Frontieres International network, which spans ten countries. The organization mobilizes aviation assets and volunteer networks to deliver humanitarian logistics support during the emergency phase of natural and man-made disasters, including hurricane relief in the Bahamas, earthquake response in Turkey, flood response in Indonesia, and the COVID-19 pandemic across the U.S., China, and India. Its core programmatic offerings include aviation logistics and last-mile supply, disaster relief and recovery operations, a domestic program focused on veterans, wildfire response and COVID-19 PPE distribution, and education/training (including adult literacy through the Dayton-based Brunner Literacy Center and aviation career pathways for high-school students). AWB-USA also operates an Aircraft Donation Program appraising donated aircraft at fair-market value, either deploying fit-for-purpose airframes directly or selling others to fund operations.

The organization's technology layer centers on partner-provided tools rather than in-house development: IrisGuard iris-recognition biometric verification deployed via ATMs for dignified, card-less aid disbursement, complemented by mobile applications used to verify and distribute relief assistance to marginalized populations. AWB-USA's revenue model is entirely donation-based, including monetary gifts ($50-$1,000 suggested tiers), aircraft and real estate donations, planned giving and legacy gifts, and grants from foundations such as the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and the SERCO Foundation. Corporate partners (Amazon, Sam's Club, Home Depot, DHL, Siemens AG, Boeing, IrisGuard, NextNorth, Needslist, US State Department) provide supply-chain, logistics, and technology support. Operations are run on a 100% volunteer workforce with no paid staff.

Name

aviation without borders usa

Legal name

Aviation Without Borders USA

Website

https://awb-usa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Aviation Without Borders USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes aviation assets and volunteers to deliver last-mile humanitarian logistics, disaster relief, and education programs for vulnerable U.S. and global populations, funded entirely by donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bethesda

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Monetary Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporations to support humanitarian relief operations. Accepts cash and publicly traded securities. Donation amounts suggested at $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or custom amounts. All donations are tax-deductible under 501(c)(3) status.
2. Aircraft Donations: Accepts donations of all types of aircraft including seaplanes, helicopters, private/commercial jets, experimental aircraft, ultralights, aircraft kits, and parts/tools. Aircraft is appraised at fair market value by IRS-certified appraisers to maximize donor tax deductions. Fit-for-purpose aircraft are used in humanitarian operations; others are sold to fund programs.
3. Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: Bequest language in wills and living trusts, IRA charitable rollovers, beneficiary designations, charitable gift annuities, and donor advised fund contributions to ensure long-term sustainability of humanitarian missions.
4. Real Estate Gifts: Accepts real estate donations to provide flexible, sustainable funding for relief, recovery and development efforts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Aviation Without Borders USA (AWB-USA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides aviation-enabled humanitarian logistics and aid delivery for vulnerable populations. Its core offerings include disaster relief operations, aircraft donation program, recovery and reconstruction programs, education and training initiatives, and dignified aid distribution using biometric verification and mobile applications. The organization operates as part of the global Aviation Sans Frontieres International (ASF) network spanning 10 countries.

Product overview

Aviation Without Borders USA (AWB-USA) is a humanitarian organization offering an integrated suite of programs rather than a commercial product portfolio. The core offerings include: Aircraft Donation Program (accepting all aircraft types for humanitarian use), Aviation Logistics & Supply (air asset mobilization for disaster relief), Education & Training (gender/education specialist access and literacy programs), and Technology Solutions (biometric verification systems and mobile apps). USA Programs provide domestic COVID-19 and wildfire response, while Global Programs deliver disaster relief and recovery operations worldwide. Supporting services include COVID-19 Preventative Posters in 28 languages and Operation Lifeline relief missions. The organization operates as part of the Aviation Sans Frontieres International network, consolidating aviation industry CSR humanitarian efforts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aircraft Donation Program A program accepting donations of all aircraft types (seaplanes, helicopters, jets, experimental, ultralights, kits, parts, and tools) to support humanitarian operations. Donated aircraft are appraised at fair market value by IRS-certified appraisers and either used directly in field operations or sold to fund humanitarian programs.
• Disaster Relief Services Provides integrated logistics support for deployment of personnel, equipment, and supplies during emergency phases of natural and man-made disasters. Operations span Israel-Palestine, Turkey, Syria, Indonesia, India, Mozambique, Haiti, Northern Iraq, and the Philippines.
• Aviation Logistics & Supply Provides aviation humanitarian support during emergency onset by mobilizing fit-for-purpose local air assets to transport first responders and relief items to affected areas, bridging the last-mile gap in disaster zones.
• Education & Training Programs Provides access to gender and education specialists to empower populations marginalized by poverty and inequalities, including adult literacy programs (such as support for the Dayton Literacy Center) and aviation career guidance for high school students.
• USA Programs Domestic disaster relief including COVID-19 response (PPE distribution, facemask distribution to veteran hospitals), wildfire assistance, and promoting career paths in aviation for high school students with scholarship guidance.
• Recovery Phase Programs Sustainable community recovery solutions including environmental cleanup, debris management, winterized housing construction, mobile water systems, and maternal/child healthcare programs in affected regions.
• COVID-19 Preventative Posters Free multilingual COVID-19 preventative fact sheets available in 28 languages for unrestricted download and use in schools, offices, and communities worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% volunteer workforce - all resources go directly to humanitarian programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wings of Help / Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen e.V. (LOG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2019German sister agency of AWB-USA, headquartered at Frankfurt Airport. Founded in 2003, LOG has delivered over 6,000 tons of humanitarian aid valued at more than €120 million. LOG and AWB-USA jointly conducted Operation Lifeline Grand Bahama relief mission in October 2019 and coordinated Izmir earthquake response in 2020.
• Aviation Sans Frontieres International (ASF International)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Global NGO umbrella organization formed in Geneva in 2016, serving as the umbrella organization of ten independent ASF national members worldwide: Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, The United Kingdom, and the USA. AWB-USA joined as the 10th member.
• NextNorthcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to ensure donations reach intended beneficiaries. NextNorth facilitates secure donation processing for AWB-USA.
• Gebr. HeinemannminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-renowned family-run company that provided incredible flexibility and generosity supporting Operation Lifeline Grand Bahama relief mission in October 2019.
• Amazon.comminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupply chain partner for Operation Lifeline Grand Bahama, ensuring seamless logistics for relief supply chain during October 2019 mission.
• Sam's ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupply chain partner for Operation Lifeline Grand Bahama relief mission, contributing to seamless supply chain operations.
• Home DepotminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupply chain partner for Operation Lifeline Grand Bahama, providing construction power tools and debris management equipment for recovery efforts.
• DHLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogistics partner providing transportation support for humanitarian aid shipments.
• BoeingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner providing guidance and support during coronavirus response and PPE procurement from USA to China.
• US State DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing guidance during coronavirus response operations.
• Siemens AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate donor that provided 120,000 German-made reusable COVID-19 masks for Izmir earthquake relief efforts.
• Senator Marco Rubio's OfficeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitated introduction between AWB-USA and VA Healthcare System Voluntary Service Teams for veterans relief program implementation.
• ASF FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of ASF network. Under Jean-Yves Grosse's leadership, ASF France received the European Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) - the only NGO in the world to meet such standards like a certified airline.
• ASF BelgiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational member of ASF International network. CEO Christian Georlette joined ASF Belgium in 2007 after serving in various countries-in-conflict including Rwanda genocide.
• START NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanitarian network where Kevin Noone serves as Trustee. AWB-USA CEO brings experience from International Medical Corps UK where he oversaw interventions in all leading emergencies.
• CadenaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization enhancing AWB-USA's ability to carry out its humanitarian mission.
• VanguardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting AWB-USA's humanitarian programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Mercy Corps: Global humanitarian and development NGO where AWB-USA's Gender and Education Specialist previously led the MENA Girl Center; large incumbent with overlapping conflict-zone programs (Syria, Middle East) where AWB-USA also operates. Comparable at program-deployment level though broader in scope.
• International Medical Corps (IMC): Large US-headquartered humanitarian NGO with deep prior ties to AWB-USA's CEO (Kevin Noone) and Senior Advisors (Stephen Tomlin). A direct feeder of staff into AWB-USA and a frequent co-responder in disaster zones, IMC is the most relevant broader humanitarian incumbent.

Direct peers

• Aviation Sans Frontieres Belgium (ASF Belgium): Belgian national member of ASF International led by Christian Georlette; provides aviation-logistics humanitarian aid across sub-Saharan Africa and post-conflict zones. Same network, same mission profile, comparable volunteer-driven model.
• Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen / Wings of Help (LOG): German sister agency of AWB-USA and the most operationally mature Aviation Sans Frontieres member; has delivered 6,000+ tons of aid valued at >€120M since 2003 and jointly led Operation Lifeline Grand Bahama and Izmir earthquake response. Direct peer based on identical aviation-humanitarian model.
• Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF): Largest faith-based aviation-humanitarian NGO globally, operating a fleet of light aircraft to deliver medical, disaster, and community-development aid to remote populations. Directly comparable last-mile aviation humanitarian mission and similar donor-funded, volunteer-supported operating model.
• Aviation Sans Frontieres France (ASF France): Founding member of the ASF International network and the only NGO in the world holding a European Air Operator's Certificate; operates scheduled and charter humanitarian flights similar to AWB-USA, with overlapping board representation. Directly comparable humanitarian aviation operator.
• Wings of Hope: US-based nonprofit that flies medical and humanitarian missions globally using both volunteer pilots and donated aircraft; the most direct US-domestic peer to AWB-USA in terms of aviation-humanitarian mission and reliance on private aircraft donations.
• Aviation Sans Frontieres UK: British national member of the same ASF International network with overlapping board and operational coordination; provides child-sponsored medical evacuations and disaster-response support in Africa. Directly comparable peer within AWB-USA's own umbrella network.

Emerging players

• Airborne Lifeline Foundation: Specialized nonprofit operating aircraft in East Africa for medical, education, and humanitarian missions; niche peer sharing AWB-USA's combination of aviation logistics and last-mile humanitarian delivery. Comparable in scale and donor-driven model.
• Airlink: Rapid-response aviation NGO that arranges donated airline cargo capacity for disaster relief and partner-NGO logistics; complements rather than operates aircraft itself. Highly comparable commercial-aviation partnership model and disaster-response positioning.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AviationWithoutBordersUSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/awb-usa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about aviation without borders usa