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5.2.2 KickStart International (Africa)

KickStart International was established in 1991 by Martin Fisher and Nick Moon as a nonprofit

organization dedicated to designing and distributing affordable irrigation technologies,
particularly across Africa. The organization aims to assist low-income farmers in boosting their
agricultural yields and incomes. One of its key products is a hand-operated water pump, which is
distributed through local shops and sales agents (KickStart, n.d.) 107 .

KickStart’s primary strength lies in its ability to deliver low-cost, efficient technology tailored to
smallholder farmers, helping them sustainably increase both productivity and earnings (Citi,
2015). Nonetheless, the organization faces a number of challenges:

1. A heavy reliance on donor funding to support operations and research
2. Limited access to remote regions due to dependence on existing market infrastructure for
distribution
3. Environmental concerns related to increased irrigation, particularly from groundwater
sources
A major success of KickStart is its impact on hundreds of thousands of farmers who have
significantly improved their livelihoods. The organization’s innovative, mission-driven approach
has gained wide recognition, positioning it as a standout nonprofit using technology to combat
poverty. KickStart’s primary revenue stream comes from the sale of its irrigation products,

especially the “MoneyMaker” water pump, which supports both operational costs and ongoing
research and development. Additional funding is provided through donations from individuals,
foundations, governments, and international agencies. Unrestricted, interest-free grants also play
a crucial role in supporting activities such as R&D and expansion into new markets, particularly
where immediate profitability is not expected. Moreover, some impact investors have provided
funding to support the organization’s mission of creating measurable social impact (Hower, 2016).
Legally, KickStart is registered as a nonprofit under U.S. law with 501(c)(3) status, which exempts

it from federal income tax and allows donors to claim tax deductions for their contributions
(KickStart, 2020).

5.2.3 TOMS Shoes
TOMS Shoes was founded in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie, an American entrepreneur, author, and
philanthropist. The company’s core mission is to improve quality of life, with a focus on three key
impact areas: mental health, access to opportunity, and ending gun violence. Mycoskie was
inspired during a trip to Argentina, where he saw children without shoes. That experience led him

107 From About Us, by KickStart, n.d., retrieved on February 14, 2025, (https://kickstart.org/about-us/)
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