+ Are you a for-profit or a non-profit?

Because International was founded in 2009. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization headquartered in Nampa, Idaho. Our mission is to use products as solutions to alleviate poverty. Our tax ID # (FEIN) is 26-4190308.

+ Are there different ways to donate?

You can donate directly to Because International through our online donation platform here or by sending a check/cash to our office. One-time or recurring donations are used for research and development of future projects and other expenses that go along with producing as many shoes as possible.

You can also fundraise through our online platform to raise money to purchase our products that you can then distribute to children in need all over the world.

Checks can be mailed to:
Because International
1415 1st Street South
Nampa, ID 83651

+ How do you distribute products to kids?

We currently get products to kids in need in a few ways:

1. People living in or traveling to areas in need can take products to distribute themselves. So rather than recreate the wheel and create our own distribution channels, we instead partner with those already serving these children. You can order your products here.

2. If you have connected with our mission and would like to help us get more products out to children in need, as well as help us fund research and development and continue producing products where they are needed most, you can join The Sole as a monthly donor.

+ Where are the shoes produced?

The Shoe That Grows is manufactured at Umoja Shoe Company in Mombasa, Kenya, creating jobs in an area where pairs are commonly distributed.

+ What size are the shoes?

The Shoe That Grows is available in five sizes. If in doubt, we recommend selecting a larger size to allow more room for growth.

C=Children Y=Youth W=Women

+ What do I do if I don't know the size of shoes kids need?

We encourage you to use the Shoe Size Guide and Distribution Fitting Guide. You can find those here.

+ Do the shoes really last for years?

We have received numerous pairs back from the field that have been worn for years and have provided us valuable feedback as we continually improve our design. Our Founder, Kenton Lee, has personally worn the same pair of The Shoe That Grows for almost four years.

We have worked with industry experts to create a simple design with the highest quality materials – compressed rubber (similar to that of a car tire), an antibacterial synthetic upper, and high grade Velcro straps. No mechanical parts or gears to break. Easy to clean. Easy to use.

+ What's happening with Bednet Buddy?

After evaluating Bednet Buddy's performance in field tests, we've determined that it's not the best solution for the problem we were trying to solve. Further reading on our decision can be found here.

+ Are products easy to take with me?

We offer large rolling duffel bags that can hold up to 50 pairs of The Shoe That Grows each. Duffel bags can be purchased along with your other shoes and we will pack them for you. Most bags will be around 50lbs, making them easy to check on airlines.

+ Can I buy shoes for personal use?

Yes! When you order a pair of The Shoe That Grows for yourself or a loved one, we'll ship one pair to you and distribute a second pair to a child impacted by poverty on your behalf.

If you would like to order shoes for personal use, please visit: becauseinternational.org/bogo

+ Is there a bulk order discount?

Orders of $2000 (100 pairs) or more receive free shipping within the United States. On orders of 750 pairs of shoes or more, we want to work with you on an individual basis to get you the best price we can while still covering all of our costs. Please contact info@becauseinternational.org to discuss bulk discounts.

+ How does shipping work?

You can find our shipping policies here.

+ How do I fundraise?

It’s easy! Click here to create your fundraising page and start today.

+ What does it mean to have a fundraising coach?

We want to see you reach your fundraising goal! Your coach will provide you with advice for your campaign and supply you with resources you might need to promote your page.

+ What does the fundraising process look like?

The first step is to click here and create your fundraising page. After that, your fundraising coach will provide you with awesome resources and a toolkit to help you promote your page and reach your goal. Once you reach your fundraising goal or decide it’s time to end your campaign, your coach will provide you with instructions for ordering. Or, you can choose for our organization to use the funds that you raised to get shoes to children that we have identified to be in need.

+ As a non-profit, how can we partner with you in fundraising?

Though we’re developing our relationships with other nonprofits, we currently do not have a tailored process for partnership. That being said, we would still encourage you to look into creating a fundraising page, or fundraising team, with your non-profit! We also love finding unique ways to partner with other organizations outside of fundraising pages!

+ How do I get my fundraising page featured on your site?

We do not currently feature any fundraising pages on our website at this time.

+ Can I use money that’s fundraised to cover travel fees?

Because we are a non-profit organization, we are responsible for ensuring that all donations go directly toward getting shoes to children in need. This means that money you have raised cannot be used for personal travel expenses such as luggage and airport/transportation fees. It also means that if you are wanting the shoes to be sent internationally, funds cannot be used to cover import duties and taxes charged on the shoes upon arrival in said country.

We do, however, allow funds to be used to cover the cost of shipping the shoes.

+ When should I expect the fundraising toolkit?

After you set up your fundraising page, your fundraising coach will be in contact with you. Following that, your toolkit—including a sample pair of shoes—will be shipped!