By the time Tim Angel officially founded his company, Zugu, in 2010, he’d already been involved with Children International for several years, supporting a child from Colombia. And he didn’t just dream of doing more to help disadvantaged kids overcome poverty: Tim worked hard to make it happen. 
Zugu was founded with a bold idea: great products should also do great good. And for nearly two decades now, Zugu and Children International have shared a simple belief: when you invest in children, providing them with meaningful opportunities to grow and learn, you invest in a better future for everyone.
What began as a promise from a budding entrepreneur with an altruistic spirit has grown into a powerful partnership rooted in purpose. Together, we’ve rebuilt community centers, expanded youth programs, and provided interventions that help children break the cycle of generational poverty.
And with every milestone, Zugu continues to show what it means to build a business that gives back.
Several years before founding the company, Tim Angel connects with Children International, establishing a partnership rooted in purpose rather than profit.
Over the years, Zugu’s donations steadily grow as the company expands. By this period, generous contributions have been making a transformative and measurable impact in communities we serve, particularly in Colombia.
Zugu funds the reconstruction of a major community center in Santa Rosa, Colombia — it is one of our partnership’s most visible and impactful projects.
Zugu and Children International celebrate the completion of the rebuilt community center, marking a major milestone in the partnership’s footprint in Colombia.
Zugu surpasses $1.5 million in total contributions to Children International. Together, we provide access to education, life-skills training, personal development, career readiness and job opportunities — helping thousands of young people create bright futures and achieve their full potential.
Zugu funds the creation of a safe outdoor play and recreation area at the Santa Rosa Community Center. This project expands the center’s ability to serve children and families and becomes the newest landmark in our partnership.
Ongoing Zugu donations help provide thousands of children with educational support, life skills and job training, with a particular focus on creating more scholarships for youth and preparing more young adults for gainful employment.
Together, we’ve enhanced the reach and scope of our emotional wellness programs, helping more than 8,000 children and youth develop vital traits like responsibility, resiliency and self-confidence through Children International’s emotional wellness programs in Colombia.
Zugu’s support transformed the Santa Rosa Community Center in Colombia, creating a new safe outdoor space in the neighborhood where children can learn, play and grow.
Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, Children International is a top‑rated child and youth development organization focused on helping children break the cycle of poverty.
Our data-driven approach measures the outcomes of our programs aimed at helping kids graduate healthy, educated, empowered and employed.
We take our responsibility as stewards of your contributions seriously.
In FY 2025, 82% of our total operating expenses supported programs for children and youth.
