Frequently Asked Questions
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Because International was founded in 2009. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization headquartered in Nampa, Idaho. Our mission is to alleviate poverty by delivering products that impact lives. Our tax ID # (EIN) is 26-4190308.
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No, we are not. Our desire is to work with as many individuals and organizations as possible in the area where our mission and values overlap. To that end, we work through a wide range of partners to distribute shoes and other impact products. These organizations each have their own unique missions.
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You can donate directly to Because International through our online donation platform here or by sending a check to our office.
Checks can be mailed to:
Because International
1415 1st Street South
Nampa, ID 83651Learn more about additional ways to give on our Planned and Legacy Giving page.
The Shoe That Grows
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Pairs of The Shoe That Grows are distributed to kids and families in three primary ways:
- Organizations and individuals working or traveling to areas impacted by poverty can purchase pairs to distribute themselves. If that's you, you can start fundraising or order here.
- Individuals who pack Christmas shoeboxes purchase shoes to pack as the wow item in their boxes. If you pack Christmas shoeboxes, you can start fundraising or order here.
- Organizations and individuals make one-time or monthly donations to support distributions of The Shoe That Grows through our partners. One-time donations primarily support distributions in Kenya and monthly donations through The Sole primarily support distributions to kids and families impacted by crises. If you'd like to support distributions of The Shoe That Grows, donate one-time or monthly here.
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The Shoe That Grows is manufactured at Umoja Shoe Company in Mombasa, Kenya, creating jobs in an area where pairs are commonly distributed.
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The Shoe That Grows is available in five sizes to fit most children and adults ages 2+. If in doubt, we recommend selecting a larger size to allow more room for growth.
*Ages are approximate. If possible, it's always best to collect accurate sizing information.Age* US** EUR XSmall 1 – 2.5 5 – 9C 21 – 25 Small 3 – 6 9 – 13C 26 – 30 Medium 7 – 11 13C – 4Y 31 – 35 Large 12 – 16 5 – 9W 36 – 40 XLarge 16+ 10 – 14W 41 – 45
**C=Children, Y=Youth, W=Women -
We encourage you to use the Shoe Size Guide and Distribution Fitting Guide found on our resource page!
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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, personally wore the same pair of The Shoe That Grows for over four years.
We have worked with industry experts to create a simple design with the highest quality materials and continue to test the durability both in the lab and in the field.
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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.
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We developed a new version to simplify the design while maintaining—or even improving—the shoe’s durability, fit, and functionality. By reducing the number of parts and potential failure points, we’re able to produce the shoe more efficiently at scale.
This new design helps us lower production costs at larger volumes, which means we can get more shoes to more kids. Along the way, we also incorporated years of feedback from children and communities to improve fit, comfort, and personalization.
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The Shoe That Grows is available for purchase on a tiered pricing structure, with the cost per pair decreasing as more are ordered—starting at just 10 pairs.
If you are ordering more than 250 pairs, you may complete this form to see if you qualify for an additional discount.
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Donated pairs are distributed at large scale—often thousands at a time—through established partners. That efficiency allows us to keep the cost per pair very low.
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Previously, free shipping benefited some customers more than others, depending on location. We’ve shifted to discounted pricing instead, which allows everyone to benefit more equally.
In most cases, the total cost should stay the same—or even be lower—than before. -
If you’re traveling with The Shoe That Grows, we recommend packing the shoes in your checked luggage. To help ensure a smooth customs experience, review the information here and consider using our template to create a customs letter to take with you.
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Yes, sample shoes are available to order here. Please note that sample orders are for a single shoe—not a pair.