About Us | One By One

One By One - A Project-Based
501(c)(3) Nonprofit

"Putting a smile on a child's face can change the world, maybe not the whole world, but at least their world!"

— Richard M. Knittle Jr.

Our Mission and Purpose:

Because no one should face darkness alone, we bring light, hope, and a helping hand by restoring dignity, offering proper support, and standing with those who are vulnerable. At One by One, we believe that every individual has inherent dignity, worth, and purpose. Our mission is to support refugees, marginalized groups, the persecuted, and the poor by offering compassionate care, practical resources, and hope for a brighter future. We are dedicated to meeting urgent physical needs—such as shelter, food, medical care, and safety—while also fostering long-term stability through education, vocational training, and community engagement. We understand that healing encompasses more than just the physical; it also involves emotional and spiritual wellness. We aim to support those we serve on their path to recovery. Our work is driven by the conviction that no one should be forgotten, silenced, or left behind. We advocate for justice for the oppressed, amplify the voices of those who have been displaced or overlooked, and collaborate with local communities, organizations, and volunteers to create environments where people can thrive. We aim to break down barriers of prejudice, fear, and indifference, fostering understanding between cultures and building bridges of reconciliation. Guided by compassion, integrity, and respect, we serve without discrimination, inspired by the belief that love in action can transform lives. Our mission is straightforward yet powerful: to bridge the gap for vulnerable individuals, restore lost dignity, and sow seeds of hope where despair prevails—so that every person we encounter feels seen, valued, and not alone. We bridge the gap for vulnerable individuals, restore lost dignity, and sow seeds of hope where despair dominates.

How We Operate

We differentiate ourselves by focusing on small, project-based charity efforts. The current trend among charities is to pursue larger projects, creating a pressing need for funding among supporters of small, underserved communities. We focus on self-reliance, empowering individuals and communities to achieve lasting independence rather than depending solely on external aid. Instead of offering only short-term relief, we invest in education, vocational training, safe, secure housing, and resources that equip people with the skills and confidence to support themselves. By teaching values like hard work, accountability, and resilience, we help break cycles of poverty and dependence. Our main goal is to create opportunities for people to lift themselves and others, fostering dignity, hope, and sustainable growth within families and communities. Donors rightfully expect their contributions to be used responsibly, ethically, and directly to support the charity’s mission. To honor this trust, we adopt a rigorous, transparent process to evaluate fund beneficiaries. This process aims to ensure assistance goes to those who genuinely qualify, that funds are safeguarded from misuse, and that donor intent is upheld at every step

Structured Application and Intake Process

Potential beneficiaries must complete a formal application and referral process. This allows us to gather consistent, comparable information and document the need.

Due Diligence and Risk Controls

To safeguard donor funds, we go beyond basic eligibility checks. This involves screening for fraud risks, conflicts of interest, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory standards. When funds are allocated to organizations, we assess governance practices, financial health, and past performance to confirm the recipient has the capacity and integrity to use the funds responsibly.

Controlled Disbursement and Ongoing Monitoring

Funds are disbursed with safeguards, such as milestone-based payments or direct payments to service providers. After disbursement, we monitor outcomes through reports, receipts, and site visits to confirm that funds are used as intended and are delivering measurable impact.

Our Core Principles

01

We exclusively support charities that we have personally met and rigorously vetted.

04

We confirm that the approved funding items have been purchased as outlined in the project plan.

07

One By One’s operations, including all financial data, are completely transparent and provided to donors and interested parties upon request.

02

All donations are entirely directed to the project and its beneficiaries.

Scott and Kelly Kozak fund all administrative expenses.

05

We ensure the funded items are being used as intended through an on-site inspection completed no later than three months after disbursement of funds.

A follow-up on-site visit is conducted after the project's first anniversary to inventory the equipment and evaluate outcomes in person.
The beneficiary organization submits quarterly written progress reports detailing the project's advancement.

03

We provide funding for tangible items, not for salaries or operating expenses.

06

Because many of our projects are international, we collaborate with a carefully selected, trusted partner in the project city to ensure close on-site oversight.