National Catholic Educational Association

What National Catholic Educational Association does

National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), founded in 1904 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional association that operates as the largest private professional education association in the world, serving nearly 140,000 educators across 1.6 million students in 5,829 Catholic elementary and secondary schools and 176 U.S. dioceses. Its core offerings span a portfolio of services rather than a unified software product: a publications business (Momentum Magazine, NCEA Talk Blog, NCEA Weekly newsletter, the NCEA Bookstore with 376+ titles), the NCEA Academy professional development platform, NCEA ACRE and NCEA RISE faith assessment tools, the NCEA Career Center job board, the annual United States Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools statistical report, and signature events including the NCEA Convention & Expo, Catholic Leadership Summit, NCEA Gala, and National Catholic Schools Week. Underlying technology is standard web-based — its own e-commerce platform, membership portal, and EventScribe event registration — with no proprietary AI/ML stack; AI-related activity is delivered through a partnership with Google for Education and ISTE+ASCD.

NCEA's revenue model is multi-stream: institutional and individual membership dues (recurring subscriptions), publication and resource sales (one-time/perpetual license), advertising in Momentum Magazine and digital newsletters, a tiered corporate partnership program (Ambassador, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Supporting tiers with 30+ partners), and event registration fees across the Convention & Expo, CLS, Gala, and various summits. Go-to-market is sales-led for membership and advertising (inside sales team at 800-711-6232, dedicated Business Relationship Manager for corporate partners) combined with a channel-partner motion through the multi-tier corporate partner program that functions as distribution for partner products into the Catholic education ecosystem. Customer segmentation is vertical: Catholic P-12 schools are the primary segment, with dioceses, individual educators, and Catholic higher education institutions (CHESCS network of 27+ universities including Boston College, Notre Dame, and Loyola) as supporting segments. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

National Catholic Educational Association

Legal name

National Catholic Educational Association

Website

https://ncea.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1904

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), founded in 1904, is the largest private professional education association in the world, serving nearly 140,000 Catholic school educators across 5,829 U.S. schools and 176 dioceses through membership, publications, professional development, events, advocacy, and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Education Association Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Services (611), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Accreditation Standards, Benchmarking & Framework Organizations (EDADACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA), Education Professionals (Teacher/Administrator CE, CPD) (EDAAALAE), National/Institutional Accreditors (Career, Faith-Based, Distance, etc.) (EDADACAB)

Keywords

• Catholic education association
• Professional development services
• Educational publications
• Membership association
• Faith-based education

Headquarters

HQ city

Leesburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual institutional membership fees for Catholic schools, dioceses, and individual educators. Membership provides access to publications (Momentum Magazine), professional development, career center, member pricing on store items, and access to over 30 corporate partner discounts.
2. Publications and Resources Sales: Sale of books, guides, monographs, statistical reports, and downloadable resources through the NCEA online store. Products include titles like 'Administrator's Survival Guide Second Edition' ($30 member), 'A Brighter Future for Catholic Schools' ($25), and the annual 'United States Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools' statistical report ($25 print, free digital for members).
3. Advertising: Advertising opportunities including Momentum Magazine ads, banner ads in weekly newsletter, and digital advertising placements. Contact: Jessica Roberts, Business Relationship Manager.
4. Corporate Partnership Program: Tiered corporate partnership program (Ambassador, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Supporting) providing corporate partners access to NCEA's vast membership of teachers, principals, religious educators, pastors, superintendents and board members.
5. Event Registration: Registration fees for annual events including NCEA Convention & Expo, NCEA Catholic Leadership Summit (CLS), NCEA Gala, and various summits and academies for school leaders and educators.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

NCEA operates as a professional educational association delivering membership-based services to Catholic schools, dioceses, and individual educators across the United States. Core offerings include institutional membership subscriptions, professional development through the NCEA Academy platform, faith assessment tools (NCEA RISE/ACRE), an online bookstore with 376+ publications, the Momentum Magazine, a Career Center job board, and annual events including the NCEA Convention & Expo, Catholic Leadership Summit, and NCEA Gala.

Product overview

NCEA operates as a professional educational association providing a portfolio of services to Catholic schools rather than a unified software product. Core offerings include publications (Momentum Magazine, NCEA Talk Blog, NCEA Weekly newsletter), professional development platforms (NCEA Academy, webinars, professional learning networks), research and data services (annual statistical reports, Catholic school data), member services (Career Center, Bookstore with 376+ publications, Member School Locator), faith formation tools (NCEA ACRE assessments, NCEA RISE), events (NCEA Convention & Expo, Catholic Leadership Summit, NCEA Gala), and recognition programs (Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Awards, President's Awards). The CHESCS network connects Catholic higher education institutions with P-12 schools. Membership provides access to these services plus discounts and corporate partner offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NCEA RISE: Faith assessment tools to evaluate religious education programs.
• Momentum Magazine
• NCEA Talk
• Catholic Higher Education Supporting Catholic Schools (CHESCS)
• National Catholic Schools Week

Products and services

• NCEA Membership Program Institutional and individual membership program providing subscriptions, publications, professional development access, event discounts, corporate partner offers, and advocacy services for Catholic schools, dioceses, and individual educators.
• Momentum Magazine Award-winning print and digital publication offering relevant, timely articles and best practices in Catholic education, distributed to members and available through advertising placements.
• NCEA Bookstore / Publications Online store offering 376+ Catholic education publications, books, guides, monographs, and downloadable resources including titles such as 'Administrator's Survival Guide Second Edition' ($30 member), 'A Brighter Future for Catholic Schools' ($25), and the annual United States Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools statistical report.
• NCEA Convention & Expo Annual flagship conference bringing together Catholic educators, administrators, and leaders from across the U.S. and Canada for professional development, networking, and exhibition of educational resources.
• NCEA Catholic Leadership Summit (CLS) Annual leadership event for Catholic school administrators and educational leaders, focused on leadership development and best practices for Catholic school governance.
• NCEA Gala Annual fundraising and celebration event honoring the impact of Catholic education, including the Elizabeth Ann Seton Awards presentation.
• NCEA Career Center Online clearinghouse for job listings, career information, and employment resources for Catholic school educators, featuring free resume posting for job seekers and job posting capabilities for employers.
• NCEA ACRE / NCEA RISE Faith Assessment Tools Faith assessment platform providing the Assessment of Catholic Religious Education (ACRE) and related tools to evaluate religious education programs in Catholic schools.
• NCEA Academy Online platform providing professional development resources and courses for Catholic educators, supporting teacher and administrator continuing education.
• United States Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools Annual Report Annual statistical report on schools, enrollment, and staffing patterns for Catholic schools, covering regional trends, school openings, closures, student demographics, and faculty data compiled from 176 dioceses.
• Catholic Higher Education Supporting Catholic Schools (CHESCS) National network of Catholic colleges and universities affiliated with NCEA to enhance P-12 Catholic schools through research, teaching, leadership programs, professional development, and advocacy. Includes 27+ institutions such as Boston College, Notre Dame, Loyola, DePaul, and Creighton.
• Google AI Educator Series (GES) for Catholic Schools AI literacy training program delivered in partnership with Google for Education and ISTE+ASCD, providing K-12 teachers and higher education faculty with comprehensive AI training as part of NCEA's National AI Initiative.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11.1:1 student-to-teacher ratio supporting personalized attention
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, ambassador, platinum, gold and bronze.

• Navigate360coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNavigate360 has been named a Preferred Vendor and Corporate Partner of NCEA, providing Catholic schools with integrated safety solutions. Partnership offers exclusive pricing and discounts on safety products and services to NCEA member schools and dioceses nationwide.
• Google for EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational AI Initiative and multi-year commitment to Catholic education. Partnership includes Google AI Educator Series (GES) with ISTE+ASCD for comprehensive AI literacy training for K-12 teachers. NCEA Google Educator Group (GEG) being established with founding members to support Catholic school educators.
• FACTS Management CompanyambassadorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmbassador-level corporate partner providing K-12 solutions including admissions/enrollment, financial aid, tuition management, student information, and school payments. NCEA Partner Collective member.
• William H. Sadlier Inc.ambassadorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmbassador-level corporate partner with 100+ year partnership history. Publisher of K-12 educational programs including Progress in Mathematics, Vocabulary Workshop, We Believe Catholic identity programs, and Sadlier Religion resources.
• BlackbaudplatinumChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlatinum-level partner providing K-12 school software solutions covering enrollment, academics, finance, and fundraising. Hosts annual K-12 User Conference (Boston, July 2026).
• VenturEd SolutionsambassadorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmbassador-level partner (formerly Education Brands from Community Brands) providing solutions for admissions, enrollment, financial aid, tuition, student information, communications, and data analytics for K-12 schools.
• FriendzyplatinumChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlatinum partner providing faith-based, Scripturally-rooted character development education from early ed through high school. NSBECS-aligned resources for Catholic schools.
• RenaissanceplatinumChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlatinum partner - global leader in assessment, reading, and math solutions for pre-K-12. Products include Star Assessments, Accelerated Reader, myON, Freckle, Lalilo, Nearpod, and data tools (eduCLIMBER, Schoolzilla).
• ADACgoldChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGold partner supporting PK-12 schools with professional learning, instructional coaching, leadership development, and student support services. Serving over 3,500 schools nationwide, 875,000 students, and 150,000 educators.
• Catapult LearningplatinumChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlatinum partner providing K-12 academic support including high-impact tutoring, professional development, summer programs, and mental health/life skills services through CharacterStrong and EmpowerU initiatives.
• Archangel Education + TechnologybronzeChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBronze partner providing comprehensive classroom-ready technology ecosystems. Specializes in hardware (Chromebooks, tablets, laptops), networking, cybersecurity, e-sports labs, and federal funding guidance for K-12 schools.
• Openlight MediagoldChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGold partner founded by Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. Provides educational and inspirational media including Disciple of Christ Education in Virtue curriculum and Raised in Grace Catholic social-emotional learning programs.
• National Catholic Committee on ScoutingplatinumChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlatinum partner advisory to Scouting America and USCCB. Provides Catholic Scouting programs sanctioned by both USCCB and Scouting America, with 50+ religious activities and emblems programs for boys and girls K-12.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• National Catholic Board of Full Time Special Education Directors (NABSE): Niche Catholic education association focused on equity and special education. Adjacent peer serving a subset of NCEA's constituency with overlapping membership touchpoints.
• EdReports: Independent nonprofit that reviews instructional materials for alignment to standards. Operates adjacent to NCEA's NSBECS-based resources and could be a partner or partial substitute for curriculum evaluation services used by NCEA member schools.
• National Catholic Educational Exhibitors (NCEE): Trade association for vendors and exhibitors serving Catholic education, particularly at the NCEA Convention. Operates adjacent to NCEA's partner and expo ecosystem.

Direct peers

• National School Boards Association (NSBA): Federation of state school board associations representing public school governance. Comparable to NCEA in serving governance-level decision makers, advocacy, conferences, and policy publications for the school ecosystem.
• Council for American Private Education (CAPE): CAPE is a national umbrella organization for U.S. private K-12 schools that coordinates advocacy and data across multiple associations, including NCEA. Comparable mission in policy and research for private education.
• National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS): NAIS is the leading U.S. association for private, independent K-12 schools. It is the closest functional analog to NCEA: membership-based, conferences, advocacy, publications, and data services — just for the secular independent school segment rather than Catholic.
• Learning Forward (formerly National Staff Development Council): Professional association dedicated to educator professional development. Closely aligned with NCEA Academy and NCEA's PD offering, serving a comparable audience of teachers and instructional leaders.
• Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI): ACSI serves Protestant and non-Catholic Christian K-12 schools globally with a near-identical service mix to NCEA: accreditation, professional development, events, publications, and advocacy. Directly comparable faith-based peer.

Broad incumbents

• National Education Association (NEA): Largest U.S. educator association, focused on public K-12 teachers. Overlaps with NCEA on professional development, publications, and advocacy, but operates at a much larger scale and a different (public school) constituency.
• U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB): Governing body of U.S. Catholic bishops with which NCEA has a century-long cooperative relationship on education policy. Not a direct competitor but a key institutional counterpart shaping the Catholic education agenda.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NCEATALK
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/NCEAADMIN
• Facebookfacebook.com/nceaorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-catholic-educational-association-ncea-
• Pinterestpinterest.com/nceapins

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Catholic Educational Association