Institute of Caribbean Studies

What Institute of Caribbean Studies does

The Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) is a Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in March 1993 by Dr. Claire A. Nelson. It operates as the leading Caribbean American diaspora think-do tank in the United States, serving an estimated community of nearly 10 million Caribbean Americans through advocacy, education, and direct action on policy issues affecting the diaspora. ICS delivers value via a portfolio of community programs rather than technology products, including Caribbean American Heritage Month (June), the CARAH Awards Gala (since 1994), Invest Caribbean Business Leaders Dialogue (since 1999), LifeSEED youth entrepreneurship training, IGNITE CARIBBEAN, SMART Caribbean, and the Caribbean Space Society. Distribution occurs through 15+ Regional Program Boards across US cities, embassy partnerships, annual conferences, an ICS Speakers Bureau, and the Diaspora Forum Online channel.

ICS's revenue model rests on three pillars: tax-deductible donations (processed via the Caribbean Futures Forum partnership), event sponsorship, and modest program fees (for example, a $525 participation fee for the ICS Business Opportunities Trade Mission). A membership tier is forthcoming. The organization also pursues funded initiatives such as the IMAGINE BARBUDA 2030 diaspora recovery process and the US-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act implementation strategy. ICS holds strategic partnerships with USAID, the US Department of State, Hampton University, the National Medical Association, Caribbean American Leadership Alliance, and other civic organizations, and has secured recognition including the founder's 2012 White House Champion of Change award. Headcount is 1-10 employees and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Institute of Caribbean Studies

Legal name

Institute of Caribbean Studies

Website

https://icsdc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Institute of Caribbean Studies is a Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit think-do tank founded in 1993 that advocates for and serves the estimated 10 million-strong Caribbean American diaspora through policy advocacy, cultural programming, trade missions, and youth leadership initiatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Advocacy and Diaspora Engagement

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

International Affairs (9721), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDADALAA

Intergovernmental Education Cooperation & Bilateral/Multilateral Programs

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Education Partnerships, Intergovernmental & NGO Programs

SECONDARYEDADALAF

Education Partnerships for Equity, Inclusion & Gender

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Education Partnerships, Intergovernmental & NGO Programs

SECONDARYEDALAOAI

Community Engagement & Service-Learning Partnerships

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Alumni Relations, Development & Campus Community Engagement

SECONDARYBPADAAAL

Culture, Education & Heritage Intergovernmental Organizations

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Multilateral & Intergovernmental Organizations

Keywords

• Caribbean American advocacy
• Diaspora community engagement
• Policy research nonprofit
• Trade mission facilitation
• Youth empowerment programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorship: ICS operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization relying on tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization seeks sponsorship to support its various programs and events. Donations are managed in partnership with Caribbean Futures Forum (CFF). Membership opportunities are noted as 'Coming Soon'.
2. Program Fees: Revenue generated through participation fees for specific programs such as the ICS Business Opportunities Trade Mission ($525 participation fee plus airfare and hotel for EXPO Jamaica delegation).
3. Membership Dues (Upcoming): ICS mentions 'Membership Opportunities Coming Soon' indicating future membership fee revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Institute of Caribbean Studies is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers advocacy, policy research, education, and community engagement programs on issues impacting Caribbean Americans. Its offerings include flagship events such as Caribbean American Heritage Month, the CARAH Awards Gala, and the Invest Caribbean Business Leaders Dialogue, plus youth empowerment programs (LifeSEED, IGNITE CARIBBEAN), the ICS Business Opportunities Trade Mission, and the Speakers Bureau of Caribbean experts.

Product overview

The Institute of Caribbean Studies is a non-profit diaspora advocacy organization offering a portfolio of programs and initiatives rather than a unified technology product. The organization operates programs including Caribbean American Heritage Month, CARAH Awards, Invest Caribbean, LifeSEED youth empowerment, IGNITE CARIBBEAN leadership, SMART CARIBBEAN development framework, Caribbean Space Society, Census outreach, Civic Engagement, and the ICS Speakers Bureau. These are advocacy, education, and community engagement programs focused on advancing Caribbean American interests and promoting US-Caribbean relations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LifeSEED: Life Skills Empowerment & Entrepreneurial Development Program - focusing on developing entrepreneurial skills among youth ages 8-30
• IGNITE CARIBBEAN
• SMART Caribbean
• Caribbean Space Society
• LifeSEED Clubs
• Caribbean 2020 / US-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Initiative
• CARAH Awards

Products and services

• Caribbean American Heritage Awards (CARAH) Annual awards gala honoring outstanding contributions of Caribbean-Americans to American society and promotion of Caribbean culture; convened in Washington DC since 1994.
• Invest Caribbean Business Leaders Dialogue Annual business leaders conference and dialogue promoting trade and investment opportunities between the United States and the Caribbean region.
• ICS Business Opportunities Trade Mission (BizOpps) International business exploration delegations to Caribbean countries with structured business briefings, networking events, and one-on-one meetings; participation fee $525 plus airfare and hotel; limited to 25 participants.
• LifeSEED (Life Skills Empowerment and Entrepreneurial Development) Youth empowerment program developing entrepreneurial skills and life skills among Caribbean youth ages 8-30; implemented via LifeSEED Clubs in Jamaica and St. Kitts.
• ICS Speakers Bureau Roster of Caribbean subject-matter experts available for keynotes, seminars, workshops, and briefings on Caribbean business, culture, health, science, technology, and diversity topics.
• Caribbean American Heritage Month Programming Annual commemoration in June celebrating the contributions of Caribbean immigrants to American society, including events, press conferences, and educational activities across the US.
• Embassy Evenings Series Year-round discussion series held at Caribbean embassies addressing migration, sustainable tourism, culture, science and technology, and diaspora engagement issues.
• Caribbean American Legislative Forum Annual event on Capitol Hill educating Caribbean-Americans on policy issues affecting the community, featuring elected officials and networking opportunities.
• Caribbean Space Society Initiative promoting space literacy for small island developing states (SIDS) and advocating for space technology access in the Caribbean region.
• IGNITE CARIBBEAN Youth leadership initiative featuring the 30 Under 30 Caribbean American Emerging Leaders/ChangeMakers Awards and the Farm the Future agricultural program.
• SMART Caribbean Vision framework for Caribbean development focused on Sustainable systems, Meaningful metrics, Agile adaptability, Robust resilience, and Transformational technology.
• Imagine Barbuda 2030 Strategic visioning initiative for Barbuda's reconstruction and sustainable development aligned with UN Agenda 2030.
• AllSPICE Festival Festival of arts and humanities featuring cultural education programming on Caribbean culture including steelpan music and filmmaking workshops.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully advocated for National Caribbean American Heritage Month declared in June 2006 through Presidential Proclamation
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Caribbean Futures Forum (CFF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICS is a non-profit organization in partnership with Caribbean Futures Forum (CFF) for donation processing. Donations to ICS through the CFF are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
• FEMAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICS representatives participated in training programs organized by FEMA for disaster preparedness and emergency management relevant to Caribbean community resilience.
• Hip Hop CaucusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2012, ICS partnered with the Hip Hop Caucus to promote Respect my Vote Voter Education Campaign in the Caribbean American Community.
• National Medical Association (NMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICS collaborated with NMA (representing 32,000 Black physicians in the US, Puerto Rico and Caribbean) to organize forums on HIV/AIDS, health disparities, and hosted luncheon symposiums for CARICOM Ministers of Health during PAHO annual meetings in 1998 and 1999.
• African American Unity CaucusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICS President Dr. Claire Nelson participates as a member of the African American Unity Caucus, a network focused on promoting improved US foreign policy in Africa.
• National Coalition for Black Civic ParticipationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICS partnered with the National Coalition for Black Civic Participation to promote Census 2010 and develop awareness of the multicultural nature of the Black Community. ICS also served as founding member of the Unity Diaspora Coalition convened by this organization.
• University and Business Technology Summit / HBCU ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICS worked with the University and Business Technology Summit to organize a 1997 study tour of seven land-grant HBCUs (University of Arkansas, North Carolina A&T, Alcorn State, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Langston State, University of the District of Columbia, University of the Virgin Islands) and USDA to Jamaica for agricultural training and technology transfer.
• USAIDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2013, ICS was selected as a USAID Partner for Diasporas in Development, supporting diaspora engagement in Caribbean development initiatives.
• Caribbean American Leadership Alliance (CALA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICS, along with CALA and the New York State Commission on H.R. 4939, expressed strong support of Public Law 114-291 and developed recommendations in the form of the Caribbean-American Diaspora Companion Paper released June 2017.
• NAACPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICS has established partnerships with NAACP and other national organizations to promote the interests of Caribbean Americans and advance shared advocacy goals.
• National Education AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to support educational opportunities and exchanges between Caribbean and American peoples.
• Black Leadership ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICS partnered with the Black Leadership Forum to advance mutual advocacy objectives for Black communities including Caribbean Americans.
• US Department of StatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICS partnered with US Department of State for Caribbean American Heritage Month Celebrations in 2011. ICS also developed implementation strategy for Public Law 114-291 (US-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act).
• Hampton UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2018, ICS partnered with Hampton University to Launch Center for Caribbean Health Research.
• The Competitiveness Company, RISE, AIR, Junior Achievement JamaicaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnerships with organizations in Jamaica for LifeSEED program implementation including youth entrepreneurship training and micro-enterprise development.
• The Ripple Institute (St. Kitts)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for LifeSEED program implementation focusing on entrepreneurial skills development among Caribbean youth.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• National Urban League: Large, established civil rights and advocacy organization with broader scope but overlapping constituency in African American and Caribbean American communities; competes for the same donor and corporate sponsorship pool.
• Asian American Federation: Regional pan-Asian American advocacy and research organization with a comparable think-do-tank model, philanthropic backbone, and policy advocacy orientation for a diaspora population in the same U.S. urban centers.
• NAACP: Largest U.S. civil rights organization; listed as an ICS partner and competes for advocacy funding, while serving a partially overlapping Black American and Caribbean American constituency.
• Hispanic Federation: National Latino advocacy and community development nonprofit based in New York; analogous diaspora-advocacy model, government access, and mixed advocacy/program-delivery structure targeting a different but operationally similar constituency.
• Congressional Black Caucus Foundation: Washington DC-based policy, research, and leadership development nonprofit closely aligned with Black political leadership; ICS has collaborated with CBC and operates in overlapping policy and convening spaces.

Emerging players

• Vital Voices Global Partnership: International women's leadership and advocacy nonprofit that shares ICS's leadership-development and convening model, with overlap on diaspora engagement and recognition programs analogous to CARAH.

Regional players

• Caribbean Association of National Networks (CANN): Network of Caribbean community organizations across multiple host countries; an umbrella-style counterpart to ICS's Regional Program Board model, serving a related diaspora constituency.
• Caribbean Policy Development Centre: Caribbean-based regional think tank focused on policy analysis and advocacy; comparable research and policy orientation but operating from the Caribbean side rather than from the U.S. diaspora.

Direct peers

• Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI): Brooklyn-based Caribbean American business and trade organization serving a similar diaspora constituency in the U.S. with comparable focus on trade facilitation, small business support, and U.S.–Caribbean economic engagement.

Others

• Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat: Official intergovernmental body representing Caribbean states; an enabling/institutional counterparty rather than direct competitor, but operates in the same U.S.–Caribbean policy dialogue space and with whom ICS regularly interfaces.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ICSDC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-of-caribbean-studies-washington-dc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institute of Caribbean Studies