Edward M. Kennedy Institute For The United States Senate

What Edward M. Kennedy Institute For The United States Senate does

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic education institution headquartered on the University of Massachusetts Boston campus at Columbia Point in Boston. Founded in 2015 and housed in a 68,000-square-foot facility designed by architect Rafael Viñoly, the Institute centers on the world's only full-scale replica of the U.S. Senate Chamber, complemented by a replica of Senator Kennedy's Washington, D.C. Senate office, digital galleries, and three studio classrooms. Its product portfolio is grouped into two complementary strands: (a) immersive civic education programs — the Senate Immersion Module (SIM), Today's Vote, the Real Life Civics series, Pathways programs (Citizenship, Environmental Justice, AI Regulation), the Conference Committee Simulation, and the Kennedy-Breyer Civic Scholars Summer Program; and (b) public-facing programs — The Senate Project bipartisan debate series, the Bolstering Elections initiative with the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, and the Stone Social Impact Forum. The Institute is governed by a Board of Directors (co-chaired by Patrick Dorton and Joseph P. Kennedy III), led by Interim CEO Joe Hale, and advised by an executive team that includes a Chief Education Officer and a Chief Marketing and Communications Officer.

Name

Edward M. Kennedy Institute For The United States Senate

Legal name

Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate

Website

https://emkinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is a Boston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the world's only full-scale U.S. Senate Chamber replica to deliver immersive civic education programs to K-12 students, college groups, educators, and the general public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic Education and Museum Services

NAICS

Museums (712110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Civic Education & Community Engagement (Voting, Local Government) (EDAAAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Social Studies & Civics Instruction (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAI), Democracy, Voting Rights & Civic Participation Advocacy (BPAGAFAJ), Civic Participation & Leadership Development (Voting, Advocacy, Community Leadership) (EDAAADAL), Debate (Policy, Lincoln-Douglas, Parliamentary, Public Forum) (EDAMAGAA)

Keywords

• Civic education programs
• Museum guided tours
• Legislative simulations
• School field trips
• Bipartisan debate forums

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Admission and Ticket Sales: Revenue from visitor admissions with tiered pricing for adults ($20), college students ($15), seniors/veterans/children ($10), and free admission for children 5 and under, members, and certain discount programs.
2. Membership Program: Annual membership tiers providing free admission and member benefits including Individual ($50), Dual ($90), Household ($120), 1787 Society ($1,000+), Select Committee ($5,000+), and Chairman's Council ($10,000+).
3. Individual and Corporate Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporations supporting civic education mission. EIN: 27-0963869. Includes corporate sponsorships for events and programs.
4. Foundation Grants: Grants from foundations including $500,000 from Carnegie Corporation of New York, Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme, and Election Trust Initiative funding.
5. Event Rentals: Rental of Institute spaces including the Senate Chamber, lobby, and studio classrooms for private events including galas, conferences, networking receptions, and celebrations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute operates a civic education center and museum offering guided tours of a full-scale replica of the U.S. Senate Chamber and experiential learning programs for K-12, college, and general public audiences. Core programs include Senate Immersion Modules (role-play legislative simulations), Today's Vote debates, and Pathways curricula on topics such as citizenship, environmental justice, and AI regulation. The Institute also hosts The Senate Project bipartisan debate series, foundation-supported initiatives such as Bolstering Elections, and the annual Stone Social Impact Forum, supported by admission fees, memberships, donations, and grants.

Product overview

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is a 68,000 square foot museum and civic education center located in Boston, offering immersive programs designed to educate the public about the Senate's role in government. The core product portfolio centers on the Senate Chamber (the world's only full-scale replica of the U.S. Senate Chamber), combined with experiential civic education programs including the Senate Immersion Module (SIM), Today's Vote, and Real Life Civics series for students K-12 and college. The institute also hosts The Senate Project debate series featuring bipartisan Senator debates, the Bolstering Elections Initiative with the Dole Institute, and the Stone Social Impact Forum. Educational offerings include Pathways programs on Citizenship, Environmental Justice, and AI Regulation, with supplementary online resources, event rentals, and a tiered membership program. The institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2015.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Senate Project: A debate series featuring senators from different parties engaging in bipartisan discussions on policy issues, designed to inspire collaboration and consensus-building.
• Bolstering Elections
• Stone Social Impact Forum
• Senate Immersion Module (SIM)

Products and services

• Senate Chamber Tour Guided and virtual tours of the world's only full-scale replica of the U.S. Senate Chamber, with daily guided tours at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM included with general admission.
• Senator Kennedy's Office Tour Self-guided exploration of a faithful reproduction of Senator Edward M. Kennedy's Washington, D.C. Senate office, decorated to reflect his values, people, and ideas, included with general admission.
• Welcoming Words Program A program for grades K-3 that teaches students about the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of welcome for immigrants, including story time and creative activities, available to school groups visiting the Institute.
• Future Senator Program A program for grades 3-5 in which students consider whether the federal government should make the school day longer, interview expert witnesses, and vote in the Senate Chamber replica.
• Pathways to Citizenship Program A program for grades 4-8 in which students learn about challenges facing modern-day immigrants and work together to build a bill defining pathways to citizenship.
• Pathways to Environmental Justice Program A program in which students learn about climate change challenges and work together as senators to build a bill providing assistance and environmental justice for affected communities.
• Pathways to Artificial Intelligence Regulation Program A program for grades 4-8 in which students learn about AI benefits and challenges and craft legislation to regulate AI technology with a focus on privacy, non-discrimination, and safety.
• Senate Immersion Module (SIM) A 2.5-hour in-person program for grades 8-12 that immerses students in the legislative process through role-play and simulated Senate sessions, with topics spanning climate and energy policy, election reform, technology reform (AI, data privacy, social media), and criminal justice reform.
• Today's Vote Program A grades 6-12 simulated U.S. Senate session with live floor debate on actual pending legislation, including topics such as the Electoral College, Green New Deal, and Voting Rights.
• Real Life Civics Series Virtual programs for grades 6-8 covering the three branches of government, checks and balances, and traditions and norms of American government.
• Conference Committee Simulation A grades 11-12 program in which students take on the roles of House or Senate members engaging in a Conference Committee to reconcile bills from two chambers, focusing on the Agriculture Act of 2014.
• College Level Programs Senate Immersion Module and Today's Vote programs adapted for college-level students, available with in-person and virtual options for $15/student in-person and $10/student virtual.
• Online Resources Digital teaching resources including Senate Immersion Module materials, Today's Vote classroom simulations, Pathways resources, Civic Conversations guides, Environment and Climate lesson plans, and U.S. Senate educational materials, distributed nationally to schools.
• The Senate Project A bipartisan debate series featuring pairs of U.S. Senators from opposing parties discussing policy issues in the Institute's replica Senate Chamber, moderated by journalists and broadcast on major networks.
• Bolstering Elections Initiative A partnership initiative with the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics that produces research reports, symposia, and the 'Bolstering Funding and Practices for Resilient Elections' report examining election funding challenges and promoting investment in America's elections infrastructure.
• Stone Social Impact Forum An annual forum series featuring bold civic change agents discussing inequality, social change, and civic engagement, jointly hosted with the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.
• Event Rentals Venue rental of the Senate Chamber, lobby, and three studio classrooms for private events including galas, conferences, networking receptions, and celebrations.
• Membership Program Tiered annual membership program including Individual ($50), Dual ($90), Household ($120), 1787 Society ($1,000+), Select Committee ($5,000+), and Chairman's Council ($10,000+), with benefits including free admission, advance event notices, reserved seating, reciprocal ROAM/NARM museum access, and exclusive member events.
• Annual Dinner and Awards Annual fundraising dinner honoring individuals with the Edward M. Kennedy Award for Inspired Leadership, celebrating bipartisan leadership qualities exemplified by Senator Kennedy, with the 10th anniversary edition in 2025 attended by President Joseph R. Biden Jr.
• Kennedy-Breyer Civic Scholars Summer Program A summer program partnering with the Kennedy Institute, JFK Presidential Library, and the Breyer Center at the Moakley US Courthouse, bringing together students to learn about legislation, the Executive branch, and the judicial system.
• National Civics Bee A nonpartisan statewide civics competition for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, encouraging young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 200,000 students served since 2015
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership for the National Civics Bee, a nonpartisan statewide civics competition encouraging young Americans in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.
• Robert J. Dole Institute of PoliticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 February 2024Partnership to strengthen America's election infrastructure through the 'Bolstering Elections' initiative. Jointly produced landmark report 'Bolstering Funding and Practices for Resilient Elections' examining election funding challenges. Hosted joint symposium in Lawrence, Kansas in February 2024 and ongoing collaboration on election administration research.
• John F. Kennedy Library FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Joint initiative for the annual Stone Social Impact Forum featuring bold civic change agents who demonstrate pathways to tackle inequality and advance social change. The forum brings together leaders in social impact, education, and civic engagement.
• Pew Research CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Co-hosted conversation on Americans' deepening dissatisfaction with elected officials and government as part of efforts to address challenges facing American democracy.
• JFK Presidential LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration on the Kennedy-Breyer Civic Scholars Summer Program bringing together educators from the Kennedy Institute, JFK Presidential Library, and the Breyer Center at the Moakley US Courthouse.
• Orrin G. Hatch FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Co-founded The Senate Project debate series with the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation and Bipartisan Policy Center. The series brings together senators from both parties to demonstrate bipartisan bridge-building in the spirit of Senators Kennedy and Hatch.
• Bipartisan Policy CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Strategic partner for The Senate Project debate series featuring senators from different parties debating policy issues. The BPC hosts select installments at George Washington University and provides moderation support.
• Stanford University Hasso Plattner Institute of DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the 'Election Architects: Designing Democracy in America' exhibit exploring how local election officials design fair, free, and safe elections.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Constitution Center: Philadelphia-based nonprofit civic education museum and National Memorial to the U.S. Constitution. Operates immersive exhibits and education programs for K-12 and the public on the Constitution and founding principles — directly comparable mission and audience to EMKI's Senate-focused civic education work.
• John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum: Presidential library and museum operated by the JFK Library Foundation on the same Columbia Point campus. Co-hosts the Stone Social Impact Forum and Kennedy-Breyer Civic Scholars program with EMKI; both institutions deliver civic education through curated exhibits and signature educational programming.
• Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics: University of Kansas–based civic and political institute dedicated to bipartisan public service in Senator Dole's legacy. EMKI's primary partner on the Bolstering Elections initiative, with substantially overlapping mission, programming model, and donor base.
• iCivics: Founded by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, iCivics is the largest civic education provider in the U.S., offering free K-12 games and curricula on the branches of government. Competes for the same K-12 civics curriculum and educator mindshare that EMKI addresses with its SIM and Today's Vote programs.
• Close Up Foundation: Washington, D.C.–based nonprofit providing civic education programs, student trips to the nation's capital, and curriculum for middle and high school students. Closely comparable target audience (K-12 students and educators), delivery model (immersive D.C. experiences), and revenue mix (program fees, donations, grants).
• Center for Civic Education: Nonprofit that developed the 'We the People' and 'Project Citizen' civic education curricula widely adopted in U.S. schools. Directly competes for K-12 civics curriculum adoption and educator professional development dollars.
• Mount Vernon (George Washington's Mount Vernon): Historic presidential estate and museum operating immersive educational programs about George Washington's life and legacy. Comparable as a single-site, mission-driven museum with K-12 experiential education, membership tiers, venue rentals, and a diversified earned/contributed revenue model.
• The Congressional Award: Nonprofit established by Congress to recognize young Americans for civic engagement, volunteer service, and personal development. Targets an overlapping K-12/young-adult audience with civic education and engagement programming.

Others

• Bipartisan Policy Center: Washington, D.C.–based think tank focused on bipartisan policy solutions. Co-hosts The Senate Project debate series with EMKI; not a direct competitor but a peer in the broader civic engagement ecosystem with overlapping donors and political relationships.

Broad incumbents

• Smithsonian Institution: Largest U.S. museum and research complex, operating multiple institutions delivering K-12 civic and history education. Not a direct competitor but a broader incumbent whose educational programs compete for school group bookings, educator attention, and grant funding in the same civic education market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/emkinstitute
• YouTubeyoutube.com/emkinstitute
• Facebookfacebook.com/EMKInstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/emkinstitute
• Instagraminstagram.com/emkinstitute

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Edward M. Kennedy Institute For The United States Senate