What Foundation for Teaching Economics does

The Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization founded in 1975 and headquartered in Davis, California, operating as a subsidiary of The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) in Washington DC. FTE delivers economics education to two primary segments: high school students (sophomores and juniors seeking leadership and economics reasoning skills) and middle/high school/college economics teachers seeking professional development. The product portfolio is bifurcated into student programs (Economics for Leaders residential at 12+ university campuses, Advanced EFL, EFL Virtual, Entrepreneurship in the Global Economy, Environment & the Economy, and the newly launched Civics & Economics in Action) and teacher programs (Economics for Teachers, Economic Forces in American History, Environment & the Economy, Entrepreneurship: Economics of Innovation, Economic Issues for Teachers, Socialism: Myths vs. Realities, plus virtual workshops, webinars, one-day seminars, asynchronous online courses, and a searchable lesson plan library correlated to all 50 Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics and Common Core).

Program delivery uses Zoom for synchronous virtual sessions and Google Classroom as the LMS, with no proprietary technology platform, app, or API disclosed. Revenue mechanics combine one-time program fees ($2,800 residential student, $900 EFL Virtual, $200 teacher registration, $175 online courses, $25 workshops) with teacher participation stipends ($600-$1,000), subsidized co-sponsored seminars ($150 per attendee paid to co-sponsors), optional graduate credit through the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (~$120/credit hour), and donations received through the parent TFAS. The 2024-2025 academic year reached 1,024 high school students and 1,292 teachers across 12+ university campus sites, with 98% teacher and 90% student recommendation rates validated by an independent George Mason University evaluation.

Name

Foundation for Teaching Economics

Legal name

Foundation for Teaching Economics

Website

https://fte.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Foundation for Teaching Economics is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded 1975, providing economics education programs and curriculum for high school students and teachers via residential university summer programs, virtual courses, and a standards-aligned lesson plan library.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economics Education Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Economics & Business Studies Tutoring (Micro/Macro, Accounting, Finance) (EDANAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Open Educational Resources (OER) & Curriculum Repositories (EDAFACAJ), Online Learning Content & Course Publishing Platforms (BPAMAJAL), Open Lesson Plans & Teaching Units (K–12) (EDAGAJAI)

Keywords

• Economics education programs
• Teacher professional development
• High school student programs
• Nonprofit educational services
• Economic literacy training

Headquarters

HQ city

Davis

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, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Student Program Fees: FTE charges tuition for residential student programs ($2,800 covering tuition, room and board) and virtual programs ($900 for EFL Virtual). These fees represent a partial cost recovery as FTE subsidizes programs and offers scholarship funding.
2. Teacher Program Registration Fees: FTE charges a $200 registration fee for residential teacher programs, with room, meals, and materials included. Additional optional fees apply for graduate credit through UCCS.
3. Teacher Workshop Fees: Virtual workshops for teachers are priced at $25 per participant, with optional stipends provided.
4. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, FTE receives donations through The Fund for American Studies. The organization encourages donations to support its mission of economic education.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE) provides residential and virtual economics education programs for high school students and teachers. Student offerings include selective summer programs (Economics for Leaders, Advanced EFL, Entrepreneurship in the Global Economy, Environment & the Economy, Civics & Economics in Action) at 12+ university campuses nationwide plus a synchronous virtual option. Teacher offerings include week-long residential professional development programs, virtual workshops, webinars, online courses, and standards-correlated lesson plans. All programs emphasize active learning and integrate economics content with leadership development.

Product overview

FTE is an educational nonprofit organization established in 1975 that operates as a subsidiary of The Fund for American Studies (TFAS). The organization provides a comprehensive portfolio of economics education programs designed for two distinct audiences: teachers (professional development) and high school students (pre-college programs). Teacher programs include week-long residential programs (Economics for Teachers, Economic Forces in American History, Environment & the Economy, Entrepreneurship: Economics of Innovation, Economic Issues for Teachers, Socialism: Myths vs. Realities), virtual options (One Day Seminars, Workshops, Webinars, Online Courses), and lesson plan resources. Student programs include residential summer programs (Economics for Leaders at 12 university sites, Advanced Economics for Leaders, Entrepreneurship in the Global Economy, Environment & the Economy, Civics & Economics in Action), virtual options (Economics for Leaders Virtual), and alumni opportunities (Alumni Leadership Academy). All programs emphasize active learning, engaging activities, simulations, and the integration of economics content with leadership development. Programs are correlated with Common Core state standards and all 50 standards in economic education. FTE also partners with the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs to offer graduate credit for both teacher and student programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Economics for Leaders (EFL): Selective residential summer program that teaches student leaders to integrate economics into decision-making
• Advanced Economics for Leaders
• Economics for Leaders Virtual
• Entrepreneurship in the Global Economy (EGE)
• Environment & the Economy (E&E)
• Civics & Economics in Action (CEA)
• Economics for Teachers (EFT)
• Environment & the Economy Teacher Program
• Socialism: Myths vs. Realities
• Economic Issues for Teachers

Products and services

• Economics for Leaders (EFL) A selective residential summer program teaching student leaders (high school sophomores and juniors) to integrate economics into decision-making. Offered at universities nationwide with approximately 25-40 students per site; 90% recommendation rate among 2025 participants.
• Advanced Economics for Leaders A week-long residential program with advanced economic curriculum for high school students who have completed an economics course. Introduces college-level intermediate micro- and macro-economic topics including economic growth, demand curves, and asset pricing.
• Economics for Leaders Virtual A synchronous online course teaching economics and leadership skills via Zoom, with lectures, group activities, and real-world applications. Delivered 11:30am-4:30pm ET Monday-Friday. Tuition: $900 per student.
• Entrepreneurship in the Global Economy (EGE) A week-long residential program helping high school students understand economic concepts that explain human behavior and drive the global economy, covering business plans, pitching ideas, incentives, and institutional analysis.
• Environment & the Economy (Student Program) A residential program teaching high school students how a rational approach to environmental issues helps develop understanding of their complexity and possible solutions, featuring highly interactive sessions and a field trip.
• Civics & Economics in Action (CEA) A one-week immersive summer program for high school students exploring why government officials make the choices they do and how economics provides the framework to understand every political decision, taught using the economic way of thinking. Launched March 2026.
• Alumni Leadership Academy A dynamic and immersive program in Washington, D.C. designed to empower FTE alumni with essential leadership skills, foster deeper understanding of economics, and provide a platform to create positive change in their communities.
• Economics for Teachers (EFT) A week-long residential professional development program providing teachers with 50+ hours of economics content instruction, lesson plans, and networking opportunities. Offered in Teacher-Student and Teacher-Only formats. Subsidized with $1,000 participation stipend.
• Economic Forces in American History (EFIAH) A residential teacher program providing educators with cross-curricular content integrating economic reasoning principles into high school American history and social studies classes. Subsidized with $1,000 participation stipend.
• Environment & the Economy (Teacher Program) A four-day residential teacher program providing an overview of how economic principles can be used to analyze environmental issues, featuring interactive lectures, case studies, simulations, and a field trip to an environmentally protected area.
• Entrepreneurship: Economics of Innovation FTE's newest teacher program providing educators with lesson plans and interactive activities to teach entrepreneurship, covering business plans, market forecasting, supply/demand, and team-building skills.
• Economic Issues for Teachers A concentrated three-day residential experience focusing on FTE's Economic Issues curriculum units, including international trade, federal budget, and socialism topics.
• Socialism: Myths vs. Realities A three-day residential program applying the economic way of thinking to understand the realities of socialism, drawing from examples of Poland, Estonia, Denmark, Sweden, and contrasting with Singapore's approach.
• One Day Seminars Single-day professional development seminars providing teachers with foundations for various economics topics, available in both in-person and virtual formats throughout the school year, co-sponsored with state Councils on Economic Education.
• Workshops Shorter, more condensed virtual workshop presentations (approximately 1.5 hours via Zoom) offering flexibility for teachers to gain new materials and insights into economics topics. Priced at $25 per participant.
• Webinars 45-minute virtual webinars exploring the economics of current events, followed by a 15-minute Q&A with expert presenters, designed to fit into busy teacher schedules.
• Online Courses Flexibly paced, asynchronous online courses for working professionals, including courses on fundamental economics principles, socialism, economic history, environmental economics, and disasters. Priced at $175 per course.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of 2025 EFL participants would recommend the program to others.
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Fund for American Studies (TFAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFTE operates as a subsidiary of The Fund for American Studies, a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization based in Washington, DC. FTE receives operational support through this relationship and is encouraged to seek donations through TFAS's donation portal.
• izzit.orgminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for The Invisible Hand workshop, which uses izzit.org's engaging video lesson paired with an interactive viewing guide. FTE workshop participants explore classroom-ready activities inspired by Milton Friedman's 'I, Pencil' story.
• University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Department of Economics at UCCS awards undergraduate and graduate credit for FTE student and teacher programs. Graduate credit (2-3 semester hours) is available for an additional fee for programs including EFL, Advanced EFL, EGE, E&E, EFT, EFIAH, and others.
• Alabama Council on Economic EducationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorState-level partner organization promoting economic education. FTE collaborates with state councils to deliver one-day seminars and professional development to teachers.
• Alaska Council on Economic EducationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorState-level partner organization for economic education in Alaska.
• California Council on Economic EducationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorState-level partner organization for economic education in California.
• Council on Economic Education (CEE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization setting standards for economic education. FTE's curriculum is correlated with all 50 Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics.
• Federal Reserve Bank of St. LouiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Reserve Bank providing economic education resources. Scott Wolla, Economic Education Officer at the St. Louis Fed, serves as a faculty member for FTE programs.
• Federal Reserve Bank of BostoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Reserve Bank partner for economic education programs.
• Federal Reserve Bank of ClevelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Reserve Bank partner for economic education programs.
• Federal Reserve Bank of New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Reserve Bank partner for economic education programs.
• Federal Reserve Bank of San FranciscocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Reserve Bank partner for economic education programs.
• Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship – University of Missouri, St. LouiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity center partner providing economic education curriculum and instruction support.
• Center for Economic Education, University of Illinois at ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity center partner for economic education.
• Center for Economic Education, University of DelawarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity center led by Carlos Asarta (Director) and Laura Ahlstrom (Researcher), both listed as FTE faculty.
• Junior Achievement (JA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal nonprofit organization focused on financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Collaborates with FTE on economic education initiatives.
• National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization dedicated to teaching entrepreneurship to young people. Partnered with FTE on entrepreneurship-focused programs.
• Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStudent organization for marketing, entrepreneurship, and business education. FTE partners to reach students interested in business and economics.
• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStudent organization for future business leaders. FTE partners to reach students interested in economics and entrepreneurship.
• Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth leadership development organization. FTE partners given shared focus on leadership development for high school students.
• National FFA OrganizationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStudent organization for agricultural education. FTE partners to reach students interested in economics of agriculture and entrepreneurship.
• Institute for Humane Studies (IHS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting the advancement of intellectual diversity and classical liberal ideas in higher education. FTE shares alignment on economic freedom and individual liberty educational content.
• Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation providing economic and financial education resources. Partner in economic education initiatives.
• Property and Environment Research Council (PERC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty rights and environmental policy research organization. FTE partners on environmental economics curriculum content.
• Fraser InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian think tank focused on economic freedom research. FTE collaborates on comparative economic education content.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Council for Economic Education (CEE): National nonprofit that sets the Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics and supports state Councils on Economic Education with K-12 economics curriculum and teacher PD. FTE's curriculum is explicitly correlated to CEE's standards, and they share state-level council partner channels.
• Junior Achievement (JA): Global nonprofit delivering K-12 financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship education through in-person and digital programs. FTE has a listed partnership with JA; both serve the same teacher/student segments with overlapping economics and entrepreneurship content.
• National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE): Nonprofit focused on teaching entrepreneurship to young people from underserved communities, often delivered through teacher PD and student programs. FTE lists NFTE as a partner and both organizations operate student-facing entrepreneurship curricula in the high school space.
• SIFMA Foundation: Foundation of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association that delivers the Stock Market Game and other K-12 investor/economics education programs. FTE lists SIFMA as a partner and both compete for teacher PD and student economic-literacy attention.
• Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY): Nonprofit providing leadership development programs for high school students, including residential summer programs. FTE lists HOBY as a partner given the shared leadership-development angle for high school students; both compete for the same selective summer student cohort.
• CORE Economics (Econ4K12): Provider of economics teaching resources and textbooks for K-12 and higher education, with emphasis on real-world economics curricula. Comparable mission in producing standards-aligned economics curriculum for teachers and students.

Others

• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA): National student organization preparing students for careers in business through events, curriculum, and competitions. FTE lists FBLA as a channel partner; both compete for the high school student interested in economics and business leadership.
• DECA: National student organization for marketing, entrepreneurship, and business education, reaching millions of high school students. FTE lists DECA as a channel partner; both address the same high school student segment interested in business and economics.
• The Fund for American Studies (TFAS): FTE's parent 501(c)(3) organization, based in Washington DC, supporting FTE operationally and via donations. Not a competitor, but the parent-subsidiary relationship channels funding and shared mission alignment.

Broad incumbents

• Khan Academy: Large-scale free online education platform covering economics, finance, and many other subjects. While not a direct competitor to FTE's residential experience, Khan Academy's free economics content represents the substitute for FTE's online courses ($175) and is a broad incumbent in the K-12 supplemental learning space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FTEorg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/FTETV1
• Facebookfacebook.com/FTEorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/foundation-for-teaching-economics
• Instagraminstagram.com/fteorg
• TikToktiktok.com/@fteorg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Foundation for Teaching Economics