The National Summer Learning
The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) is a U.S. nonprofit, headquartered in Washington, D.C., that exclusively works to close the summer opportunity gap for K-12 students through training, advocacy, research, and a network of 35,000+ education, government, nonprofit, and corporate leaders.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersBaltimore, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The National Summer Learning does
The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, headquartered at 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 200 in Washington, D.C., and the only national nonprofit in the country exclusively dedicated to closing the opportunity gap through high-quality summer education and enrichment programs. NSLA supports, trains, and collaborates with a network of more than 35,000 leaders drawn from school districts, youth-serving government agencies, nonprofit program operators, and corporate partners. Its mission is to ensure that all American students, regardless of background, income, or zip code, can access and benefit from a high-quality summer learning experience every year, addressing the documented disparity in which only 38% of low-income students accessed summer programs compared with 50% of middle-income and 67% of upper-income children (Gallup, 2023).
NSLA's core "products" are programs and resources rather than software: the National Summer Learning Week awareness campaign (July 6-10 annually); the Professional Summer Learning Communities (PLCs), organized across topic-specific verticals such as STEM, Arts Education, Libraries and Literacy, Health & Fitness, and Early Learning; multi-tier fee-based training and professional development packages (Program Planning, Program Management, Systems Building, Positive Youth Development); the Destination Summer Learning Planning Guide workbook priced at $95 plus shipping; the National Youth Leadership Institute; the Summer Policy Internship Program placing interns with federal policymakers; and a mobile application supporting the Summer Solutions Leadership Forum. Research outputs include the Gallup-partnered Superintendent Summer Survey (with AASA) and the "30 Million Youth" participation study (with the American Camp Association). Distribution channels include the summerlearning.org website, DiscoverSummer.org consumer portal, direct enterprise training sales, and annual convenings.
NSLA's revenue model is a nonprofit mix of individual donations (including Donor Advised Funds from Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, and BNY Mellon), corporate and foundation sponsorships (notably New York Life Foundation since 2005 and The Wallace Foundation), an annual NSLA Summer Insiders membership (pricing not publicly disclosed), paid training packages delivered by VP of Programs Brodrick Clarke and Field Consultants, and one-time publication sales. Leadership includes CEO Aaron Philip Dworkin, VP of Programs & Systems Quality Brodrick Clarke, VP of External Affairs Christi Kobus Rokicki, and Head of National Partnerships Natalia Sol. The organization was co-founded by Matthew Boulay and operates with 11-50 employees.
The National Summer Learning firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The National Summer Learning
- Legal name
- The National Summer Learning Association
- Website
- https://summerlearning.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) is a U.S. nonprofit, headquartered in Washington, D.C., that exclusively works to close the summer opportunity gap for K-12 students through training, advocacy, research, and a network of 35,000+ education, government, nonprofit, and corporate leaders.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The National Summer Learning industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Education Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Educational Support Services (61171)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC)
Keywords
Where The National Summer Learning is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baltimore
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The National Summer Learning business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: NSLA receives donations from individuals, including direct donations and contributions through Donor Advised Funds (DAF) from Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, and BNY Mellon. Donations support program expansion and operational activities.
- Membership Program: NSLA offers annual membership (NSLA Summer Insiders) providing access to resources, training, and professional community. The membership program serves program leaders, educators, and youth-serving professionals.
- Sponsorships and Partnerships: NSLA partners with corporations and foundations for event sponsorships, program investments (DiscoverSummer, Policy Interns), research support, and co-branded campaigns. Year-round sponsors provide ongoing financial support.
- Training and Program Services: NSLA offers paid training packages including Program Planning and Training, Systems Building Training, and Positive Youth Development Training conducted by VP of Programs Brodrick Clarke and Field Consultants. These are fee-for-service professional development offerings.
- Publications and Guides: NSLA sells the Destination Summer Learning Planning Guide for $95 plus $12 shipping. This comprehensive workbook is sold as a one-time purchase for program leaders to plan summer learning programs.
- Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: NSLA accepts planned gifts through wills, living trusts, charitable remainder trusts, and lead trusts as part of legacy giving programs. This provides a future revenue stream from estate planning.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | NSLA Summer Insiders Annual Membership |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Destination Summer Learning Planning Guide |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Training Packages (Program Planning, Systems Building, Positive Youth Development) |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
The National Summer Learning product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NSLA is a national nonprofit that supports, trains, and collaborates with a network of 35,000+ summer learning leaders across school districts, government agencies, nonprofits, and corporate partners. Its core deliverables include paid annual memberships (NSLA Summer Insiders), multi-track professional development training packages, the $95 Destination Summer Learning Planning Guide workbook, annual events such as National Summer Learning Week (July 6-10) and the Summer Solutions Leadership Forum, quarterly Professional Learning Communities, the DiscoverSummer.org family portal, advocacy and research publications (Gallup, AASA), and the New York Life Foundation Excellence in Summer Learning Award co-presented since 2005.
Product overview
The National Summer Learning Association operates as a nonprofit providing a coordinated suite of programs, training, and resources rather than a singular software product. The core offerings include the NSLA Summer Solutions Forum mobile app (a conference attendee application), the Destination Summer Learning Planning Guide (a purchasable workbook), and a Training and Support platform offering multiple professional development packages (Program Planning, Program Management, Systems Building, and Positive Youth Development). These are complemented by annual events and programs including National Summer Learning Week, the Summer Solutions Leadership Forum, Summer Planning Bootcamp, Summer Starts in September Webinar Series, and Professional Summer Learning Communities organized by topic area. NSLA also publishes research and data products including Gallup Summer Data reports, and provides family-facing resources through DiscoverSummer.org. Membership programs (NSLA Summer Insiders) provide ongoing professional community access.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Destination Summer Learning Planning Guide
Quantifiable outcome
- 30 million youth participated in organized summer opportunities in 2023 (Gallup data)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The National Summer Learning
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
The National Summer Learning technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The National Summer Learning partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- New York Life FoundationcoreNew York Life Foundation is a longstanding partner co-presenting the Excellence in Summer Learning Award since 2005. This flagship award recognizes programs keeping children safe, healthy, and learning during summer. The foundation supports NSLA's mission to close the opportunity gap through high-quality summer education programs.
- The Wallace FoundationcoreThe Wallace Foundation provides research, tools, videos, podcasts, and resources on summer learning through their knowledge center. They support the State Summer Learning Network initiative and provide universal technical assistance and supports to states.
- Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO)coreCCSSO partners with NSLA on the State Summer Learning Network, working with states to advance summer quality program standards and positive youth development practices. Together they elevate best practices in summer learning to ensure equity and excellence.
- AASA, The School Superintendents AssociationcoreAASA co-sponsored the National Superintendent Summer Survey by Gallup with NSLA, capturing district leaders' perspectives, goals, priorities, and challenges regarding summer learning. The report compares superintendent responses with earlier parent/caregiver surveys.
- American Camp Association (ACA)coreACA partnered with NSLA on the Gallup poll revealing that 30 million youth participated in summer opportunities in 2023. Together they call for a national effort to maintain and increase access, highlighting critical barriers such as cost for many families.
- Partnerships in Education and Resilience (PEAR)minorPEAR collaborated with NSLA on the Destination Summer Learning Planning Guide, a comprehensive workbook designed to help create high-impact, research-driven summer learning programs. PEAR provides expertise in positive youth development and program innovation.
- GallupcoreNSLA partners with Gallup to conduct national surveys on summer learning, including the poll revealing 30 million youth in summer programs and the Superintendent Summer Survey with AASA. Gallup provides research methodology and credibility to NSLA's data advocacy.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The National Summer Learning competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- American Camp Association: National membership organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults through the camp experience. Directly comparable to NSLA as a co-research partner (Gallup poll on 30M youth in summer programs) and as the leading peer in the summer youth experience space.
- Afterschool Alliance: Nonprofit advocacy organization working to ensure all children have access to affordable, quality afterschool and summer programs. Closely mirrors NSLA's mission, federal policy advocacy approach, and network-based operating model.
- National AfterSchool Association (NAA): The professional association for the afterschool and out-of-school time field, offering training, credentials, and a peer community. Comparable to NSLA in providing professional development and convening for youth program staff across the U.S.
Broad incumbents
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Large national nonprofit operating youth development programs including summer programming. Comparable in scale and stakeholder base (school districts, government agencies, corporate partners) but operates direct service programs rather than a network/training model.
Regional players
- AASA, The School Superintendents Association: National professional association for school superintendents. Co-sponsored NSLA's National Superintendent Summer Survey by Gallup, and shares stakeholder overlap with NSLA's school district members.
- Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO): Nonprofit representing state superintendents and education agencies. Partners with NSLA on the State Summer Learning Network, sharing state-level education policy and program quality focus.
Emerging players
- Partnership for Children & Youth: California-based nonprofit focused on expanded learning opportunities including summer and afterschool programs. Shares NSLA's expanded-learning policy and equity mission at a state/regional scale.
- YSA (Youth Service America): Nonprofit focused on youth civic engagement and service-learning. Comparable to NSLA's youth leadership and policy internship programs, and shares the youth development / out-of-school time space.
Others
- RAND Corporation: Research institution that produces influential studies on summer learning loss and program effectiveness. Functions as a research peer/adjacent entity to NSLA's Gallup-partnered data products.
- The Wallace Foundation: Major foundation funder of summer learning research and the State Summer Learning Network. Comparable as a knowledge-producer and funder shaping the same summer learning category NSLA serves.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The National Summer Learning social profiles
Digital presenceThe National Summer Learning financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The National Summer Learning leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
The National Summer Learning funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The National Summer Learning M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The National Summer Learning
What does The National Summer Learning do?
NSLA is a national nonprofit that supports, trains, and collaborates with a network of 35,000+ summer learning leaders across school districts, government agencies, nonprofits, and corporate partners. Its core deliverables include paid annual memberships (NSLA Summer Insiders), multi-track professional development training packages, the $95 Destination Summer Learning Planning Guide workbook, annual events such as National Summer Learning Week (July 6-10) and the Summer Solutions Leadership Forum, quarterly Professional Learning Communities, the DiscoverSummer.org family portal, advocacy and research publications (Gallup, AASA), and the New York Life Foundation Excellence in Summer Learning Award co-presented since 2005.
Is The National Summer Learning a public or private company?
The National Summer Learning is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The National Summer Learning founded?
The National Summer Learning was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The National Summer Learning based?
The National Summer Learning is headquartered in Baltimore, United States, in the North America region.
How does The National Summer Learning make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are membership Program, sponsorships and Partnerships, training and Program Services, publications and Guides and planned Giving and Legacy Gifts.
Who are The National Summer Learning's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are American Camp Association, Afterschool Alliance and National AfterSchool Association (NAA). Boys & Girls Clubs of America is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are AASA, The School Superintendents Association and Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). Emerging players are Partnership for Children & Youth and YSA (Youth Service America). Others are RAND Corporation and The Wallace Foundation.
Does The National Summer Learning have an API?
No public API is recorded for The National Summer Learning.
What industry is The National Summer Learning in?
The National Summer Learning's product category is Youth Education Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAC, After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.