What CharterSAFE does

CharterSAFE, legally the California Charter Schools Joint Powers Authority (operating under the brand 'CharterSAFE' and formerly known as 'CCSA JPA'), is a nonprofit risk-sharing pool and membership organization founded in 2004 and headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California. It is the only Joint Powers Authority (JPA) with the exclusive purpose of serving California charter schools, pooling members into a self-insurance arrangement combined with reinsurance and conventional commercial coverage. The organization currently serves over 850 charter school sites across California, representing approximately 40% of the state's charter schools and roughly two-thirds of independent charter schools.

CharterSAFE's core product is a comprehensive pooled insurance program covering property, general liability, workers' compensation, directors and officers (D&O), employment practices liability (EPL), auto liability, crime/employee dishonesty, student and volunteer accident, builder's risk, and a Deadly Weapons Protection Program. This is layered with proactive member entitlements delivered at no additional cost: risk management consulting, HR advisory services, claims advocacy with 24-hour reporting, and a learning center featuring the Vector Solutions compliance training platform, Lightspeed STOPit anonymous reporting (with AI-powered monitoring), and partnership-delivered crisis response (CrisisRisk), foreign travel insurance (Scholastic First), cybersecurity (ePlace Solutions), and workplace violence prevention (WVPA). Technology architecture is a member portal with third-party-integrated services rather than a proprietary AI platform.

The business model is subscription/recurring member insurance contributions priced by quote based on school size, coverage mix, payroll, and risk profile, with optional premium installments. Members are owners who elect the Board of Directors and hold proportional shares of cash surplus, with eligibility for future dividends. Distribution is direct enrollment plus community-led channels (CCSA, word-of-mouth, back-office providers), supplemented by an annual Summit and monthly webinar series. CharterSAFE earns no equity-style returns; surplus is recycled to members or retained to stabilize rates.

Name

CharterSAFE

Legal name

California Charter Schools Joint Powers Authority

Website

https://chartersafe.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CharterSAFE (legally the California Charter Schools Joint Powers Authority) is a nonprofit, member-owned insurance pool and risk management organization serving over 850 California charter school sites with pooled P&C coverage, HR advisory, claims, and training services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charter School Insurance and Risk Management

NAICS

Insurance Carriers and Related Activities (524)

SIC

Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance (6331)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter School Networks (Multi-Site) (EDAJACAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Independent Charter Schools (Single-Site) (EDAJACAB)

Keywords

• Pooled insurance programs
• Charter school risk management
• Human resources advisory
• Joint powers authority
• Workers compensation coverage

Headquarters

HQ city

Aliso Viejo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Member Insurance Contributions: CharterSAFE operates as a nonprofit risk-sharing pool where member schools pay contributions for comprehensive insurance coverage. The organization uses a combination of self-insurance, reinsurance, and conventional insurance to stabilize rates and ensure cost savings year-to-year. Members can receive distributions of cash dividends or reductions in contributions based on the organization's performance.
2. Value-Added Member Services: Risk management, HR consulting, safety inspections, claims advocacy, and training services provided at no additional cost to members as part of membership entitlements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CharterSAFE is a nonprofit Joint Powers Authority that provides pooled commercial insurance coverage (property, liability, workers' compensation, D&O, EPL, auto, crime, student/volunteer accident, builder's risk) exclusively to California charter schools. Members also receive bundled risk management consulting, HR advisory services, claims advocacy, and safety training through the Vector Solutions platform and Lightspeed STOPit anonymous reporting. The offering is sold on a recurring membership basis with annual insurance contributions that vary by school size, coverage, property values, headcount, and risk profile.

Product overview

CharterSAFE is a nonprofit Joint Powers Authority (JPA) providing comprehensive insurance and risk management services exclusively to California charter schools. The core offering is a pooled insurance program covering property, liability, workers' compensation, directors and officers, and specialty lines. This is complemented by risk management consulting, HR advisory services, claims advocacy, and a learning center with Vector Solutions training. Additional products include Lightspeed STOPit anonymous reporting, the Deadly Weapons Protection Program via CrisisRisk, Builder's Risk insurance, and Foreign Travel Insurance through partners. The organization serves as both insurer and member-owned partner, going beyond conventional insurance to provide proactive school safety resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Comprehensive Insurance Program A pooled insurance and membership program providing property, liability, workers' compensation, directors and officers, employment practices liability, auto liability, crime, student/volunteer accident, and builder's risk coverages specifically designed for California charter schools. Members pay annual insurance contributions based on school size, coverage needs, property values, employees, and risk profile.
• Risk Management Services Hands-on risk management consulting, safety and loss control inspections, contract review, ergonomic evaluations, policy templates, and risk control evaluations provided to charter school members at no additional cost.
• Human Resources Advisory Services HR consulting, audits, forms, checklists, templates, custom onsite training, and a CharterSAFE HR Certification Program for charter school employees covering recruit/hire, wage compliance, employee relations, leaves, discrimination, investigations, and terminations.
• Claims Management Claims advocacy and management services including 24-hour claim reporting hotline, in-person training on claim reporting, workers' compensation reviews, cost containment, and litigation support for member charter schools.
• Vector Solutions Safety & Compliance Training Online training platform providing safety and compliance courses, mandated reporter training, professional development tracking, chemical management (SDS), and award-winning educator evaluation tools accessible to all member school employees.
• Lightspeed STOPit Anonymous Reporting Anonymous reporting and safety communications platform and mobile app enabling students, staff, and parents to submit tips about emerging safety and security risks. Includes SEL, Safety, and Wellness Training Center.
• Deadly Weapons Protection Program Insurance policy and crisis response services (via CrisisRisk) providing 24/7 critical incident management, violence protection training, behavioral risk awareness training, and resources for managing aftermath of armed threat situations.
• Foreign Travel Insurance International insurance coverage through Scholastic First including commercial general liability, business auto, employers responsibility, business travel accident, and kidnap & ransom/extortion coverage for educational trips abroad.
• Builder's Risk Insurance Affordable, comprehensive builder's risk coverage designed to simplify the construction and remodel process for charter schools with complex facility needs.
• Insurance for New Developing Schools Step-by-step insurance guidance for schools in development, covering general liability, D&O, EPL, workers' comp, property, crime, and student accident insurance as schools progress through founding stages.
• Webinars and Events Recorded and live webinars on HR, risk management, cybersecurity, workers' compensation, employee separations, documentation, and compliance topics. Includes annual CharterSAFE Summit.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40% of California charter schools are served by CharterSAFE
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAJG serves as CharterSAFE's insurance broker, providing area senior vice president, client services executive, and area vice president support from their Irvine, CA office. The partnership includes John Chino (ARM-PE, CSRM), Karen Durley (CSRM, OSHA Certified), Kiki Goldsmith (CIC), and Denise Simpson (J.D.) working with CharterSAFE members.
• CrisisRiskcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrisisRisk provides 24x7 crisis and consequence management services for CharterSAFE's Deadly Weapons Protection Program. Founded by individuals with decades of crisis management experience, they handle response services including victim support, communication support, investigation support, law enforcement coordination, and memorialization. Available 24x7 at (860) 677-3790.
• Lightspeed (STOPit Solutions)coreTechnology or IntegrationLightspeed provides STOPit Anonymous Reporting platform included with CharterSAFE membership. Services include Lightspeed Filter (web filtering), Lightspeed Alert (AI-powered safety monitoring), Lightspeed Classroom (screen management), Lightspeed Insight (analytics), Lightspeed MDM (device management), and Lightspeed Leadership Dashboard.
• Vector SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationVector Solutions provides online safety training and compliance platform included with CharterSAFE membership. Includes Safety & Compliance library, Professional Development Tracking, SDS & Chemical Management System, Vector Alert System, and Vector Evaluations+ educator evaluation solution.
• Scholastic FirstsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerScholastic First provides foreign travel insurance for educational institutions with unique exposures including international commercial general liability, business auto, employers responsibility, business travel accident, and international kidnap & ransom/extortion coverage.
• Knowledge Saves LivessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafety and emergency training provider offering K-12 school risk assessment reports, Emergency Operations & Comprehensive School Safety Plans, workplace violence prevention training, lockdown training, wildfire prevention consulting, and bus driver emergency response training.
• NASDTEC (National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification)supportingOthersProfessional membership organization serving state departments of education and professional standards boards. Provides Ed ID Clearinghouse for educator misconduct lookup, helping schools make informed background screening decisions with approximately 6,000 educators having adverse actions taken against certificates annually.
• Job Accommodation Network (JAN)supportingOthersFree, expert, confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues for over 35 years. Provides assistance with ADA compliance, developing accommodation policies, processing accommodation requests, and promoting diversity and inclusion.
• Workplace Violence Prevention Association (WVPA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports charter schools in creating and maintaining tailored workplace violence prevention plans, ensuring compliance with California Senate Bill 553. Offers templates, checklists, consulting, and online trainings for supervisors and staff.
• ePlace SolutionssupportingTechnology or IntegrationProvides free cybersecurity services available to CharterSAFE member schools through the Crum & Forster cyber policy. Presents on cybersecurity risks and tools to protect institutions from cyberattacks.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Keenan & Associates: A California-focused insurance brokerage and consulting firm serving K-12 schools, community colleges, and public agencies. Comparable as a competitor broker/consultant in California school risk management.
• Alliance of Schools for Cooperative Insurance Programs (ASCIP): A California-based school JPA providing property, liability, and workers' compensation coverage to public schools and community college districts. Comparable to CharterSAFE in pooling structure, risk-management service offering, and K-12 member base.
• Self-Insured Schools of California (SISC): A California JPA providing health and welfare benefits plus pooled insurance and risk services to K-12 districts. Operates a comparable pooled-coverage model serving a similar school audience in California.
• Charter Impact: A California-based back-office services provider exclusively serving charter schools, with an insurance and risk management services arm. Direct competitor for CharterSAFE's HR and risk management offerings to the same charter school audience.

Broad incumbents

• Zenith Insurance Company: Specialty workers' compensation and casualty insurer with significant California exposure and education/public-sector clients. Comparable as a casualty insurance incumbent overlapping with CharterSAFE's workers' comp and liability lines.
• Brown & Brown Insurance: Large U.S. insurance brokerage with education and public-sector specialty practices. Comparable as a broad incumbent broker competing for K-12 and charter school risk and insurance engagements.
• Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. A Fortune 500 global insurance brokerage and risk management firm — also CharterSAFE's broker partner — with specialty practices for K-12 and public-entity risks. Comparable as a broader incumbent in education insurance brokerage.
• Marsh McLennan: Global insurance broker and risk advisor with substantial education and public-sector practices. Comparable as a broad incumbent competing for K-12 and charter school risk engagements.

Others

• EdTec: A California-based back-office services and technology provider for charter schools covering HR, finance, and operational support. Adjacent comparable for HR and risk management services sold into the same charter school market.
• SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union: A California-based member-owned financial institution serving school employees and the K-12 community. Adjacent comparable as a California-centric K-12 service organization with member-owned governance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/chartersafe
• Facebookfacebook.com/CharterSAFE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3542697

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles27 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 CharterSAFE