Tau Kappa Epsilon

What Tau Kappa Epsilon does

Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) is a 501(c)(7) non-profit collegiate men's social fraternity founded January 10, 1899, at Illinois Wesleyan University, and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. It serves college-age men through 209 active chapters and colonies across North America (United States and Canada) with nearly 12,000 current collegiate members and a cumulative base of 308,000+ initiated members since founding. The organization operates a chapter-based membership model supplemented by digital infrastructure including MyTKE.org (member portal), TKE Chapter Module (chapter administration), EDU.TKE.org (learning management system), and an eCompliance system, with GreekBill handling financial management and dues collection.

TKE's revenue model combines multiple streams: one-time candidate fees ($125) and initiation fees ($200 standard or $800 lifetime option), recurring annual membership fees ($205/year collegiate), annual chapter assessments ($500 single or $780 split), variable risk management fees (base $235 for 2026-2027), a semesterly Conclave Savings Plan ($250), merchandise sales via TKE Shop, and tax-deductible donations to the TKE Foundation (a separate 501(c)(3) entity) via tiered Life Loyal Teke giving clubs ranging from $10/month to $3,000+/year. The TKE Foundation distributes more than $1,280,000 in scholarships annually. The fraternity pursues a community-led, event-driven, and direct-to-consumer go-to-market, leveraging large-scale biennial Conclave gatherings, Regional Leadership Conferences across four regions, Province Forums in 30+ locations, Founders' Day celebrations, and digital channels including social media, THE TEKE Magazine, and podcast content. It holds a long-standing philanthropic partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (relationship dating to 1978, with a $2.6 million six-year commitment announced in 2016), and a notable-alumni brand association that includes U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Howard Schultz (Starbucks), Steve Forbes, Charles Walgreen, Conrad Hilton, and St. Jude founder Danny Thomas.

Name

Tau Kappa Epsilon

Legal name

Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity

Website

https://tke.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tau Kappa Epsilon is a 126-year-old non-profit collegiate men's social fraternity operating 209 chapters across North America with nearly 12,000 current collegiate members and 308,000+ initiated members, delivering membership services, leadership programs, and scholarship funding through a chapter-based model supported by digital infrastructure and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Collegiate Social Fraternity Services

NAICS

Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Student Organizations & Club Administration (EDALAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Alumni Benefits, Membership & Affinity Programs (EDALAOAM), Alumni Events, Reunions & Regional Chapters (EDALAOAG), University/College Club Sports Programs (MPAKACAK)

Keywords

• Social fraternity membership
• Leadership development programs
• Collegiate brotherhood networks
• Alumni association services
• Fraternity scholarship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Collegiate members pay various fees including Candidate Fee ($125), Initiation Fee ($200 standard or $800 one-time option), and Annual Membership Fees ($205/year or $118/semester). These fees support international fraternity operations, chapter services, and member resources.
2. Chapter Assessment Fees: Annual chapter assessment fees ($500 single payment or $780 in two installments) support TKE Nation operations and provide access to chapter services and resources.
3. Risk Management Fees: Variable annual fees based on chapter facilities, claims history, incident history, operational excellence metrics, and compliance completion. Base fee of $235 for 2026-2027 fiscal year.
4. TKE Foundation Donations: Tax-deductible donations to the TKE Foundation (501(c)(3)) supporting scholarships, leadership programs, and fraternity operations. Includes Life Loyal Teke giving clubs at various levels (Knights $10+/month, Spartans $25+/month, Champions $50+/month, Ambassadors $1,000+/year, Business Council $3,000+/year).
5. Conclave Savings Plan: Semesterly payments ($250 per semester) that offset costs of attending the biennial international Conclave.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Tau Kappa Epsilon is a non-profit 501(c)(7) collegiate men's social fraternity that delivers lifelong brotherhood, leadership development, and member services through a network of 209 active chapters and colonies across North America. The organization provides membership onboarding, structured leadership programs, scholarship funding via its 501(c)(3) TKE Foundation, digital member portals, compliance and risk management, and event programming. Revenue is generated through initiation fees, annual membership dues, chapter assessments, risk management fees, and philanthropic donations.

Product overview

Tau Kappa Epsilon operates a platform-plus-services model centered on fraternity membership and lifelong brotherhood. The core digital infrastructure consists of MyTKE.org (member portal for donations and account management), TKE Chapter Module (chapter administration), and EDU.TKE.org (educational courses). The TKE Foundation provides charitable giving and scholarship distribution exceeding $1,280,000 annually. These platforms are complemented by in-person programming including the Charles R. Walgreen Jr. Leadership Academy, Regional Leadership Conferences, Province Forums, Conclave, and Alumni Volunteer Academy. THE TEKE Magazine serves as the official publication, while TKE Shop and TKE Heritage Collection handle merchandise sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MyTKE.org Member Portal Online self-service portal for TKE members providing access to account management, dues payment, donation processing, contact updates, magazine access, and member benefits.
• TKE Chapter Module Chapter administration platform for chapter officers to register candidates, monitor fee payments, and manage chapter operations across the 209 active chapters and colonies.
• EDU.TKE.org Educational Platform Online learning management system offering courses and training materials for candidates, collegiate members, officers, alumni, and volunteers across risk management, officer transitions, and leadership development.
• TKE Foundation (Scholarship and Charitable Giving) 501(c)(3) charitable entity of TKE that distributes more than $1,280,000 in scholarships annually and supports leadership programs, funded by the Life Loyal Teke giving clubs.
• Charles R. Walgreen Jr. Leadership Academy Premier leadership training program for undergraduate Tekes preparing for chapter, campus, and community leadership roles, with over 20 years of history.
• Regional Leadership Conferences (RLCs) Multi-day immersive leadership conferences held annually at four regional locations offering workshops on recruitment, chapter management, and personal development.
• Province Forums One-day regional training events held across more than 30 locations with expected attendance of 2,500+ Fraters, focused on leadership, recruitment, finance, and chapter operations.
• THE TEKE Magazine Official fraternity publication delivered to members featuring brotherhood stories, alumni milestones, and organizational news.
• TKE Shop (tkestore.com) Official e-commerce store selling fraternity apparel, accessories, and recruitment supplies to members and chapters.
• Conclave Biennial international gathering of TKE members for governance, networking, and education, with the next edition scheduled for 2026.
• Alumni Volunteer Academy Program connecting alumni volunteers with opportunities to mentor and support undergraduate chapters and the broader fraternity.
• Founders' Day Annual celebration on January 10th honoring the five founders of TKE, with virtual and in-person events including the Grand Prytanis annual address.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $1,280,000 in scholarships awarded annually by TKE Foundation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Capital BankminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 September 2025Partnership announced in September 2025 for banking services and financial solutions for chapters and members.
• FanPoursminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 September 2025Partnership announced in September 2025 for fundraising and engagement platform services.
• St. Jude Children's Research HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Long-term partnership dating to 1978, inspired by Frater Danny Thomas who founded St. Jude in 1962. TKE announced a $2.6 million, six-year commitment to St. Jude in 2016. Chapters participate in fundraising events, and St. Jude logos and materials are available through official brand resources. TKE has raised millions of dollars for the hospital over the years.
• GreekBillcoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred vendor for fraternity financial management and dues collection. Offers discounted rates for TKE chapters, monthly billing options, real-time financial reporting, 24-hour member access, online payment options (credit card, debit card, e-check), collection process, budget tools, and 990 tax filing support.
• File990.orgminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for IRS Form 990 and Form 1024 tax filing support for chapters. Provides reminders, phone and email support, and discounted filing rates for TKE groups.
• FreeWillminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlanned giving partnership allowing donors to create free wills and include TKE Foundation in estate plans. Also supports stocks, securities, and IRA gift planning. Used to promote Heritage Society planned giving recognition.
• James R. Favor & CompanycoreOthersRisk management and insurance provider referenced in fee structures and financial management guides. Chapters use Favor & Co. property insurance with various discount options factored into Risk Management Fee calculations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI): Phi Gamma Delta operates a virtually identical model - collegiate chapters in North America, member dues, the Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation, biennial Ekklesia, and analogous leadership academies - making FIJI one of the most direct peers to TKE.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): SAE is another of the largest men's social fraternities in North America with chapter-based recruitment, national conventions, foundation giving programs, and a similar risk-management emphasis; directly comparable in scale and operating model to TKE.
• Sigma Chi International Fraternity: Sigma Chi is one of the largest North American men's social fraternities with a comparable chapter-based membership model, similar dues structure, analogous leadership programming (e.g., Sigma Chi Institute), alumni association network, and foundation structure - making it the closest comparable to TKE.
• Phi Delta Theta Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta operates an essentially identical business and engagement model to TKE - collegiate chapters, initiation fees, alumni associations, the Phi Delta Theta Foundation, and large-scale leadership events like the General Convention - and competes head-to-head for the same male college student demographic.
• Sigma Nu Fraternity: Sigma Nu operates collegiate chapters, a Sigma Nu Educational Foundation, biennial Grand Chapter meetings, leadership programs, and a roughly similar chapter-based recurring revenue model - directly comparable to TKE in structure and target market.
• Kappa Sigma Fraternity: Kappa Sigma is one of the largest men's social fraternities with a multi-tiered dues structure, the Kappa Sigma Endowment, biennial Grand Conclave, and roughly comparable chapter footprint - a direct peer on both member experience and financial operating model.
• Beta Theta Pi Fraternity: Beta Theta Pi is one of the oldest and largest men's social fraternities with a chapter-based membership model, the Beta Foundation for Lifetime Giving, conventions, and similar scholarship and leadership programming - directly comparable to TKE.
• Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity: Delta Sigma Phi is a men's social fraternity with a comparable chapter structure, member dues, Delta Sigma Phi Educational Foundation, conventions, and alumni engagement model - directly comparable to TKE's operations.
• Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity: Alpha Tau Omega operates a comparable collegiate men's social fraternity model with chapter dues, foundation giving, leadership programming like the President's Leadership Academy, and nationwide chapter footprint - a direct peer to TKE.
• Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity: Lambda Chi Alpha runs a directly comparable model of collegiate chapters, initiation and membership fees, alumni engagement, the Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation, and large-scale conventions like the Frank W. Nason Mega Convention.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tke_fraternity
• YouTubeyoutube.com/tkehq
• Facebookfacebook.com/tau.kappa.epsilon.fraternity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tau-kappa-epsilon-fraternity
• Instagraminstagram.com/tke_fraternity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Tau Kappa Epsilon