MACUL
MACUL is a Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional association, founded in 1976, that delivers free membership, an annual conference, micro-credential and AI-literacy programs, grants, and networking to K-12 and higher education educators across the state.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1976
- HeadquartersLansing, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What MACUL does
MACUL (Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional association founded in 1976 and headquartered in Lansing, Michigan. The organization serves Michigan K-12 classroom teachers, instructional technology coaches and specialists, school and district administrators, and (secondarily) parents and caregivers, with a mission of empowering educators through connection, innovation, and technology to transform learning. MACUL operates on a freemium model: individual educator membership is free, and revenue is generated primarily through the flagship Annual MACUL Conference (50th edition held in Grand Rapids in March 2026), the Summer Spark virtual asynchronous PD program, partner-driven micro-credential offerings, and grants and awards programming. Since 1987, MACUL has awarded over $500,000 to Michigan classrooms through its grants program.
Core products and underlying technology include the EdgeU Badges Program — a micro-credentialing platform offering 260+ badges and 100 SCECHs, operated in partnership with Forward Edge — and the Google for Education Certified Coach Program, which delivers a structured 5-step coaching model for instructional coaches. Additional offerings include the Student Technology Showcase at the Michigan State Capitol, the AI & Media Literacy Leadership Collaborative (12 ISD partnerships), the Michigan AI & Media Literacy Conference, the MACUL Awards Program, and free resources covering cyber safety, online learning, and digital citizenship. Technology is delivered through a self-serve website (macul.org), YouTube, email newsletter, and virtual event platforms rather than proprietary software.
The business model is community-led: MACUL's go-to-market is a free membership base amplified by an annual conference, regional events, learning area teams, member spotlights, webinars, book studies, and leadership opportunities. Distribution is driven by formal partnerships with the Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Virtual (since September 2012), REMC, Google for Education, Forward Edge, and ISTE (as an organizational affiliate), giving MACUL institutional reach across Michigan schools. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and operated by a small paid staff led by Executive Director Tammy Maginity (appointed September 2024). No venture, private equity, or institutional investor ownership has been identified.
MACUL firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MACUL
- Legal name
- Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning
- Website
- https://macul.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1976
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- MACUL is a Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional association, founded in 1976, that delivers free membership, an annual conference, micro-credential and AI-literacy programs, grants, and networking to K-12 and higher education educators across the state.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MACUL industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Educational Technology Professional Development Services
- NAICS
- Computer Training (611420), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC)
Keywords
Where MACUL is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lansing
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MACUL business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership: Free membership providing access to networking, resources, grants, awards, conferences, webinars, book studies, and professional development opportunities.
- Conference Revenue: Annual MACUL Conference (50th in 2026) and regional events generate revenue through registration fees.
- Grant Program: MACUL has awarded over $500,000 to Michigan classrooms. Grants encourage and support members implementing effective instructional uses of technology.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free Membership |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
MACUL product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MACUL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional association that provides educational technology professional development to Michigan educators. Its core offerings include a free membership program, the annual MACUL Conference, virtual learning experiences such as Summer Spark and the AI & Media Literacy Conference, the EdgeU Badges microcredentialing program (partnered with Forward Edge), the Google Certified Coach Program, classroom grants, awards, and curated resources such as cyber safety guides and digital citizenship materials.
Product overview
MACUL (Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional organization established in 1975, serving Michigan educators with educational technology resources and professional development. The organization operates a platform of interconnected products and services centered around its Annual Conference as the flagship event, supplemented by ongoing professional learning programs including Summer Spark (virtual asynchronous courses), the EdgeU Badges Program (partnered with Forward Edge for microcredentials), and the Google Certified Coach Program. The organization also runs signature events like the Student Technology Showcase at the Michigan Capitol and newer AI-focused offerings including the AI & Media Literacy Collaborative and Michigan AI & Media Literacy Conference. Additional services include grant and award programs, educational resources (Online Learning Guidelines, Cyber Safety Resources, ABCs of Tech for All), and the monthly MACUL Newsletter. All services are provided to members for free, with membership being open to Michigan educators.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- EdgeU: A personalized learning program for teachers offering badges and accreditations at their own pace. Run in partnership with Forward Edge.
- Google for Education Certified Coach Program
- MACUL Conference
- Student Technology Showcase
Products and services
- MACUL Annual Conference The organization's flagship annual professional development event for educational technology, bringing together thousands of Michigan educators for workshops, sessions, and networking. The 50th Annual Conference was held in 2026 in Grand Rapids.
- MACUL Summer Spark A flexible, asynchronous online professional learning experience for Michigan educators offering one-hour courses aligned to educator needs, emerging instructional practices, and technology integration strategies. Participants can earn State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs).
- EdgeU Badges Program A personalized professional learning program for teachers provided in partnership with Forward Edge. Educators can earn badges and accreditations at their own pace, with 260+ badges available covering edtech skills and instructional leadership. Provides 100 SCECHs for Michigan educators.
- Google Certified Coach Program A certification program offered in partnership with Google for Education that trains instructional coaches to work 1:1 with educators and drive impactful technology use in schools. Provides access to research-backed strategies and tools through a structured curriculum.
- Student Technology Showcase An annual event where K-12 student teams demonstrate best practices of how technology can enhance teaching and learning at the Michigan State Capitol Building, allowing lawmakers and business leaders to see technology use in Michigan classrooms.
- AI & Media Literacy Collaborative A summer professional learning experience designed to empower Michigan leaders with tools, support, and resources for meaningful AI and media literacy learning. Combines two-day in-person workshops with virtual personalized coaching across 12 Michigan locations.
- Michigan AI & Media Literacy Conference A conference bringing together K-12 educators to explore practical strategies for AI and media literacy in education, featuring real classroom examples and tailored sessions.
- ABCs of Tech for All A resource document focused on accessible, equitable computer education for all students.
- Online Learning Guidelines MACUL guidelines for helping classroom teachers transition to online learning, covering equity, connectivity, tools, and best practices.
- Cyber Safety Resources Resources to help navigate the digital world more safely and securely, including guidance from organizations like Be Internet Awesome, iKeepSafe, and Common Sense Media.
- MACUL Awards Program An awards program honoring MACUL members who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in implementing technology to improve education, including categories for Innovative Teacher, Leader, District, and Technology Professional.
- MACUL Grants Program Grant program awarding funds to encourage and support members implementing effective instructional uses of technology. Over $500,000 has been awarded to Michigan classrooms. The program has been running for 39 years.
- MACUL Newsletter Monthly newsletter delivered to members featuring resources, updates, learning opportunities, and partner information.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $500,000 awarded in grants to Michigan classrooms since 1987
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use MACUL
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
MACUL technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
MACUL partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Michigan VirtualcoreFormal partnership formed in September 2012 to engage in mutually beneficial activities including support of the annual MACUL conference, Student Technology Showcase, Upper Peninsula conference, MACUL Journal, Michigan Virtual Online Learning Symposium, and regional MACUL conferences.
- Regional Educational Media Center Association of Michigan (REMC)coreFormal partnership to develop cooperative relationships with mutual benefit for both organizations, their members, and schools throughout Michigan. Collaboration on research, resources, professional development, and advocacy for effective use of technology in education.
- Google for EducationcorePartnership to further empower all who serve education in Michigan through thought partnership, leadership, technology and support to help put students first and move learning communities forward.
- Michigan Department of Education (MDE)coreMACUL works closely with MDE to support the effective use of technology in Michigan schools. MDE's mission focuses on helping each school be better so every child will learn.
- FETC State Network AllianceminorConnects leading K-12 education organizations at the state level to create a national platform for professional development, innovation sharing, and strategic collaboration.
- State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA)minor501(c)(3) not-for-profit membership association launched by state education agency leaders in 2001 to serve emerging interests and needs with respect to technology for teaching, learning, and school operations.
- International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)coreMACUL is an organizational affiliate of ISTE, providing members with discounted ISTE membership and alignment with international edtech standards and professional development.
- Forward EdgecorePartnered to provide 100 SCECHs for educators through the EdgeU Badges program. Forward Edge provides the EdgeU platform that offers 260+ badges for edtech professional development.
- Michigan Association of School Librarians (MASL)minorPartner in the AI & Media Literacy Leadership Collaborative supporting Michigan educational leaders with AI and media literacy learning.
- New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education (NYSCATE)minorNon-profit professional organization representing technology using educators. NYSCATE is an ISTE Certified Authorized Provider.
- Illinois Digital Educators Alliance (IDEA)minorStatewide 503(c) non-profit organization dedicated to leadership in education through technology with over 12,000+ members. IDEA is an ISTE Certification Authorized Provider.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MACUL competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CUE: California's leading educational technology professional association offering conferences, PD, and member resources to educators — a comparable state-anchored membership model focused on instructional technology leadership.
- NYSCATE: New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education is a state-level nonprofit edtech professional association serving New York educators with conferences, PD, and certifications — the structural and operational analog to MACUL in Michigan and a formal partner.
- Illinois Digital Educators Alliance (IDEA): IDEA is a 501(c)(3) statewide nonprofit serving over 12,000 Illinois educators with edtech leadership training and certifications. As an ISTE Authorized Provider and MACUL partner, it operates as a near-identical state-association model with greater scale.
Broad incumbents
- ISTE: International Society for Technology in Education is the global professional home for edtech educators, of which MACUL is an organizational affiliate. ISTE operates national/international standards, certifications, and the flagship ISTE Conference that overlap with MACUL's offerings at a much larger scale.
- SETDA: State Educational Technology Directors Association is the national 501(c)(3) membership association for state edtech agency leaders. SETDA partners with MACUL on policy and advocacy, while also operating at a broader multi-state level that can influence district-level buying decisions in Michigan.
- CoSN: Consortium for School Networking is the national professional association for K-12 edtech leadership, serving district CTOs and administrators with PD, advocacy, and resources that complement MACUL's administrator-facing programming at a national scope.
- FETC: Future of Education Technology Conference is one of the largest national K-12 edtech PD events and an MACUL partner via the FETC State Network Alliance. FETC competes for the same Michigan educator attention and conference sponsorship dollars at a larger scale.
Others
- Michigan Virtual: Michigan Virtual is a nonprofit online learning provider and core MACUL partner since 2012. While not a direct competitor, it shares a Michigan-based educational mission and overlapping educator audiences, enabling potential co-development and cross-promotion of content.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MACUL social profiles
Digital presenceMACUL financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MACUL leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles18 records
MACUL funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MACUL 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 MACUL
What does MACUL do?
MACUL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional association that provides educational technology professional development to Michigan educators. Its core offerings include a free membership program, the annual MACUL Conference, virtual learning experiences such as Summer Spark and the AI & Media Literacy Conference, the EdgeU Badges microcredentialing program (partnered with Forward Edge), the Google Certified Coach Program, classroom grants, awards, and curated resources such as cyber safety guides and digital citizenship materials.
Is MACUL a public or private company?
MACUL is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was MACUL founded?
MACUL was founded in 1976. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MACUL based?
MACUL is headquartered in Lansing, United States, in the North America region.
How does MACUL make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership is the primary driver. The others are conference Revenue and grant Program.
Who are MACUL's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CUE, NYSCATE and Illinois Digital Educators Alliance (IDEA). Broad incumbents are ISTE, SETDA, CoSN and FETC. Michigan Virtual is listed as an others.
Does MACUL have an API?
No public API is recorded for MACUL.
What industry is MACUL in?
MACUL's product category is Educational Technology Professional Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAGAKAC, Corporate Learning & Training Content Development. Its NAICS code is 611420 and its SIC code is 8600.