What Institute for Community Leadership does

The Institute for Community Leadership (ICL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1997 and headquartered on a 20-acre campus (the Jack O'Dell Education Center) in Kent, Washington. The organization delivers nonviolence education, civic engagement, and leadership development programs for youth ages 14-24, alongside professional development for educators, administrators, and public servants. ICL's core programs include the Life and Legacy of Dr. King Jr. (five-day immersive nonviolence training), Democracy Education (academic curriculum aligned with Washington and California state standards), Cultural Leadership Exchanges (one-to-eight week travel programs), Social and Civic Engagement (voter registration, legislative testimony), and Watershed Stewardship/Tribal Sovereignty (environmental education on salmon-bearing streams). Proprietary curriculum spans the Leadership Poetry Workbook, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Nonviolence Curriculum, Personal Transformation through Social Participation framework, and environmental justice series. Programs are delivered in person at partner schools, at the Education Center campus, and through cultural exchanges spanning the West Coast and internationally; a 12-part documentary series co-produced with Stanford's World House Project and the MLK Jr. Freedom Center extends content reach digitally.

ICL operates on a nonprofit revenue model funded entirely through donations and grants from foundations, corporations, tribal nations, and government allocations. Major funders include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Microsoft Corporation, Boeing Employees Community Fund, Starbucks Foundation, and Panera Bread Foundation, alongside a 22-year Washington State Legislative Appropriation and federal grants (Department of Justice, Gear Up). The organization does not disclose program fees or pricing; donations are accepted through GiveLively. Customer segments are primarily vertical in structure: youth participants (ages 14-24, nominated by teachers and community leaders), teachers and educators receiving professional development, parents and families, and partner school districts and tribal nations. Revenue concentration is distributed across more than 100 school districts in 17 states and 5 countries, with no single customer dominating. The organization is led by founder Dr. Roy D. Wilson and a Board of Directors, with approximately 12 named staff and interns delivering programming through direct in-school instruction, campus-based immersion, and experiential travel exchanges.

Name

Institute for Community Leadership

Legal name

Institute for Community Leadership

Website

https://icleadership.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Institute for Community Leadership is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Kent, WA delivering nonviolence education, civic engagement, and environmental stewardship programs for youth ages 14-24, serving 100+ school districts across 17 states through an in-school, campus-based, and experiential travel model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Civic Education Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits (BPAGADAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Civic Education & Community Engagement (Voting, Local Government) (EDAAAFAC), Social Studies & Civics Instruction (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAI), Civic Participation & Leadership Development (Voting, Advocacy, Community Leadership) (EDAAADAL)

Keywords

• Youth leadership education
• Civic engagement programs
• Nonviolence curriculum
• Professional development training
• Watershed stewardship education

Headquarters

HQ city

Kent

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: ICL operates primarily as a nonprofit organization funded through donations and grants. The organization maintains a donation page through Give Lively (secure.givelively.org) and lists multiple major sponsors including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Boeing Employees Community Fund, Rockefeller Foundation, Microsoft Corporation, and various government allocations from Washington State Legislative Allocation, King County Best Starts for Kids, and others. Funding includes capital campaigns, federal grants (Gear Up, Department of Justice appropriations), and foundation grants.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Institute for Community Leadership delivers in-school and community-based educational programs for youth ages 14-24, centered on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s nonviolence philosophy, democracy education, and civic engagement. Offerings include the Life and Legacy of Dr. King program, Democracy Education, Cultural Leadership Exchanges, Social & Civic Engagement, watershed stewardship/tribal sovereignty education, and Professional Development classes for educators and public servants, delivered at its 20-acre Jack O'Dell Education Center in Kent, WA and at partner schools and districts.

Product overview

The Institute for Community Leadership offers a unified portfolio of educational programs focused on youth leadership development, civic engagement, and social justice education. The core programs include Life and Legacy of Dr. King Jr. (nonviolence and democracy education), Democracy Education (academic and civic skills), Cultural Leadership Exchanges (experiential travel programs), Social and Civic Engagement (voter registration and advocacy), Watershed Stewardship/Tribal Sovereignty (environmental education), and Professional Development for educators. The O'Dell Education Center serves as the 20-acre residential campus hub. Supporting curriculum includes the Leadership Poetry Workbook, the 'From A Kitchen in the World House' cultural exchange publication, and the Protect and Promote Democracy video series. Programs serve young people ages 14-24 across school districts in 17 states and five countries, with home-based programming focused on South Puget Sound, Washington.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Life and Legacy of Dr. King, Jr. A five-day immersive program for teachers and students teaching the conduct and ideas of democracy, the steps of nonviolence, and speech development about Dr. King and contemporary issues.
• Democracy Education Scholarship, leadership, and citizenship program focused on ethical leadership for personal and social responsibility, with curriculum aligned to Washington and California state standards in reading, writing, public speaking, and civic responsibility.
• Cultural Leadership Exchanges One-to-eight-week travel programs during spring and summer breaks where teachers and students journey throughout the West Coast and nation, meeting educators, civic groups, municipalities, Native Nations, and business groups.
• Social and Civic Engagement Program enabling students to actively participate in the civic process, including testifying in local councils and state legislatures, registering voters, and conducting ecological restoration.
• Watershed Stewardship, Tribal Sovereignty, and Salmon Environmental education program creating dynamic experiences for youth and families in the Southern Salish Sea Region through hands-on riparian stream restoration, water quality testing, nature immersion, and tribal sovereignty education.
• Professional Development Professional development classes for teachers, administrators, public servants, and elected leadership covering educational leadership, cultural power, community leadership, and principles of nonviolence.
• ICL Education Center (O'Dell Education Center) 20-acre campus in Southeast King County offering courses in nonviolent organizing, Kingian philosophy, leadership, and professional development for educators and public servants, serving as the national headquarters.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% high school completion, 96% college enrollment, 89% college degree conferral (AA to JD)
• +10 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Quinault Indian NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICL conducts cultural exchanges to the Quinault Indian Nation to educate students about tribal sovereignty, its constitutionality, and its benefit to all Americans and democracy. The Quinault President Guy Capoeman invited ICL to host seminars on tribal sovereignty. ICL was invited by the Quinault to spend two weeks as volunteers helping prepare for and participate in hosting over 10,000 visitors to the Quinault Nation during Tribal Canoe Journeys. The partnership includes cultural exchange, sovereignty education, and inter-generational relationship building.
• Muckleshoot Tribe of IndianscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Muckleshoot Tribe of Indians collaborates with ICL on watershed stewardship and tribal sovereignty education programs, contributing to the environmental education initiatives at the Education Center and policy education at local and state levels.
• Tulalip Tribe of IndianscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Tulalip Tribe of Indians partners with ICL on environmental and cultural education programs as part of the organization's tribal sovereignty education series.
• Snoqualmie TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Snoqualmie Tribe collaborates with ICL on tribal sovereignty education and environmental stewardship programs, contributing to cultural exchange activities.
• Northwest Indian Fisheries CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICL's watershed stewardship work was advised early-on by the late Billy Frank Jr. of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. The partnership focuses on salmon habitat restoration, water quality, and tribal sovereignty education.
• King County Conservation DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with ICL on riparian stream restoration, water quality testing, and environmental education activities in the King County area, particularly around the Little Soos Creek watershed.
• Friends of Soos CreekmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with ICL on stream restoration and environmental education projects, working to protect and restore Soos Creek and surrounding watershed areas in South King County.
• Green River CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICL collaborates with the Green River Coalition on environmental restoration and education efforts in the Green River watershed area.
• Washington State Department of Fish and WildlifemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with ICL on salmon habitat restoration, fish hatchery visits, and policy education related to natural resource stewardship.
• US Environmental Protection AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe EPA has partnered with ICL on environmental education initiatives and awarded ICL the U.S. President's Environmental Youth Award for the organization's youth-driven environmental stewardship project.
• National Fish and Wildlife FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Community Salmon Fund project (King County/NFWF) - Neighbors for Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Project - which contributed to ICL receiving the U.S. President's Environmental Youth Award.
• WRIA 9 (Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICL is a contributor to environmental protection and advocacy work on the Little Soos Creek through its partnership with WRIA9. ICL appears in WRIA9's seasonal newsletter for this watershed stewardship work.
• Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICL received funding through OSPI's Outdoor Learning Grants (created under House Bill 2087, administered by Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office) for sovereignty education and outdoor learning programs. OSPI collaborated with ICL to host hundreds of elementary students for water quality testing and nature programs.
• Yocha Dehe Wintun NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICL's annual 'Days of Gratitude' program is hosted by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation in Yolo County, California. Students learn about Native sovereignty, self-government, cultural preservation, and the truth about Thanksgiving from tribal leadership including Dillon McKay and Laverne Bill.
• Stanford University World House ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICL co-produces the 'Promote and Protect Democracy' 12-part documentary series with Stanford's World House Project and the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center. ICL also participates in Stanford's annual Dr. King Documentary Film Festival. Dr. Clayborne Carson (Stanford's MLK Centennial Professor) leads weekly civil and human rights dialogue sessions with ICL students.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICL co-produces content and programs with the MLK Freedom Center, including the 'Promote and Protect Democracy' documentary series and the Life and Legacy of Dr. King Academy. Dr. Roy Wilson also serves as Executive Director of the MLK Jr. Freedom Center.
• United Parcel Service (UPS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPS employees participate in annual tree planting events along salmon-bearing Little Soos Creek at the ICL Education Center as part of volunteer environmental stewardship activities.
• Kent School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary partner school district hosting ICL programming. ICL conducts district-wide equity council professional development and student programming. Kent School District Superintendent Dr. Calvin Watts collaborates with ICL. The organization receives $5,000 grant from King County for stream restoration projects in partnership with Kent schools.
• Tacoma Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner school district. ICL received the Gold Star Community Partner Award from Tacoma Public Schools for youth leadership and civic engagement programming. Students from Lincoln High School participate in ICL programs including civil rights pilgrimages.
• Auburn School DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school district for watershed stewardship and tribal sovereignty education programs.
• Franklin Pierce School DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school district for environmental education and civic engagement programs.
• City of KentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Kent is a program sponsor of ICL and hosts ICL programming at City Hall. Kent City Councilmember Brenda Fincher conducts leadership seminars with ICL youth leaders and staff, discussing the responsibilities of public servants.
• City of CovingtonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a program sponsor of ICL, providing financial support for youth programming in the South King County area.
• King County ElectionsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICL students and staff join King County Elections and the Washington Secretary of State to register newly naturalized citizens at the annual Fourth of July Naturalization Ceremony and engage in voter registration activities.
• Green River CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a collaborator in ICL's watershed stewardship and tribal sovereignty education programs.
• Snoqualmie Tribe Natural Resources DepartmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with ICL on tribal sovereignty education and natural resource stewardship programs at the Education Center.
• King County Department of Natural Resources and ParksmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with ICL on stream restoration and environmental education projects in King County.
• King County Flood Control DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with ICL on watershed stewardship and flood management education initiatives.
• Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCongresswoman Terri Sewell sponsors ICL's youth delegation to Selma, Alabama for civil rights education and leadership programming. ICL collaborates with a dynamic cohort of youth warriors for justice and democracy sponsored by Congresswoman Sewell.
• Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICL student Ashaia Bennett represented Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland on the 2022 Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage. Congresswoman Strickland's office collaborates with ICL on youth civic engagement.
• Emerson CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmerson Collective invited ICL to visit Bloomhouse in East Palo Alto to learn about innovative, community-led initiatives that engage EPA residents, as part of ICL's civic engagement tour.
• Gees Bend CollectivemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICL students visited and worked with quilters of the Gee's Bend Collective in rural Alabama, learning about the inter-connected lives, work, faith, and resilience of the community. Students created their own quilt pieces under the guidance of Mary Ann Pettway, China Pettway, and Ms. Julia.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mikva Challenge: Chicago-based youth civic engagement nonprofit that trains students in democracy, civic participation, and youth-led policy advocacy. Comparable to ICL's Democracy Education and Social/Civic Engagement programs and similar target audience (high school students, often from underserved communities).
• DoSomething.org: Youth civic and social-action nonprofit that mobilizes young people ages 13-25 around community campaigns and civic participation. Comparable target audience and civic-engagement mission, though delivery is primarily digital rather than ICL's in-person cohort model.
• Generation Citizen: Nonprofit that provides action civics programming for middle and high school students, working through partner schools and districts. Directly comparable to ICL in target audience (youth), delivery model (in-school + community), and outcome focus (civic engagement and college/career readiness).
• iCivics: Founded by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, iCivics provides civics curricula and games for K-12 classrooms nationwide. Closest peer to ICL's Democracy Education curriculum and its role as a standards-aligned civics instructional resource for teachers.
• Facing History & Ourselves: Nonprofit that provides professional development and curriculum for educators on history, civics, and ethical decision-making, including civil rights history. Comparable to ICL's Professional Development offering and its Life and Legacy of Dr. King program, both targeting teachers and school districts.
• Close Up Foundation: Nonprofit that runs civics programs, youth leadership exchanges, and Washington D.C.-based civic education experiences for middle and high school students. Comparable to ICL's Cultural Leadership Exchanges and Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimages for the youth civic-travel category.

Emerging players

• Earth Guardians: Youth-led environmental and climate-justice organization that trains young people in civic advocacy, organizing, and environmental campaigns. Comparable overlap with ICL's combination of youth civic engagement and environmental justice programming.
• Groundwork USA: National network of local Groundwork trusts running youth-focused environmental stewardship, urban restoration, and watershed programs. Comparable to ICL's Watershed Stewardship/Tribal Sovereignty programming and youth-environmental education niche.
• Civic Spirit: Nonprofit working with schools to strengthen civic education and prepare young people for democratic participation. Comparable to ICL in target market (K-12 schools) and mission (youth civic readiness), though smaller and earlier-stage.

Others

• Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center: Sister civil rights education nonprofit whose director is also ICL's founder. Co-produces curriculum and documentary content with ICL. Highly adjacent — an ecosystem partner and overlapping leadership rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCIFoH7nVI_HGx7RdOQLrSAA
• Facebookfacebook.com/168274606558410
• Xx.com/icleaders

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Institute for Community Leadership