CEPA Foundation

What CEPA Foundation does

CEPA Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity (EIN: 99-0375496) incorporated in Delaware that operates an integrated portfolio of study abroad programs, leadership development, and international charitable projects. Its core educational product is a semester program ('Socially Responsible Business & Leadership in Europe') and a Summer Intercultural Leadership Program, both delivered at the European Study Center located in the Château de Pourtalès in Strasbourg, France, under the umbrella of the G.I.V.E. Institute. The foundation also runs the annual Castle Talks International Symposium and a growing set of service-learning programs in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Partner universities — including the University of Florida, West Virginia University, Columbus State University, Marymount University, and Humber College — are a primary recruitment channel and co-fund endowed scholarships (e.g., the Sones Scholarship at UF, the Donald L. Jordan Endowment at CSU).

Underlying technology is conventional and non-proprietary: third-party hosting with 1&1 IONOS, Microsoft Forms for intake, Mailchimp for email outreach, Statify for web analytics, Flywire for payment processing, and Via TRM for student account management. The only internally noted proprietary asset is a Carbon Offset Tracking System that reconciles emissions from study abroad with tree-planting in Costa Rica (via Fundación Saimiri) and UN-purchased Certified Emission Reductions; CEPA also markets itself as a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, the CANIE Accord, and a listed UNFCCC entity. Income comes from three streams per the source data: donations and charitable contributions, study abroad program fees (undisclosed), and university partnership contributions. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; scholarship amounts disclosed are granular but program tuition is not.

Name

CEPA Foundation

Legal name

CEPA Foundation Inc.

Website

https://cepa-foundation.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

CEPA Foundation is a US 501(c)(3) non-profit operating semester and summer study abroad programs at the Château de Pourtalès in Strasbourg, France, serving US undergraduate students through university partnerships and scholarship programs, alongside charitable projects in Guatemala and biodiversity conservation in Costa Rica.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Study Abroad Programs

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Conservation & Sustainability Volunteering (EDAIAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• Study abroad programs
• Intercultural leadership education
• International scholarships
• Educational charitable projects
• Service learning programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Ingersheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity, relying on donations from individuals, corporations, and partner organizations to fund charitable projects in Guatemala and Costa Rica, as well as scholarship programs for study abroad participants.
2. Study Abroad Program Fees: Revenue generated from students enrolling in semester and summer study abroad programs at the European Study Center in Strasbourg, France.
3. University Partnership Contributions: Partner universities and institutions contribute funds for student participation, stove donations, and service learning programs, such as Columbus State University's endowment for Guatemala service trips.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CEPA Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit that delivers semester and summer study abroad programs in Strasbourg, France focused on socially responsible business, leadership, and intercultural competencies. It complements these academic programs with scholarship funding, the G.I.V.E. Institute for professional development, charitable community projects in Guatemala, biodiversity conservation in Costa Rica, and a climate action / carbon offset program.

Product overview

CEPA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering a portfolio of educational and community engagement programs centered on international study abroad, leadership development, and global charitable initiatives. The core educational offerings include semester and summer study abroad programs in Strasbourg, France (Socially Responsible Business & Leadership and Intercultural Leadership Program), supported by scholarship programs and the G.I.V.E. Institute for professional development. The global engagement arm encompasses charitable projects in Guatemala (community development) and Costa Rica (biodiversity conservation), along with climate action initiatives including carbon offset programs and Glasgow Declaration commitments. Castle Talks International Symposium provides an academic platform for cross-cultural dialogue between North America and Europe.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• G.I.V.E. Institute: The Global Institute for core Values and Education (G.I.V.E.) is housed at the Château de Pourtalès in Strasbourg and focuses on professional development, international students, university partnerships, and intercultural leadership programs.
• Castle Talks World Café
• Charitable Project Guatemala
• Biodiversity Project Costa Rica

Products and services

• Socially Responsible Business & Leadership in Europe (Semester Program) Semester-long study abroad program offered at the European Study Center in Strasbourg, France, focusing on business and leadership education with an emphasis on social responsibility. For undergraduate students seeking academic credit and intercultural leadership development.
• Summer Intercultural Leadership Program Summer program in Strasbourg, France offering intercultural leadership education and professional development through the G.I.V.E. Institute. For students and early-career professionals.
• Scholarship Programs Merit and need-based scholarships for study abroad participants, including Global Major Scholarships (up to $1,000 per semester), First Generation Scholarships, the Sones Scholarship for University of Florida undergraduates (up to $5,000 per semester / $2,500 summer), and eligibility support for Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships (up to $5,000).
• G.I.V.E. Institute (Global Institute for Values and Education) Professional development and leadership institute housed at Château de Pourtalès in Strasbourg, offering seminars on intercultural competencies, cross-cultural communication, responsible leadership, and business ethics for professionals, students, and university partnerships.
• Castle Talks International Symposium Annual international symposium held at Château de Pourtalès featuring keynote speakers, panel discussions, and dialogues on cross-border cooperation and cross-cultural relations between North America and Europe.
• Charitable Project in Guatemala Community development initiative in Vuelta Grande, Guatemala, providing education sponsorship, healthcare access (clinic supervised by a local board-certified physician), clean water filters, energy-efficient smoke-reducing stoves, nutritional workshops, women's continuing education seminars, waterless toilets, and housing support in partnership with Corazones Libres (Free Hearts Foundation).
• Biodiversity Project in Costa Rica Rainforest conservation initiative on the Osa Peninsula in partnership with Fundación Saimiri, supporting tree planting, biodiversity restoration, environmental education, and carbon offset programs. Since October 2019: 10,240 trees planted, 5,176 tonnes CO2 offset.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,240 trees planted and 5,176 tonnes of CO₂ offset since October 2019
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Integration3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and moderate.

• Columbus State UniversityminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 April 2022University partner that donated funds for smoke-reducing ecological stoves and conducted service trips to Guatemala teaching English to local children and building stoves. Funded through the Donald L. Jordan Endowment.
• Marymount UniversityminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 April 2021Conducted virtual study abroad course 'Global Competence: Preparing for Life and Work in the 21st Century' in partnership with CEPA, covering Europe and Migration, Social Responsibility modules and virtual symposium participation.
• Humber CollegeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 July 2018Donated 50 low-smoke ecological stoves valued at 10,000 CAD to Vuelta Grande community in partnership with the Rotary Chapter in Etobicoke, Ontario. Demonstrates university commitment to service learning and global engagement.
• Corazones Libres (Free Hearts Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nonprofit foundation in Guatemala that has been advocating for the Mayan community for over 20 years. CEPA Foundation works with Corazones Libres on initiatives including education sponsorship, healthcare access, clean cooking stoves, and community development in Vuelta Grande village.
• Fundación SaimiricoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in Guadalupe de la Palma, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, focusing on biodiversity conservation through tree planting and environmental education. CEPA Foundation funds their tree nursery operations, local worker employment, and conservation activities in the biodiverse Osa Peninsula region.
• Kindern eine Chance e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman-based partner organization of CEPA Foundation that supports charitable projects in Guatemala, particularly the FUNCOLI (Fundación Corazones Libres) initiatives benefiting children and families in Vuelta Grande.
• Green InitiativemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing support for CEPA Foundation's climate action initiatives, helping manage educational services under climate-responsible best practices as part of the Glasgow Declaration commitment.
• United Nations (UNFCCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEPA is listed on the UN website as an official signatory and purchases certified Emission Reductions (CERs) from the United Nations to offset carbon emissions from study abroad programs.
• CANIE AccordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational education sustainability initiative. CEPA Foundation is a signatory of the CANIE (Climate Action Network for International Education) Accord, committing to climate action best practices in international education.
• Generation Study Abroad / IIEmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEPA Foundation is a Commitment Partner of the Generation Study Abroad initiative, part of the Institute of International Education's effort to expand study abroad opportunities for American students.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• USAC: University Studies Abroad Consortium, a nonprofit offering study abroad programs across multiple countries including European locations. Comparable to CEPA as a nonprofit study abroad provider competing for university partnerships and scholarship-supported students.
• IES Abroad: Large, established US-based study abroad provider operating semester and summer programs across multiple European cities including France. Directly comparable to CEPA in academic programming model, student demographic, and university partnership channel, though at significantly larger scale.
• Semester at Sea: Semester-long shipboard study abroad program with multi-country itineraries including European ports. Comparable to CEPA in semester-length immersive academic programs with built-in service and cultural engagement components.
• CIEE: One of the largest nonprofit study abroad organizations globally, offering semester, summer, and short-term programs in Europe with strong university partnerships. Directly competes with CEPA for university study abroad office referrals and scholarship-supported enrollment.
• SAI Programs: US-based study abroad organization offering semester and summer programs primarily in Italy and Europe with university partnerships. Comparable to CEPA in operating model, US-to-Europe program delivery, and reliance on university referral channels.
• Academic Programs International (API): US-based study abroad provider offering semester and summer programs in multiple European countries including France. Competes directly with CEPA for American undergraduate students seeking European academic and cultural immersion experiences.
• CEA Study Abroad: Study abroad provider offering semester and short-term programs across Europe with strong university partnership network. Comparable to CEPA in target student demographic, European program model, and scholarship-supported access.

Others

• Trees for the Future: International nonprofit focused on agroforestry and tree planting in developing countries. Comparable to CEPA's Costa Rica biodiversity/carbon offset work and donor-supported environmental program model, though not a direct competitor in study abroad.

Broad incumbents

• Institute of International Education (IIE): Major US-based international education organization managing Fulbright, Generation Study Abroad (where CEPA is a Commitment Partner), and broader international academic mobility programs. A broader incumbent that shapes the study abroad ecosystem in which CEPA operates.

Emerging players

• Global Citizen Year: Nonprofit offering gap-year and service-learning fellowships for American high school graduates with international immersion and community impact components. Comparable to CEPA's service learning and intercultural leadership programming, though targeting a slightly earlier life-stage cohort.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CEPAStudyAbroad
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cepa-foundation-inc
• Facebookfacebook.com/CEPAStudyAbroad

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CEPA Foundation