The Memorial Foundation
The Memorial Foundation, Inc. is a Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that promotes and maintains the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall. It delivers free youth leadership and civic programs, funded by donations and corporate sponsorships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Memorial Foundation does
The Memorial Foundation, Inc. is a Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes and supports the general upkeep of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall. The Foundation traces its origin to a 1983 initiative by members of the Iota Upsilon Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; was formally chartered in 1998 as the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc.; and was reorganized in 2012 under its current name one year after the memorial's October 16, 2011 dedication led by President Barack Obama. Harry E. Johnson, Sr. has served as President and CEO since 2002 and led the original $120-127 million capital campaign to build the memorial. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors and operates with a small staff of approximately eight named team members.
The Foundation's product surface consists of six signature programs: the Films at the Stone outdoor summer film series (the first and only film series at a National Mall memorial, co-sponsored by MPAA); the Global Youth Leadership Conference (an 8-city tour reaching 3,000+ students annually in partnership with HBCUs); the Social Justice Fellows Program and its successor the Global Impact Fellows Program (a four-phase, twelve-month leadership curriculum for 50 emerging leaders ages 18-35 per cohort); the Leaders of Democracy Awards Luncheon; and the National Conversation Series. All programs are free to participants. The Foundation has no proprietary technology, no API, and no digital product beyond a public website, social media channels, and PayPal-based donation infrastructure.
Revenue is generated entirely through donations and corporate sponsorships. Donations are accepted via PayPal and the website from a base of more than 50,000 historical donors. Corporate sponsorships are structured in four tiers — Bronze $10,000, Silver $15,000, Gold $25,000, and Platinum $50,000 — primarily supporting signature events such as the Leaders of Democracy Awards Luncheon. Named institutional supporters include Amazon, MPAA, Hilton Global Foundation, Morgan State University, and KanKouran West African Dance Company. The Foundation is not publicly traded, has no subsidiaries, and has not received traditional venture or equity funding.
The Memorial Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Memorial Foundation
- Legal name
- The Memorial Foundation, Inc.
- Website
- https://thememorialfoundation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- The Memorial Foundation, Inc. is a Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that promotes and maintains the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall. It delivers free youth leadership and civic programs, funded by donations and corporate sponsorships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Memorial Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Foundation Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)
Keywords
Where The Memorial Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Memorial Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Donations: The Memorial Foundation relies on public donations to support its mission of promoting Dr. King's legacy and maintaining the MLK Memorial. Donations are accepted through PayPal and the organization's website.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships at multiple tiers (Bronze $10,000, Silver $15,000, Gold $25,000, Platinum $50,000) for signature events like the Leaders of Democracy Awards Luncheon.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | One time/ perpetual license | Free public programs |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Memorial Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Memorial Foundation promotes and supports the general upkeep of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC. It operates free educational and leadership development programs, including the Films at the Stone summer film series, the Global Youth Leadership Conference, the Global Impact Fellows Program, the Leaders of Democracy Awards Luncheon, and the National Conversation Series. The Foundation's programs target youth, high school and college students, and emerging young adult leaders, and are funded by individual donations and corporate sponsorships.
Product overview
The Memorial Foundation operates a suite of educational and commemorative programs centered on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall. The core offerings include: the Films at the Stone summer film series (the first and only film series at a National Mall memorial); the Global Youth Leadership Conference (an 8-city tour providing interactive learning activities and leadership development for students); the Global Impact Fellows Program (a four-phase, twelve-month leadership development program for emerging leaders ages 18-35); the Leaders of Democracy Luncheon (an awards event honoring leaders in public service); the Conversation Series (networking events for community leaders); and the original Social Justice Fellows Program. These programs collectively embody the Foundation's mission of promoting democracy, justice, hope, and love while supporting the upkeep of the memorial.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Films at the Stone: The first and only summer film series at a National Mall memorial, screening films at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.
- Global Impact Fellows Program
- Global Youth Leadership Conference
- Social Justice Fellows Program
- Leaders of Democracy Luncheon
- National Conversation Series
Products and services
- Films at the Stone
- Global Youth Leadership Conference
- Global Impact Fellows Program
- Leaders of Democracy Awards Luncheon
- National Conversation Series
Quantifiable outcome
- 3,000+ youth leaders inspired annually at Global Youth Leadership Conference
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Memorial Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Memorial Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Memorial Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- AmazoncoreAmazon partnered with The Memorial Foundation to distribute Care Boxes to families in family shelters in and around Washington DC as part of the Day of Reflection and Reconciliation event celebrating Dr. King's legacy.
- Motion Picture Association (MPA/MPAA)coreMPAA co-sponsors the Films at the Stone summer film series, supporting free public screenings at the MLK Memorial. This partnership enables the first and only summer film series at a National Mall memorial.
- Morgan State UniversityminorThe renowned choir of Morgan State University performs at Memorial Foundation events including the annual Candlelight Vigil honoring Dr. King's legacy.
- HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities)coreThe Foundation partners with HBCUs for the Global Youth Leadership Conference, which inspires 3,000-plus attendees annually with motivational speakers, leadership workshops, and panelists.
- KanKouran West African Dance CompanyminorPresents pre-show dance and drum performance before Black Panther screening as part of Films at the Stone series.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Memorial Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- PeaceFirst: A nonprofit that runs fellowships and leadership programs for young adults (typically ages 18-35) focused on social justice, community organizing, and peacebuilding. Closely comparable to The Memorial Foundation's Global Impact Fellows Program in cohort model, mission, and target demographic.
- Civic Nation: A nonprofit that builds issue-driven civic engagement campaigns and develops emerging leaders, supported by corporate and foundation partners. Comparable to The Memorial Foundation in mission, donor/sponsor model, and named leadership fellowship programs (e.g., #VoteTogether, ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge).
- Facing History and Ourselves: A nonprofit providing K-12 and educator programming on civil rights history, civic responsibility, and social justice, often using immersive workshops and curricula. Comparable to The Memorial Foundation in educational focus on civil rights themes, structured leadership programming, and donor/grant-funded revenue model.
- City Year: A youth-focused education and civic service nonprofit developing diverse young leaders through structured AmeriCorps programs and partnerships with schools. Comparable to The Memorial Foundation in developing a youth civic-leader pipeline and securing corporate sponsorships for programming.
- The King Center: The Atlanta-based nonprofit founded by Coretta Scott King to preserve and advance Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy through education, training, and programs for emerging leaders. Directly comparable to The Memorial Foundation as a fellow MLK-focused educational and legacy-preserving nonprofit operating programs aimed at next-generation leaders.
- Points of Light Foundation: A nonprofit focused on civic engagement, volunteer service, and developing leaders through structured programs and corporate partnerships. Comparable to The Memorial Foundation in mission (developing civic leaders, corporate sponsorships, signature events like the Legacy Awards) and target audience (adult leaders and corporate partners).
Broad incumbents
- National Park Foundation: The official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, raising private funds for National Mall and nationwide park stewardship, programming, and education. Comparable to The Memorial Foundation in stewarding federally administered National Mall assets and funding educational programming tied to those sites.
- National Constitution Center: An independent nonprofit chartered by Congress to educate the public about the U.S. Constitution, operating a major civic-education facility and programming on the National Mall corridor in Philadelphia. Comparable to The Memorial Foundation in operating a high-profile civic-education venue hosting public events, exhibits, and leadership programs.
Emerging players
- DoSomething.org: A youth-activism nonprofit that runs programs, campaigns, and fellowships for teens and young adults on social-justice causes. Comparable to The Memorial Foundation's Global Youth Leadership Conference in targeting student-aged social-change leaders with structured development programs.
Others
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The fraternity whose Iota Upsilon Lambda chapter originally conceived the MLK Memorial and chartered the predecessor foundation. Comparable as a civic/social organization whose programs emphasize leadership development for youth and young adults, with overlapping leadership and audience.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Memorial Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceThe Memorial Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Memorial Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
The Memorial Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Memorial Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Memorial Foundation
What does The Memorial Foundation do?
The Memorial Foundation promotes and supports the general upkeep of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC. It operates free educational and leadership development programs, including the Films at the Stone summer film series, the Global Youth Leadership Conference, the Global Impact Fellows Program, the Leaders of Democracy Awards Luncheon, and the National Conversation Series. The Foundation's programs target youth, high school and college students, and emerging young adult leaders, and are funded by individual donations and corporate sponsorships.
Is The Memorial Foundation a public or private company?
The Memorial Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Memorial Foundation founded?
The Memorial Foundation was founded in 1998.
Where is The Memorial Foundation based?
The Memorial Foundation is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Memorial Foundation make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships.
Who are The Memorial Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are PeaceFirst, Civic Nation, Facing History and Ourselves, City Year, The King Center and Points of Light Foundation. Broad incumbents are National Park Foundation and National Constitution Center. DoSomething.org is listed as an emerging player. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is listed as an others.
Does The Memorial Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Memorial Foundation.
What industry is The Memorial Foundation in?
The Memorial Foundation's product category is Nonprofit Foundation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAA, Private Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGADAD, Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8200.