MapWorks Learning

What MapWorks Learning does

MapWorks Learning is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization founded in 2014 and headquartered in Augusta, operating with 1–10 employees. The organization designs and delivers youth-led virtual exchange programs that connect students and educators across borders using a proprietary pedagogical method it calls the 'campfire' — small virtual circles in which young people set agendas, share personal narratives, and co-create action projects with peers in other countries. The portfolio spans seven programs: the Ukraine Youth Action Network (UYAN, 2023), the Youth Global Climate Observatory (YGCO, April 2025), Media Literacy & Empowerment, Professional Development, Program Design & Partnerships, Peace Tracks (co-founded with the Plugged In Band Program), and Field Building & Thought Leadership. Reach extends to partnerships in 53 countries, with named program participants including Boston Latin School, Northwest High School (Omaha), Lindblom Math & Science Academy, MriyDiy School (Lviv), Waiākea Intermediate School (Hawai'i), German-Scandinavian School (Berlin), Ternopil Classical Lyceum, and Ramallah Friends School, alongside ministries, foundations, and international organizations.

Underlying technology is a virtual exchange platform built on standard third-party infrastructure — Amazon, Microsoft, Google, WeVideo, and Soundtrap are listed as technology partners — rather than a proprietary software product. The differentiator is the 'campfire' methodology and accompanying curriculum frameworks accumulated over 20+ years of collective team expertise, not the underlying tooling. There is no proprietary AI/ML component disclosed; the platform functions as a structured facilitation environment for human-led cross-cultural collaboration.

Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The organization is funded primarily through grants from foundations and initiative funders (notably the Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute with Bezos Family Foundation support, and the Pulitzer Center), supplemented by individual and corporate donations and professional development services for institutions. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven: programs are deployed through direct partnerships with schools, school systems, and educational institutions, with awareness built via thought leadership at events such as MIT's Day of Climate, white papers, and global convenings. As a charity, programs are largely free to participating students; institutional customers (schools, foundations) are the channel through which grant-funded programs are delivered, rather than direct fee-paying SaaS buyers.

Name

MapWorks Learning

Legal name

MapWorks Learning

Website

https://mapworkslearning.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MapWorks Learning is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that designs and delivers youth-led virtual exchange programs across 53 countries using its proprietary 'campfire' methodology, serving K–12 students, educators, schools, and foundation partners through grant-funded programs in climate, cultural exchange, media literacy, and peacebuilding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Virtual Exchange & Global Education Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Virtual & Blended Learning Programs (District-Run) (EDAJAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)

Keywords

• Virtual exchange programs
• Youth education services
• Cross-cultural learning
• Educational nonprofit
• Global learning programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Augusta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Foundation and Funder Grants: Primary revenue stream from foundations and initiative funders such as the Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute and Bezos Family Foundation who fund specific programs like the Ukraine Youth Action Network.
2. Individual and Corporate Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations supporting youth-led programs. Donors can make one-time or recurring gifts to support program scale.
3. Professional Development Services: Training and tools provided to educators, nonprofits, and organizations to lead inclusive, globally connected classrooms. Offered as hands-on learning experiences for institutions.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

MapWorks Learning delivers youth-led virtual exchange programs that connect students and teachers across borders through a proprietary 'campfire' methodology — small virtual circles where participants share personal narratives, set agendas, and co-design collaborative projects. Programs span climate action, war-affected community support, media literacy, music-based cultural exchange, educator training, and custom program design for partner organizations.

Product overview

MapWorks Learning is a nonprofit educational organization that offers a portfolio of youth-led virtual exchange programs centered on a core methodology called 'campfires'—small circles bringing together students and teachers from different places to share experiences, build empathy, and co-create action projects. The product portfolio includes seven distinct programs: Youth Global Climate Observatory (climate action through data and storytelling), Ukraine Youth Action Network (cross-cultural recovery and resilience), Media Literacy & Empowerment (digital leadership skills), Professional Development (educator training), Program Design & Partnerships (custom exchange design), Peace Tracks (music-based cultural exchange co-founded with Plugged In Band), and Field Building & Thought Leadership (research and advocacy). All programs are delivered as direct virtual exchange services, emphasizing human connection and youth empowerment rather than technology platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ukraine Youth Action Network (UYAN): A virtual exchange program connecting youth in Ukraine, the EU, and the United States to explore identity, community, and leadership while co-creating projects addressing needs of war-affected communities.
• Youth Global Climate Observatory (YGCO)
• Media Literacy & Empowerment
• Peace Tracks

Products and services

• Youth Global Climate Observatory (YGCO) A cross-border virtual exchange program where students use science, data, and storytelling to document climate impacts, share community narratives, and co-create climate solutions. Targeted at schools and students globally.
• Ukraine Youth Action Network (UYAN) A youth-led virtual exchange connecting students from Ukraine, the EU, and the United States through 'campfire' circles to explore identity, build empathy, and co-create projects supporting war-affected communities.
• Media Literacy & Empowerment A program equipping young people with tools to navigate the media landscape through cross-cultural virtual exchange, building digital leaders who evaluate sources, understand algorithmic influence, and engage ethically.
• Professional Development Hands-on training and tools that equip educators, nonprofit leaders, and corporate teams to lead inclusive, globally connected classrooms and integrate virtual exchange into everyday learning.
• Program Design & Partnerships Custom virtual exchange program design and delivery partnerships with nonprofits, foundations, and school systems, including needs assessment, curriculum co-development, storytelling integration, and platform strategy.
• Peace Tracks A youth-driven virtual exchange program co-founded with Plugged In Band Program where students from MENA region and US form global bands to write original songs and produce music videos addressing social issues.
• Field Building & Thought Leadership Research, white papers, global convenings, and equity-driven pilot programs that advance the field of virtual exchange, partnered with schools, ministries, foundations, and international organizations across 53 countries.

Quantifiable outcome

• UYAN connected 1,500+ students and 100+ educators across Ukraine, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and US since 2023
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

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

• MIT Open LearningcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2025Invited MapWorks Learning to launch the Youth Global Climate Observatory at MIT's Day of Climate event. Vijay Kumar (MIT Senior Advisor) serves as guide and advisor. Claudia Urrea (pK-12 Initiative) facilitated the launch.
• Pulitzer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering with Pulitzer Center journalists to guide the Youth Global Climate Observatory program, bringing investigative journalism expertise to youth climate storytelling.
• Plugged In Band ProgramflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founded Peace Tracks program with Plugged In Band, a youth-driven virtual exchange where students from MENA region and US form global bands to write original songs and produce music videos addressing social change.
• American Councils for International EducationmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner in the global exchange network, supporting international education initiatives.
• Qatar Foundation InternationalmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner supporting international education and global learning programs.
• George Washington UniversitymoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing educational expertise and institutional support for global learning programs.
• European Citizen Science AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting citizen science initiatives, relevant to Youth Global Climate Observatory program.
• Teachers Without BordersmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal education partner supporting professional development for educators worldwide.
• Ramallah Friends SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school in Palestine, part of the global exchange network.
• Baltimore Sister CitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity partnership program connecting Baltimore with international communities for cultural exchange.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Asia Society: Asia Society runs global education and youth leadership programs including virtual exchange components (e.g., the Asia Society Partnership for Global Learning). Comparable in mission and target audience but with broader institutional scope and a regional (Asia-focused) lens.
• AFS Intercultural Programs: AFS is a long-established intercultural exchange nonprofit operating in 100+ countries, historically focused on in-person exchanges but increasingly adding virtual exchange components. Much larger and broader than MapWorks but competes for the same foundation and ministry funding pools.
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): CIEE is a large, established international education nonprofit running study abroad, high school exchange, and virtual exchange programs. Comparable in mission and K-12/higher-ed audience but operates at significantly larger scale and broader scope than MapWorks.

Direct peers

• Global Nomads Group: Global Nomads Group builds virtual exchange programs for K-12 and higher education students globally, with a heavy emphasis on cross-cultural dialogue and conflict-zone youth. Closely matches MapWorks' UYAN and Peace Tracks programs in methodology and target audience.
• iEARN (International Education and Resource Network): iEARN is the most direct comparable — a global nonprofit network facilitating virtual and in-person student collaboration projects across 140+ countries. Both organizations operate youth-led, project-based virtual exchange with structured curricula; iEARN is broader and more established but follows a similar nonprofit, partner-school-distributed model.
• Soliya: Soliya runs the Connect Program — facilitated virtual exchange between university students from different cultures using small-group video dialogue. Highly comparable to MapWorks' campfire circles in format and cross-border youth focus.

Others

• Stevens Initiative (Aspen Institute): The Stevens Initiative is MapWorks' primary funder for UYAN and also an enabler/incubator of multiple virtual exchange providers. Relevant as both a financial backer and a programmatic peer in the virtual exchange field-building ecosystem.
• Aspen Institute: Aspen Institute houses the Stevens Initiative (MapWorks' funder) and runs its own youth leadership and civic education programming. Relevant as both a funder and a sector peer shaping the field MapWorks operates in.
• Pulitzer Center: The Pulitzer Center is both a partner (on the Youth Global Climate Observatory) and a comparable in the journalism-education intersection space. Both organizations integrate investigative journalism and storytelling into youth learning experiences.

Emerging players

• TakingITGlobal: TakingITGlobal is an NGO that connects youth globally for social impact projects, with strong overlap in mission (youth-led global change) and use of digital platforms for cross-border collaboration. Smaller and more volunteer-driven than MapWorks but adjacent in the youth virtual exchange space.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mapworkslrng
• Facebookfacebook.com/MapWorkslearning
• Instagraminstagram.com/mapworks_learning

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 MapWorks Learning