TeachAAPI
TeachAAPI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops and distributes standards-aligned K-12 curriculum and educational programming on Asian American and Pacific Islander history and culture to schools, educators, students, and parents across all 50 U.S. states, with a goal of reaching 1 million students by 2028.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersSanta Monica, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What TeachAAPI does
TeachAAPI is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Santa Monica, California, founded in 2021 by a group of parents who mobilized during the rise in pandemic-era anti-Asian sentiment. The organization develops and distributes culturally responsive, standards-aligned K-12 educational resources on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) history and culture, serving schools, educators, students, and parents across all 50 U.S. states. Its core product portfolio includes an In-Class Curriculum co-created with the Asian American Education Project (aligned to social studies, ELA, and C3 standards), Young Learners Activity Boxes and Book Drops, an Affinity Group Toolkit, the High School Youth Summit (co-hosted with Gold House), Speaker Visits and Cultural Performances, a Cultural Roadshow, a Belonging Through Books library enrichment program, and a free Classroom Starter Pack. The supporting platform includes the Educator Circle community (regional chapters, Slack workspace, conferences, paid fellowships, and UMass Global graduate-level PD credit) and the Partner School Portal, which delivers premium curriculum and concierge multi-year implementation planning to subscribing schools.
The underlying technology layer is intentionally modest: there are no proprietary software products or AI components disclosed, and the stack is limited to operational tools (Slack for the Educator Circle, Google Forms for signups, DonorPerfect for donation processing). Revenue is generated through a hybrid nonprofit model combining individual donations, foundation grants (including The Asian American Foundation), tiered corporate sponsorships (Cathay Bank Foundation as Visionary-tier, Sabra and Jins as Champion-tier), Partner School subscription memberships for premium access, and annual fundraising events led by the Palate for Learning Gala (which raised $300,000+ in December 2025). The go-to-market blends free resources as a top-of-funnel acquisition tool, community-led evangelism through a Parent Liaison Program and Educator Circle, event-driven awareness via educator conferences (NCTM, Asian Educators Alliance, Teaching for Justice, Pollyanna, WeTeach CS) and galas, and direct partnership outreach via on-the-ground program managers executing multi-year DEI implementation plans with Partner Schools.
Since launch, TeachAAPI has reached 250,000+ students across 375+ schools, distributed 100,000 books through the Belonging Through Books initiative, and impacted nearly 7,500 students through 20 schools and 26 Cultural Roadshow performances. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors co-chaired by Maya Dharwarkar and Iva Shah, supported by an Advisory Board, Educator Advisory Board, Visionary Leadership Council, and an operating team of five led by inaugural CEO Nikki Keahi Kealalio (appointed April 2026). Management is a small operating team of five staff augmented by a deep co-founder and advisory bench drawn from senior roles at Mendocino Farms, Mattel, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Neutrogena, Ares Management, The Posse Foundation, Baby2Baby, HopSkipDrive, Disney, and Paramount. The organization has set a public target of reaching 1 million students by 2028 through national expansion into New York, Nevada, Texas, and other high-AAPI-population states.
TeachAAPI firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- TeachAAPI
- Legal name
- TeachAAPI
- Website
- https://teachaapi.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- TeachAAPI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops and distributes standards-aligned K-12 curriculum and educational programming on Asian American and Pacific Islander history and culture to schools, educators, students, and parents across all 50 U.S. states, with a goal of reaching 1 million students by 2028.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
TeachAAPI industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 Cultural Education Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- K–12 Instructional Design & Curriculum Development Services (EDAGAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Standards Alignment & Curriculum Mapping (State/National) (EDAJAFAD), Instructional Delivery & Pedagogy (School-Led) (EDAJAFAB), Social Studies & Civics Instruction (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAI), Literacy & ELA Instruction (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAF)
Keywords
Where TeachAAPI is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santa Monica
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
TeachAAPI business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting AAPI education mission. The organization operates as an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Federal Tax ID# 87-2037161).
- Foundation Grants: Grant funding from organizations such as The Asian American Foundation to expand AAPI education nationwide.
- Corporate Sponsorships and Donations: Corporate donors at various tiers: Visionary (Cathay Bank Foundation), Champion (Sabra, Jins), Changemaker (The Asian American Foundation), and other supporters including Private Family Foundation, Cheng Family, and Irene and Dan Riley.
- Fundraising Events: Annual gala events including Palate for Learning Gala (raised over $300,000 in 2025), LA Marathon 5K fundraising, and other community fundraising events.
- Partner School Membership: Partner Schools pay for access to premium programming, full lesson plans, custom implementation support, and concierge planning services beyond free resources available to all educators.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free Resources - Available to all educators and schools |
| Subscription | Annual | Partner School Membership - Premium access for schools |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels11 records
TeachAAPI product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TeachAAPI delivers a comprehensive K-12 AAPI cultural education portfolio comprising standards-aligned in-class curriculum (co-created with Asian American Education Project), preschool and lower-elementary activity boxes and book drops, the High School Youth Summit, an Affinity Group Toolkit, Speaker Visits and Cultural Performances, a Cultural Roadshow, the Belonging Through Books library enrichment program, and free digital resources. Schools access premium programming through an annual Partner School Membership subscription, while individual educators and parents access free resources, the Educator Circle community, and signature events.
Product overview
TeachAAPI is a non-profit organization offering a comprehensive K-12 education platform focused on AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) cultural representation. The core portfolio includes In-Class Curriculum (lesson plans co-created with Asian American Education Project), Young Learners Activity Boxes + Book Drops, High School Youth Summit, Affinity Group Toolkit, Speaker Visits & Cultural Performances, Community Events, Belonging Through Books library program, and Cultural Roadshow. The platform includes the Educator Circle as a professional development add-on with regional chapters and paid fellowships, the free Classroom Starter Pack for general educators, and a Partner School Portal as the exclusive access platform for curriculum and resources. The organization serves all 50 states with a goal to reach 1 million students by 2028.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Partner School Membership Annual subscription offering for K-12 schools granting access to full in-class lesson plans, preschool/lower elementary activity boxes and book drops, the Affinity Group Toolkit, custom programming, on-demand resources, speaker visit coordination, cultural celebration planning, and individualized multi-year implementation plans.
- In-Class Curriculum Ready-to-use lesson plans featuring lesser-known AAPI history, aligned with social studies, ELA, and C3 standards, co-created with Asian American Education Project. Includes student-facing presentations, teacher's guides, and printable worksheets covering AAPI stories across the diaspora for Partner Schools.
- Young Learners Activity Boxes + Book Drops Experiential activity boxes for preschoolers and lower elementary students featuring hands-on activities and educational materials centered on AAPI celebrations, combined with book distribution for Partner Schools.
- High School Youth Summit Annual summit for high school students featuring speakers, panels, and a networking fair focused on AAPI identity, cultural heritage, and career development, in partnership with Gold House.
- Affinity Group Toolkit Age-appropriate modules for middle-to-high-school affinity groups addressing topics including stereotypes, non-traditional career paths, allyship, and beauty tropes, delivered as part of Partner School programming.
- Speaker Visits & Cultural Performances In-person speaker visits and cultural performances for Partner Schools providing immersive experiences for students to learn about AAPI cultures and narratives through the Cultural Roadshow and related programs.
- Belonging Through Books Library Enrichment Program Library enrichment initiative providing diverse AAPI books to schools to ensure students have access to windows, mirrors, and sliding doors in their reading materials.
- Educator Circle Nationwide community for educators providing professional development, workshops, trainings, curriculum sharing, regional chapters, conferences, and paid fellowships (including a Summer Fellowship), with graduate-level PD credit available through a UMass Global partnership.
- Partner School Portal Private portal for Partner Schools providing access to full lesson plans, educator resources, a private directory, an eForum, and a quarterly educator newsletter.
- Classroom Starter Pack Free digital resource pack including an introductory framework, student and teacher affinity guides, mini AANHPI lesson plans, multi-level reading recommendations, and cultural deep dives available to any educator via signup.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reached 250,000+ students across 375+ schools since 2021 launch
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use TeachAAPI
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
TeachAAPI technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature3 records
TeachAAPI partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.
- Asian American Education ProjectcoreCurriculum co-creation partnership. TeachAAPI's in-class curriculum is developed in partnership with Asian American Education Project, ensuring authenticity and alignment with educational standards.
- Gold HousecoreCo-hosted inaugural Youth Summit 2024 on AAPI identity and career paths. Gold House is a platform that consults, invests in, and champions AAPI culture. Serves as partner for program development and community building.
- SmithsonianmajorVirtual programs and field trips offered in partnership with Smithsonian institutions. Provides access to artifacts and primary sources for social studies curriculum.
- ScholasticmajorProgram partner collaborating on educational content and resources for K-12 students.
- UCLA Asian American Studies Center (AASC)majorProgram partner providing academic expertise and credibility in Asian American Studies education.
- Very Asian FoundationmajorProgram partner supporting AAPI educational initiatives and cultural programming.
- Make Noise TodaysupportingProgram partner for AAPI education and advocacy initiatives.
- Asian American Education (AAE)supportingProgram partner for educational content and curriculum development.
- Kulture KhazanasupportingProgram partner for cultural education and programming.
- Rosetta LeesupportingExpert educator and consultant contributing to curriculum development and professional development programs.
- The Posse FoundationsupportingNikki Keahi Kealalio, TeachAAPI's inaugural CEO, previously served as Regional Vice President at The Posse Foundation, bringing expertise in scaling programs across five national sites.
- UMass GlobalsupportingPartnership for graduate-level professional development credit opportunities for Educator Circle members.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
TeachAAPI competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Japanese American National Museum: National museum offering K-12 educational programs, curriculum resources, and teacher workshops focused on Japanese American history and AAPI experiences. Comparable to TeachAAPI's curriculum + cultural programming model, though narrower in ethnic focus.
- The Conscious Kid: Nonprofit providing anti-bias children's books, educational resources, and parent/educator support focused on race and identity. Directly comparable to TeachAAPI's early-childhood and parent-liaison approach, with overlapping book-distribution and equity-education offerings.
- Embrace Race: Nonprofit supporting parents, educators, and communities in raising and educating children about race. Comparable to TeachAAPI's parent-liaison and educator-engagement model, with a similar grassroots community-building approach to race education.
- Learning for Justice: Formerly Teaching Tolerance, provides free K-12 anti-bias curriculum, lesson plans, and professional development for educators. Directly comparable to TeachAAPI's curriculum-and-PD model, but with a broader social justice focus rather than AAPI-specific content.
- Asian American Education Project: TeachAAPI's curriculum co-creation partner; develops AAPI-focused K-12 lesson plans aligned to social studies, ELA, and C3 standards. Highly comparable as a content developer serving the same educator buyer with standards-aligned AAPI curriculum, though operates as a separate entity from TeachAAPI.
- Facing History & Ourselves: Nonprofit providing K-12 social studies curriculum, professional development, and resources focused on identity, race, and historical reckoning. Highly comparable to TeachAAPI's mission and educator-facing curriculum distribution model, though with broader historical scope.
Broad incumbents
- Scholastic Education: Major K-12 educational publisher offering multicultural content, classroom magazines, and educator resources. Listed as a TeachAAPI partner; represents the kind of broad incumbent whose multicultural catalog could compete with or amplify TeachAAPI's specialized AAPI offerings.
- ADL (Anti-Defamation League): National organization providing anti-bias K-12 curriculum, educator training (Words to Action, A World of Difference), and bias-incident education. Comparable to TeachAAPI's educator-PD and curriculum model but with a broader anti-bias scope covering multiple identity categories.
- Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center: A national cultural institution providing AAPI educational programming, virtual programs, and resources. Functions both as a TeachAAPI partner (Smithsonian listed as a program collaborator) and a broader incumbent offering overlapping AAPI educational content at greater scale.
Emerging players
- The Asian American Foundation (TAAF): AAPI-focused philanthropy providing grant funding and national advocacy. Functions as TeachAAPI's major funder (Changemaker-tier donor) and operates adjacent AAPI-education programs; comparable as a fellow AAPI-focused organization shaping the national AAPI education ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks2 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
TeachAAPI social profiles
Digital presenceTeachAAPI compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
TeachAAPI financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
TeachAAPI leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
TeachAAPI funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
TeachAAPI 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 TeachAAPI
What does TeachAAPI do?
TeachAAPI delivers a comprehensive K-12 AAPI cultural education portfolio comprising standards-aligned in-class curriculum (co-created with Asian American Education Project), preschool and lower-elementary activity boxes and book drops, the High School Youth Summit, an Affinity Group Toolkit, Speaker Visits and Cultural Performances, a Cultural Roadshow, the Belonging Through Books library enrichment program, and free digital resources. Schools access premium programming through an annual Partner School Membership subscription, while individual educators and parents access free resources, the Educator Circle community, and signature events.
Is TeachAAPI a public or private company?
TeachAAPI is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was TeachAAPI founded?
TeachAAPI was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is TeachAAPI based?
TeachAAPI is headquartered in Santa Monica, United States, in the North America region.
How does TeachAAPI make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are foundation Grants, corporate Sponsorships and Donations, fundraising Events and partner School Membership.
Who are TeachAAPI's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Japanese American National Museum, The Conscious Kid, Embrace Race, Learning for Justice, Asian American Education Project and Facing History & Ourselves. Broad incumbents are Scholastic Education, ADL (Anti-Defamation League) and Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) is listed as an emerging player.
Does TeachAAPI have an API?
No public API is recorded for TeachAAPI.
What industry is TeachAAPI in?
TeachAAPI's product category is K-12 Cultural Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAGAKAA, K–12 Instructional Design & Curriculum Development Services, with a secondary code of EDAJAFAD, Standards Alignment & Curriculum Mapping (State/National). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.