Flying Cloud Institute

What Flying Cloud Institute does

Flying Cloud Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization founded in 1984 by Jane and Larry Burke and David Schwarz in New Marlborough, Massachusetts, now headquartered at 20 Stockbridge Road, Suite 2, Great Barrington, MA. The organization delivers hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) programs that integrate authentic science investigations with artistic expression, serving approximately 2,500 youth and educators annually across five school districts in Berkshire County, Massachusetts and Region One in Connecticut. Core offerings include S•M•Art Summer Studios, Young Women in Science (YWIS) Summer STEM Intensives, after-school S•M•Art Labs and MakerSpaces, Girls Science Clubs, school residencies aligned with Massachusetts state standards, vacation break programs, and take-home S•M•Art Kits. Programs are delivered at the organization's own April Hill Education and Conservation Center facility in South Egremont, partner venues including Berkshire Community College and Berkshire Innovation Center, and inside 12+ public schools spanning Salisbury, CT to Clarksburg, MA.

The organization operates primarily as a donor-funded nonprofit with revenue sourced from individual donations and recurring gifts (SMArt Giving Society), foundation grants (Mass Cultural Council STARS grants, Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts, Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation), corporate sponsorships with tiered packages ranging from $750 to $5,000, modest program tuition ($180-$1,080 per session), and event revenue. 90% of programs are delivered free, with Card to Culture discounts providing 50% off tuition for EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders. Distribution is regional and direct: school partnership contracts deliver programs during and after school hours, Jumbula-powered online registration handles family sign-ups, and events like STEAM Challenge Night (co-organized with Berkshire STEM Pipeline) serve as community awareness engines. The technology stack is intentionally low-tech: hands-on science kits, authentic lab and art studio settings, volunteer STEM professionals and artists as mentors, and Squarespace plus Jumbula for web and registration.

Under Executive Director Maria Rundle, the organization has expanded Girls Science Clubs from 4 to 8 Pittsfield schools, onboarded new educators (Christian Drake, Angela Parker, Liliana Atanacio), promoted Angel Heffernan to YWiS Director, and broadened the board with professionals from banking, law, and public health sectors. Strategic partnerships anchor the operating model: MAP provides grant funding for healthy snacks, Mass Cultural Council funds STARS residencies, Greenagers co-operates the April Hill facility, and the Berkshire Innovation Center hosts higher-technology programming. The organization has no patents, no proprietary AI/ML capabilities, and no external investment or private equity involvement, operating as an independent 501(c)(3) governed by its Board of Directors.

Name

Flying Cloud Institute

Legal name

Flying Cloud Institute

Website

https://flyingcloudinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Flying Cloud Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1984 that delivers hands-on STEAM education to approximately 2,500 youth and educators annually across five school districts in Berkshire County, Massachusetts and Region One, Connecticut.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth STEAM Education Services

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM & Science Camps (Biology, Chemistry, Space, Lab Science) (EDAMALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Robotics, Engineering & Makers Camps (EDAMALAE), Coding, Game Design & Computer Science Camps (EDAMALAD)

Keywords

• STEAM education programs
• Youth science camps
• After school programs
• Nonprofit education services
• Hands-on STEM learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Great Barrington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Flying Cloud Institute is a donor-funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The primary revenue source is donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Tax ID: 04-2730172. Accepts monthly recurring gifts, stock donations, IRA charitable rollovers (age 70.5+), estate gifts, cryptocurrency, and volunteer time.
2. Business Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship program with tiered packages: Visionary Sponsor $5,000, Catalyst Sponsor $3,000, Builder Sponsor $1,500, Creator Sponsor $750. Reaches over 3,500 Flying Cloud constituents including families, artists, STEM professionals, educators and community partners.
3. Program Tuition: Tuition-based revenue from summer camps and vacation break programs. S•M•Art Summer Studios: $540 per 1-week session, $1,080 per 2-week session. YWIS Summer STEM: $180. Financial aid and discounts available including Card to Culture Program (50% off for EBT/WIC/ConnectorCare holders).
4. Event Revenue: Ticket sales for special events including S•M•Arty Party fundraiser, Camouflage Egg Workshop ($10), Women in STEM Trivia ($40/person or $200 for team of 5).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Flying Cloud Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) education to youth in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Its offerings include after-school programs (S•M•Art Labs), summer day and intensive camps (S•M•Art Summer Studios, Young Women in Science Summer STEM Intensive, Future Innovators Camp), school residencies, vacation-break programs, girls' science clubs, MakerSpaces, and take-home science-and-art activity kits (S•M•Art Kits). Approximately 90% of programs are delivered free of charge, with the remainder supported by modest tuition and fees.

Product overview

Flying Cloud Institute is a nonprofit educational organization offering a portfolio of science and art programs for youth. The core offerings include S•M•Art Summer Camp (residential programs at April Hill), Young Women in Science (YWIS) STEM Intensives, after-school S•M•Art Labs, MakerSpaces, and Girls Science Clubs. Programs serve over 2,500 youth annually across Berkshire County schools and community locations. The organization also provides school residencies, vacation break programs, and take-home S•M•Art Kits. The portfolio follows a 'Science Meets Art' philosophy integrating STEM education with creative arts to foster innovation in youth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• S•M•Art Summer Studios: Summer camp program for youth ages 6-14 featuring science, art, nature exploration at April Hill Education and Conservation Center
• Young Women in Science (YWIS)
• S•M•Art Labs
• MakerSpaces
• Girls Science Clubs
• S•M•Art Studio
• SMArt Giving Society
• Science & Art at Home

Products and services

• S•M•Art Summer Studios (Summer Camp) Multi-week summer day camp for youth that combines hands-on science investigations with art-making in the Institute's integrated STEAM model. Targeted at school-age children in Berkshire County, MA, offered seasonally each summer.
• Young Women in Science (YWIS) Summer STEM Intensive Intensive summer STEM program aimed at middle-school girls, designed to address the gender gap in STEM fields through sustained, hands-on science and engineering inquiry. Targeted at girls entering or in middle school in Berkshire County, MA.
• S•M•Art Future Innovators Camp Project-based summer camp focused on integrated STEAM investigations and creative prototyping for youth seeking more advanced or returning-camper experiences. Targeted at school-age children in Berkshire County, MA.
• S•M•Art Labs (After-School Program) After-school STEAM program delivering hands-on science-and-art investigations during the academic year. Delivered both on-site at the April Hill facility and in partner schools. Targeted at school-age youth in Berkshire County, MA.
• Girls' Science Clubs Recurring club-format STEAM programming designed for girls, aligned with the Institute's mission to address the gender gap in STEM. Delivered during the academic year for school-age girls in Berkshire County, MA.
• School Residencies Contracted residency programs in which Flying Cloud Institute educators deliver hands-on STEAM curriculum inside partner schools. Targeted at K-12 schools and districts in Berkshire County, MA seeking vetted STEAM enrichment partners.
• Vacation Break Programs Short-format STEAM programs scheduled around school vacation weeks (such as February and April breaks) that deliver condensed hands-on science-and-art experiences. Targeted at school-age youth in Berkshire County, MA during school breaks.
• MakerSpaces MakerSpace-format STEAM programming offering hands-on science and art prototyping opportunities at the April Hill facility and partner community venues. Targeted at youth in Berkshire County, MA.
• S•M•Art Kits (Science & Art at Home) Take-home science-and-art activity kits that extend the Institute's integrated STEAM curriculum beyond in-person sessions. Targeted at families and youth in Berkshire County, MA for at-home enrichment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of programs are free, ensuring accessibility to underserved youth
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership (MAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAP provides grant funding specifically for healthy snacks in Girls Science Clubs, MakerSpaces, and S•M•Art Labs. MAP is the statewide leader in providing access to high-quality afterschool and summer programs, helping ensure all children have access, especially girls and underrepresented youth. Created video series showcasing Flying Cloud's programs.
• Berkshire GrownminorOthersLocal food sourcing partner for healthy snacks provided to afterschool program participants. FCI sources food locally through Berkshire Grown, supporting area farmers while feeding young scientists.
• Marty's LocalminorOthersLocal food sourcing partner for healthy snacks. FCI sources food locally through Marty’s Local, supporting local food systems while providing nutrition to youth.
• GreenagerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding partnership offering science, art, and nature programs during school breaks at April Hill Education and Conservation Center. Greenagers operates the April Hill property and co-hosts vacation break programs. Also partner in CLuB (Community Learning in the Berkshires) coalition.
• Berkshire South Regional Community CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CLuB (Community Learning in the Berkshires) coalition offering remote learning sites for K-8 students during pandemic. One of two host sites for CLuB programs in southern Berkshire County.
• Volunteers In MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CLuB (Community Learning in the Berkshires) coalition. América López, a community health worker at Volunteers In Medicine, joined FCI's Board of Directors.
• Flying Deer Nature CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CLuB (Community Learning in the Berkshires) coalition offering outdoor and nature-based programming elements.
• Berkshire STEM PipelinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual co-organizer of STEAM Challenge Night, part of Massachusetts' STEM Week celebrations. Partnership brings together 20+ organizations for hands-on science and arts exploration for K-8 students.
• Berkshire Innovation CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for STEAM Challenge Night, Girls in Tech Hackathon, and Future Innovators Camp. Science and Tech lab provides professional equipment including 3D printers for youth engineering challenges.
• Berkshire MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for STEAM Challenge Night events. Staff demonstrate hands-on science activities like physics zipline explorations.
• Hancock Shaker VillageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for 40th Anniversary STEAM Challenge Night and community events during STEM Week. Staff lead kid-centered challenge activities.
• Berkshire Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Young Women in Science Summer STEM Intensive. Provides college laboratory setting for authentic science experiences with professional equipment.
• Miss Hall's SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of Girls in Tech [GiT] Hackathon for high school aged girls. Cathy Ingram, Director of Development at Miss Hall's School, serves as FCI Board Chair.
• Lee BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Girls in Tech Hackathon and Women in STEM Trivia Night. Alison Brigham, AVP of Marketing & Community Engagement at Lee Bank, serves on FCI Board.
• Webster LandscapesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of 40th Anniversary Events and Women in STEM Trivia Night. The Webster family has been part of Flying Cloud for three generations.
• WAM TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts partner with shared 'arts as activism' mission. Donated portion of box office from 'Galileo's Daughter' production to fund Girls Science After School Programs. Co-hosted workshops at Shakespeare & Company.
• Bottomless BricksminorOthersParticipating organization at STEAM Challenge Night, leading LEGO derby car design and build activities.
• Mass AudubonminorOthersParticipating organization at STEAM Challenge Night, leading nature and environmental activities.
• Latinas413minorOthersParticipating organization at STEAM Challenge Night. Liliana Atanacio, FCI educator, is co-president and founder of Latinas413.
• Mount Everett RoboticsminorOthersParticipating organization at STEAM Challenge Night, leading robotics challenges.
• Berkshire Sterile ManufacturingminorOthersParticipating organization at STEAM Challenge Night, demonstrating science and manufacturing processes.
• Berkshire DesignminorOthersParticipating organization at STEAM Challenge Night, hosting design challenges.
• BeatNestminorOthersParticipating organization at STEAM Challenge Night, demonstrating electro music stations.
• Boyd BioMedicalminorOthersParticipating organization at STEAM Challenge Night, demonstrating materials at 100x magnification.
• Shakespeare & CompanyminorOthersVenue partner for community events including YWIS workshops and Yachad Chanukah project. Host of Community Day where FCI participates.
• Berkshire AthenaeumminorOthersPittsfield's Public Library, venue for REEL GOOD film screening showcasing FCI and other nonprofits.
• Berkshire United WayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizer of 10x the Fun Festival where FCI provides children's activities. Partnership through Spring Volunteer Fair.
• Berkshire Botanical GardenminorOthersVenue partner for Holiday Marketplace where FCI hosts snowflake and crystal formation activities for kids.
• Elyse Harney Real EstateminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness sponsor and supporter of FCI events. Represented at S•M•Arty Party and other events.
• Onyx Specialty PapersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of 40th Anniversary Celebration Events.
• Warrior TradingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of 40th Anniversary Celebration Events.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Girls Inc. Girls Inc. is a national nonprofit providing after-school and summer programming that includes STEM education for girls and underserved youth, serving as a broader incumbent analog to FCI's girls-in-STEM focus.
• Science Museum of Minnesota: Science Museum of Minnesota is a large informal STEM-learning institution delivering hands-on science education, summer camps, and educator programs — a broader incumbent analog of FCI's experiential STEAM model.

Direct peers

• Club SciKidz: Club SciKidz operates STEM-focused summer day camps and after-school programs for elementary and middle schoolers, mirroring Flying Cloud's S•M•Art Summer Studios and MakerSpaces offerings.
• TechGirlz: TechGirlz is a nonprofit focused on closing the gender gap in STEM through free hands-on workshops and camps for girls, paralleling Flying Cloud's Young Women in Science and Girls Science Clubs.
• Iridescent: Iridescent is a STEM education nonprofit delivering hands-on engineering and science programs for underserved youth, families, and educators — comparable mission and target population to FCI's school and community-based STEAM work.
• Black Girls CODE: Black Girls CODE runs workshops, hackathons, and summer camps introducing girls of color to computer science and STEM — overlapping with FCI's YWIS, Girls Science Clubs, and Girls in Tech Hackathon programming.
• Engineering For Kids: Engineering For Kids delivers STEM enrichment (engineering, coding, robotics) through after-school programs, summer camps, and in-school workshops for K-8 youth — closely aligned with Flying Cloud's MakerSpaces and Future Innovators Camp.
• Mad Science: Mad Science runs hands-on science enrichment programs, summer camps, after-school workshops and in-school residencies for children — directly comparable to Flying Cloud's S•M•Art Labs, MakerSpaces, and school residency model.

Emerging players

• Science Buddies: Science Buddies provides free K-12 STEM project resources, educator guides, and hands-on science activities that overlap with Flying Cloud's at-home S•M•Art Kits and in-school curriculum approach.

Regional players

• Berkshire Museum: Berkshire Museum is a regional museum partner that hosts STEAM Challenge Night and other FCI events; it operates a science education mission in the same Berkshire geography and serves as a local peer in informal STEAM learning.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/FlyingCloudInst
• Facebookfacebook.com/FlyingCloudInstitute
• Instagraminstagram.com/flyingcloudinstitute
• Xx.com/FlyingCloudInst
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flying-cloud-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Flying Cloud Institute