Bringing Theory to Practice

What Bringing Theory to Practice does

Bringing Theory to Practice (BT2P) is a non-profit national initiative founded in 2003 and hosted by Elon University in Elon, North Carolina, with primary financial support from The Endeavor Foundation. Its mission is to advance the core purposes of higher education — holistic learning, preparation for meaningful work and democratic citizenship, contribution to community wellbeing, and whole-person flourishing — by supporting campus transformation across nearly 600 U.S. colleges and universities. BT2P works through four primary mechanisms: grantmaking (Demonstration Site Grants, Program Development Grants, Multi-Institutional Innovation Grants, Campus Dialogue Grants, and Well-Being Research Grants), convening and network-building (Changemakers Network, Emerging Models Community of Practice, multi-institutional collaboratories), publications and media (seven books, special journal issues, the biweekly "Bringing It" newsletter, "The Way Forward" podcast, and "The Paradigm Conversations" video series), and narrative-change advocacy.

Its current strategic focus is the Paradigm Project, launched in 2022 as a multiyear initiative to develop new models of holistic, inclusive, engaged education, support institutional changemakers, and catalyze systemic change in higher education. The Paradigm Project rests on three pillars: transformative institutional change, integrative campus-wide collaboration, and networked movement building. BT2P also operates partnerships with organizations including AAC&U, Campus Compact, Project Pericles, American Democracy Project, Imagining America, Bonner Foundation, the Healthy Minds Network, The Jed Foundation, The Steve Fund, NYU's Network for Improvement and Innovation in College Health, and the 20x30 Learning and Action Network, and is a member of the Civic Learning and Democracy Engagement Coalition.

BT2P is not a technology company and does not develop proprietary technology products; its offerings are programmatic, editorial, and convening-based. The organization employs 7 staff and is governed by an advisory board. Revenue mechanics consist entirely of foundation grants and institutional support rather than commercial sales, with The Endeavor Foundation as the primary funder. BT2P's customers are higher-education institutions receiving grants, publications, and network participation rather than paying buyers, which means traditional customer-concentration analysis applies more to funder dependency than to recipient concentration.

Name

Bringing Theory to Practice

Legal name

Bringing Theory to Practice

Website

https://bttop.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Bringing Theory to Practice is a non-profit national initiative hosted by Elon University and funded by The Endeavor Foundation that advances higher-education transformation through grants, convenings, publications, and networks serving nearly 600 U.S. colleges and universities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Transformation Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Intergovernmental Education Cooperation & Bilateral/Multilateral Programs (EDADALAA)

Keywords

• Higher education initiatives
• Civic engagement programs
• Student wellbeing programs
• Holistic learning grants
• Educational changemaking

Headquarters

HQ city

Elon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants and Support: BT2P is a national initiative hosted by Elon University with generous support from The Endeavor Foundation. The organization operates through grant funding to advance its mission of transforming higher education around holistic learning, civic engagement, and student wellbeing.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BT2P is a national initiative that advances holistic, transformative change in higher education by providing grants, convenings, publications, and multi-institutional collaboration to colleges and universities. Its work centers on civic engagement, student wellbeing, and integrative learning, currently channeled through the Paradigm Project, a multi-year systemic change initiative launched in 2022. The organization also runs community-of-practice programs, the PLACE Collaboratory, podcasts, video series, and a publications library of seven books and journal special issues.

Product overview

Bringing Theory to Practice (BT2P) is a national initiative focused on advancing transformative change in higher education. The organization operates as a networked collaborative rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings include The Paradigm Project (its primary multiyear initiative for systemic higher education transformation), The PLACE Collaboratory (a humanities-based civic engagement network), various publications (seven books and journal special issues), media resources (The Way Forward Podcast, The Paradigm Conversations video series), and a biweekly newsletter (Bringing It). BT2P also operates community-building programs including the Institutional Changemakers Network, Emerging Models Community of Practice, and Curriculum Collaboratory. These offerings work together to advance BT2P's mission of holistic, equitable, and engaged education through grant-making, convening, publications, and networked collaboration across nearly 600 colleges and universities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Paradigm Project: Multi-year initiative to develop new models of holistic, inclusive, engaged education and catalyze systemic change in higher education
• PLACE Collaboratory
• The Way Forward Podcast
• The Paradigm Conversations
• Bringing It

Products and services

• BT2P Publications Library A library of seven published books and two journal special issues covering civic engagement, student well-being, and holistic education, available for free download from the BT2P website.
• The PLACE Collaboratory E-Book A multi-media digital book titled 'The PLACE Collaboratory: Higher Education, Community Engagement, and the Public Humanities' documenting the PLACE Collaboratory projects, partners, and learnings.
• The Way Forward Podcast A podcast series titled 'The Way Forward: Higher Education in a Time of Crisis' addressing crises facing higher education and featuring conversations with educational leaders and changemakers.
• The Paradigm Conversations Video Series A video series partnership with Bryan Alexander's Future Trends Forum presenting episodes featuring educational leaders and changemakers connected to the Paradigm Project, exploring inclusive leadership, equity-minded student success, and institutional innovation.

Quantifiable outcome

• BT2P has worked with nearly 600 colleges and universities since 2003
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Bryan Alexander's Future Trends ForummajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024BT2P partnered with Bryan Alexander's Future Trends Forum to produce 'The Paradigm Conversations' video series featuring educational leaders and changemakers connected with BT2P's Paradigm Project.
• AAC&U (Association of American Colleges and Universities)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022BT2P collaborates with AAC&U on conferences and publications including the annual AAC&U Annual Meeting and joint initiatives on curriculum and career innovation.
• Elon UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003BT2P is a national initiative hosted by Elon University in North Carolina. Elon University serves as the institutional home and provides infrastructure and support for BT2P's operations and programs.
• Imagining AmericamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBT2P works closely with Imagining America as part of the Civic Learning and Democratic Education Action Network, collaborating on civic engagement and democratic education initiatives.
• Campus CompactmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBT2P collaborates with Campus Compact on national civic learning and democratic education efforts, sharing resources and participating in joint initiatives.
• Project PericlesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBT2P partners with Project Pericles on civic engagement initiatives, including the Pericles Civic Fellowship program supporting faculty and staff at higher education institutions.
• American Democracy ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBT2P works with the American Democracy Project as part of collaborative efforts to build an academy committed to democratic civic life and social justice.
• Institute for Democracy in Higher EducationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBT2P collaborates with the Institute for Democracy in Higher Education on civic learning and democratic engagement initiatives.
• Bonner FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBT2P partners with the Bonner Foundation on civic engagement and community service initiatives, including the annual Bonner Summer Leadership Institute.
• Healthy Minds NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBT2P works with and learns from the Healthy Minds Network on student well-being research and initiatives.
• The Jed FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBT2P collaborates with The Jed Foundation on student mental health and well-being programming and research.
• The Steve FundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBT2P works with The Steve Fund on well-being initiatives specifically focused on supporting students of color.
• Network for Improvement and Innovation in College Health (NYU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBT2P collaborates with NYU's Network for Improvement and Innovation in College Health on student well-being research and improvement initiatives.
• 20x30 Learning and Action NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBT2P is a partner in the 20x30 Learning and Action Network, a consortium to improve the health and well-being of 20 million college students by 2030.
• PHENND (Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBT2P partners with PHENND on conferences and civic engagement initiatives in the Philadelphia region.
• Civic Learning and Democracy Engagement CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBT2P participates in the Civic Learning and Democracy Engagement Coalition, contributing to guides and initiatives for civic learning in higher education.
• Centre for Belonging in EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBT2P collaborates with the UK-based Centre for Belonging in Education on transatlantic teaching fellowship opportunities at Elon University.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• AAC&U (Association of American Colleges and Universities): Larger, established membership association for colleges and universities focused on liberal education, quality, and inclusive excellence. BT2P collaborates with AAC&U on conferences and publications and operates in overlapping spaces (curricular redesign, civic engagement, holistic learning).
• American Democracy Project (AASCU): Multi-campus initiative of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities focused on advancing civic engagement and democratic practice. BT2P works with the American Democracy Project as a coalition partner on civic learning initiatives.

Direct peers

• Campus Compact: National coalition of colleges and universities advancing civic and community engagement in higher education. BT2P works directly with Campus Compact on civic learning initiatives and serves a similar audience of institutional change-makers.
• Imagining America: Consortium of colleges and universities advancing public humanities and community-engaged arts. BT2P partners with Imagining America in the Civic Learning and Democratic Education Action Network, and PLACE Collaboratory's work directly overlaps.
• Project Pericles: Consortium that promotes civic engagement within the liberal arts curriculum at colleges and universities. BT2P co-runs the Pericles Civic Fellowship program with Project Pericles, sharing similar goals of embedding civic purpose in higher education.
• Bonner Foundation: Foundation supporting student civic engagement and community service programs at colleges and universities, including the Bonner Scholar Program. BT2P collaborates with the Bonner Foundation on civic engagement initiatives and the Summer Leadership Institute.
• Healthy Minds Network: Research-to-practice network conducting surveys on student mental health and well-being. BT2P collaborates with the Healthy Minds Network on student well-being research, overlapping in target audience and mission focus.

Emerging players

• The Jed Foundation: Nonprofit protecting youth and young adult emotional health and preventing suicide, with strong campus programs. BT2P collaborates with the Jed Foundation on student mental health and well-being programming, working with similar institutional buyers.
• Ashoka U: Initiative of Ashoka that works with colleges and universities to embed changemaker education across disciplines. BT2P's holistic-learning and changemaker framing overlaps with Ashoka U's focus on institutional transformation.

Regional players

• Netter Center for Community Partnerships (University of Pennsylvania): University-based center advancing community-engaged scholarship and service learning. Like BT2P, it promotes civic engagement and community-based learning in higher education, though as a single-institution model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/BT2P
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkQBhQkL2nN7VjS8xX8Kq

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Bringing Theory to Practice