Consortium of Christian Study Centers (CCSC)

What Consortium of Christian Study Centers (CCSC) does

The Consortium of Christian Study Centers (CCSC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization founded in 2008 and headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia. It serves as the backbone infrastructure for a network of 37+ independent Christian Study Centers located at secular universities across the United States and the United Kingdom, collectively operating 188,618 square feet of student-facing space. CCSC does not own or operate the individual study centers; instead, it provides consulting, board training, strategic planning support, a Start a Center Toolkit, and peer networking to help centers launch, sustain, and improve programming such as lectures, fellows programs, reading groups, and residential hospitality aimed at Christian students and faculty.

The organization's core products and services include a signature Annual Meeting (drawing ~150 attendees, with member tickets priced at $375 and non-member tickets at $475), the Dorothy Sayers Fellowship (formerly the Internship Program, a national young-professionals pipeline funded by $500K+ in foundation grants), the Periscope monthly newsletter, The Raised Hand Substack essay service, a Resources Library of book/film discussion guides, a Prayer Initiative, and a Partner Organizations program with roughly 32 affiliates. Its underlying technology stack is modest: a WordPress website with a Study Center Portal for member-only resources, email newsletter distribution, and standard online donation processing via Bloomerang and PayPal Giving Fund.

CCSC's revenue model is a diversified nonprofit mix: individual donations (including the Circle of Sustainers monthly giving program), partner organization membership dues reviewed by a Membership Committee, foundation grants, Annual Meeting registration fees, and a newly launched capital campaign. The organization employs roughly 10–12 full-time and part-time staff (including Executive Director Karl E. Johnson, Director of Strategic Initiatives Frederick Barber, Director of Advancement Jeff Haanen, and Communications Manager Karlee Bowlby) supplemented by a nine-person intern cohort. Funding milestones include $500K+ in 2021 foundation grants for the Internship Program and a $1M pledge received in January 2025 to endow the Executive Director position in honor of founding director Drew Trotter and his wife Marie.

Name

Consortium of Christian Study Centers (CCSC)

Legal name

Consortium of Christian Study Centers

Website

https://cscmovement.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Consortium of Christian Study Centers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that provides consulting, training, the Annual Meeting, and the Dorothy Sayers Fellowship to a network of 37+ independent Christian Study Centers at secular universities across the United States and United Kingdom.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Professional Organizations (81392), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

• Christian study centers
• Nonprofit consortium services
• University ministry programs
• Higher education networking
• Faith and learning integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlottesville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The Consortium accepts donations from individuals who support the mission of advancing Christian learning at secular universities. Donations are tax-deductible as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
2. Circle of Sustainers (Monthly Giving): Monthly recurring donations from sustainers who join the Circle of Sustainers network dedicated to advancing Christian learning on secular college and university campuses.
3. Partner Organization Membership Dues: Partner organizations pay membership dues to be part of the CCSC network. Applications are reviewed by the Membership Committee of the Board of Directors.
4. Annual Meeting Registration Fees: Registration fees for the Annual Meeting: $375 for member study center or partner organization attendees, $475 for non-members, and $90 for spouse track.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Consortium of Christian Study Centers (CCSC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that supports Christian Study Centers located at secular universities in North America and the United Kingdom. It provides consulting, training, professional development, fellowship placement, an annual conference, partner networking, and shared resources (newsletters, discussion guides, online portal) to its 37+ member centers. The organization does not operate study centers itself; instead it serves as the backbone entity catalyzing, connecting, and empowering the broader study center movement through member services and fundraising.

Product overview

The Consortium of Christian Study Centers is a nonprofit membership organization that provides a platform of interconnected programs and services to support Christian Study Centers at universities. The core offerings include an Annual Meeting conference, The Dorothy Sayers Fellowship (national interns/fellows program), consulting services for starting new centers, a Partner Organizations network, Periscope newsletter, The Raised Hand essay service, a Resources library of discussion guides, and a Prayer Initiative. The organization connects 37+ member centers across North America and the UK through networking, training, and resource-sharing. The Consortium does not own or operate study centers directly but serves as the backbone organization catalyzing and empowering the study center movement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Dorothy Sayers Fellowship: A national Fellows Program named for Christian writer Dorothy L. Sayers, training young professionals to serve at Christian Study Centers around the country. Formerly known as the Internship Program.
• Periscope
• The Raised Hand

Products and services

• Annual Meeting
• The Dorothy Sayers Fellowship
• Consulting & Networking Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Grown from 4 founding centers in 2008 to more than 37 centers by 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• AHA FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitted to defending and promoting values that underpin a free, open, and just society. Partners with CCSC to advance the mission of Christian learning on secular university campuses.
• American Scientific AffiliationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntegrates, communicates, and facilitates properly researched science and theology in service to the Church and the scientific community. Shares CCSC's vision of advancing Christian learning.
• Arts & Entertainment MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides top quality biblical education to artists, creative professionals, clergy, and academics in art, faith, media, and culture through lectures, mentoring, podcasts, and annual showcases.
• Brazos FellowsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResidential fellowship in Waco, TX for college graduates formed through theological training, spiritual disciplines, vocational discernment, and life together. Sponsored by Christ Church Waco.
• The Carver ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization of Christian faculty at Washington University in St. Louis empowering Christian faculty and students to serve and connect university, church, and society.
• Center for Christianity and Public LifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonpartisan nonprofit civic organization contending for the credibility of Christian resources in public life, for the good of the public.
• Center for Public JusticeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAspires to a United States and world where citizens take civic responsibilities seriously as service to God, governments do justice, and citizens work together to shape public life.
• Center for Religion, Culture & DemocracyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvisions democratic societies which affirm the essential role of religious convictions, peoples, and institutions in cultivating free communities where all can flourish.
• Christian History InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Christian history resources and self-study material at low or no cost, bringing the story of the church to the people of the church through images, storytelling, video, and internet resources.
• Ciceronian Society FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquips and encourages Christian scholars to serve the church as a center of cultural and civic renewal through events, publications, and podcasts.
• Comenius InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelieves ideas change people and people change culture. Provides a meeting between Christian wisdom and university life through classroom teaching combined with faculty engagement.
• The Davenant InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRetrieves the riches of classical Protestantism to renew and build up the contemporary church through networks, publishing, and training.
• Evangelical Theological SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1949, devoted to the inerrancy and inspiration of Scriptures and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Publishes Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society.
• The Fellows InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of Christian discipleship and leadership development programs for recent college graduates, inspiring and equipping emerging leaders for marketplace, church, and society.
• Fellowship for Performing ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrings national hit productions to major colleges and universities at NO COST, using performing arts to spark thoughtful conversations about life, faith and truth.
• The FOCUS GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides strategic planning, feasibility studies, capital campaign and targeted advancement counsel to nonprofits around the US, building the kingdom of God through relational fundraising.
• Global Faculty InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromotes integration of Christian faith and academic disciplines by bringing theologians into conversation with scholars across faculties in research universities worldwide.
• Gordon CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the nation's premier Christian colleges located north of Boston, preparing students for spiritual, intellectual, relational and professional readiness.
• InterVarsity Graduate & Faculty MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterVarsity's network of fellowships and ministry among graduate/professional-school students and university faculty across the US.
• Langham Partnership USAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks to see churches equipped for mission and growing to maturity in Christ through ministry of pastors and leaders who believe, teach and live by the Word of God.
• New College BerkeleyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelps the Church discern and contextualize the way of Christ, cultivating theological imagination and spiritual friendship through workshops, classes, retreats, and writing.
• The Oxford PastorateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric Anglican chaplaincy serving Oxford University students since 1893, focusing on postgraduate and research community with welcome, pastoral care, and big questions conversations.
• Plough Publishing HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational magazine of stories, ideas, and culture appearing weekly online and quarterly in print, asking big questions about living well together.
• PreachFor FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIdentifies and empowers a new generation of talented young leaders through experience, education, and mentorship to help churches reach their full potential.
• Regent CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst graduate school of theology in North America to make education of the laity its central focus, founded in 1968 in Vancouver, BC.
• Scala FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrengthens classical liberal arts education and promotes authentic human wellbeing through dinner seminars, intellectual retreats, and conferences.
• Society of Christian ScholarsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquips Christian academics to have a missional and redemptive influence for Christ among their students, colleagues, institutions, and academic disciplines.
• Theological Education InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides theological resources to campus and church leaders of Central Missouri through a theological library, workshops, conferences, and accredited education.
• Trinity Anglican SeminaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal center for Christian formation in the evangelical Anglican tradition, producing outstanding leaders who can plant, renew, and grow churches.
• Trinity ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitates seminars, discussions, retreats, and lectures for thousands of leaders in North America, Europe, and Asia since 1991, cultivating networks of leaders to renew culture.
• Veritas ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 1992, has held over 200 Forums at universities in North America and Europe, placing historic Christian faith in dialogue with other beliefs and inviting pursuit of Truth.
• Wilberforce International InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrains college-age students to be redemptive change agents in their home societies, bringing the truth of a Christian worldview to bear on deepest needs.
• Windrider InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUses film to engage thoughtful conversations on significant topics, active in Christian colleges, theological seminaries, and faith-driven communities through the Sundance Film Festival.
• Wycliffe HallminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPermanent Private Hall of the University of Oxford teaching from an evangelical perspective while maintaining academic excellence.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Center for Public Justice: A nonpartisan Christian civic-policy nonprofit advancing citizenship and faith-driven engagement in public life. Overlap with CCSC's mission of connecting Christian faith with academic and public vocations; current CCSC partner.
• Society of Christian Scholars: A scholarly society equipping Christian academics to integrate faith with their disciplines; CCSC partner. Comparable membership-association model serving overlapping faculty constituency.
• The Fellows Initiative: A network of post-college Christian discipleship and leadership development programs for recent graduates — overlapping audience with CCSC's Dorothy Sayers Fellowship. Existing CCSC partner.
• Veritas Forum: A nonprofit that hosts public forums at research universities placing Christian thought in dialogue with other worldviews. Direct functional overlap with CCSC's mission of bringing faithful Christian presence to secular universities; a current CCSC partner.
• InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA: A large parachurch organization running Christian community and formation programming on secular college campuses, with overlapping constituency of Christian students and faculty. CCSC's Graduate & Faculty Ministries division is already a partner organization.
• Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU): A 501(c)(3) consortium of Christian institutions that, like CCSC, operates as a membership-based nonprofit supporting Christian higher education through shared services, conferences, and policy advocacy. Most directly comparable to CCSC in structure and mission.
• Global Faculty Initiative: A network bringing theologians into conversation with Christian scholars across research universities, addressing integration of faith and academic disciplines. Comparable faculty-formation mission and current CCSC partner.
• Evangelical Theological Society: The largest scholarly society for evangelical Christian academics in North America, founded in 1949. Comparable membership-association model serving an overlapping theological-academic audience; current CCSC partner.

Broad incumbents

• Campus Compact: A larger, longer-established national coalition of colleges and universities advancing civic and community engagement in higher education. Operates as a broader membership association in higher-ed-adjacent territory.

Emerging players

• NetVUE (Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education): A network of colleges and universities focused on vocational discernment and meaning-making among undergraduates. Mission-aligned at the intersection of higher education and formation, though serving secular and faith-based institutions rather than only Christian Study Centers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/consortium-of-christian-study-centers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Consortium of Christian Study Centers (CCSC)