What Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation does

The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation (EESF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation established in 1991 and headquartered at 11 North Water Street, Mobile, Alabama. It was founded by four industry bodies — NEII, NAEC, NAESA International, and Elevator World — to deliver rider safety education for elevators, escalators, and moving walkways. The foundation targets four primary user segments: children (Safe-T-Rider), seniors (A Safe Ride), young adults (Rise Up Safe Rider), and industry professionals (SafeTAmbassador). Since inception, Safe-T-Rider materials have reached over 6 million children, teachers, and parents, and the foundation is positioned against a U.S. rider population of 330+ million and an industry workforce of 100,000+ professionals.

EESF operates a community-led, event-driven, and product-led go-to-market model. Programs are delivered through in-person Program Tours and Partner Tours to fire stations, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and community centers; through monthly Zoom webinar training sessions for SafeTAmbassador certification; and through digital channels including the SafeTRiders mobile app (Google Play, Apple App Store), the Stay Sharp, Ride Smart podcast (Spotify), and the Rider Safety Blog launched in March 2026. EESF is 100% donor-funded; all safety education programs and materials are provided free of charge to qualifying organizations, with the only paid offering being printed SafeTAmbassador certificates at $15 each. Operating geographies are primarily North America, with cross-border extension via EESFC (Canada).

The foundation is governed by a board that includes permanent representation from the four founding associations plus IUEC, Elevator U, IAEC, and CECA, with leadership comprising Executive Director Amber Catlin-Kolodziej, Operations Director Laurie Dueitt, and Program & Development Director Kelsey Nay. Strategic priorities, evidenced by recent product launches and the formalized Canadian affiliate, point toward digital distribution expansion, professionalization of the ambassador pipeline, and incremental internationalization of the rider safety mission.

Name

Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation

Legal name

Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation

Website

https://eesf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EESF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that delivers free elevator and escalator rider safety education, serving children, seniors, young adults, and industry professionals through programs, a mobile app, podcast, and certification.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

akta.pro primary industry

Safeguarding, Child Protection & Reporting Services (EDAJAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Working at Heights, Fall Protection & Scaffolding (EDABAEAH), Stair Lifts, Platform Lifts & Residential Elevator Services (HSABAJAD)

Keywords

• Elevator safety education
• Escalator rider safety
• Nonprofit safety programs
• Workplace safety training
• Public safety awareness

Headquarters

HQ city

Mobile, Alabama

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: EESF is 100% donor-funded. Contributions support educational materials, safety advertising, and mission-related expenses. The foundation accepts donations through its website and benefits from event sponsorships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation develops and disseminates free rider safety education programs for elevators, escalators, and moving walkways, targeting children, seniors, young adults, industry professionals, and community organizations. Core offerings include the Safe-T-Rider children's curriculum, A Safe Ride senior program, Rise Up Safe Rider college program, the SafeTAmbassador professional certification, the SafeTRiders mobile app, the Stay Sharp, Ride Smart podcast, and the Rider Safety Blog. The foundation is 100% donor-funded and operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Product overview

The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation offers a portfolio of rider safety education programs and tools. The core offerings include the Safe-T-Rider Children's Safety Program (for children), A Safe Ride (for seniors), and Rise Up Safe Rider (for young adults). Supporting these programs are the SafeTRiders mobile app, the SafeTAmbassador certification program for industry professionals, the Stay Sharp, Ride Smart podcast, and the Rider Safety Blog. The organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation that develops and disseminates safety materials to the public to eliminate preventable accidents on elevators and escalators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SafeTRiders: Children's elevator and escalator safety education program
• SafeTAmbassador
• A Safe Ride
• Rise Up Safe Rider

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 6 million children, teachers, and parents have received Safe-T-Rider program materials since 1991
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NEII (National Elevator Industry, Inc.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEII is one of the four founding organizations of EESF, established in 1988. NEII committed funds to develop the first Safe-T-Rider program and continues to represent the industry at the foundation's board level.
• NAEC (National Association of Elevator Contractors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAEC is a founding organization of EESF. The foundation was presented at a Bridge Builders meeting during the NAEC convention, and NAEC continues to be represented on EESF's board of directors.
• NAESA InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAESA International established the committee in 1988 that led to EESF's formation and is a founding organization. Emerald Kuhns, NAESA International Executive Director, serves as EESF Treasurer. NAESA International is presenting the 35th Anniversary Gala.
• Elevator World Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerElevator World, the industry trade publication, is a founding organization of EESF. Elevator World is presenting the 2026 EESF Golf Outing and has contributed memorials to EESF over the years.
• HydraSafe BrakeminorOthersEESF Executive Director visits industry partner HydraSafe Brake as part of the Partner Tour program to strengthen industry relationships and understanding of partner operations.
• Phoenix Modular ElevatorminorOthersEESF Partner Tour to Phoenix Modular Elevator to build industry relationships and educate partners about EESF programs.
• Access Elevator SupplyminorOthersEESF Partner Tour to Access Elevator Supply to strengthen industry partnerships and promote rider safety education.
• IUEC (International Union of Elevator Constructors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIUEC is a key industry partner. EESF participates in the IUEC Global Safety Summit and collaborates on safety initiatives that extend rider education.
• Elevator UcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEESF collaborates with Elevator U for industry education and training. Glenn Duncan from Parts Specialists Inc. represents Elevator U on EESF's board.
• IAEC (International Association of Elevator Consultants)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAEC is represented on EESF's board through Sheila Swett. EESF participates in IAEC conventions to promote rider safety education.
• CECA (Canadian Elevator Contractors Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEESF participates in CECA Convention. EESFC (Canada) is affiliated with EESF through Gord Pattison as Chair.
• EESFC (Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation Canada)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian affiliate of EESF led by Gord Pattison as Chair. Extends EESF's rider safety mission internationally.
• Elevator Association of Florida (EAOF)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEESF participates in EAOF quarterly meetings and annual events including trade shows and golf outings.
• Elevator Association of Minnesota (EAM)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEESF presents at EAM Member Meetings and Annual Golf Outings to extend rider safety education regionally.
• Chicago Elevator Association (CEA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEESF participates in CEA events including meetings at locations like Alter Brewing in Oakbrook, IL.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• International Association of Elevator Consultants (IAEC): IAEC is a global association of elevator consultants who advise on equipment selection, code compliance, and safety. It is comparable to EESF as an industry association partner that channels elevator consultants—frontline safety advisors—into EESF's SafeTAmbassador and Partner Tour programs.
• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): The U.S. CPSC is the federal agency responsible for consumer product safety, including elevator and escalator incident data and public safety communication. It is comparable to EESF as an authoritative source of consumer safety information—EESF's rider safety materials complement CPSC's incident reporting and consumer guidance for vertical transportation.
• National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC): NAEC is the U.S. trade association for elevator contractors and serves as an industry convener and education provider for elevator companies. It is comparable as a co-founding and board-represented organization of EESF that channels industry contractors into EESF's SafeTAmbassador program and provides event/convention platforms for EESF outreach.
• National Elevator Industry, Inc. (NEII): NEII is the principal U.S. trade association representing elevator, escalator, and moving walkway manufacturers. It is comparable as a governing/strategic partner organization rather than a competitor—NEII is one of EESF's four founding organizations, holds a board seat, and provides industry-level funding and credibility for EESF programs.
• International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC): IUEC is the labor union representing elevator constructor mechanics, apprentices, and helpers in North America. It is comparable to EESF as a key industry stakeholder that hosts the Global Safety Summit, provides labor-side input into rider safety programs, and serves as an amplifier of EESF's safety messaging to working elevator professionals.

Emerging players

• Elevator U: Elevator U is a U.S. nonprofit educational foundation supporting higher education and continuing education for the elevator industry. It is comparable as a sibling nonprofit education foundation in the vertical transportation space with overlapping audiences (industry professionals, building managers) and shared board representation with EESF.

Direct peers

• Safe Kids Worldwide: Safe Kids Worldwide is a global nonprofit dedicated to preventing childhood injury through education, advocacy, and community programs delivered via coalitions and partner organizations. It is directly comparable to EESF's Safe-T-Rider children's program, which uses classroom materials, teacher guides, and a network of community partners to teach injury prevention to K-12 audiences.
• American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP): ASSP is a global professional society for occupational safety and health practitioners that develops safety standards, training, and continuing education. It is comparable to EESF as a professional safety-education membership organization that delivers certification-track learning—paralleling EESF's SafeTAmbassador certification for industry professionals.
• National Safety Council: The National Safety Council is a U.S. nonprofit safety education organization that delivers free and paid safety training across topics including workplace, roadway, and home safety. It is comparable to EESF as a mission-aligned nonprofit that develops and disseminates safety curricula to schools, employers, and the public at no cost, funded by donations, sponsorships, and member dues.

Broad incumbents

• American Red Cross: The American Red Cross is the largest U.S. safety and preparedness training nonprofit, offering free and paid education across first aid, CPR, water safety, and disaster preparedness. It is comparable as a broad-incumbent safety educator that reaches millions of Americans through classroom curricula, mobile apps, and certified-instructor networks—analogous to EESF's SafeTAmbassador model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elevator-escalator-safety-foundation

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 Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation