What Elephants and Tea does

Elephants and Tea is a media platform operated by the Steven G AYA Cancer Research Fund, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Avon Lake, Ohio. The organization serves the adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer community — patients, survivors, caregivers, and supportive loved ones — by providing a dedicated forum for first-person storytelling around diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, sexuality, mental health, and grief. Its flagship product is a quarterly print and digital magazine, distributed free of charge and complemented by a weekly Friday email newsletter, a podcast (AYA Cancer: Unfiltered), and a website archive categorized across Patients, Survivorship, Caregivers, Dear Cancer, and Sexuality content verticals.

The organization's product surface extends well beyond publishing. It runs a portfolio of community programs including the Perkatory virtual author reading series, Elephants and Tea Happy Hour, AYA POWER, One Herd, YA Cancer Camp, YA Cancer Gabfest, Calves and Cocoa, Healing Through Writing Workshops led by Kayla, Guided Yoga Nidra Meditation with Momma G, and the annual Storytelling Soiree Fundraiser. The underlying technology stack is conventional: a content management system for story publication, nxtbook for digital magazine distribution, Zoom for virtual programming, Bonfire for branded merchandise, and Classy for donation processing.

As a nonprofit, Elephants and Tea generates no subscription or licensing revenue. Its operating budget is funded by individual charitable donations, branded merchandise sales, proceeds from the annual Storytelling Soiree Fundraiser, and corporate sponsorships from a portfolio of pharmaceutical and healthcare companies that includes Pfizer, Novartis, Genentech, Eli Lilly, Eisai, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Syndax, Servier Pharmaceuticals, Natera, and Walgreens, as well as partnerships with advocacy organizations such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (Blood Cancer United), Tigerlily Foundation, Teen Cancer America, Cactus Cancer Society, Young Adults Survivors United, Triage Cancer, James Cancer Center, and Man Up to Cancer.

Name

Elephants and Tea

Legal name

Steven G AYA Cancer Research Fund

Website

https://elephantsandtea.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Elephants and Tea is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit media platform that publishes a quarterly magazine, weekly newsletter, and podcast, and runs community programs for adolescent and young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Avon Lake

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Elephants and Tea relies on donations from individuals and organizations to fund its operations. The website prominently features donation links through Classy.org.
2. Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Sponsorship: The organization receives support from pharmaceutical companies and healthcare organizations including Pfizer, Eisai, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Genentech, Lilly, Syndax, Servier Pharmaceuticals, Natera, and Walgreens, who sponsor the platform and its programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Elephants and Tea is a nonprofit media platform that publishes a quarterly print and digital magazine featuring personal stories from adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Beyond the magazine, the organization runs a podcast, a weekly email newsletter, writing workshops, virtual meditation sessions (Yoga Nidra), a virtual reading series (Perkatory), peer-support events (Happy Hour, Gabfest, AYA POWER, One Herd), and community/fundraising events — all delivered free to the AYA cancer community.

Product overview

Elephants and Tea is a media platform operated by the Steven G. Cancer Foundation (a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit) that provides a forum for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients and survivors to share their stories. The core offering is the Elephants and Tea Magazine, a quarterly print and digital publication featuring personal narratives. This is complemented by multiple programs including the AYA Cancer: Unfiltered Podcast, MY LIFE Matters content, Perkatory virtual author readings, Elephants and Tea Happy Hour social events, AYA POWER empowerment initiatives, Healing Through Writing Workshops, Guided Yoga Nidra Meditation with Momma G, One Herd community building, Calves and Cocoa, YA Cancer Camp, YA Cancer Gabfest, and the Storytelling Soiree Fundraiser. Additional services include a Weekly Email Newsletter (sent Fridays) and curated AYA Cancer Resources through partner organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AYA Cancer: Unfiltered Podcast: Podcast focused on adolescent and young adult cancer topics
• Calves and Cocoa
• Perkatory
• One Herd
• MY LIFE Matters
• AYA POWER
• Elephants and Tea Happy Hour

Products and services

• Elephants and Tea Magazine

Quantifiable outcome

• Free quarterly print/digital magazine distributed to subscribers
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Blood Cancer United (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBlood Cancer United, affiliated with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, sponsors Elephants and Tea's mission to support the AYA cancer community.
• I'm Not Done Yet FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation supporting cancer survivors and advocating for those living with cancer, partners with Elephants and Tea.
• Syndax PharmaceuticalscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company sponsoring Elephants and Tea's platform and programs for the AYA cancer community.
• Servier PharmaceuticalscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company supporting Elephants and Tea through the 'Moved by You' initiative.
• PfizercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor pharmaceutical company sponsoring Elephants and Tea and its Living With Cancer program.
• EisaicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company supporting Elephants and Tea's mission.
• Jazz PharmaceuticalscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company sponsoring Elephants and Tea.
• WalgreenscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRetail pharmacy partner supporting Elephants and Tea's cancer medication support resources.
• Tigerlily FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBreast cancer advocacy organization focused on women of color, partnering with Elephants and Tea.
• Teen Cancer AmericacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization dedicated to improving the lives of teens and young adults with cancer, partnering with Elephants and Tea.
• NateracoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiagnostics company specializing in cell-free DNA testing, sponsoring Elephants and Tea.
• NovartiscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal pharmaceutical company sponsoring Elephants and Tea.
• GenentechcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBiotechnology company sponsoring Elephants and Tea.
• Eli Lilly and CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company sponsoring Elephants and Tea.
• Cactus Cancer SocietycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCancer support organization providing programs for young adults, partnering with Elephants and Tea.
• Young Adults Survivors UnitedcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupport organization for young adult cancer survivors, partnering with Elephants and Tea.
• Triage CancercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCancer legal and financial navigation nonprofit, partnering with Elephants and Tea.
• James Cancer Center (Care for Life Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe James Cancer Center partners with Elephants and Tea to host support events through their 'Care for Life' program, providing community support for cancer patients.
• Man Up to CancercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMen's cancer support organization that partners with Elephants and Tea to provide brotherhood and community for male cancer patients and survivors.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stupid Cancer: The leading US nonprofit specifically serving the AYA (adolescent and young adult) cancer community through advocacy, programs, and storytelling. Operates in the same exact niche as Elephants and Tea and competes for the same audience, sponsorships, and donor dollars.
• Teen Cancer America: Organization dedicated to improving the lives of teens and young adults with cancer. Listed as a partner of Elephants and Tea but operates comparable AYA-focused programming, education, and hospital partnerships, making it a direct peer.
• First Descents: Nonprofit offering outdoor adventure experiences for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions. Comparable to Elephants and Tea's YA Cancer Camp and program-driven community model for the AYA demographic.
• Young Adults Survivors United (YASU): Support organization for young adult cancer survivors offering community programming and resources. Listed as a partner of Elephants and Tea and competes for the same young-adult survivor audience and sponsor relationships.
• Young Survival Coalition: Nonprofit focused on young adults diagnosed with breast cancer, providing resources, support, and community. Comparable to Elephants and Tea in its AYA-cancer focus, storytelling/community model, and reliance on healthcare sponsorships.
• Cactus Cancer Society: Cancer support organization providing programs and community for young adults affected by cancer. Listed as a partner of Elephants and Tea, with overlapping AYA programming (creative workshops, community events) that targets the same demographic.
• Lacuna Loft: Nonprofit providing lifestyle support, creative outlets, and community for young adult cancer survivors and caregivers. Operates in the same AYA storytelling/wellness program niche as Elephants and Tea.

Broad incumbents

• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (Blood Cancer United): Large incumbent blood cancer nonprofit that sponsors Elephants and Tea through its Blood Cancer United brand. Operates adjacent AYA programs and competes for sponsor and donor dollars in the same space, but with vastly broader scope.

Emerging players

• Tigerlily Foundation: Breast cancer advocacy organization focused on women of color. Listed as a partner of Elephants and Tea and operates adjacent AYA-focused storytelling and support programming in a more demographically defined sub-segment.
• Triage Cancer: Cancer legal and financial navigation nonprofit partnering with Elephants and Tea. While focused on a different sub-service (legal/financial navigation vs. storytelling), it serves overlapping AYA and caregiver audiences and competes for similar sponsorships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ElephantsTea
• Facebookfacebook.com/ElephantsandTea
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elephants-and-tea
• Instagraminstagram.com/elephantsandteamagazine

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Elephants and Tea