PIE Network
PIE Network is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit membership organization that connects 197 state, local, and national education advocacy organizations across 38 U.S. states through curated policy resources, leadership training, peer learning communities, and an AI Policy Hub.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What PIE Network does
PIE Network is a Minneapolis-based 501(c)-style nonprofit membership organization founded circa 2006 that connects, strengthens, and catalyzes the work of education advocates across the United States. It operates a diverse, nonpartisan network spanning 144 state and local member organizations, 53 national member organizations, more than 2,000 individual advocates, and 38 states plus D.C. The organization serves two primary customer segments — state and local education advocacy organizations (charter associations, parent advocacy groups, community-based reform organizations) and national education policy partners — by providing a convening function that spans political and ideological differences.
PIE Network's core offerings are delivered through a WordPress-based website platform with member login: Policy Portals (member-only curated content libraries covering accountability, assessment, literacy, college/career pathways, and other verticals); the AI Policy Hub (co-developed with Bellwether and funded by the Walton Family Foundation, providing AI policy learning labs and a State Advocacy Learning Cohort); the Leadership Institute (a $2,500/participant, year-long cohort-based professional development program that has trained 200+ advocates since its first cohort in 2013); The Eddies (an annual peer-nominated awards program); Communities of Practice (policy-specific member groups such as College and Career Pathways, Literacy, Assessment and Accountability, and Math Multipliers); and an NLP-driven "Ask Eddie" chat assistant for website visitor support. Content includes video interviews, research, polling/messaging resources, 50-state scans, advocacy case studies, and model legislation.
The organization runs on a hybrid revenue model combining membership dues from 197 member organizations, Leadership Institute tuition (where PIE itself covers over two-thirds of program costs via funders), and grant funding from foundations including the Walton Family Foundation. Distribution is direct: organizations self-register through the website using member organization email addresses, executives apply competitively for the Leadership Institute, and state teams apply competitively for AI Policy Hub cohorts. Marketing is community-led, anchored by an annual Summit, Executives' Meetings, weekly/bi-weekly email newsletters, social media (X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram), and a blog and resources hub. The organization employs roughly 20 staff.
PIE Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PIE Network
- Legal name
- PIE Network
- Website
- https://pie-network.org
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- PIE Network is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit membership organization that connects 197 state, local, and national education advocacy organizations across 38 U.S. states through curated policy resources, leadership training, peer learning communities, and an AI Policy Hub.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PIE Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Education Advocacy Network
- NAICS
- Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Education Policy, Research & Advocacy Organizations (Nonprofit) (BPAGADAN)
Keywords
Where PIE Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
PIE Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: PIE Network connects state and local education advocacy organizations and national policy partners through membership. Organizations join the network to access exclusive tools, resources, events, and professional development opportunities.
- Leadership Institute Tuition: The Leadership Institute charges $2,500 per participant for the year-long cohort-based leadership program, which includes professional development, meals, and lodging at in-person meetings. PIE Network covers over two-thirds of program costs through funders. Limited scholarships available based on organizational budget and need.
- Grant Funding: PIE Network receives support from funders including the Walton Family Foundation for specific initiatives like the AI Policy Hub, as well as other foundations and organizations committed to education advocacy capacity building.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Leadership Institute Program - Cohort-based professional development for education advocacy leaders |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
PIE Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PIE Network is a nonprofit membership organization that connects, strengthens, and catalyzes education advocacy organizations across U.S. states and ideologies. It provides members with curated policy resources through online portals, cohort-based leadership development programs, policy-specific Communities of Practice, an annual awards program, and convening events such as the annual Summit and Executives' Meetings. Membership is offered to state/local education advocacy organizations, charter school associations, and national policy partners.
Product overview
PIE Network is a membership network for education advocates that operates as a unified platform with multiple integrated programs and services. The core offering includes Policy Portals (member-only curated resources), the AI Policy Hub (AI policy support in partnership with Bellwether), the Leadership Institute (cohort-based professional development), The Eddies (annual awards), Communities of Practice (policy-specific groups), and a Blog/Resources/Events platform. These components work together to connect, strengthen, and catalyze education advocacy across states and ideologies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Policy Portals Members-only curated policy and advocacy resource portals providing access to video interviews with field leaders, research, polling and messaging resources, evidence of impact, state legislation trackers, 50-state scans, advocacy case studies, and model legislation, available to staff of member and partner organizations.
- AI Policy Hub A resource and learning platform developed in partnership with Bellwether that provides education advocates with AI policy expertise, including an AI Policy Learning Lab with landscape scans, issue briefs, and expert guidance, plus a State Advocacy Learning Cohort for state-based teams, supported by the Walton Family Foundation.
- Leadership Institute A cohort-based, year-long leadership development program for executive directors and senior leaders of member organizations, focused on leading change in complex political climates with world-class facilitators and experiential learning, charged at $2,500 per participant with PIE Network covering over two-thirds of program costs through funders.
- The Eddies Annual advocate-nominated and voted awards ceremony recognizing outstanding policy and advocacy wins across multiple categories including Game Changer Campaign of the Year, Weaver of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Defense, and Best Implementation.
- Communities of Practice Policy-specific member-driven groups including College and Career Pathways, Assessment and Accountability, Literacy, and Math Multipliers, each providing virtual programming, in-person working meetings, site visits, resources, and collaborative learning opportunities.
- Blog, Resources, & Events Platform A content platform featuring blogs, curated resources, and event listings covering policy topics across accountability, assessments, CTE, charter schools, data systems, early learning, education funding, educator topics, literacy, and student wellbeing.
Quantifiable outcome
- 200+ advocates trained through Leadership Institute since 2013
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use PIE Network
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
PIE Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature3 records
PIE Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- BellwethercorePIE Network and Bellwether partnered on the AI Policy Hub to connect education advocacy organizations with resources, support, and national AI education sector experts. The partnership offers the AI Policy Learning Lab, State Advocacy Learning Cohort, and field-building thought leadership on AI in education policy. Bellwether contributes expertise through the Learning Systems series and produces publications, policy briefs, and webinars.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
PIE Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- TNTP (The New Teacher Project): TNTP is a national nonprofit focused on teacher effectiveness and education policy. An actual PIE Network member participating in learning site visits; comparable in operating at the intersection of education research and policy advocacy.
- Chiefs for Change: Chiefs for Change is a bipartisan network of state and district education leaders focused on improving education outcomes. Comparable to PIE Network's leadership development and policy advocacy model, though targeted at system leaders rather than advocacy organizations.
- Bellwether Education Partners: Bellwether is an education-focused nonprofit that provides research and consulting on education policy. PIE Network's strategic partner on the AI Policy Hub; highly comparable as a thought-leadership and capacity-building organization in the same policy domain.
- Education Trust: Education Trust is a national nonprofit advancing excellence and equity in education through advocacy, research, and community engagement. Direct peer in education policy advocacy with similar member-network and policy resource model.
- 50CAN: 50CAN is a 50-state education advocacy network that recruits and trains local advocates to push for policy change, sharing PIE Network's "big tent" approach across states. Direct peer in the education advocacy network category.
- Teach Plus: Teach Plus is a national teacher-led advocacy organization developing teacher leaders to shape education policy. PIE Network members include Teach Plus Mississippi, indicating direct overlap; both organizations operate in the teacher-voice-in-policy space.
- National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ): NCTQ is a national policy research and advocacy organization focused on increasing the number of effective teachers. NCTQ is an actual PIE Network member (Heather Peske quoted), making it a direct peer with overlapping policy focus.
Emerging players
- CRPE (Center on Reinventing Public Education): CRPE is a research and policy organization focused on transforming public education through innovative approaches. Overlaps with PIE Network's policy research and innovation-focused work but emphasizes research output over member convening.
Broad incumbents
- Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO): CCSSO is a nonpartisan nationwide membership organization for public officials who lead state education agencies. A broader incumbent in education policy leadership with convening functions comparable to PIE Network.
- National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE): NASBE is a nonpartisan association representing state boards of education, providing policy resources and convening state education leaders. Operates in the same policy network space with broader institutional remit.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
PIE Network social profiles
Digital presencePIE Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PIE Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
PIE Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PIE Network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PIE Network
What does PIE Network do?
PIE Network is a nonprofit membership organization that connects, strengthens, and catalyzes education advocacy organizations across U.S. states and ideologies. It provides members with curated policy resources through online portals, cohort-based leadership development programs, policy-specific Communities of Practice, an annual awards program, and convening events such as the annual Summit and Executives' Meetings. Membership is offered to state/local education advocacy organizations, charter school associations, and national policy partners.
Is PIE Network a public or private company?
PIE Network is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was PIE Network founded?
PIE Network was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is PIE Network based?
PIE Network is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does PIE Network make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are leadership Institute Tuition and grant Funding.
Who are PIE Network's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are TNTP (The New Teacher Project), Chiefs for Change, Bellwether Education Partners, Education Trust, 50CAN, Teach Plus and National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ). CRPE (Center on Reinventing Public Education) is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE).
Does PIE Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for PIE Network.
What industry is PIE Network in?
PIE Network's product category is Education Advocacy Network. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAN, Education Policy, Research & Advocacy Organizations (Nonprofit). Its NAICS code is 8133 and its SIC code is 8600.