The Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning and Creativity

What The Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning and Creativity does

The Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning and Creativity is a Boston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit social change agency founded in 2011 by twin brothers Peter H. Reynolds (New York Times #1 best-selling author/illustrator) and Paul A. Reynolds (Executive Director). The organization equips students, educators, and communities with creative STEAM and storytelling tools, operating under multiple sub-brands including Create Bravely (a year-long story activation toolkit), Writing to Learn with SRSD (evidence-based K-5 writing instruction professional development), Creative Compass Retreat (multi-day professional development retreats), and International Dot Day (a global creativity celebration reaching 32 million+ participants in 190+ countries). Core offerings are delivered through TLC Studios & Media Lab, a 6,000-square-foot multimedia facility in Dedham, Massachusetts, and through school visit programs, community events, and online resources.

The organization's technology footprint is content-driven rather than platform-based, centered on proprietary educational frameworks including the Create Bravely methodology (inspired by Peter H. Reynolds' books) and the SRSD-based writing instruction program (developed by Dr. Karen Harris and delivered through a partnership with FableVision Learning and SRSD Online). It also co-developed Future Quest Island-Explorations, a game-based career exploration tool, with the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston. The organization maintains an extensive merchandise operation selling branded apparel, accessories, and gifts across six sub-brand collections.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix including tax-deductible donations (501(c)(3), EIN 26-4206949), merchandise sales at $15-$40 per item (100% of proceeds support nonprofit operations), Creative Compass Retreat registration fees, speaking and school visit fees, and TLC Studios event space rentals. Distribution combines direct-to-consumer e-commerce, in-person and virtual school visits, partner-led events (e.g., YMCA, Boch Center), and fiscal sponsorship of affiliated initiatives like Dedham Greenspace Coalition. The organization operates globally through partnerships but concentrates physical infrastructure in the Greater Boston area, with a small core team of 5 employees.

Name

The Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning and Creativity

Legal name

The Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning & Creativity

Website

https://reynoldstlc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning and Creativity is a Boston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 by authors Peter H. Reynolds and Paul Reynolds. It equips students, educators, and communities with creative STEAM and storytelling tools through programs, retreats, merchandise, and TLC Studios in Dedham, MA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Creative Education and Nonprofit Programs

NAICS

Other Schools and Instruction (6116), Fine Arts Schools (611610)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

Keywords

• Creative education programs
• STEAM storytelling tools
• Teacher professional development
• Literacy writing instruction
• Multimedia studio rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Dedham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Merchandise Sales: Sale of Peter H. Reynolds branded merchandise including apparel, mugs, bags, and accessories through the PHR Official Creativity Gear online store. 100% of proceeds support nonprofit operations.
2. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations supporting the nonprofit mission. The Reynolds Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 26-4206949). Also supports Dedham Greenspace Coalition as fiscal sponsor.
3. Studio Rentals: TLC Studios event space rentals for workshops, professional trainings, film shoots, and community gatherings. Also offers office space rental.
4. Retreat Programs: Creative Compass Retreat programs featuring multi-day experiences with Peter H. Reynolds and Paul Reynolds. Includes registration fees.
5. Speaking and School Visits: Fees for in-person and virtual school visits, conference keynotes, and event appearances by Peter H. Reynolds and Paul Reynolds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Reynolds Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers creative STEAM and storytelling education programs to students, educators, and families. Its core offerings include TLC Studios event space rentals, multi-day Creative Compass Retreats, the Writing to Learn (SRSD) professional development course for K-5 teachers, the Create Bravely year-long story activation toolkit, and a branded merchandise store with proceeds supporting the mission.

Product overview

The Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning and Creativity is a Boston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 by authors Paul and Peter H. Reynolds. The organization offers a portfolio of creative education programs centered on STEAM and storytelling. Core offerings include TLC Studios & Media Lab (a multimedia event and production space), Creative Compass Retreats (in-person transformational retreats), and Writing to Learn with SRSD (evidence-based writing instruction professional development). The organization also runs community programming including Early Risers Storytime, North Star Kids' Ramble, Indie Bookfest, and Love Letter Palooza. The company maintains an extensive merchandise operation selling official Peter H. Reynolds merchandise across multiple sub-brands including International Dot Day, Create Bravely, Books Are My Friends, Make Your Mark, Retired-ish, and Creative Compass Retreat product lines. School visit programs and the Create Bravely Family Night DIY Kit extend the organization's reach into educational institutions globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Create Bravely: A signature program and toolkit featuring year-long story activation tools for teachers, librarians, and creative educators to inspire learning, growth, and creative exploration.
• TLC Studios
• Creative Compass Retreat
• Writing to Learn
• International Dot Day

Products and services

• TLC Studios & Media Lab A 6,000-square-foot multimedia studio event space in Dedham, MA featuring video production facilities, audio recording studio, podcasting equipment, sensory room, breakout rooms, and 100-inch TV presentation screen. Available for professional development events, workshops, film shoots, community gatherings, and office space rentals.
• Writing to Learn with SRSD Evidence-based teacher professional development course grounded in Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) model developed by Dr. Karen Harris. Equips educators to teach writing more confidently in grades K-5 with proven strategies and practical tools.
• Creative Compass Retreat Multi-day transformational professional and personal development retreat hosted by Peter H. Reynolds and Paul Reynolds. Includes creativity workshops, story readings, animated fable experiences, and community building for teachers, librarians, writers, and creatives.
• School Visit Program In-person and virtual school visits by Peter H. Reynolds and Paul A. Reynolds for school assemblies, workshops, and family literacy nights.
• Create Bravely Year-Long Story Activation Toolkit Year-long creative exploration toolkit for teachers, librarians, and creative educators featuring the Creative Compass framework, inspired by Peter H. Reynolds' books.
• Peter H. Reynolds Official Creativity Gear Shop Official merchandise shop featuring designs approved by Peter H. Reynolds, including apparel, accessories, mugs, tote bags, journals, and posters across multiple sub-brand collections with proceeds supporting Reynolds Center TLC nonprofit work.

Quantifiable outcome

• 32 million+ people participate in International Dot Day annually across 190+ countries
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• FableVision StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeter H. Reynolds' educational media company that produces animated content and educational resources. Reynolds Center collaborates on projects like The Tooth Fairy's Magical Mission animated film and supports FableVision Learning's programs including Create Bravely Family Night and Writing to Learn.
• Wiggly Tooth WorkshopcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Gerard Murphy, created The Tooth Fairy's Magical Mission animated short film in collaboration with Reynolds Center TLC Studios. Project explores meaningful storytelling around the tooth fairy tradition.
• Candlewick PressmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublisher of Peter H. Reynolds' books. Partnered for donation of 500+ copies of The Dot to students impacted by Los Angeles fires, in collaboration with American Red Cross and kidSTREAM Museum.
• American Red CrossmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerHumanitarian organization that partnered with Peter H. Reynolds and Candlewick Press for book donations to communities impacted by Los Angeles fires.
• kidSTREAM MuseummajorGTM or Marketing PartnerVentura County museum that partnered in the book donation initiative to support children and educators rebuilding after LA fires.
• ScholasticmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor publisher working with Peter H. Reynolds on global webcast and additional support efforts for communities rebuilding after Los Angeles fires.
• SRSD OnlinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFableVision Learning partners with SRSD Online to offer Writing to Learn professional development course, based on Dr. Karen Harris' Self-Regulated Strategy Development model for writing instruction.
• Dedham Greenspace CoalitionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReynolds Center TLC serves as fiscal sponsor for Dedham Greenspace Coalition, supporting their environmental stewardship and sustainability storytelling efforts as part of creative civics.
• Boch CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric Boston theater that hosted Peter H. Reynolds for World Read Aloud Day 2026 reading at Shubert Theatre, celebrating the power of reading aloud.
• YMCA BostonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Read Across America Day and 175th birthday celebration, reaching 60+ YMCA locations in Greater Boston with When You Dream Big! book reading.
• Matt Brown FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with TLC Studios to host Abilities Celebration event supporting inclusive programming for people with disabilities.
• Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass BostoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped Future Quest Island-Explorations, a game-based educational tool for career exploration in elementary school, designed to be inclusive of all learners.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Reading Is Fundamental: U.S. literacy nonprofit focused on book distribution and literacy programming for children; directly comparable as a children's literacy/reading nonprofit working with schools and families.
• Highlights Foundation: Nonprofit affiliated with Highlights magazine offering workshops and retreats for writers, illustrators, and educators; directly comparable as a children's literature/creativity-focused nonprofit running creator retreats.
• National Writing Project: U.S. network focused on teacher professional development in writing instruction; directly comparable to Reynolds Center's Writing to Learn program as a teacher PD-focused writing education nonprofit.
• 826 National: National network of writing and tutoring centers for youth; directly comparable to Reynolds Center as a creative-writing-focused education nonprofit serving students and educators.
• Room to Read: Global literacy nonprofit operating literacy and girls' education programs worldwide; directly comparable as a literacy-focused nonprofit with international reach and educator capacity-building.
• FableVision Studios: Sister organization co-founded by Peter and Paul Reynolds producing educational media and animated content; directly comparable as the Reynolds brothers' educational media venture that operates alongside the Center.
• The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art: Museum and education center celebrating children's picture book art with exhibits, workshops, and educator programming; directly comparable as a children's-book-anchored creative arts education nonprofit.

Broad incumbents

• Sesame Workshop: Large nonprofit behind Sesame Street delivering early-childhood education content globally; broadly comparable as a major children's education nonprofit using IP/content for educational mission delivery.
• Code.org: Major STEAM education nonprofit driving K-12 computer science curriculum adoption; broadly comparable as a large K-12 STEAM education nonprofit with global reach and school-district programming.
• DonorsChoose: Nonprofit crowdfunding platform for classroom projects; broadly comparable as an education nonprofit connecting donors to K-12 classroom needs at scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-reynolds-center-for-teaching-learning-and-creativity

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 The Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning and Creativity