HEART (Humane Education Advocates Reaching Teachers)

What HEART (Humane Education Advocates Reaching Teachers) does

LivingKind (formerly HEART — Humane Education Advocates Reaching Teachers) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 and headquartered in Mamaroneck, New York, that delivers PreK-12 humane education programming covering animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and social justice. The organization serves K-12 public schools, individual educators, youth organizations, and after-school programs, with direct in-school delivery in New York City, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Long Island. Over its 25-year history, LivingKind reports having reached more than 150,000 students across all programs and geographies, with the Compassionate Communities Awards program alone engaging 36,000+ students in 60+ New York and Chicago schools over its first six years.

The product portfolio centers on six core offerings: Youth Changemaker Clubs (youth-led service clubs with microgrants up to $250), Compassionate Communities Awards (free school-based program with grants up to $1,000 under Food Justice for All), In-School and After-School Programs (direct instruction by part-time staff and retired volunteer teachers), a Resource Library of 200+ free lesson plans and digital activities, the CHES online credentialing program (five-course certification delivered via DigitalChalk), and Climate Camps (summer programs in Indianapolis for ages 5-12). The technology stack is built on third-party platforms — Hello Insight for SEL outcome measurement, DigitalChalk for course delivery, Nearpod and Seesaw for classroom integration, Airtable for the resource library, and Teachers Pay Teachers for marketplace distribution — alongside proprietary content such as the CIT Squad educational adventure game developed with 3C Institute. Free membership to the resource library is the entry point; premium content, CHES tuition, and professional development workshops are paid offerings.

The revenue model is multi-stream: individual donations and monthly giving (LivingKind Collective, $10/month minimum), donor-advised funds, planned giving, and stock gifts form the philanthropic base; tuition from the CHES credentialing program, fees for professional development workshops and conference presentations, and grants from institutional partners (NYC DOE, ASPCA, IFAW, Farm Sanctuary, Peace Learning Center) round out funding. The organization employs approximately 23 staff and is governed by a board chaired by Chris Wlach (Senior Director-Legal at Acxiom). In December 2025, LivingKind acquired the CHES credentialing program and national registry from the Academy of Prosocial Learning, and in April 2026 the organization rebranded from HEART to LivingKind to reflect an expanded mission positioning.

Name

HEART (Humane Education Advocates Reaching Teachers)

Legal name

LivingKind, Inc.

Website

https://teachheart.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LivingKind (formerly HEART) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers PreK-12 humane education curricula, teacher training, the CHES credentialing program, and youth-led service clubs to public schools, educators, and youth organizations across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humane Education Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs & Supports (EDAJAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Humane education
• Curriculum development
• Teacher professional development
• Youth programs
• Social-emotional learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Mamaroneck

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Program Membership and Resource Library Subscriptions: LivingKind offers a membership program (LivingKind Collective) providing free resource library access, webinars, and exclusive content in exchange for recurring monthly contributions (minimum $10/month).
2. CHES Credentialing Program Tuition: The Certified Humane Education Specialist (CHES) program charges tuition for its five-course online curriculum. Scholarships are available. The program is described as affordable compared to university alternatives.
3. Professional Development Workshops and Presentations: LivingKind charges fees for in-person and virtual professional development trainings, workshops, and conference presentations delivered to schools, nonprofits, government agencies, and associations.
4. Donations and Charitable Contributions: LivingKind relies on individual donations, monthly giving (LivingKind Collective), donor-advised funds, stock gifts, planned giving, workplace giving, and EFT. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 41-2055310).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

HEART (now operating as LivingKind) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that develops and delivers humane education curricula, K-12 in-school and after-school programs, summer camps, and teacher professional development. The organization operates a free online Resource Library containing more than 200 standards-aligned lesson plans, runs the CHES (Certified Humane Education Specialist) credentialing program, and supports student-led clubs through its Youth Changemaker Clubs initiative.

Product overview

LivingKind (formerly HEART) is a nonprofit education organization offering a comprehensive suite of PreK-12 humane education programs. The portfolio centers on Youth Changemaker Clubs, Compassionate Communities Awards, In-School & After-School Programs, and a Resource Library containing 200+ teaching resources. Supporting infrastructure includes the CHES credentialing program, Teacher Training & Professional Development services, Climate Camps, and the CIT Squad educational game. The Food Justice for All program component provides grants to schools. These offerings work together to deliver empathy-driven education through direct teaching, youth-led action, and educator empowerment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Youth Changemaker Clubs (YCC): Dynamic, youth-led clubs preparing young people to make positive change where they live and learn
• Compassionate Communities
• Food Justice for All
• Certified Humane Education Specialist (CHES)
• Expanding Our Circle of Compassion
• The LivingKind Collective
• Climate Camp

Products and services

• Youth Changemaker Clubs (YCC) Student-led clubs for K-12 participants that engage young people in community service, advocacy, and animal/humane issues through guided projects and activities.
• Compassionate Communities Awards Recognition program that awards schools, classrooms, and youth groups for demonstrating compassion toward people, animals, and the environment through humane education initiatives.
• In-School Programs Standards-aligned humane education curriculum delivered directly within K-12 classroom settings, covering empathy, animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and social-emotional learning.
• After-School Programs Out-of-school-time humane education programming for K-12 students, including activity guides and facilitator support for community-based organizations.
• Resource Library Free online repository of more than 200 humane education lesson plans, activities, and teaching resources aligned to academic standards; accessible to educators and parents.
• CHES Credentialing Program (Certified Humane Education Specialist) Professional credentialing program that trains and certifies educators in humane education methodologies; carries tuition fees and produces qualified specialists.
• Climate Camps Summer camp programming focused on climate literacy, environmental stewardship, and compassionate action for school-aged youth.
• CIT Squad Game Educational game designed to teach children about compassion, empathy, and humane concepts through interactive play.
• Teacher Training & Professional Development Workshops, courses, and professional development services that train K-12 educators to deliver humane education content in their classrooms.
• Food Justice for All Educational program addressing food justice, equity, and sustainability issues through a humane education lens for K-12 learners.
• Expanding Our Circle of Compassion Curriculum Core K-12 curriculum that systematically extends empathy from people to animals to the environment, structured as a multi-unit instructional framework.
• Everyday Circles Toolkit Classroom-ready toolkit providing educators with structured activities and discussion guides to embed compassion-based practices into daily instruction.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of students reported overall program satisfaction; 100% showed growth in at least one SEL capacity; 71% improved in two or more SEL areas (2024, Hello Insight)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NYC Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLivingKind has partnered with the NYC DOE since 2017 to deliver in-school programs, Compassionate Communities Awards, and Food Justice for All programming. The partnership was initiated through the NYC Mayor's Office and has expanded across multiple boroughs and districts.
• Brooklyn Borough President's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLivingKind partnered with the Brooklyn Borough President's Office during the 2019-2020 school year to implement Compassionate Communities at fifteen Brooklyn elementary schools in Districts 15 and 16, collectively serving approximately 10,000 students.
• Queens Borough President's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLivingKind partnered with the Queens Borough President's Office to introduce the Compassionate Communities program in Queens elementary school District 30, reaching 4,000+ students in the 2021-22 school year.
• Factory Farming Awareness Coalition (Chicago)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLivingKind piloted the Compassionate Communities program in Chicago in partnership with the Factory Farming Awareness Coalition during the 2022-23 school year, reaching 1,500+ students and expanding the program's geographic footprint.
• Peace Learning Center (Indianapolis)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeace Learning Center is a co-creator of the Everyday Circles toolkit and the Justice for All curriculum guides with LivingKind. LivingKind also houses Kristina Hulvershorn's 'be the change' humane education museum at the Peace Learning Center and co-runs Climate Camp from this site.
• Farm SanctuarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLivingKind partnered with Farm Sanctuary to create the 'Exploring the Lives of Farm Animals' curriculum resource for grades K-3, helping students understand the feelings, needs, and natural behaviors of farm animals.
• ASPCA and IFAWminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLivingKind collaborated with the ASPCA and IFAW to create the Humane Education Resource Guide (Grades K-12), containing 40 lesson plans, worksheets, and activities that can be integrated into classroom curricula and informal education programs.
• Academy of Prosocial Learning (APL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLivingKind acquired the Certified Humane Education Specialist (CHES) credentialing program and certification registry from APL, a longtime field partner founded by Dr. Stephanie Itle-Clark. The transition was in progress as of late 2025, expected to be complete by spring.
• 3C InstitutecoreTechnology or IntegrationLivingKind partnered with 3C Institute to develop the CIT Squad: Case of the Sick Puppy educational adventure game for children aged 8-12, investigating puppy mill practices.
• Transformational Learning AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Transformational Learning Alliance is a partnership of LivingKind, Tribes Learning Communities, and Peace Learning Center that co-created the Everyday Circles SEL toolkit distributed by LivingKind.
• Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VOALA) and Social CompassionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLivingKind partnered with VOALA and Social Compassion to develop the 'Kindness for All' Pre-K curriculum (ages 3-5), a seven-lesson program on kindness toward all living beings and the natural world.
• Youth IncminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLivingKind participates in the Youth INC Metrics Program, using Hello Insight (a nationally recognized SEL evaluation tool) to measure and validate student outcomes across program sites.
• NYC Public Schools Food Education RoadmapminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLivingKind was selected by the NYC Department of Education as one of the approved providers of food education services in NYC through the Food Education Roadmap initiative.
• Institute for Humane Education (IHE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLivingKind maintains a collaborative relationship with IHE, which offers graduate programs in humane education. Kristina Hulvershorn holds an M.Ed. in Humane Education from IHE. LivingKind's programs are referenced alongside IHE in professional pathways for becoming a humane educator.
• Teachers Pay TeachersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLivingKind distributes curriculum resources through the Teachers Pay Teachers marketplace, where they have achieved a perfect 4/4 rating and over 30,000 downloads, extending reach to individual educators globally.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Factory Farming Awareness Coalition: Co-piloted LivingKind's Compassionate Communities program in Chicago and shares a focus on farm-animal welfare and food systems education in K-12 settings; directly comparable on subject matter and target audience.
• Tribes Learning Communities: Co-creator of the Everyday Circles toolkit alongside LivingKind and Peace Learning Center; delivers SEL and inclusive classroom programs to K-12 schools through a comparable training and resource model.
• Farm Sanctuary Education: Farm Sanctuary co-created the Exploring the Lives of Farm Animals curriculum with LivingKind; both focus on farm-animal welfare education and youth programming and serve overlapping K-12 audiences.
• Institute for Humane Education (IHE): Provides graduate programs and certificate training in humane education, the most direct comparator in the field. LivingKind now houses the CHES credentialing registry, while IHE remains the principal degree-granting pathway, making them complementary but closely comparable credential providers.
• Peace Learning Center: Indianapolis-based nonprofit partner that co-created the Everyday Circles SEL toolkit and houses the be the change museum; delivers overlapping SEL, restorative justice, and humane education programming for youth.

Broad incumbents

• ASPCA Education: The ASPCA delivers humane education resources and collaborated with LivingKind on the K-12 Humane Education Resource Guide; it is a much larger animal-welfare organization with overlapping curriculum but a broader animal-protection mission.
• CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning): The leading national SEL framework and advocacy organization; LivingKind aligns its programming with CASEL's SEL competencies, making CASEL both a comparable SEL provider and a key ecosystem reference point.
• Humane Society of the United States Education: HSUS runs national humane education programs targeting K-12 students, comparable in mission to LivingKind but operating at a much larger scale through a national advocacy and shelter network.

Emerging players

• New Roots Institute: Focused on factory farming education and youth leadership, with a leadership team that overlaps LivingKind's board (Executive Director Monica Chen); operates similar student-led advocacy and education programs in schools.
• Random Acts of Kindness Foundation: Provides free K-12 kindness and SEL lesson plans and resources, overlapping LivingKind's resource library and SEL mission; serves individual educators globally through a comparable self-serve distribution model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/livingkind
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/heart---humane-education-advocates-reaching-teachers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 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 HEART (Humane Education Advocates Reaching Teachers)