The BTS Center

What The BTS Center does

The BTS Center is a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation headquartered in Portland, Maine, operating as the successor organization to Bangor Theological Seminary (founded 1814). The organization focuses on nurturing spiritual leadership for a climate-changed world, serving faith leaders, chaplains, preachers, faith communities, and spiritual seekers primarily across Northern New England and beyond. Its core programmatic offerings include the Climate Changed Podcast (multi-season audio content with discussion guides), the Climate Conscious Chaplaincy Initiative (training and resources for chaplains in faith communities, healthcare, military, corrections, and disaster response settings), the EcoPreacher Initiative (year-long cohort and workshops for climate-conscious preaching), the Leadership Commons (resource hub), Earthbound Practices (guided spiritual reflections), an annual Convocation tradition spanning over 120 years, and an Applied Research division producing peer-reviewed work on vocation in a climate-changed world.

The organization employs approximately 14 staff and partners with 40+ faith-based, academic, and climate organizations, including Lexington Theological Seminary, Creation Justice Ministries, Chaplaincy Innovation Lab, Waterspirit, and the United Church of Christ. The technology stack is minimal — centered on website registration, podcast distribution platforms (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PodBean, YouTube), Substack newsletter, and standard calendar integrations — with no proprietary technology or AI capabilities. Revenue is generated through tax-deductible donations (one-time, monthly, stock gifts, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, donor-advised funds), registration fees for cohorts and events (typically $110-$220), and institutional grants including a $1.25 million Lilly Endowment Inc. grant supporting the EcoPreacher Initiative. Most programs are free or low-cost, positioning donations and grants as the primary revenue mechanics.

Name

The BTS Center

Legal name

Bangor Theological Seminary

Website

https://thebtscenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The BTS Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Portland, Maine, and successor to Bangor Theological Seminary (founded 1814). It cultivates spiritual leadership for a climate-changed world through cohort programs, podcasts, applied research, and chaplaincy training for faith leaders, chaplains, preachers, and faith communities across New England and beyond.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious and Spiritual Formation Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Spiritual formation programs
• Climate chaplaincy training
• Faith leadership development
• Religious education programs
• Spiritual accompaniment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The BTS Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on tax-deductible donations from individuals. Donations can be made online (one-time or monthly), via stock gifts, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, or through donor-advised funds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The BTS Center delivers programs of spiritual and vocational formation for faith leaders, chaplains, preachers, and spiritual seekers, focused on nurturing spiritual leadership for a climate-changed world. Offerings include cohorts, learning communities, workshops, retreats, public conversations, rituals, a podcast, and applied research, delivered online and in-person. The organization is the successor to Bangor Theological Seminary (founded 1814) and operates as a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation.

Product overview

The BTS Center offers a portfolio of spiritually-grounded programs focused on cultivating spiritual leadership for a climate-changed world. The organization operates multiple interconnected programs including the Climate Changed Podcast (audio content with discussion guides), Climate Conscious Chaplaincy Initiative (training and resources for chaplains), EcoPreacher Initiative (preaching development through cohorts and workshops), Leadership Commons (resource hub with guides and workshops), Earthbound Practices (guided spiritual reflections), Video Library (recorded programming), Summer Fiction Book Club (book discussions), Climate Chaplaincy Study Forum (academic learning community), Navigating Climate Spiritual Care Learning Community, annual Convocation events, Spiritual Accompaniment Circles, Applied Research initiatives, Murmurations newsletter, and the Blog. These programs are designed for spiritual leaders, faith communities, chaplains, preachers, and individuals seeking to engage faith-based climate action and ecological regeneration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Climate Changed Podcast A podcast exploring faith, life, and climate change through intimate interviews with guests including Brian McLaren, Elizabeth Rush, and Sherri Mitchell. Each episode is accompanied by discussion guides and is offered to faith communities, chaplains, and spiritual seekers for self-directed listening.
• Climate Conscious Chaplaincy Initiative A program offering resources, networks, and training for chaplains serving in faith communities, healthcare, military, corrections, and disaster response settings to address climate crisis impacts. Includes Conversation Circles, Learning Communities, and the Climate Chaplaincy Study Forum.
• EcoPreacher Initiative A series of experiences and resources helping preachers hone the craft of preaching in the context of a climate-changed world, including the year-long EcoPreacher Cohort, workshops, and Lament With Earth series. Four successful EcoPreacher Cohorts delivered to date.
• Leadership Commons

Quantifiable outcome

• Four successful EcoPreacher Cohorts delivered with ongoing research impact measurement
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

42 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Anabaptist Climate CollaborativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in The BTS Center's collaborative network focused on climate action and faith-based engagement.
• Atlantic Black BoxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in the collaborative network supporting climate work.
• Blessed TomorrowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in ecoAmerica's Blessed Tomorrow program focused on climate leadership in faith communities.
• Center for Spirituality in NaturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner offering programs and practices for deepening spirituality through nature connection. Co-sponsored Climate Advocacy and the Sacred Wild retreat.
• Chaplaincy Innovation LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of Climate Conscious Chaplaincy Initiative and Conversation Circles program. Launched October 2018 to bring chaplains and theological educators into conversation about chaplaincy and spiritual care.
• Citizens' Climate LobbyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in climate advocacy network.
• Climate Psychology AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing Climate Café facilitator training for The BTS Center community.
• Climate Psychology Alliance of North AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization offering Climate Café Facilitator Training specifically for The BTS Center community.
• Creation Care AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in faith-based creation care network.
• Creation Justice MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore partner in EcoPreacher Initiative - Compelling Preaching for a Climate-Changed World, a collaborative project with Lexington Theological Seminary and The BTS Center made possible by Lilly Endowment Inc. grant.
• Damascus ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in faith-based climate network.
• DayenuminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Jewish climate action network. Co-hosting Navigating Sermon Pushback workshop.
• GristminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClimate-focused media organization. Tory Stephens from Grist appears as guest on Climate Changed podcast.
• Good Grief NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in climate emotional support network.
• Hartford International University for Religion and ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner educational institution in interfaith climate network.
• Leave No TraceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in environmental ethics network.
• Lexington Theological SeminarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore partner in EcoPreacher Initiative - Compelling Preaching for a Climate-Changed World, a collaborative project with Creation Justice Ministries and The BTS Center made possible by $1.25 million Lilly Endowment Inc. grant.
• Lutherans Restoring CreationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Lutheran climate care network.
• Maine Conference, United Church of ChristminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional denominational partner in Maine.
• Maine Council of ChurchesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional ecumenical partner in Maine.
• Maine Farmland TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting farmland preservation and agricultural sustainability.
• Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting organic farming and sustainable agriculture.
• Moms Clean Air ForceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in maternal health and climate advocacy network.
• One Home One FuturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeven-year multi-faith campaign for visible and collective creation care and climate action. The BTS Center is a proud partner organization.
• Pilgrim LodgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Maine faith-based summer camping ministry.
• Poetry ClinicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in arts-based spiritual support network.
• Radical JoyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in earth-centered healing network.
• Saint Joseph's College of MaineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner educational institution in Maine.
• Salt Institute for Documentary StudiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner educational institution in documentary arts.
• Southern New England Conference, United Church of ChristminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional denominational partner.
• Third ActminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in elder activism for climate and democracy.
• United Church of ChristminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDenominational partner with historic covenantal relationship. Programs intentionally ecumenical and interfaith while honoring UCC roots.
• WaterspiritcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore partner providing Climate Pastoral Care curriculum for Navigating Climate Spiritual Care Learning Community. Spiritual ecology nonprofit focusing on sacredness of water and Earth systems.
• Yale Forum on Religion and EcologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner academic organization in religion and ecology research network.
• The Ecology SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Convocation 2026 at River Bend Farm in Saco, Maine. 313-acre agro-ecology farm providing hands-on ecological education.
• Queerly MEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization co-hosting Queerness in a Climate-Changed World event with The BTS Center.
• Cobalt Learning JourneyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in learning and development network.
• Garrett CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner educational institution.
• Stellar Story CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in storytelling network.
• The ManyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in collective engagement network.
• Union Theological SeminarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution co-hosting Navigating Sermon Pushback workshop. Center for Earth Ethics at Union Theological Seminary collaborates on EcoPreacher programming.
• Center for Earth EthicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner at Union Theological Seminary supporting EcoPreacher Initiative and workshop programming on environmental justice preaching.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Chaplaincy Innovation Lab: Co-sponsor of BTS Center's Climate Conscious Chaplaincy Initiative; a nonprofit focused on advancing chaplaincy innovation and spiritual care research across institutional settings, serving an overlapping audience of chaplains and spiritual caregivers.
• Lexington Theological Seminary: Core partner in the EcoPreacher Initiative and a UCC-affiliated theological seminary providing ministerial formation; comparable as a faith-based education and formation organization targeting similar clergy and lay-leader audiences.
• Creation Justice Ministries: Core partner in the EcoPreacher Initiative; a national eco-justice network representing 38 Christian denominations in environmental advocacy, operating at the same intersection of faith formation and climate action as BTS Center.
• Interfaith Power and Light: A national nonprofit mobilizing faith communities for climate action across 40+ state affiliates; directly comparable as a faith-based climate organization delivering formation and advocacy programming to clergy and congregations.
• GreenFaith: Interfaith climate and environmental justice organization training faith leaders and running congregational programs; directly comparable in mission (faith leaders engaging climate) and in offering formation, training, and resource programs.
• ecoAmerica / Blessed Tomorrow: Partner organization running Blessed Tomorrow, a program specifically focused on climate leadership in faith communities; directly comparable as a faith-and-climate formation provider serving clergy and faith leaders.
• Waterspirit: Core partner providing the Climate Pastoral Care curriculum for BTS Center's Navigating Climate Spiritual Care Learning Community; a spiritual ecology nonprofit focused on the sacredness of water and Earth systems with overlapping mission and audience.
• Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology: Academic partner organization dedicated to religion-and-ecology research and education; comparable as an institution producing scholarship, convenings, and formation resources at the intersection of faith and environmental stewardship.
• Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation: A nonprofit offering programs in contemplative spiritual formation and leadership for clergy and laypeople; directly comparable as a faith-based formation organization delivering cohorts, retreats, and spiritual direction training.

Broad incumbents

• Union Theological Seminary: Major ecumenical theological seminary co-hosting programming with BTS Center (Navigating Sermon Pushback) and whose Center for Earth Ethics collaborates on EcoPreacher; comparable as a much larger faith-based formation institution with overlapping climate-and-justice programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xbsky.app/profile/thebtscenter.bsky.social
• Facebookfacebook.com/thebtscenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-bts-center-maine
• Instagraminstagram.com/thebtscenter

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 BTS Center