Tibet House
Tibet House US is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural institution founded in 1987 at the Dalai Lama's request, operating a NYC gallery, the Menla Catskill retreat, educational programs, and the annual Carnegie Hall benefit concert to preserve Tibetan civilization and culture.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Tibet House does
Tibet House US (legal name: Tibet House, U.S., Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural institution founded in 1987 at the direct request of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to preserve and present Tibetan civilization and culture. Headquartered in a Manhattan cultural center at 22 W 15th St, New York, the organization operates a permanent gallery of Tibetan art, hosts rotating exhibitions (e.g., TABO: Into The Light), delivers educational programs in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, meditation, yoga, and contemplative science, and runs the annual Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall (39th year in 2026). It also operates the Menla Retreat & Spa in the Catskill Mountains through an adjacent operating subsidiary, offering spiritual and wellness retreats.
The organization's revenue model is diversified across individual donations, recurring membership subscriptions, ticketed programs and events (e.g., Vajra Yoga at $25/session, empowerment ceremonies at $369–$500), gift shop merchandise sales via a Shopify e-commerce storefront (shop.thus.org), venue rental, and proceeds from the annual Carnegie Hall benefit concert. Distribution is omnichannel: the NYC cultural center (physical), Menla retreat (physical), online/hybrid programs via Zoom, and global online storefront. With 16 employees, the organization is small and relies on a board of directors, a broad community of Tibetan scholars, lamas, and Buddhist teachers, and high-profile cultural supporters including Robert De Niro, Debbie Harry, Elvis Costello, Laurie Anderson, Maya Hawke, Kate Pierson, and Allison Russell.
The technology stack is intentionally light and consumer-facing: Shopify for commerce, Eventbrite for ticketing, Zoom for online programming, and PayPal for payment processing on certain storefronts. The organization has no public API, no mobile app, no AI/ML capabilities, and no proprietary software beyond standard content and document archives (THUS Repatriation Collection, Old Tibet Photographic Archive). It maintains an active social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Vimeo, TikTok) and a regular email newsletter (DRUM) for community engagement.
Tibet House firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tibet House
- Legal name
- Tibet House, U.S., Inc.
- Website
- https://tibethouse.us
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Tibet House US is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural institution founded in 1987 at the Dalai Lama's request, operating a NYC gallery, the Menla Catskill retreat, educational programs, and the annual Carnegie Hall benefit concert to preserve Tibetan civilization and culture.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tibet House industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cultural and Educational Services
- NAICS
- Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums (712110)
- SIC
- Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Yoga & Meditation Experiences (Studio Classes, Guided Meditation, Mindfulness) (THAJAHAA), Ayurveda & Traditional Medicine Retreats (THAGAMAF)
Keywords
Where Tibet House is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Tibet House business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Program: Recurring membership subscriptions offering benefits to supporters of Tibetan culture preservation. Members receive discounts and access to exclusive content.
- Programs and Events: Revenue from ticketed educational programs, workshops, yoga classes, meditation sessions, retreats, and cultural events. Events range from Vajra Yoga ($25) to special empowerment ceremonies ($369-$500 donations).
- Gift Shop: Sale of Tibetan and Buddhist-related merchandise including books, clothing, door chimes, meditation items, jewelry, malas, singing bowls, and gifts.
- Annual Benefit Concert: Major annual fundraising event held at Carnegie Hall featuring renowned musicians and artists, generating donations and awareness.
- Donations: Charitable contributions from individuals supporting the preservation of Tibetan civilization and culture.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Vajra Yoga individual class |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Special Empowerment Events |
| Subscription | Monthly | Membership Program |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Tibet House product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tibet House US is a nonprofit cultural institution that preserves and presents Tibetan civilization and culture through a NYC gallery, the Menla Catskill retreat center, educational programs (yoga, meditation, Buddhist teachings), an annual Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall, gift shop merchandise, and membership subscriptions. The organization offers certification programs and study-abroad courses in partnership with academic and meditation institutions, alongside rotating exhibitions of Tibetan art and co-produced documentary content.
Product overview
Tibet House US is a Tibetan Art & Cultural Center in NYC founded in 1987 at the request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to preserve Tibetan civilization and culture. The organization operates as a cultural center offering multiple integrated products and services: the NYC Gallery showcasing Tibetan art and rotating exhibitions; Menla Resort & Spa, a spiritual wellness retreat center in the Catskill mountains; a comprehensive Programs & Events division featuring Vajra Yoga, Buddhist teachings, and meditation training; the annual Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall; an online Gift Shop selling Tibetan merchandise; and membership subscriptions. Educational offerings include the Dharma Moon Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training (certification program), the Emory Tibetan Mind/Body Sciences study abroad partnership, and The Animated History of Tibet documentary series (co-produced). The organization also hosts special exhibitions like the Mayumi Oda exhibition and publishes books and resources about Tibetan culture.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Menla: Menla is a hidden oasis set in a secluded valley beside an enchanting stream in the heart of the Catskill mountains. Featuring spiritual and wellness retreats as well as exclusive getaways.
Products and services
- Tibet House US Gallery A gallery space in NYC showcasing Tibetan art, artifacts, and rotating exhibitions featuring Tibetan and Himalayan cultural heritage.
- Menla Retreat & Spa A spiritual and wellness retreat center located in the Catskill mountains, offering overnight stays, retreats, and exclusive getaways.
- Programs & Events Educational programs and events exploring Tibetan cultural heritage, religion, history, art, neuroscience, meditation, yoga, and Buddhist teachings through offerings by scholars, speakers, and teachers.
- Annual Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall An annual fundraising concert held at Carnegie Hall, bringing together legendary performers, contemporary artists, and Tibetan musicians to celebrate Tibetan culture.
- Gift Shop An online store offering Tibetan and Buddhist-related merchandise including books, clothing, meditation items, incense, jewelry, malas, singing bowls, and gifts.
- Membership Program Recurring membership subscriptions that support Tibet House US operations and provide benefits to members.
- Dharma Moon Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training A structured meditation teacher training program led by David Nichtern, combining meditation practice, Buddhist psychology, and practical instruction on teaching mindfulness. Graduates receive certification from Dharma Moon and Tibet House US.
- Vajra Yoga Yoga instruction from Indo-Tibetan traditions, including yoga nidra practices aligned with lunar cycles, taught by certified instructors including Patty MacRae and John Campbell.
- Emory Tibetan Mind/Body Sciences Summer Study Abroad A summer study abroad program in India conducted with Emory University, exploring Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, psychology, religion, culture, contemplative studies, Tibetan medicine, meditation, and compassion-based ethics.
- The Animated History of Tibet A nine-episode fully-animated historical documentary series covering Tibetan history from earliest writing on the Tibetan Plateau through the 20th century, co-produced by Tibet House US.
Companies that use Tibet House
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Tibet House technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Tibet House partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Armchair Academics (Dr. Alexander K. Smith)minorCo-production of The Animated History of Tibet, a nine-episode fully-animated historical documentary series covering Tibetan history from earliest writing on the Tibetan Plateau through the 20th century to present day. Dr. Smith holds PhD in Tibetan and Himalayan Studies from University of Paris (EPHE – PSL) and MA in Tibetan Studies from Oxford University.
- Emory University - Tibetan Mind/Body SciencescoreCollaborative summer study abroad program in India (May 17-June 20, 2026) in conjunction with the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative. Students study Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, psychology, religion, culture, contemplative studies, Tibetan medicine, meditation, and compassion-based ethics. Program begins in Dharamsala (home of the 14th Dalai Lama) and moves to Drepung Loseling Monastery in Mundgod, South India, home to over 3,000 monks.
- His Holiness the 14th Dalai LamacoreThe organization was founded at the direct request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1987. He expressed his wish for a long-term cultural institution to ensure the survival of Tibetan civilization and culture. The Dalai Lama inaugurated the institution and THUS serves as his cultural center in the United States.
- Dharma MooncoreJoint mindfulness meditation teacher training program offering certification. The training combines meditation practice, Buddhist psychology, and practical instruction on how to teach mindfulness. Led by Buddhist teacher, author, and Grammy-nominated musician David Nichtern. Graduates receive dual certification from Dharma Moon and Tibet House US.
- Shantideva CenterminorAffiliate partner for Buddhist retreat programs, co-hosting events such as 'There's No Karma We Can't Purify' retreat with Venerable Robina Courtin at Garrison Institute, NY.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Tibet House competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Asia Society: Major NYC-based cultural institution with Asian art exhibitions, performances, and educational programming. Comparable as a broader incumbent in Asian cultural programming with gallery, lectures, and ticketed events, but with a much wider geographic remit than Tibet House.
Direct peers
- Esalen Institute: Long-running Big Sur retreat center combining contemplative practice, somatic/bodywork, and residential workshops. Comparable destination retreat operating model with workshops, certifications, and overnight stays.
- 1440 Multiversity: California retreat and learning destination combining wellness workshops, contemplative practice, and overnight accommodations. Comparable destination-retreat operating model with a broad paid-programming calendar.
- Insight Meditation Society: Pioneering residential vipassana/insight meditation center in Massachusetts offering multi-day retreats and teacher-training pipelines. Directly comparable retreat-and-Buddhist-education operating model.
- Spirit Rock Meditation Center: Northern California retreat center offering residential meditation retreats, teacher training, and Buddhist study. Comparable as a retreat-and-teacher-training operating model analogous to Tibet House's Menla + Dharma Moon combination.
- Shambhala Mountain Center: Colorado mountain retreat center offering meditation retreats, contemplative programs, and teacher training. Comparable retreat venue operating model with multi-day paid programming.
- Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health: Massachusetts yoga, wellness, and retreat destination with overnight accommodations, teacher trainings, and a broad schedule of paid programs. Comparable to Menla's retreat-plus-yoga positioning and revenue mix.
- Rubin Museum of Art: Until its 2024 closure of the physical museum, the Rubin was the leading Himalayan/Tibetan art museum in NYC. Directly comparable as a cultural-heritage institution focused on Tibetan and Himalayan civilization, with overlapping curatorial and educational mission.
- Drepung Loseling Monastery (Drepung Loseling Buddhist Center, Atlanta): Tibetan Buddhist monastery and cultural center affiliated with the Dalai Lama's tradition, hosting teachings, ritual events, and cultural programming. Directly comparable as a Tibetan cultural institution serving a US community.
Emerging players
- Barre Center for Buddhist Studies: Massachusetts-based institute offering study programs, retreats, and teacher-training pipelines grounded in Buddhist study. Comparable Buddhist-education operating layer, though tradition-specific rather than pan-Tibetan.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Tibet House social profiles
Digital presenceTibet House financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tibet House leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Tibet House subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Tibet House funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tibet House 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 Tibet House
What does Tibet House do?
Tibet House US is a nonprofit cultural institution that preserves and presents Tibetan civilization and culture through a NYC gallery, the Menla Catskill retreat center, educational programs (yoga, meditation, Buddhist teachings), an annual Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall, gift shop merchandise, and membership subscriptions. The organization offers certification programs and study-abroad courses in partnership with academic and meditation institutions, alongside rotating exhibitions of Tibetan art and co-produced documentary content.
Is Tibet House a public or private company?
Tibet House is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Tibet House founded?
Tibet House was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Tibet House based?
Tibet House is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Tibet House make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Membership Program is the primary driver. The others are programs and Events, gift Shop, annual Benefit Concert and donations.
Who are Tibet House's main competitors?
Asia Society is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Esalen Institute, 1440 Multiversity, Insight Meditation Society, Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Shambhala Mountain Center, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Rubin Museum of Art and Drepung Loseling Monastery (Drepung Loseling Buddhist Center, Atlanta). Barre Center for Buddhist Studies is listed as an emerging player.
Does Tibet House have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tibet House.
What industry is Tibet House in?
Tibet House's product category is Cultural and Educational Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJADAI, Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations), with a secondary code of THAJAHAA, Yoga & Meditation Experiences (Studio Classes, Guided Meditation, Mindfulness). Its NAICS code is 712 and its SIC code is 7000.