What Art with Heart does

Art with Heart is a Seattle-based nonprofit therapeutic art organization that publishes activity books and social-emotional learning (SEL) curricula designed to support children's emotional health. The organization has developed a proprietary catalog of four therapeutic activity books — Chill & Spill, Ink About It, Magnificent Marvelous Me!, and Draw It Out — alongside printed curricula and training programs aimed at educators, counselors, clinicians, and families. Operating as a program of Akin, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit formed in 2020 from the merger of Childhaven and Children's Home Society of Washington, Art with Heart leverages expressive arts modalities to help children process emotions in clinical, classroom, and home settings.

The organization generates revenue through a diversified nonprofit model combining direct-to-consumer book sales via e-commerce and phone orders, institutional training and workshop fees, and tax-deductible donations. Distribution channels include a dedicated online store and institutional partnerships, most notably with Seattle Public Schools, which enables classroom-scale deployment of therapeutic curricula. Strategic alliances with national organizations including CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) and the American Psychological Association lend professional credibility and support outreach to school districts and counseling networks across the United States.

With a team of 1–10 employees, Art with Heart operates at a small organizational scale. The organization has maintained a 20+ year operational history — conflicting source dates place founding at either 1996 or 2000 — and continues to refresh its product catalog, with materials dated as recently as September 2025. As a nonprofit entity operating within the Akin organizational umbrella and the Center for Early Relational Health, Art with Heart's sustainability is dependent on program service revenue, philanthropic support, and institutional partnerships rather than conventional equity financing or venture-backed growth capital.

Name

Art with Heart

Legal name

ART WITH HEART

Website

https://artwithheart.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Art with Heart is a Seattle-based nonprofit therapeutic art organization that publishes activity books and SEL curricula for children, serving educators, counselors, clinicians, and families through e-commerce sales, training programs, and institutional partnerships within the Akin nonprofit ecosystem.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Social-Emotional Learning Resources

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s Activity & Practice Books (Workbooks, Puzzles, Handwriting) (EDAGAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Character Development (EDAGACAC), Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Life Skills Trade (EDAGAIAH), Children’s Activity & Workbook Publishing (MPAJAFAG)

Keywords

• Therapeutic activity books
• Social emotional learning
• Children grief support
• Creative expression curriculum
• Youth mental health

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

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, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Book and Curricula Sales: Sale of therapeutic activity books including Ink About It, Draw It Out, Magnificent Marvelous Me, and Chill & Spill. Books are sold through the online shop and can be purchased via credit card or purchase order.
2. Training Services: In-person and online training programs for adults serving kids, including customized training for schools, community organizations, and institutions. Also offers webinars and professional development through Creative Advantage partnership.
3. Donations: Accepts donations through their website via Classy.org platform to support their mission of providing creative tools and resources to kids and communities in need of healing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Art with Heart develops and sells therapeutic activity books and printed curricula designed for children ages 5-18 to help them process grief, trauma, and difficult emotions through creative expression. The organization complements its books with in-person, online, and customized training programs for adults who work with children, including counselors, teachers, and child life specialists. It also partners with schools and community organizations to deliver its evidence-based SEL programming and accepts donations to support distribution to underserved kids.

Product overview

Art with Heart offers a therapeutic, art-based curriculum and books designed for kids age 5-18. The core product portfolio includes four therapeutic activity books: Chill & Spill, Ink About It, Magnificent Marvelous Me!, and Draw It Out. These books are complemented by printed curricula and are supported through in-person, online, and customized training services for adults who work with children. Additional resources include art extension activities, expert videos, caregiver guides, and grief resources. The company operates as a program of the Center for Early Relational Health at Akin, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Chill & Spill Therapeutic Activity Book Therapeutic activity book for children ages 5-18 that encourages youth to examine their identity while building empathy and self-awareness through creative expression.
• Ink About It Therapeutic activity book for children ages 5-18 that supports kids in exploring and developing personal values while reconciling emotional conflicts.
• Magnificent Marvelous Me! Therapeutic activity book for children ages 5-18 that builds tools to cope through storytelling using senses and textures, and helps explore collage techniques while building empathy, identity, and emotion identification.
• Draw It Out Therapeutic activity book for children ages 5-18 that helps kids process grief and explore their thoughts and feelings through creative expression.
• Printed Curricula Printed educational curricula designed for adults who are leading or looking to lead creative expression programs with kids they serve, covering SEL, creative expression, and ACEs topics.
• In-Person Training Programs In-person training sessions that empower adults to use creative expression with kids, covering subjects such as creative expression and SEL, and creative expression and ACEs.
• Online Trainings and Webinars Online training and webinar offerings that provide flexible learning options for adults serving kids to learn creative expression techniques and apply therapeutic activities.
• Customized Training Programs Personalized training programs created for specific organizations based on the needs of their team and the kids they serve, including schools, community-based organizations, and institutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• After 10 weeks of Draw It Out program, students were able to stay calm during art activities and unanimously voted to continue the program for 8 more weeks
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 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

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate and minor.

• Center for Early Relational Health at AkincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt with Heart is a program of the Center for Early Relational Health at Akin. Akin is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed from the merger of Childhaven and Children's Home Society of Washington. Tax Identification number (EIN): 91-0575955.
• Seattle Public Schools (Creative Advantage)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt with Heart is an approved community arts partner for Seattle Public Schools through Creative Advantage, a city-wide initiative to establish equitable access to arts learning for every SPS student. Schools receive partnership funds from the Office of Arts & Culture.
• CASELmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCASEL's concepts of SEL (Social Emotional Learning) are the benchmarks for national organizations. Art with Heart resources are designed to complement classroom SEL programs.
• Seattle Children's HospitalmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization whose staff have served as advisors and provided expertise in developing Art with Heart curricula for therapeutic art programs.
• Sound Mental HealthmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of King County's most comprehensive providers of mental health and addiction treatment services. Advisor Dena Frandsen, LMHC, CMHS from Sound Mental Health provides expertise on program development.
• Eluna NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Eluna Network's camps and online resource center provide invaluable support for families facing loss or experiencing family addiction. Collaborates on resources for grieving children.
• National Alliance for Grieving Children (NAGC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA nonprofit organization that raises awareness about the needs of children and teens who are grieving a death. Provides network for grief support resources.
• American Psychological Association (APA)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. Art with Heart resources align with psychological approaches to child trauma and grief.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for Americans affected by mental illness. Alignment with mental health support mission.
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrings comprehensive focus to childhood trauma to raise the standard of care while increasing access to services. Art with Heart resources support trauma-informed approaches.
• Committee for ChildrenmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocates for and researches educational programs to advance the safety and well-being of children through social-emotional learning (SEL).
• Neighborcare HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides comprehensive health care to families and individuals who have difficulty accessing care. Shares commitment to supporting children's emotional health.
• Boys & Girls ClubsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides millions of kids and teens a safe place to develop essential skills. Potential distribution channel for Art with Heart programs.
• YMCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilds communities where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body. Shared commitment to youth development.
• Highline Public SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistrict where a school counselor testified about the value of Art with Heart workshops, expanding professional toolbox.
• Friends of YouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with youth and families to provide relationships, resources, and skills needed for personal growth and success. Shared focus on supporting youth.
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead federal agency for research on mental disorders. Art with Heart approaches align with evidence-based mental health practices.
• Communities In SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks in public schools to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
• National Funeral Directors AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides professional resources for all facets of funeral service. Relevant partner for grief support resources when families face loss.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Emerging players

• Slumberkins: Children's emotional-wellness brand combining storybooks, plush, and caregiver resources focused on emotional regulation; overlaps with Art with Heart's SEL/emotional expression niche for young children.

Others

• National Alliance for Grieving Children: Nonprofit raising awareness and resources for bereaved children and teens; while it is also a partner of Art with Heart, it addresses the same grief-support audience from a network/advocacy angle.
• Eluna Network: National network supporting grieving children and families through camps and resource centers; an active Art with Heart partner that serves a similar grief-affected audience via complementary programs.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development nonprofit that is a listed Art with Heart distribution partner; shares a youth-services audience that could be served through Art with Heart programs at the club level.

Direct peers

• Big Life Journal: Publishes growth-mindset and SEL journals/activity books for children that are sold directly to parents and educators through e-commerce — closely mirrors Art with Heart's activity book model and SEL positioning.
• Starfall Education: Provides early-childhood learning activities and SEL-aligned content via digital and print channels; overlapping customer base of educators and parents seeking emotional and creative development resources for kids.
• Barefoot Books: Independent children's book publisher offering activity-based and SEL-themed titles sold through schools, bookstores, and direct channels — comparable product format (print books + activity extensions) and education-focused sales motion.
• Committee for Children: Nonprofit developer of the widely adopted Second Step SEL curriculum for K–8 students. Most directly comparable to Art with Heart in mission (SEL for kids), curriculum-based delivery, and school-channel go-to-market.

Broad incumbents

• Scholastic: Dominant K–12 educational publisher and distributor that sells classroom SEL and social-issue titles through schools and book fairs; relevant incumbent in the same channel and adjacent content categories.
• Highlights for Children: Established children's activity and educational content brand with broad retail distribution; competes in children's activity books but at much larger scale and without trauma/SEL specialization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/art_with_heart

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Art with Heart