Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives

What Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives does

The Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives (ALBA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded circa 1980 and headquartered at 239 W 14th St., Suite 2, New York, NY, with a maintained two-coast US presence including Bay Area programming at Freight & Salvage in Berkeley. Its mission is to preserve the legacy of the approximately 2,800 Americans who volunteered to fight fascism as part of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), and to translate that history into contemporary human rights education and activism.

The organization's core technology and product surface centers on a digital archive and online database infrastructure. Its principal asset is the searchable Volunteer Database containing 2,765 biographical records of Lincoln Brigade volunteers, supplemented by the ALBA Digital Library of scanned documents, photographs, and letters, all physically co-housed for long-term preservation with NYU's Tamiment Library. Programming products include an Education program with 117 lesson plans, teaching institutes, and an online curriculum; the Volunteer Magazine (in print since 1939 and online since 2010); cultural series such as the Susman Lecture and Perry Rosenstein Cultural Series; recurring commemorative events; and the Impugning Impunity Human Rights Documentary Film Festival. Children's drawings from the Spanish Civil War are held across multiple partner institutions including UCSD (609 drawings), Columbia University's Avery Library (100+), plus collections at Harvard, Haverford, and others, and have been exhibited through the traveling 'They Still Draw Pictures' show.

ALBA's business model is donation- and grant-driven. Revenue streams include online and mail donations, monthly giving, IRA charitable distributions, stock gifts, and the Jarama Society planned giving program for legacy bequests; event tickets and benefit admissions ranging from $5 individual screenings to $50 benefit tickets with $120 family packs; an online bookstore priced $15-$60 per title that also distributes via a Powell's Books partnership donating 7% of qualifying purchases back to ALBA; and PayPal Giving Fund contributions. The organization is led by Executive Director Mark Wallem, with a Board of Governors chaired by Sebastiaan Faber and Board Chair Emeritus Peter N. Carroll. Served audiences include educators and students (primary), human rights activists (primary), descendants and family members, academic researchers and historians, and a general public interested in documentary film and historical programming.

Name

Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives

Legal name

The Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives

Website

https://alba-valb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives (ALBA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that preserves materials and biographical records on the approximately 2,800 Americans who volunteered in the Spanish Civil War, delivering educational programs, a digital library, and human rights programming to educators, descendants, researchers, and activists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historical Archives and Educational Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Libraries and Archives (519210), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Human Rights Monitoring, Documentation & Advocacy (BPADAGAK), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)

Keywords

• Historical archives preservation
• Human rights education
• Spanish Civil War history
• Nonprofit cultural organization
• Biographical database research

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: ALBA accepts online donations, monthly giving, stock gifts, IRA charitable distributions, and planned giving through the Jarama Society. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
2. Bookstore and Merchandise Sales: ALBA operates an online bookstore selling books, DVDs, and merchandise related to the Spanish Civil War and Lincoln Brigade history. Book prices range from $15 to $60. A partnership with Powell's generates 7% of book purchases donated back to ALBA.
3. Event Tickets and Benefits: Revenue from annual celebrations, film festivals, benefits, and educational events. Event tickets typically range from $5 to $50, with festival passes at $20 and family packs available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ALBA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that preserves historical materials related to approximately 2,800 American volunteers who served in the Abraham Lincoln Brigade during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). The organization maintains a searchable biographical database of 2,765 volunteer records, archives housed at NYU's Tamiment Library, and offers educational programs including lesson plans, teaching institutes, and traveling exhibitions. It also publishes The Volunteer magazine, hosts annual celebrations and the Impugning Impunity Human Rights Documentary Film Festival, and operates an online bookstore selling books, DVDs, and merchandise.

Product overview

ALBA operates as a historical archives and educational organization rather than a technology company. Its offerings include a Volunteer Database of 2,765 biographical records, educational programs with lesson plans and teaching institutes, The Volunteer Magazine (print and online), and cultural programs including the Susman Lecture and Perry Rosenstein Cultural Series. The organization maintains traveling exhibitions like 'They Still Draw Pictures,' hosts the annual Impugning Impunity Human Rights Documentary Film Festival, and operates a bookstore selling books and documentaries about the Spanish Civil War. ALBA also runs memorial projects, the Jarama Society planned giving program, and accepts donations through multiple channels including PayPal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Jarama Society: ALBA's planned giving program for legacy gifts to preserve the history of anti-fascism for future generations.
• ALBA/Puffin Human Rights Project
• Peter N. Carroll Anti-Fascist Education Fund
• Impugning Impunity
• The Volunteer

Products and services

• The Good Fight Documentary Film Documentary film presenting the experiences of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade using archival footage and survivor interviews, narrated by Studs Terkel. Sold via ALBA's bookstore for educational and general audiences interested in Spanish Civil War history.
• ¡Brigadistas! Graphic Novel Graphic novel by Miguel Ferguson, Anne Timmons, Paul Buhle and Fraser Ottanelli depicting three Americans joining the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. Sold via ALBA's bookstore.
• Radical Nostalgia Book Book by Peter Glazer analyzing commemorative events recalling the Spanish Civil War struggle for nearly seventy years. Priced at $25 via ALBA's bookstore.
• Volunteer Database Searchable biographical database containing records of 2,765 Lincoln Brigade volunteers, including biographical information, photographs, and archival sources. Free to access via the ALBA website.
• Education Program Educational program providing lesson plans, teaching institutes, online resources, and the ALBA Digital Library for teaching about the Spanish Civil War and anti-fascism. Includes 117 educational resources.
• The Volunteer Magazine Historical publication originally started in 1939, now available as an online magazine featuring content about the Lincoln Brigade, ALBA blog, videos, and podcasts.
• ALBA/Puffin Human Rights Project Program combining educational initiatives with human rights activism, including the annual ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism presented to individuals and organizations.
• They Still Draw Pictures Exhibition Traveling exhibition of children's drawings produced during the Spanish Civil War, curated by Anthony L. Geist and Peter N. Carroll. Hosted at universities and museums across the US.
• Susman Lecture Series Annual lecture series on topics related to the Spanish Civil War and social activism.
• Perry Rosenstein Cultural Series Cultural programming series featuring events, film screenings, and artistic presentations related to the Abraham Lincoln Brigade legacy.
• Invisible Heroes Documentary Film Documentary telling the story of African American volunteers in the Spanish Civil War. Sold via ALBA's bookstore.
• Into the Fire Documentary Film Documentary featuring American women who volunteered to fight fascism during the Spanish Civil War. Sold via ALBA's bookstore.
• Spain in Our Hearts Book Book by Adam Hochschild about Americans involved in the Spanish Civil War. Priced at $35 via ALBA's bookstore.
• ALBA Online Bookstore Online bookstore selling books, films, and merchandise related to the Spanish Civil War and Abraham Lincoln Brigade. Items range from $15 to $60. A partnership with Powell's generates 7% of book purchases donated back to ALBA.
• Impugning Impunity Human Rights Documentary Film Festival Annual human rights documentary film festival featuring screenings, Q&A sessions, and the Harry Randall Award for best human rights documentary. Individual tickets $5 for general public, free for students and ICNY members; festival passes $20.

Quantifiable outcome

• 42 years of continuous operation preserving anti-fascist history
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tamiment Library at NYUcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerALBA's archives are housed at New York University's Tamiment Library, which provides archival storage, access, and preservation services for ALBA's collection of documents, photographs, and records related to the Abraham Lincoln Brigade.
• Powell's BooksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership where Powell's donates 7% of book purchases to ALBA. This allows ALBA to earn revenue from book sales while reaching Powell's customer base.
• Puffin FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor supporter of ALBA's human rights programs, including the annual ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism and the Impugning Impunity film festival. Sponsors annual celebrations and educational programming.
• Instituto Cervantes New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for hosting film festivals, exhibitions, and cultural events related to Spanish Civil War history. Provides venue for Impugning Impunity film festival and other ALBA programming.
• McNally Jackson BookstoreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBookstore partner for hosting book presentations and readings, such as the Spain in Our Hearts book launch by Adam Hochschild.
• International Center of PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCultural institution partner for events, co-sponsored the Spain in Our Hearts book presentation.
• Consulate General of Spain in New YorkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment partner supporting cultural events related to Spanish history, co-sponsored book presentations.
• AmbulanteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDocumentary film distribution organization that supports ALBA's Impugning Impunity film festival.
• Icarus FilmsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFilm distribution company that co-sponsors ALBA's human rights documentary film festival.
• Center for Constitutional RightsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHuman rights organization that co-sponsors the Impugning Impunity film festival and related events.
• Brooklyn CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for the exhibition 'Brooklyn at War: Spain 1936-1939' curated by Professor Alejandro Alonso, covering political life on campus in the 1930s, impact of the Spanish Civil War, and Spanish Exiles.
• Columbia University Avery LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHolds over 100 children's drawings from the Spanish Civil War and collaborated on the 'They Still Draw Pictures' exhibition and book.
• University of California San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHolds 609 children's drawings from the Spanish Civil War in Mandeville Special Collections Library, supporting ALBA's educational mission.
• Harvard UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHolds children's drawings from the Spanish Civil War in their collections.
• Haverford CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHolds children's drawings from the Spanish Civil War in their collections.
• Skylight PicturesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDocumentary film company that co-sponsors the Impugning Impunity film festival.
• Spanish Benevolent SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for ALBA events including annual celebrations, benefits, and film screenings. Located at 239 West 14th Street, New York.
• Freight & Salvage CoffeehousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBerkeley, California venue for Bay Area Annual Celebrations honoring the Abraham Lincoln Brigade and related events.
• Museum of the City of New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted 'Facing Fascism: New York and the Spanish Civil War' exhibition and co-sponsored Folk City concert benefiting exhibitions.
• Carnegie InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in collection and exhibition of children's artwork from the Spanish Civil War.
• American Friends Service CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in collection and exhibition of children's artwork from the Spanish Civil War.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Museum of the City of New York: New York cultural institution that hosted ALBA's 'Facing Fascism' exhibition. Comparable as a regional historical and cultural institution with overlap in exhibiting Spanish Civil War and New York history content.
• Spanish Cultural Center (Washington DC): Cultural and educational organization promoting Spanish heritage in the U.S. Comparable as a Spanish heritage education and cultural nonprofit serving a similar community.
• Instituto Cervantes New York: Official Spanish government cultural institution promoting Spanish language and culture. ALBA's core programming partner for film festivals and cultural events, with overlap in Spanish heritage programming and Spain-focused audiences.

Broad incumbents

• PEN America: Major literary and human rights organization with comparable human rights advocacy programming. Comparable in connecting historical free-expression and anti-fascist traditions to contemporary activism.
• Equal Justice Initiative: Human rights organization honored by ALBA's Puffin Award, working on racial justice and memorialization. Comparable in connecting historical injustice (including memorial sites) to contemporary human rights education.
• Amnesty International USA: Major U.S. human rights advocacy organization with overlapping human rights education mission. Comparable in connecting historical human rights precedents to contemporary activism, though vastly larger and more global.
• US Holocaust Memorial Museum: Larger federally chartered institution preserving Holocaust memory and educating on genocide and human rights. Comparable as a historical human rights archive and education organization, though with vastly greater scale and government backing.

Emerging players

• Center for Constitutional Rights: Progressive human rights and civil liberties legal organization co-sponsoring ALBA's Impugning Impunity film festival. Comparable as a human rights advocacy and education nonprofit, with overlap in target activist audience.

Direct peers

• Spanish Benevolent Society: New York-based Spanish cultural organization and ALBA's primary event venue partner. Comparable as a heritage nonprofit preserving Spanish and Hispanic-American cultural memory, with overlapping community.
• International Brigade Memorial Trust: UK-based charity dedicated to preserving the memory of the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War. Most directly comparable peer: same subject, similar educational and commemorative mission, and parallel organizational structure to ALBA.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/LincolnBrigade
• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=f_G_JkaTlBU
• Facebookfacebook.com/AbrahamLincolnBrigadeArchives
• Instagraminstagram.com/lincoln_brigade
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/abraham-lincoln-brigade-archives

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives