Alabama Holocaust Education Center

What Alabama Holocaust Education Center does

The Alabama Holocaust Education Center (AHEC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, dedicated to Holocaust education, remembrance, and the documentation of Alabama's survivor community. Founded in 2002 and rebranded to its current statewide identity in 2022, the organization operates an 8,300 square foot facility that opened in 2023 and houses the Darkness into Life exhibit, a 3,000+ item library, and an archive of 10,000+ artifacts. AHEC serves all 67 Alabama counties, with active programming in more than 40 of them, targeting K-12 students, educators, survivors and their families, corporate groups, and the general public.

AHEC's core products include permanent and traveling exhibits, an Educator Toolkit aligned to state standards, a Speakers Bureau of survivors, a Speakers for Schools program, an inaugural Teaching the Holocaust Conference (June 2-3, 2026), and a third-party virtual reality Auschwitz experience available on-site and via a Mobile VR Experience. The organization partners with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Toronto Holocaust Museum, USC Shoah Foundation, and the Anne Frank Center for content sharing and co-programming. The permanent collection incorporates testimony from 170+ recorded Alabama survivors, 20 of whom are featured in the flagship exhibit.

The business model is donation-dependent, with revenue from individual giving, the Eternal Light Society major-gift program, merchandise sales, and paid conference registrations, alongside in-kind and volunteer support. Distribution is hybrid: a fixed physical site in Birmingham, supplemented by traveling exhibitions that have reached 100+ schools, museums, and community organizations, and a statewide Speakers Bureau. The organization runs on approximately 7-8 full-time staff supported by 18 trained docents, situating AHEC in the small but operationally institutionalized segment of regional Holocaust education nonprofits.

Name

Alabama Holocaust Education Center

Legal name

Alabama Holocaust Education Center

Website

https://ahecinfo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Alabama Holocaust Education Center is a Birmingham-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates an 8,300 square foot facility and delivers Holocaust education, exhibits, and survivor testimony programming to K-12 schools, educators, and the public across all 67 Alabama counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Holocaust Education and Museum Services

NAICS

Museums (71211), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural, Arts & Humanities Community Education (Museums/Arts Councils) (EDAAAFAD)

Keywords

• Holocaust education
• Museum exhibits
• Survivor testimony
• Teacher professional development
• Cultural heritage programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the primary revenue stream is donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization accepts general donations, tribute gifts, major gifts through the Eternal Light Society, workplace giving, payroll deductions, and fundraising through social media. Donors can give through appreciated stocks, donor advised funds, retirement assets, IRA charitable rollovers, real estate, and bequests.
2. Eternal Light Society Major Gifts: Premier philanthropic circle requiring a three-year pledge commitment. Tiers include Champion ($50,000+), Educator ($25,000+), Visionary ($10,000+), and Scholar ($5,000+). Major gifts fund Educator Toolkit, Teacher Scholarships, Student Outreach, Community Programs, and Artifact/Testimony Preservation.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of Holocaust education books and memoirs through the AHEC Store. Products include 'Determined to Survive' ($15), 'My Father's Blessing' ($15), and 'Word Smugglers' ($10). Books are also available on Amazon.
4. Conference Registration: Teaching the Holocaust Conference charges $35 registration fee (heavily subsidized from $750 value through sponsorships). Conference includes keynote speakers, breakout sessions, continental breakfast, lunch, PD credits, and access to conference platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Alabama Holocaust Education Center operates a Holocaust museum and education center in Birmingham, Alabama, offering free public admission to immersive exhibits, an archive of 10,000+ artifacts, and a library of 3,000+ books. It provides Holocaust education programs including the "Darkness into Life" permanent and traveling exhibits, teacher professional development with PowerSchool credit, field trips for students grades 5+, the Speakers Bureau connecting audiences with Survivors, a Virtual Reality Auschwitz experience, and the annual Teaching the Holocaust Conference.

Product overview

The Alabama Holocaust Education Center is a nonprofit organization offering Holocaust education through a combination of physical exhibits, educational programs, and digital resources. The core offerings include the permanent 'Darkness into Life' exhibit (featuring 20 Alabama Holocaust Survivors' stories through photography and art), a traveling version of the exhibit for schools and institutions, a comprehensive Educator Toolkit with curriculum resources and professional development, and immersive Virtual Reality experiences. The Center's educational ecosystem also includes the Speakers Bureau (connecting audiences with Survivors), Teacher Workshops, the Betty & Max Steinmetz Teacher Fellowship, a Library (3,000+ books/DVDs), and Archives (10,000+ artifacts). Community programs include commemorations, lectures, film screenings, and the annual 'Teaching the Holocaust' educator conference. The Center operates an 8,300-square-foot facility in Birmingham, Alabama, open to the public with free admission by appointment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Darkness Into Life Traveling Exhibit A traveling version of the Darkness Into Life exhibit consisting of 17 pull-up panels (39 inches wide x 84 inches high) housed in cloth traveling bags. Available free to Alabama schools, museums, and cultural institutions, featuring custom artwork, family photographs, personal testimony, and educational content about 20 Alabama Holocaust Survivors. The exhibit has been featured in over 100 schools, workplaces, and community institutions throughout Alabama since 2009.
• Virtual Reality Auschwitz Experience Immersive Virtual Reality experience transporting visitors to Auschwitz, guided by Holocaust survivor Fritzie Fritzshall. Visitors walk through the concentration camp grounds while hearing firsthand testimony. Available for individual visitors at the Birmingham center, group tours, and can be brought to schools, workplaces, or organizations for lunch-and-learns or professional development programs.
• Speakers Bureau Connects schools, organizations, faith groups, and civic institutions with Holocaust Survivors, their children, and trained speakers who offer thought-provoking presentations. Topics include personal survivor stories, historical overviews, antisemitism, human rights, and civic responsibility. Presentations are provided free in-person or virtually via Zoom, with a minimum three-week advance notice requirement.
• Teaching the Holocaust Conference

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 schools, workplaces, and community institutions have hosted the Darkness Into Life traveling exhibit since 2009
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Toronto Holocaust MuseumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint presentation of the What History Teaches webinar series. Marci Shore, historian from Toronto Holocaust Museum, delivered a lecture on Eastern Europe and the Impact of Totalitarianism as part of this multi-part series exploring how democracy eroded and extremism took root in 1930's Germany.
• United States Holocaust Memorial MuseumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured as a breakout speaker at the Teaching the Holocaust Conference. Rebecca Erbelding from USHMM presented at the conference. AHEC displays USHMM logo as a partner organization.
• Anne Frank Center USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured as breakout speakers at the Teaching the Holocaust Conference with Dr. Lauren Bairnsfather and Katie Meade presenting sessions.
• The National World War II MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured as breakout speaker at the Teaching the Holocaust Conference with Haley Guepet presenting.
• University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Kristallnacht Commemoration held in partnership with UAB. Professor Jonathan Wiesen serves on AHEC's Board as Secretary and Chair of the History Department at UAB. Dr. Jonathan Wiesen also presents at Taking Action Together events.
• Freedom Writers FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerErin Gruwell, founder of the Freedom Writers Foundation, serves as Keynote Speaker for the Teaching the Holocaust Conference (June 2, 2026). Her organization promotes tolerance and education using Holocaust history.
• Alabama State Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlake Busbin from the Alabama State Department of Education serves on the AHEC Board of Directors. The organization works to align programs with state education standards.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Holocaust Museum Houston: Regional Holocaust education center in Texas operating a permanent facility with exhibits, archives, and Survivor testimony programs. Comparable to AHEC as a state-level Holocaust education hub serving K-12 educators and the broader community.
• Toronto Holocaust Museum: Canadian Holocaust museum partnered with AHEC on the What History Teaches webinar series. Operates a permanent facility with exhibits and educational programming; comparable as a regional Holocaust education institution engaging educators and students.
• Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum: Regional Holocaust and human rights museum with permanent exhibits, VR experiences, and educator programming. Most directly comparable to AHEC as a similarly sized regional museum combining Holocaust education with immersive technology and K-12 field trip focus.
• Virginia Holocaust Museum: Regional Holocaust museum in Richmond, Virginia with permanent exhibits, Survivor testimony, and traveling exhibit programs. Comparable to AHEC as a similarly sized Southeast-adjacent Holocaust education institution with a focus on local Survivor stories.
• Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center: Regional Holocaust museum and education center in Skokie, Illinois. Operates a permanent facility with exhibits, educator programming, and Survivor testimony — directly comparable to AHEC in mission, audience (K-12 educators/students), and delivery model.
• Holocaust Museum LA: Long-running regional Holocaust museum in Los Angeles with permanent exhibits, Survivor testimony programming, and educator resources. Closely comparable to AHEC in mission and educational focus on Survivor-led storytelling.
• Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust: New York-based Holocaust museum and education center with permanent exhibits and Survivor testimony programming. Comparable to AHEC in curatorial mission and Survivor-centered education approach.
• Anne Frank Center USA: New York-based Holocaust education organization focused on Anne Frank's story, educator programming, and exhibits. Featured partner of AHEC's Teaching the Holocaust Conference; comparable as a Holocaust education nonprofit with K-12 focus.

Broad incumbents

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: National Holocaust museum in Washington DC with permanent exhibits, archives, and educator resources. Direct partner of AHEC (featured at the Teaching the Holocaust Conference); comparable as a Holocaust education and memorial institution with a broader national scope.
• The National WWII Museum: Major WWII history museum in New Orleans covering the broader war context of the Holocaust. Featured speaker partner of AHEC's conference; comparable as a war-history education institution with K-12 programming and traveling exhibits.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCeCLuohVwmVHLXJbkqu0a9g
• Facebookfacebook.com/ahecinfo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ahec-info
• Instagraminstagram.com/ahecinfo

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Alabama Holocaust Education Center