Kappa Alpha Order
Kappa Alpha Order is a U.S. national men's social fraternity founded in 1865, serving 146,229 living members through undergraduate and alumni chapters via brotherhood, leadership education, scholarships, and philanthropy programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1865
- HeadquartersLexington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Kappa Alpha Order does
Kappa Alpha Order is a 501(c)-style private non-profit men's social fraternity founded on December 21, 1865, at Washington College (now Washington & Lee University) in Lexington, Virginia. It operates a national chapter network at colleges and universities across the United States, governed by an elected Knight Commander and Executive Council, with a National Administrative Office headquartered at Mulberry Hill, a Virginia Historic Landmark in Lexington. The Order serves approximately 146,229 living members through undergraduate chapters, alumni chapters, the Loyal Order, Courts of Honor, and a Military Division, structured under a province system with Province Commanders overseeing regional operations.
Its core 'product' is the fraternity membership experience, built around four pillars — Reverence, Gentility, Knowledge, and Leadership — and delivered through structured programs including the Emerging Leaders Academy, Number I's Leadership Institute, Officer Training Conference, annual Convention, and the Bid for Brotherhood fundraising auction. The affiliated Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation (KAOEF) layers on scholarships ($114,300 in individual support) and internships, while Project Outreach coordinates philanthropic initiatives such as The Independence Fund partnership (trackchairs for wounded veterans, with over $1.4 million raised since 2016) and Operation KARE. Operational technology is third-party SaaS rather than proprietary: OmegaFi (goKA portal) for dues and member management, MailChimp for alumni communications, ChapterBuilder for recruitment, CrowdChange for philanthropy tracking, and Collegiate Regalia for merchandise.
The revenue model combines recurring membership dues (undergraduate and alumni, with a new $200 annual alumni chapter dues structure taking effect after Convention in 2027), one-time merchandise sales through the KA Shop and Collegiate Regalia partnership, and donations routed through the KAOEF giving programs (Crimson & Gold Society, 1865 Trust, Forever KA). The national staff is small (11-50 employees) and growth is organic, driven by new chapter installations and alumni engagement rather than external capital, as the organization has no funding rounds or parent company.
Kappa Alpha Order firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kappa Alpha Order
- Legal name
- Kappa Alpha Order
- Website
- https://kappaalphaorder.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1865
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Kappa Alpha Order is a U.S. national men's social fraternity founded in 1865, serving 146,229 living members through undergraduate and alumni chapters via brotherhood, leadership education, scholarships, and philanthropy programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kappa Alpha Order industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fraternity & Membership Services
- NAICS
- Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Student Organizations & Club Administration (EDALAHAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Alumni Benefits, Membership & Affinity Programs (EDALAOAM), Alumni Events, Reunions & Regional Chapters (EDALAOAG), Major Gifts, Planned Giving & Endowment Development (EDALAOAC)
Keywords
Where Kappa Alpha Order is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lexington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Kappa Alpha Order business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Undergraduate and alumni members pay national dues to support the Order's operations, leadership programs, and the Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation (KAOEF). Alumni chapter annual dues are $200 as stated in the Alumni Chapter Annual Report.
- Merchandise Sales: The Order operates a shop selling KA-branded products including regalia, badges, and chapter supplies through partnerships with vendors like Collegiate Regalia.
- Donations and Foundation Support: The KAOEF raises funds through various giving programs including the Crimson & Gold Society ($1,000+ annual contributors), 1865 Trust, Forever KA, and Bid for Brotherhood auction which has generated over $1.1 million net aggregate since inception.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | $200 Annual Alumni Chapter Dues |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Kappa Alpha Order product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kappa Alpha Order is a nonprofit college men's fraternity that operates 132 active chapters and 6 colonies across U.S. universities. It delivers its offering through local chapters providing brotherhood, leadership development, scholarship programs, and alumni networking. The organization is supported by The Kappa Alpha Order Foundation (a 501(c)(3) educational foundation) and merchandise sales through the KA Shop.
Product overview
Kappa Alpha Order is a national collegiate fraternity founded in 1865 offering a unified membership experience centered on brotherhood, leadership, and service. The core offering consists of fraternity membership access through local chapters, supported by the Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation (KAOEF) which provides scholarships and internship programs. The organization delivers member development through structured programs including the Emerging Leaders Academy, Number I's Leadership Institute, Officer Training Conference, and annual Convention. Community engagement is facilitated through Project Outreach initiatives including The Independence Fund for wounded veterans and Operation K.A.R.E. The ecosystem also includes operational tools like ChapterBuilder for recruitment and OmegaFi for member management, along with branded merchandise through Collegiate Regalia.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Scholarship Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 146,229 living members across undergraduate and alumni chapters
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Kappa Alpha Order
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Kappa Alpha Order technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Kappa Alpha Order partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The Independence FundcoreKappa Alpha Order has partnered with The Independence Fund since 2016 to support wounded Veterans. The partnership provides trackchairs (all-terrain wheelchairs) to catastrophically wounded Veterans and has expanded to include family support programs like the Family Retreat featuring accessible Disney Cruises. The High Point University chapter alone has raised over $1.4 million for The Independence Fund, with $150,000 raised in the most recent year to fund a June 5 Family Retreat sending four Veteran families on an accessible Disney Cruise. The partnership builds on the Order's long-standing commitment to restoring independence and outdoor access through trackchairs.
- Disabilities In ActionminorBaton Rouge-based dealer for Action Trackchairs in Louisiana and Mississippi. Partnered with LSU's Alpha Gamma Chapter and The Independence Fund to provide a $16,000 Action Trackchair to disabled veteran J.D. Roberts.
- OmegaFicoreThird-party member management and financial services platform used by KA chapters for dues collection, roster updates, and national reporting (Reports 1-10). Chapters use OmegaFi's goKA portal for member login, dues payment, and online National Reports filing.
- Collegiate RegaliaminorOfficial partner providing quality regalia to KA chapters including officer jewels, badges, and chapter supplies. Order Regalia is available through Collegiate Regalia's KA-branded storefront.
- Lumatic PhotographyminorKA's official photography partner providing all-in-one resources for composite photos, chapter events, and photography services for chapters.
- Brooks BrothersminorThe oldest men's clothier in the United States provides professional dress resources and tie-tying instructions for KA members. Local Brooks Brothers stores can send representatives to chapter meetings to discuss professional dress.
- TNT Security SolutionsminorProvides off-duty police officers for security services at chapter social events and traffic direction for community service events like 5K runs.
- Omni Insurance Services LLCminorProvides special events insurance for KA chapter events. Chapters must submit requests at least 60 days prior to desired event date.
- Linda Wright (Risk Management Consultant)minorKA's Risk Management Consultant who handles questions about special events insurance requests and risk management policy.
- Fairwinds Estate Winery / Excelsior Napa ValleyminorThe Order's wine program and brand. Excelsior Napa Valley wines are featured at convention events including wine tastings at The Values Oasis event and Bubbles at the Biltmore tasting.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Kappa Alpha Order competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Kappa Alpha Order social profiles
Digital presenceKappa Alpha Order financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kappa Alpha Order leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Kappa Alpha Order subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Kappa Alpha Order funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kappa Alpha Order 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 Kappa Alpha Order
What does Kappa Alpha Order do?
Kappa Alpha Order is a nonprofit college men's fraternity that operates 132 active chapters and 6 colonies across U.S. universities. It delivers its offering through local chapters providing brotherhood, leadership development, scholarship programs, and alumni networking. The organization is supported by The Kappa Alpha Order Foundation (a 501(c)(3) educational foundation) and merchandise sales through the KA Shop.
Is Kappa Alpha Order a public or private company?
Kappa Alpha Order is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Kappa Alpha Order founded?
Kappa Alpha Order was founded in 1865. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Kappa Alpha Order based?
Kappa Alpha Order is headquartered in Lexington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Kappa Alpha Order make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales and donations and Foundation Support.
Does Kappa Alpha Order have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kappa Alpha Order.
What industry is Kappa Alpha Order in?
Kappa Alpha Order's product category is Fraternity & Membership Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDALAHAB, Student Organizations & Club Administration, with a secondary code of EDALAOAM, Alumni Benefits, Membership & Affinity Programs. Its NAICS code is 813 and its SIC code is 8600.