Siddhartha School Partnership

What Siddhartha School Partnership does

Siddhartha School Partnership (SSP) is a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1995 that supports the operations of Siddhartha School, a private K-10 school located in Stok, Ladakh, India. The school serves approximately 450 students drawn from Stok village, Leh, and outlying nomadic areas of the Ladakh Union Territory, with a curriculum that integrates modern academics (sciences, math, computer skills, creative arts, social studies) with Himalayan Buddhist cultural heritage and four-language instruction in English, Hindi, Tibetan, and Ladakhi. SSP operates in partnership with Siddhartha Culture and Welfare Society, a Ladakh-based NGO that handles day-to-day school operations, while the US entity governs fundraising, board oversight, and donor relations from its administrative base in Portland, Maine. The organization was an early adopter of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in Ladakh beginning in 2016, implementing the CS3 Approach developed by the Institute of Social Emotional Education; since the first graduating class in 2008, 99% of students have passed government exams and alumni have earned international scholarships including US college placements in 2014.

The organization's core revenue streams are individual donations, student sponsorships ($500/year, $125/quarter, or $42/month, accounting for 25% of budget via 178 current sponsors), the Fund for Teachers permanent endowment supporting teacher salaries and supplies, and ancillary products including the international Hero Exchange art program (linking schools in India, Colorado, Washington, and Maine), Rinpoche Teachings (free Buddhist educational content by founder Khensur Rinpoche Lobzang Tsetan), The Radiant Deer children's book, and the Siddhartha Speaks alumni newsletter. The annual GivingTuesday campaign in late November/early December is the primary fundraising driver, reportedly funding over 70% of the annual budget. SSP distributes support through a Kindful-powered online donation portal, mail-in checks, and a range of planned-giving vehicles including donor-advised funds, securities gifting, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, and bequests. The organization has strategic partnerships with Global Family Travels (purpose-driven tourism since 2010) and historical grant funding from GO Campaign.

As of late 2025/early 2026, SSP is navigating a material fundraising contraction. Monthly fundraising has declined since November 2024, prompting elimination of the full-time executive director and part-time social media coordinator positions on December 31, 2025, with former board president Sydney Young assuming the executive director role on an unpaid volunteer basis. The leadership bench is anchored by Khensur Rinpoche Lobzang Tsetan (founder, Geshe degree from Drepung Monastery 1984), co-founder Laura Kozaitis, board president Victor Reyes, and a board with representation in both the US (Maine) and Ladakh. The organization continues active operations but is in a defensive cost posture, evidenced by a March 2026 sponsorship price increase from $400 to $500 annually.

Name

Siddhartha School Partnership

Legal name

Siddhartha School Partnership

Website

https://siddharthaschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Siddhartha School Partnership is a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1995 that funds and governs Siddhartha School, a private K-10 school in Stok, Ladakh, India, serving approximately 450 students through culturally integrated multi-language education and Social Emotional Learning programs, supported by individual sponsorships, donations, and an annual GivingTuesday campaign.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Private Education (Nonprofit)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Faith-Based Early Learning Academies (EDACADAH)

Keywords

• K-10 private education
• Student sponsorship program
• Social emotional learning
• Multilingual heritage education
• International art collaboration

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Student Sponsorship Program: Individual donors sponsor students at $500/year ($125 quarterly or $42/month). Sponsors receive correspondence from students twice yearly, newsletters, yearly updates, and personal connection with sponsored child. Student sponsorship accounts for 25% of overall budget.
2. General Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals, families, and organizations. Annual GivingTuesday campaign funds over 70% of annual budget. Additional funding vehicles include matching gifts, donor-advised funds, securities gifting, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, and planned bequests.
3. Fund for Teachers: Permanent fund supporting teacher salaries, schoolrooms, and supplies, established as part of the Fund for Teachers initiative.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Siddhartha School Partnership is a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds and supports Siddhartha School, a private K-10 school in Stok, Ladakh, India serving approximately 450 students. The organization connects individual donors with sponsored students, runs the Fund for Teachers endowment, and operates the Hero Exchange international art collaboration program. Its core offerings center on providing modern education while preserving Himalayan Buddhist heritage and Ladakhi culture through multilingual instruction and Social Emotional Learning.

Product overview

The Siddhartha School Partnership is a nonprofit organization supporting the Siddhartha School in Ladakh, India. Its offerings center on the Siddhartha School itself (a K-10 private school providing modern education alongside Himalayan Buddhist cultural heritage), the Student Sponsorship Program connecting sponsors with students, the Fund for Teachers supporting educator salaries and supplies, and the Hero Exchange international art education program. Additional offerings include Rinpoche Teachings (free Buddhist teachings by the founder), The Radiant Deer children's book, and the Siddhartha Speaks alumni newsletter. The organization does not operate as a technology platform but as a traditional educational nonprofit.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hero Exchange: An international art project connecting students around the world through creative conversations about heroism, powered by young people and supported by schools and organizations.

Products and services

• Siddhartha School A private K-10 school in Stok, Ladakh, India, serving approximately 450 students and teaching four languages (English, Hindi, Tibetan, and Ladakhi), computer skills, sciences, math, creative arts, and social studies while preserving Himalayan Buddhist heritage and Ladakhi culture. Includes residential dormitories for boys and girls.
• Student Sponsorship Program A program connecting sponsors with students at Siddhartha School, providing pathways to education for children whose families cannot afford tuition. Sponsors receive a welcome letter, student bio with photo, two correspondences per year, newsletters, and yearly updates. Annual sponsorship costs $500/year, $125/quarter, or $42/month. Currently 178 sponsors support 465 students and staff, accounting for 25% of overall budget.
• Fund for Teachers A permanent fund supporting the salaries, schoolrooms, and supplies of Siddhartha School teachers, allowing donors to specifically support educator compensation and classroom resources.
• Hero Exchange An international art project connecting students worldwide in a creative conversation about heroism. Students from different cultures create portraits of inspiring heroes displayed in collective exhibitions. Participating schools include Minnequa Elementary (Colorado), The Bush School (Seattle), and North Yarmouth Academy (Maine).
• Rinpoche Teachings Free video and audio teachings from Khensur Rinpoche Lobzang Tsetan, the founder of Siddhartha School Partnership. Access is provided after signing up with name and email.
• The Radiant Deer A children's book published by Siddhartha School Partnership, retelling a Jataka Tale about a compassionate deer who saves a drowning man. Available as a thank-you gift for donations of $50 or more.
• Siddhartha Speaks An alumni newsletter publication of the Siddhartha Alumni Association featuring stories, achievements, profiles, artworks, and alumni experiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% of students have passed the government exam since 2008
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Global Family TravelscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 December 2023Longtime partner and supporter since 2010, taking clients on Learn, Serve & Immerse adventures in Ladakh. Founder Jennifer Spatz is a longtime supporter. Donates $200 to Fund for Teachers for each participant visiting Ladakh. Offers compassionate travel experiences supporting SSP and other Ladakhi organizations.
• Ladakh Heart FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2016Siddhartha alumni Tsewang Chuskit and Stanzin Angmo volunteered at Ladakh Heart Foundation's gynecological camps in Gya, Meeru, and Phey villages, presenting on adolescent health for women and girls.
• Ladakh Arts And Media Organization (LAMO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity gallery host for Hero Exchange Local Hero portrait exhibitions in Ladakh, India.
• Minnequa Elementary SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPueblo City, Colorado, USA participant in Hero Exchange international art project connecting students worldwide.
• The Bush SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeattle, Washington, USA participant in Hero Exchange international art project connecting students worldwide.
• North Yarmouth AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYarmouth, Maine, USA participant in Hero Exchange international art project connecting students worldwide.
• Ladakh Nuns AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supported through Global Family Travels tours; nuns nurture communities and environment in Ladakh.
• Ngari InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLadakh-based nonprofit organization supported through Global Family Travels compassionate journey tours.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Room to Read: Global education nonprofit operating literacy and gender equality programs across Asia and Africa with measurable learning outcomes. Comparable as a multi-country education nonprofit with documented academic outcomes and international individual/institutional donor base.
• buildOn: Large international nonprofit delivering education programs in some of the world's lowest-income communities with US-based individual donor and corporate partnerships. Comparable as a globally funded education nonprofit with community-led GTM and recurring donor model.
• Pencils of Promise: US-based nonprofit building schools and education programs in developing countries, with strong digital fundraising, recurring donor programs, and school sponsorship model. Comparable in school-sponsorship GTM motion and recurring donor subscription mechanics.

Direct peers

• Druk White Lotus School: Residential K-12 school in Shey, Ladakh combining modern academic education with traditional Buddhist values; operated with significant international donor support. Directly comparable in mission, region, multi-language instruction, and international funding model.
• Lamdon School: Private K-10 school in Leh, Ladakh providing modern education alongside Tibetan Buddhist cultural heritage. SSP board member Eshay Tondup served as Lamdon's principal for 22 years, making it the closest direct comparator for curriculum, region, and operating model.
• SECMOL (Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh): Ladakhi educational nonprofit that operates an alternative school and youth programs emphasizing cultural identity and self-reliance. Comparable as a Ladakh-focused nonprofit delivering non-mainstream education to local youth with global donor support.

Others

• GoCampaign: US-based nonprofit that grants to and partners with grassroots international education and youth projects (including a $19,194 grant to SSP for hostel construction in 2016). Comparable as a partner/funding intermediary rather than a direct operating peer.

Regional players

• The Tibet Fund: US-based nonprofit supporting Tibetan communities in exile, including education programs and cultural preservation. Comparable as a US-registered 501(c)(3) funding Tibetan/Himalayan Buddhist cultural education programs across borders with individual donor and foundation support.
• Rato Bangala Foundation: Nepal-based nonprofit operating Rato Bangala School with strong academic outcomes and a teacher training college, serving children from kindergarten through grade 12. Comparable as a Himalayan-region private school nonprofit with measurable outcomes, language preservation goals, and international fundraising.

Emerging players

• Precious Thugs (Pace Edutech) / Make A Difference: India-based education nonprofit providing supplemental learning and life skills support to underprivileged children across multiple Indian cities. Comparable as a mission-driven Indian education nonprofit leveraging volunteer networks and individual donor support for at-risk youth outcomes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCs2vMG78auvs6jvgm0hZmEQ/feed?activity_view=3
• Facebookfacebook.com/SiddharthaSchoolPartnership
• Instagraminstagram.com/siddharthaschoolpartnership
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/siddhartha-school-partnership

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Siddhartha School Partnership