Sister Cities Of Nashville

What Sister Cities Of Nashville does

Sister Cities of Nashville (SCN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded around 1990 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, that operates an international cultural exchange network linking Nashville to 10 sister cities across 9 countries (Belfast, Caen, Chengdu, Edmonton, Erbil, Kamakura, Magdeburg, Mendoza, Tamworth, and Taiyuan) plus two friendship cities (Crouy, France and Port de la Selva, Spain). Its core offerings include a Student Ambassador Exchange Program that places Nashville-area high school students with host families abroad, adult professional delegations, an annual World of Friendship fundraiser, a Cherry Blossom Walk and Festival celebrating the Kamakura partnership, and structured international internships (e.g., in the Caen mayor's office). Programs touch roughly 1,200+ students annually, 20+ local schools, and 30,000+ Nashvillians through events.

SCN is run by a very lean staff of 1–10 employees led by Executive Director Sarah Lingo, supported by a Board of Directors and dedicated committee chairs for each sister city. There is no proprietary technology stack; operations run on a public website (scnashville.org), social media, email newsletters, and ticketing through Givebutter.

The revenue model is a diversified nonprofit stack: tiered annual memberships ($20 student/teacher up to $1,000+ Global Education Partner), corporate sponsorships ranging from $250 Patron to $15,000 Leading Global Partner, event ticket sales and silent auctions (e.g., World of Friendship at $100–$250), individual tax-deductible donations, raffle programs (Mendoza Raffle with a ~$5,000 prize package), and passive third-party donation channels including Amazon Smile, Kroger Community Rewards, and Delta Sky Bonus. Customer segments span students/youth, host families, community members, corporate sponsors, international delegations, and educators. No revenue figures, audited financials, or external funding are disclosed beyond the existence of an audit and annual budget document on the website.

Name

Sister Cities Of Nashville

Legal name

Sister Cities of Nashville

Website

https://scnashville.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sister Cities of Nashville is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that facilitates international cultural exchanges, student ambassador programs, and adult delegations between Nashville and 10 sister cities across 9 countries, supported by memberships, sponsorships, and event fundraising.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Cultural Exchange Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Peer Mentorship, Buddy & Host-Family Matching Programs (EDAIAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations (BPAGAHAG), Civic Education & Community Engagement (Voting, Local Government) (EDAAAFAC)

Keywords

• Cultural exchange programs
• International student exchanges
• Sister city partnerships
• Community diplomacy nonprofit
• Global education initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees ranging from $20 (students/teachers) to $1,000 (Global Education Partners). Members receive voting rights, event invitations, priority registration for exchanges, and newsletters.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships from $250 (Patron) to $15,000 (Leading Global Partner) with recognition benefits at events and in marketing materials. All sponsorships include Global Partner membership.
3. Event Revenue: World of Friendship annual fundraiser generates revenue through ticket sales ($100 general admission, $250 patron), silent auction, and patron parties.
4. Raffle Programs: Mendoza Raffle offering approximately $5,000 prize package including travel and accommodations. Limited to 500 tickets sold.
5. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations supporting financial aid for student exchanges, chaperone travel, and event presence. Also accepts Venmo donations at @scnashville.
6. Third-Party Donation Programs: Amazon Smile (0.5% donation), Kroger Community Rewards (organization number CG457), and Delta Sky Bonus (account US0105157) generate donations from purchases and travel.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sister Cities of Nashville is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that facilitates international cultural exchange and people-to-people diplomacy between Nashville and 10 sister cities worldwide. Its core offerings include the Student Ambassador Exchange Program (high school student exchanges), Adult Delegation Exchanges, the annual World of Friendship fundraiser, the Cherry Blossom Walk and Festival (with Kamakura, Japan), the Mendoza Wine Country Raffle, International Internships (including Caen, France placements), and supporting membership and sponsorship programs. Programs are funded through tiered memberships, corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and event revenue, and serve Nashville students, host families, community members, and civic/corporate leaders.

Product overview

Sister Cities of Nashville is a nonprofit cultural exchange organization operating a portfolio of programs connecting Nashville to 10 international sister cities (Belfast, Caen, Chengdu, Edmonton, Kamakura, Magdeburg, Mendoza, Tamworth, Taiyuan, Erbil) plus 2 friendship cities. The core programming includes the Student Ambassador Exchange Program facilitating high school student exchanges across multiple continents, Adult Exchanges for professional delegations, the annual World of Friendship fundraiser, Cherry Blossom Program celebrating the Kamakura partnership, Membership and Sponsorship Programs for community and corporate engagement, Global Education Partners donor program, Mendoza Wine Country Raffle for fundraising, Youth Advisory Board for youth leadership development, and International Internships including placements in Caen, France. These programs collectively fulfill the organization's mission of fostering global understanding through cultural exchange and educational programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Student Ambassador Exchange Program International high school student exchange program connecting Nashville-area students with peers in 10 sister cities across multiple continents through home-stay hosting and cultural immersion experiences. Average total cost approximately $2,800 including application fee and excursion fees, plus airfare.
• Adult Exchanges Professional and cultural delegation exchanges between Nashville and its sister cities, including adult delegations, municipal partnerships, and professional visits such as the Mendoza Adult Delegation Visit.
• World of Friendship Annual Fundraiser Signature annual fundraising event celebrating Nashville's international partnerships through global cuisine, cultural performances, and a silent auction. General admission $100, patron tickets $250; attended by 250+ civic and business leaders annually.
• Cherry Blossom Program Cultural exchange program celebrating the Kamakura, Japan sister city partnership, featuring the annual Cherry Blossom Walk and Festival that drew record crowds of 30,000+ attendees.
• Membership Program Tiered annual membership program offering voting rights, event invitations, priority exchange registration, and newsletter access. Levels include Student/Teacher $20, Single $50, Friend $75, Family $100, Citizen Diplomat/Corporate $250, Board Member $300, Nashville Ambassador $500, and Global Education Partner $1,000+.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Corporate sponsorship opportunities with multiple tiers from $250 (Patron) to $15,000 (Leading Global Partner), supporting student exchanges and cultural programming with recognition benefits at events and in marketing materials.
• Global Education Partners Program Major donor program for contributions of $1,000+ annually providing recognition on the education webpage and scholarship materials, recognition at events, invitations to all SCN events, 1 family membership, guaranteed seat on adult exchange, 2 complimentary World of Friendship tickets, and reservation for wine and dinner party.
• Mendoza Wine Country Raffle Annual raffle offering winners a trip to Mendoza, Argentina including winery visits, accommodations, and experiences during the Vendimia Festival, valued at approximately $5,000. Limited to 500 tickets sold.
• Youth Advisory Board Leadership development program for youth providing opportunities to shape international exchange programs and cultural understanding initiatives at Sister Cities of Nashville.
• International Internships (Caen, France) College student internship opportunity placement in Caen, France mayor's office for four weeks during summer, including housing stipend and French language proficiency requirement.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,200+ students annually connected with peers around the globe
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Erbil, Kurdistan, IraqcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2023Nashville's 10th sister city relationship formed in 2023. Highlights Nashville's largest Kurdish population in the U.S. Partnership includes legal and medical exchanges, home hospitality nights. First anniversary celebrated September 2024.
• Chengdu, ChinacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2020Became Nashville's 9th Sister City in July 2020. Relationship began from shared love and interest in music, with Chengdu hoping to learn from Nashville about building a music and tourism industry.
• Kamakura, JapancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2014Formal friendship city agreement signed in September 2014. Nashville area is home to 8,000+ Japanese citizens and 300 Japanese businesses. Includes annual Cherry Blossom Walk partnership with Consulate General of Japan.
• Tamworth, AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2013Nashville's 7th sister city since June 2013. Both cities are 'Country Music Capitals' - Tamworth hosts Australia's CMA equivalent festival. Includes student exchanges and country music connections.
• Mendoza, ArgentinacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2009Sister city since March 2009. Wine capital partnership including Vendimia festival attendance, Belmont University exchanges, high school student exchanges, and culinary exchanges.
• Port de la Selva, Spain (Friendship City)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2009Municipality United in Friendship since March 2009. Picturesque resort town on Cap Creus peninsula, popular with tourists and known for fishing.
• Crouy, France (Friendship City)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2008International Friendship City since February 2008. Relationship formed through honoring Captain Charles M. Peal, a WWII pilot from Nashville killed over Crouy. Townspeople gave him a proper burial during WWII.
• Taiyuan, ChinacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2007Official sister city since April 2007. Partnership builds on Tennessee-Shanxi Province relationship from 1986. Includes Yuying High School exchange, email pen pal program, and energy/low carbon forum participation.
• Magdeburg, GermanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Sister city since 2003. Features strong high-school student exchange since 2005, artistic and musical exchanges, and 'Nashville Days' festival in Magdeburg. Includes photography exchange 'A Day in the Life'.
• Caen, FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991Nashville's first active sister city relationship. Programs include annual delegation visits, academic exchanges, student and lawyer programs. Established through bar association connections and university partnerships. The 25th anniversary of twinning was commemorated in 2016.
• Edmonton, CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1990Edmonton became an official sister city in 1990. Both cities share interest in music. Partnership includes Heritage Festival participation, city delegations, and plans for 30th anniversary in 2020.
• Belfast, Northern IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial sister city relationship since 1995 focusing on social projects, education, musical and cultural exchange. Partnership grew from efforts to help Belfast promote peace post-conflict. Includes youth exchange program, Belfast-Nashville Music Festival, professional exchanges.
• Amazon SmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon donates 0.5% of eligible purchases to SCN when customers select Sister Cities of Nashville as their charity on smile.amazon.com.
• Delta AirlinesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDelta Sky Bonus program (account US0105157) allows supporters to add SCN's account number to reservations, earning points for SCN that are converted to flights for students needing financial assistance.
• KrogerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKroger Community Rewards program allows customers to designate SCN as their beneficiary using organization number CG457. Kroger donates a portion of purchases to SCN.
• Consulate General of Japan in NashvillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of few Japanese Consulates in the U.S. Supports Cherry Blossom Walk and Festival, Kamakura-Nashville partnership. Important partner in Japan relations.
• Japan America Society of TennesseecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partner in Cherry Blossom Walk and Festival celebrations alongside SCN and Consulate General of Japan.
• Society of Nashville's Artistic Photographers (SNAP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-the-ground partner for 'A Day in the Life' photography exchange between Nashville and Magdeburg, Germany.
• Nashville Convention & Visitors CorpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner referenced for promoting Nashville internationally and supporting sister city initiatives.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sister Cities International: Umbrella organization for the US sister cities movement; oversees and awards local affiliates like SCN, sets program standards, and convenes the broader network. Directly comparable as the governing body whose model SCN implements locally.

Emerging players

• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): Operates student exchange, study abroad, and cultural programming globally. Comparable in international student exchange services but with a broader commercial model.
• AFS-USA: National nonprofit running high school student exchange and host family programs across the US. Comparable in the student exchange and host family matching niche, but operates at much larger national scale.

Direct peers

• Sister Cities of San Antonio: Runs San Antonio's sister city programming including youth exchanges, cultural events, and corporate sponsorships. Comparable mid-size city sister cities nonprofit model.
• LA Sister Cities (Los Angeles Sister Cities): Operates the same sister cities model in a major US city, running student exchanges, cultural events, and corporate sponsorships. Closely comparable in mission, revenue model (memberships, sponsorships, events), and program structure to SCN.
• Sister Cities of Boston (Boston Mayor's Office of International Affairs): Coordinates Boston's sister city relationships, student exchanges, and cultural programs. Comparable civic-government hybrid model and youth exchange focus.
• Sister Cities of Atlanta: Operates Atlanta's sister city network with student exchanges, adult delegations, and cultural programming. Directly comparable mission and revenue model.
• Sister Cities of Houston: Manages Houston's sister city network, youth exchanges, and cultural delegations. Comparable in scale, programming mix, and corporate sponsorship model to SCN.
• Sister Cities of Chicago: Runs sister city exchanges, student ambassador programs, and cultural events in Chicago. Comparable nonprofit structure, municipal ties, and member-driven governance model.

Regional players

• Global Nashville (formerly Nashville International Center for Empowerment): Nashville-based nonprofit focused on immigrant integration and global engagement. Adjacent peer sharing the same city and mission of connecting Nashville to the world, but focused on immigrant services rather than sister city exchanges.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/scnashville
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxXxYqxglSuKBDoEhPzEy2w
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sister-cities-of-nashville

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 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 Sister Cities Of Nashville