The Benji Project
The Benji Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2017 in Port Townsend, Washington that delivers evidence-based mindfulness and self-compassion programs to youth ages 11-19 and families in East Jefferson County through school classes, after-school programs, summer camps, and community workshops.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersPort Townsend, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Benji Project does
The Benji Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 93-1773705) founded in 2017 by Cynthia Osterman in response to the suicide of a Port Townsend teenager. Operating from Port Townsend, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula, the organization delivers evidence-based mindfulness and self-compassion programming to youth ages 11-19 and their families in East Jefferson County, anchored on the Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens curriculum developed by Karen Bluth (UNC School of Medicine) and Lorraine Hobbs (UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness). Service delivery is in-person: school-based classes in five local districts and alternative education settings, after-school programs at libraries and community venues, week-long summer day camps, parenting workshops, and arts intensives. There is no proprietary technology platform; the offering is human-delivered curriculum and facilitation.
The core program portfolio includes the LABWell credit-bearing course (developed with OCEAN K-12 in Port Townsend School District), Pride Camp (with Olympic Pride), Mindfulness on Land and Sea summer camp (with Northwest Maritime), the Spring Arts Intensive, the Kindness Club series in Brinnon, Parenting Circle workshops, and the LAUNCH toolkit for graduating seniors. The organization maintains a core staff of five full-time members — Executive Director, Operations Director, Finance Director, Program Manager & Instructor, and Community Program Coordinator & Instructor — supported by additional local Mindful Self-Compassion-certified instructors, community resource instructors, and a five-member Board of Directors. It became an independent nonprofit in 2023 after separating from fiscal sponsorship under StrongerTowns.
Revenue is sourced from individual donations (including the Circle of Compassion monthly giving program starting at $10/month), grants from the Washington State Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Fund for Women and Girls, and the Port Townsend Food Co-Op GROW Fund, plus fundraising events such as the annual Festival of Hearts (which raised over $43,000 in 2026). Program tuition is set at $400/week for summer camp and $250 for the 8-week after-school series, with 85% of after-school and camp participants receiving full or partial scholarships — a structural feature that caps earned revenue and reinforces reliance on philanthropy. The organization has cumulatively served over 1,800 Jefferson County youth and reports outcome data including more than 80% of students reporting learned stress-management tools and more than 60% reporting improved ability to find their inner compassionate voice.
The Benji Project firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Benji Project
- Legal name
- The Benji Project
- Website
- https://thebenjiproject.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Benji Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2017 in Port Townsend, Washington that delivers evidence-based mindfulness and self-compassion programs to youth ages 11-19 and families in East Jefferson County through school classes, after-school programs, summer camps, and community workshops.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Benji Project industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Mental Health and Wellness Education
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (6117), Child and Youth Services (62411)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Parent Mental Health, Stress Management & Wellness Programs (EDACALAJ)
Keywords
Where The Benji Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Port Townsend
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Benji Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individuals supporting youth mental health programs. Circle of Compassion monthly giving program starts at $10/month.
- Fundraising Events: Annual Festival of Hearts event raising funds for programs; 2026 event raised over $43,000.
- Grants: Grants from organizations including Food Co-Op GROW Fund ($1,485), Washington State Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, and Fund for Women and Girls.
- Program Tuition: Tuition fees for camps and after-school programs with pay-what-you-can options. Summer camp $400, after-school 8-week program $250.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Summer Camp Tuition |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | After-School Program |
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly Giving - Circle of Compassion |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Instructor Position |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Benji Project product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Benji Project delivers evidence-based mindfulness and self-compassion programming for youth ages 11-19 and their families in East Jefferson County, Washington. Its core offering is the Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens curriculum, delivered through school-based classes, after-school programs, summer camps, a credit-bearing LABWell course, Parenting Circle workshops, and arts-based intensives. Programs are offered on a pay-what-you-can basis with scholarships ensuring accessibility regardless of means.
Product overview
The Benji Project is a nonprofit organization that provides mindfulness and self-compassion programs for youth ages 11-19 and their families in East Jefferson County, Washington. Rather than a software platform, it offers a portfolio of educational programs and services centered on the Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens curriculum developed by Karen Bluth and Lorraine Hobbs. The core programs include School-Based Programming, After-School Programs, and Summer Camps (including Pride Camp and Mindfulness on Land and Sea). Additional offerings include Parenting Circle workshops, the Spring Arts Intensive arts program, LABWell credit-bearing courses, Kindness Club series, and LAUNCH transitional training for graduates. Programs are delivered through classes, workshops, camps, and community events, with extensive scholarship options to ensure accessibility.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Circle of Compassion: Monthly giving program where donors contribute recurring monthly donations to support the organization.
- Pillars of Compassion
- Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens
Products and services
- Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens The foundational evidence-based curriculum teaching adolescents mindfulness and self-compassion techniques for stress management and emotional resilience. Developed by Karen Bluth (UNC School of Medicine) and Lorraine Hobbs (UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness) and adapted for delivery in East Jefferson County.
- Summer Camps Week-long day camps for youth including Pride Camp for LGBTQ+ youth and allies, and Mindfulness on Land and Sea which incorporates Longboat maritime experiences in partnership with Northwest Maritime. Tuition $400 per week with pay-what-you-can options and free transportation for south county residents.
- School-Based Programming In-school mindfulness and self-compassion programs delivered at Port Townsend High School, Chimacum High School, OCEAN K-12 Alternative Learning Environment, Brinnon School District, and Blue Heron Middle School.
- After-School Programs Eight-week small group sessions for 6th-12th graders using art, meditation, journaling, and movement practices to teach mindful self-compassion. Winter 2026 course: $250 for 8-week series with pay-what-you-can options; no one turned away for lack of funds.
- LABWell (Living and Being Well) Year-round credit-bearing course developed in partnership with OCEAN (Port Townsend School District alternative education program), integrating mindfulness and self-compassion curriculum into academic credit.
- Parenting Circle Workshops in mindful parenting that help parents understand adolescent brain development, support their teenagers positively, and practice self-care. Held at community venues such as Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
- Spring Arts Intensive Six-week arts program where teens explore inner voices and emotional landscapes through collaborative art projects, culminating in a public exhibition for Mental Health Awareness Month.
- Kindness Club Series of programming offered in school districts to build kindness and compassion skills among youth.
- LAUNCH: Your Emotional Success Toolkit Two-hour training for high school graduates preparing for transition to college, work, or next life phase, covering emotional well-being and success strategies.
Quantifiable outcome
- 85% of after-school and camp participants receive full or partial scholarships
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Benji Project
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Benji Project technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Benji Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Northwest MaritimecorePartnership to incorporate Longboat experiences into Mindfulness on Land and Sea summer camp. Program Coordinator Nancy Israel is a licensed Captain who takes campers out in Longboat for maritime mindfulness experiences.
- Port Townsend Symphony OrchestraminorMembers of the orchestra performed 'The Lark Ascending' by Ralph Vaughan Williams at Festival of Hearts 2026, providing musical programming for the annual fundraiser.
- National Audubon Society (Matt Weldy)minorScientist partnered with Eden Trenor to guide Festival of Hearts guests through sound meditation using bird recordings and acoustic sampling.
- Olympic PridecorePartnership to offer first LGBTQ+ Pride Camp in 2022, providing added layers of support for queer youth and their unique experiences.
- OCEAN (Port Townsend School District)coreDeveloped year-round credit-bearing course entitled LABWell (Living and Being Well) integrated into Port Townsend School District alternative education program.
- Jefferson County LibraryminorHost venue for Winter 2026 after-school program at 620 Cedar Avenue, Port Hadlock location.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Benji Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Inner Explorer: Provides daily audio-guided mindfulness practices for K-12 classrooms with educator training and program tracking. Directly comparable as a school-embedded mindfulness curriculum provider serving youth.
- Mindful Schools: Nonprofit that trains K-12 educators and provides mindfulness curriculum and lesson plans for school delivery. Directly comparable as a youth mindfulness education organization using school-based delivery and educator training models.
- MindUP (The Goldie Hawn Foundation): Evidence-based mindfulness-in-schools program serving K-12 children globally with curriculum, teacher training, and research partnerships. Directly comparable in mission, age band, and school-based delivery model.
- YOGA CALM: Provides mindfulness, yoga, and social-emotional learning curricula and educator training for K-12 schools. Directly comparable as a SEL/mindfulness curriculum provider with school-system integration.
- Calm Classroom: Nonprofit that brings mindfulness-based techniques into K-12 classrooms through teacher training and curriculum tools. Directly comparable as a school-based mindfulness provider targeting youth.
- Holistic Life Foundation: Baltimore-based nonprofit teaching mindfulness, yoga, and self-care to underserved youth through school and community programs. Directly comparable in target population, delivery modality, and youth mental health mission.
Broad incumbents
- The Jed Foundation: National nonprofit protecting teen mental health and preventing suicide through programs, partnerships, and public education. Overlaps with The Benji Project's youth mental health mission but operates at national scale with broader portfolio.
- Committee for Children: Global nonprofit and leading SEL provider best known for the Second Step curriculum used in schools worldwide. Overlaps in youth SEL mission but operates at much larger scale with broader program portfolio.
- Born This Way Foundation: National nonprofit co-founded by Lady Gaga focused on youth mental health, kindness, and supporting young people through community partnerships and grants. Overlaps in youth mental health/wellness mission at national scale.
Others
- CASEL: The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning — leading organization advancing SEL research, policy, and field-building. Adjacent ecosystem player that shapes the SEL environment in which The Benji Project operates but does not directly deliver programs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Benji Project social profiles
Digital presenceThe Benji Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Benji Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
The Benji Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Benji Project 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 The Benji Project
What does The Benji Project do?
The Benji Project delivers evidence-based mindfulness and self-compassion programming for youth ages 11-19 and their families in East Jefferson County, Washington. Its core offering is the Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens curriculum, delivered through school-based classes, after-school programs, summer camps, a credit-bearing LABWell course, Parenting Circle workshops, and arts-based intensives. Programs are offered on a pay-what-you-can basis with scholarships ensuring accessibility regardless of means.
Is The Benji Project a public or private company?
The Benji Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Benji Project founded?
The Benji Project was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Benji Project based?
The Benji Project is headquartered in Port Townsend, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Benji Project make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are fundraising Events, grants and program Tuition.
Who are The Benji Project's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Inner Explorer, Mindful Schools, MindUP (The Goldie Hawn Foundation), YOGA CALM, Calm Classroom and Holistic Life Foundation. Broad incumbents are The Jed Foundation, Committee for Children and Born This Way Foundation. CASEL is listed as an others.
Does The Benji Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Benji Project.
What industry is The Benji Project in?
The Benji Project's product category is Youth Mental Health and Wellness Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAK, Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits, with a secondary code of EDACALAJ, Parent Mental Health, Stress Management & Wellness Programs. Its NAICS code is 6117 and its SIC code is 8200.