The Alliance For Performance Excellence
The Alliance for Performance Excellence is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that administers the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the Baldrige Excellence Framework through a network of 28 regional member programs serving healthcare, education, manufacturing, nonprofit, government, and service organizations across the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- Headquarters—
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Alliance For Performance Excellence does
The Alliance for Performance Excellence is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, incorporated in Arizona in 2005, that serves as the national umbrella organization for 28 state and regional Baldrige-based performance excellence programs covering all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Beginning with the 2026 award cycle, the Alliance administers the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award - the nation's only presidential honor for organizational and community performance excellence, codified in 15 U.S.C. §3711a - on behalf of NIST and the U.S. Department of Commerce, with the Baldrige Foundation as a co-operating partner for the conference, framework revisions, and the Executive Fellows Program.
The organization's core product is the Baldrige Excellence Framework, a systems-based methodology covering leadership, strategy, customers, workforce, operations, measurement, and results, used by member programs for tiered organizational assessments and benchmarking. The Alliance generates revenue through four streams: membership dues from 28 regional program members, Baldrige Award application fees (with reduced fees for most applicants under the 2026 changes), annual conference revenue from the Baldrige Conference and Quest for Excellence Conference, and tuition-based examiner training (Baldrige Examiner Training Experience, or BETE) priced at $1,200 for U.S. learners and $2,400 for international learners. Services are delivered primarily through the federated member-program network, with direct Alliance delivery as backup.
Customers span six award categories - manufacturing, service, small business, healthcare, education, and nonprofit - plus a community category approved by Congress in 2022. The Alliance is led by its first President and CEO, Brian Lassiter (appointed June 2025), supported by a small national staff (Operations Coordinator, Marketing Director) and a volunteer board of directors drawn from regional program leadership.
The Alliance For Performance Excellence firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Alliance For Performance Excellence
- Legal name
- The Alliance for Performance Excellence
- Website
- https://baldrigealliance.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Alliance for Performance Excellence is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that administers the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the Baldrige Excellence Framework through a network of 28 regional member programs serving healthcare, education, manufacturing, nonprofit, government, and service organizations across the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Alliance For Performance Excellence industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performance Excellence and Quality Management
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Accreditation Standards, Benchmarking & Framework Organizations (EDADACAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Accreditation Coordination, Recognition & Meta-Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAH), Standards, Metrology & Accreditation Bodies (BPAIAOAC)
Keywords
The Alliance For Performance Excellence business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: 28 member programs (state/regional Baldrige-based organizations) pay membership fees to be part of the Alliance network, providing credibility and access to resources.
- Baldrige Award Application Fees: Organizations applying for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award pay nonrefundable deposits and application fees. Reduced fees for most applicants under 2026 changes.
- Conference Revenue: The Alliance hosts the annual Baldrige Conference and Quest for Excellence Conference, generating revenue through registrations. Events include workshops, keynotes, networking, and recognition ceremonies.
- Examiner Training Programs: Baldrige Examiner Training Experience (BETE) programs charge tuition: $1,200 for U.S. learners and $2,400 for international learners.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | U.S.-Based Learners |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | International Learners |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Baldrige Award Application |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Alliance For Performance Excellence product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Alliance for Performance Excellence administers the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award—the nation's only presidential-level recognition for organizational and community performance excellence—on behalf of the U.S. Department of Commerce and NIST beginning with the 2026 award cycle. It supports the Baldrige Excellence Framework, delivers the Baldrige Examiner Training Experience (BETE), hosts the annual Baldrige Conference, and coordinates a network of 28 state/regional Member Programs that provide organizational assessments, feedback, training, and recognition services to businesses, healthcare organizations, educational institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies across the United States.
Product overview
The Alliance for Performance Excellence is a national nonprofit network that administers the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and supports the Baldrige Excellence Framework across 28 member programs. The organization's portfolio includes: the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (the nation's highest presidential recognition for performance excellence, administered for the 2026 cycle onward); the Baldrige Examiner Training Experience (BETE) - a training program with live and self-paced components; the annual Baldrige Conference (hosted jointly with C.O.R.E. for 2026); the Baldrige Excellence Framework - the foundational assessment criteria used by member programs; and Regional Member Programs offering tiered organizational assessments. The Alliance operates as a public-private partnership with NIST and the Department of Commerce maintaining oversight.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award The nation's highest presidential-level recognition for organizational and community performance excellence, based on the Baldrige Excellence Framework. Awarded across six categories—manufacturing, service, small business, healthcare, education, and nonprofit—with a seventh community award category approved by Congress in 2022.
- 2026 Baldrige Award Cycle The 2026 Baldrige Award cycle administered by the Alliance, featuring streamlined evaluation, refined Award Criteria, enhanced examiner training with expanded expert support, eligibility pathways via top-tier Alliance Member Program awards or recent MBNQA site visits, and reduced fees for most applicants. Eligible participants receive a site visit and recognition at the 2027 Quest for Excellence Conference.
- Baldrige Examiner Training Experience (BETE) A behind-the-scenes training program that provides access to the Baldrige Award Criteria, scoring rubrics, systems thinking concepts, and best practices used by examiners. Combines weekly live online sessions (Tuesdays 6:00-7:00 p.m. EDT) with 15+ self-paced asynchronous modules.
- Baldrige Conference Annual conference bringing together organizational and community leaders from healthcare, education, manufacturing, nonprofit, government, and service sectors to explore innovation, leadership, resilience, and performance excellence.
- Baldrige Excellence Framework The foundational systems-based performance excellence framework and criteria for organizational assessment covering leadership, strategy, customers, workforce, operations, measurement, and results. Used by the Alliance and its 28 member programs for assessments and benchmarking, and refreshed on a biennial cycle.
- Regional Member Programs A national network of 28 state and regional Baldrige-based performance excellence organizations providing assessments, feedback, training, and recognition programs. Most members offer tiered approaches to organizational assessments using the Baldrige Excellence Framework, from basic to multiple levels.
- Baldrige Alliance Professional Development Series Professional development products and services available through Program Members and directly through the Alliance, including shared offerings such as the Baldrige Conference, Examiner Training Curriculum, and Organizational Recognition Programs, along with webinars such as Inspire!, Third Thursday Webinars, and Application Writing Web Series.
Quantifiable outcome
- Using the Baldrige Excellence Framework improves organizational resilience and sustainability
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The Alliance For Performance Excellence
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles7 records
The Alliance For Performance Excellence technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
The Alliance For Performance Excellence partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Baldrige FoundationcoreBeginning with the 2026 award cycle, the Baldrige Foundation manages the operations of the Quest for Excellence conference, Baldrige Excellence Framework revisions, and the Baldrige Executive Fellows Program. Together with the Alliance, they assume the majority of Baldrige Program operations while NIST maintains ultimate responsibility.
- NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)coreNIST and the Department of Commerce maintain ultimate responsibility for the Baldrige Excellence Framework, the Baldrige Award process, and other requirements codified in U.S. law (15 U.S.C. §3711a). NIST provides guidance and oversight, receives award recipient recommendations, and presents the award.
- Communities of Resilience & Excellence (C.O.R.E.)coreC.O.R.E. co-hosts the annual Baldrige Conference. The 2026 conference 'The Rhythm of Excellence' is hosted by both the Alliance and C.O.R.E. in New Orleans at the Sheraton New Orleans.
- Program Members (28 state/regional programs)core28 regional Baldrige-based programs across the United States serve as the primary delivery channel for assessments, training, and recognition services. Programs include Rocky Mountain Performance Excellence, Partners in Performance Excellence, The Partnership for Excellence, Performance Excellence Northwest, and others covering all 50 states.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Alliance For Performance Excellence competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Performance Excellence Northwest (PENW): PENW is the Baldrige-based regional program for the Pacific Northwest, led by Executive Director Laura Kinney. It is a direct member-program peer delivering Baldrige assessments and training in the region.
- EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management): EFQM is the European equivalent of the Baldrige framework, operating the EFQM Model and the European Excellence Award. It is a direct international peer in performance excellence frameworks, assessor training, and recognition programs.
- Baldrige Foundation: The Baldrige Foundation is the Alliance's direct partner in administering the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award starting with the 2026 cycle, jointly handling framework revisions, the Quest for Excellence conference, and the Executive Fellows Program. The two organizations split what was previously a NIST-led program.
- Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence (TNCPE): TNCPE is a state-level Baldrige-based performance excellence program serving Tennessee, led by Alliance Vice Chair Heather Schoch. It is a direct member-program peer delivering assessments, examiner training, and recognition.
- The Partnership for Excellence (TPE): TPE is a Baldrige-based regional program serving Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, West Virginia, and Western Pennsylvania, led by Alliance Board Chair Margot Hoffman. It is a direct member-program peer delivering Baldrige assessments, training, and tiered recognition.
Broad incumbents
- American Society for Quality (ASQ): ASQ is the largest U.S. membership organization focused on quality, performance excellence, and continuous improvement, offering certifications, training, and the Malcolm Baldrige-related National Quality Award sponsorship. It overlaps with the Alliance's audience of quality professionals and Baldrige examiners.
- Joint Commission (JCAHO): The Joint Commission is the dominant U.S. healthcare accreditation body. It is a broad incumbent that overlaps with the Alliance's healthcare sector customers pursuing Baldrige-based performance excellence on top of regulatory accreditation.
Emerging players
- Communities of Resilience & Excellence (C.O.R.E.): C.O.R.E. co-hosts the annual Baldrige Conference with the Alliance and administers the Communities of Excellence Framework for community-wide Baldrige-based improvement. It is an emerging peer focused on the community award category approved by Congress in 2022.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Alliance For Performance Excellence social profiles
Digital presenceThe Alliance For Performance Excellence financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Alliance For Performance Excellence leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
The Alliance For Performance Excellence funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Alliance For Performance Excellence 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 Alliance For Performance Excellence
What does The Alliance For Performance Excellence do?
The Alliance for Performance Excellence administers the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award—the nation's only presidential-level recognition for organizational and community performance excellence—on behalf of the U.S. Department of Commerce and NIST beginning with the 2026 award cycle. It supports the Baldrige Excellence Framework, delivers the Baldrige Examiner Training Experience (BETE), hosts the annual Baldrige Conference, and coordinates a network of 28 state/regional Member Programs that provide organizational assessments, feedback, training, and recognition services to businesses, healthcare organizations, educational institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies across the United States.
Is The Alliance For Performance Excellence a public or private company?
The Alliance For Performance Excellence is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Alliance For Performance Excellence founded?
The Alliance For Performance Excellence was founded in 2005. It employs 1 to 10 people.
How does The Alliance For Performance Excellence make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are baldrige Award Application Fees, conference Revenue and examiner Training Programs.
Who are The Alliance For Performance Excellence's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Performance Excellence Northwest (PENW), EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management), Baldrige Foundation, Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence (TNCPE) and The Partnership for Excellence (TPE). Broad incumbents are American Society for Quality (ASQ) and Joint Commission (JCAHO). Communities of Resilience & Excellence (C.O.R.E.) is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Alliance For Performance Excellence have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Alliance For Performance Excellence.
What industry is The Alliance For Performance Excellence in?
The Alliance For Performance Excellence's product category is Performance Excellence and Quality Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDADACAJ, Accreditation Standards, Benchmarking & Framework Organizations, with a secondary code of EDADACAH, Accreditation Coordination, Recognition & Meta-Accreditation Bodies. Its NAICS code is 813910 and its SIC code is 8600.