American Pyrotechnics Safety and Education Foundation

What American Pyrotechnics Safety and Education Foundation does

The American Pyrotechnics Safety and Education Foundation (APSEF) is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit founded in 2014 and headquartered in Southport, North Carolina. Operating under its flagship "Celebrate Safely" initiative, APSEF develops and distributes free educational resources focused on fireworks safety for K-12 youth, parents, educators, fire departments, and state government agencies. Its product portfolio includes grade-banded curriculum kits (grades 4-8 and 9-12), the animated Professor Sparkz video series, 16-page coloring activity books (available in English and Spanish), live-action July 4th and New Year's Eve safety videos, a six-part Proximate Pyrotechnics Safety Video Series for commercial operators and AHJs, the Bucket Brigade community fire-prevention program, and printable safety tip flyers and posters.

APSEF monetizes through a hybrid nonprofit revenue model comprising tax-deductible donations from APA members and partner organizations, partner product-share contributions (notably Pyro Novelties' shopping bag and coloring book programs and Phantom Fireworks' point-of-sale promotions, which alone generated $110,000), recurring corporate logo sponsorships on the foundation website, and fundraising events such as the NGAP auction (which raised over $38,000 in 2018). All educational resources are provided free of charge; distribution occurs via the foundation's website, social media channels (Facebook, YouTube), point-of-sale retail partnerships, and state-level government campaigns in Colorado and Pennsylvania.

The foundation's competitive position rests on a deep industry-government ecosystem, including founding sponsorship by the American Pyrotechnics Association, #CelebrateSafely hashtag adoption by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and partnerships with SOPHE, ASHA, the National Afterschool Association, the National Association of State Fire Marshals, and the Burn Prevention Network. Operational leadership is provided by Executive Director Julie L. Heckman and a board drawn from APA member companies including Phantom Fireworks, Pyro Novelties, and the Pyrotechnic Guild International.

Name

American Pyrotechnics Safety and Education Foundation

Legal name

American Pyrotechnics Safety & Education Foundation

Website

https://celebratesafely.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Short description

APSEF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 that develops free fireworks safety education resources — curriculum kits, videos, coloring books, and community programs — for K-12 youth, parents, educators, fire departments, and state agencies across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Safety Education

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities (922)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Education (CPR/First Aid/Disaster Readiness) (EDAAAFAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health, Safety & Hygiene Early Learning Content (EDAGACAH), Fire Prevention, Inspection & Code Enforcement (Life Safety) (BPAIAGAL)

Keywords

• Fireworks safety education
• Youth safety programs
• Safety curriculum
• Public safety education
• Nonprofit safety foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Southport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tax-Deductible Donations: The foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization receiving tax-deductible contributions from APA members, partner organizations, and individual donors to fund educational programs and materials.
2. Partner Contributions: Companies like Pyro Novelties donate portions of product sales (shopping bags, coloring books) to the foundation. Phantom Fireworks conducted point-of-sale promotions generating $110,000.
3. Logo Sponsorship Program: Companies can become logo sponsors on the foundation website in exchange for donations, receiving recognition as proponents of fireworks safety.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The American Pyrotechnics Safety and Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit that develops and distributes free fireworks and consumer safety educational materials for youth, families, schools, and community organizations. Its flagship "Celebrate Safely" initiative delivers curriculum kits, coloring books, animated videos (Professor Sparkz), and the Bucket Brigade program to teach safe handling of consumer fireworks and sparklers.

Product overview

The American Pyrotechnics Safety and Education Foundation operates primarily as an educational nonprofit organization under its 'Celebrate Safely' initiative, offering a portfolio of safety education resources including curriculum kits for grades 4-8 and 9-12, 16-page coloring activity books featuring Professor Sparkz, animated and live-action safety video series (covering July 4th, New Year's Eve, and proximate pyrotechnics topics), the Bucket Brigade fire prevention program, and promotional materials like safety-tipped shopping bags. The Foundation distributes these materials free of charge through retail partners, schools, and community organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Professor Sparkz: Mascot character created to teach youth about fireworks and fireworks safety, featured in videos, coloring books, and educational materials.
• Bucket Brigade
• In the Bag for Safety
• Celebrate Safely PA!
• Smoke Signals

Products and services

• Celebrate Safely Initiative A free fireworks safety education program that provides curriculum kits, animated videos, coloring books, and the Bucket Brigade program to youth, families, schools, and community groups across the United States.
• Professor Sparkz Videos An animated video character and associated video content used to teach children about the safe handling and risks of consumer fireworks and sparklers.
• Bucket Brigade Program A hands-on educational program that teaches children how to safely dispose of used fireworks by submerging them in a bucket of water.
• Curriculum Kits and Coloring Books Free curriculum kits and coloring books distributed to teachers and parents to incorporate fireworks safety lessons into classroom and home learning activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400,000 coloring activity books distributed to youth
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• American Pyrotechnics Association (APA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014APA established and sponsors the Safety & Education Foundation as its charitable arm. The foundation operates under APA's umbrella, with shared leadership and coordinated initiatives at APA conventions and events.
• Pyro NoveltiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduces and distributes coloring activity books and shopping bags with foundation safety messaging. Donates portion of proceeds to foundation. Vice President Katherine Guccione serves on foundation board.
• Burn Prevention NetworkflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on Celebrate Safely PA consumer fireworks safety campaign in 2021-2023. Joint press conferences, point-of-sale flyers, and media campaign in Pennsylvania.
• Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & ControlcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped Bucket Brigade fire prevention program encouraging proper disposal of fireworks. Foundation supports distribution of buckets and safety stickers throughout Colorado.
• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgency adopted foundation's #CelebrateSafely hashtag for national fireworks safety campaigns. Foundation leaders brief commissioners on safety initiatives. CPSC incorporates foundation materials in July 4th messaging.
• Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation is affiliate member promoting fireworks safety curriculum with health education professionals. Exhibits at annual meetings and places articles in SOPHE publications.
• American School Health Association (ASHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to promote fireworks safety curriculum with school health educators nationwide. Foundation presents at annual ASHA conferences.
• National Afterschool AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExhibits at annual conferences promoting curriculum kits with afterschool professionals dedicated to improving quality of afterschool programs for youth.
• National Fireworks Association (NFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation presents at NFA conventions and staffs information booth in trade show. NFA members contribute donations to foundation initiatives.
• Pyrotechnic Guild International (PGI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPGI Foundation contributed to $75K media campaign goal. PGI President Paul Smith serves on foundation board. Interest expressed in formal partnership.
• American Fireworks Standards Laboratory (AFSL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister organization supporting foundation's educational efforts. AFSL board made generous donation and continues to support foundation activities.
• National Association of State Fire MarshalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation exhibits at annual convention promoting fireworks safety resources with fire marshals from across the country.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Safe Kids Worldwide: Safe Kids Worldwide is a global nonprofit dedicated to preventing childhood injury, including unintentional injury from consumer products. Like APSEF, it delivers free educational content for children and families, partners with fire/burn prevention networks, and works through schools and afterschool programs to reach K-12 youth.
• American Burn Association: American Burn Association is a nonprofit professional organization focused on burn prevention, treatment, and research. Its burn prevention education mission overlaps with APSEF's fireworks-related injury prevention work, particularly through partner Burn Prevention Network.
• Burn Prevention Network: Burn Prevention Network is a regional nonprofit in Pennsylvania that partnered with APSEF on the Celebrate Safely PA! consumer fireworks safety campaign. It is one of the closest operational peers, running statewide consumer fireworks and burn prevention education through coalitions, point-of-sale materials, and media campaigns.

Others

• International Fire Marshals Association (IFMA): IFMA, an NFPA-affiliated section of fire marshals, works directly with state and local fire officials on public fire safety messaging, including fireworks regulation enforcement. APSEF partners with state fire marshals (e.g., Colorado DFPC, Pennsylvania) that are members of IFMA, making it a closely adjacent ecosystem participant.
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): CPSC is the federal regulator responsible for consumer fireworks safety, which adopted APSEF's #CelebrateSafely hashtag. As an enabler and endorsing ecosystem partner rather than a competitor, CPSC is a key peer organization for government-aligned safety messaging campaigns.

Broad incumbents

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): NFPA is the leading national fire and life safety nonprofit, producing codes and standards, conducting research, and delivering large-scale fire prevention public education (including Sparky the Fire Dog youth materials). NFPA is the closest broad incumbent operating in the same fire safety education category as APSEF, with overlapping youth-education programs and federal regulator relationships.
• National Safety Council: National Safety Council is the leading U.S. safety advocacy nonprofit addressing unintentional injuries across all settings, including consumer product safety. It operates education campaigns and partnerships (such as the Safety + Health magazine) directly comparable in structure to APSEF's prevention messaging model.

Emerging players

• Home Fire Safety Council / Remembering When: Remembering When is a fire and fall prevention program designed for older adults, distributed nationally by NFPA in partnership with CDC and state fire marshals. While its target demographic differs from APSEF, it shares the model of free, partner-distributed safety curricula designed for state-level adoption.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/alwayscelebratesafely

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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