The Rithm Project
The Rithm Project is a US-based nonprofit that researches AI's impact on youth relationships, develops research-backed educational products and card games, and convenes a 160+ leader Changemaker Network to reach 10 million young people by 2036.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersDenver, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Rithm Project does
The Rithm Project is a US-based nonprofit founded in 2023 by Michelle Culver (former EVP of Regional Operations at Teach For America and founder of TFA's Reinvention Lab). It operates at the intersection of youth development and artificial intelligence, producing research, community convenings, and educational products aimed at helping young people ages 13–24 maintain human connection in the AI age. The organization's primary outputs include a 2,400-respondent youth-AI research study ("Youth, AI, and the Relationships That Shape Them: Nine Portraits"), an evaluation framework ("Pro-Social Principles for AI"), and a portfolio of research-backed educational products — The AI Effect card game (reaching 10,000+ players), Nine Portrait Cards, and the Sparks Toolkit. The AI Effect card game and Sparks Toolkit are positioned for classroom, family, and facilitator use, while Portrait Cards translate the survey research into a printed card set.
The organization operates a Changemaker Network of 160+ cross-sector, multigenerational leaders convened across 4 cohorts, sourced from education (KIPP, DSST, Calbright, Valor), technology (Google, Google DeepMind, Encode Justice, AI4ALL), mental health (Hopelab, Jed Foundation, TRAILS), philanthropy (Bezos Family Foundation, Omidyar Network, Walton, Raikes), and design/think-tank institutions (IDEO.org, MIT Center for Constructive Communication, Common Sense Media, Clayton Christensen Institute). Members collaborate on research, programs, and policy at bi-annual Human Connection and AI Summits. A Youth Fellowship recruits approximately 5 fellows per year-long cohort with $2,000 stipends, embedding youth voice into research and product development.
The business model is donation- and grant-based. The organization does not generate commercial revenue; it is funded by a coalition of major foundations (Bezos Family Foundation, Omidyar Network, Hopelab, Walton Family Foundation, Raikes Foundation) plus additional named supporters (Salesforce Foundation, Workday Foundation, Booz Allen Hamilton, Young Futures, Tow Foundation, Helen & Charles Schwab Foundation, and others). All digital products are free to download; printed card decks are offered on a sliding-scale donation basis ($12 US / $27 international) primarily to subsidize production and shipping rather than to generate margin. The stated central north-star goal is to reach 10 million young people by 2036 with messages and tools that support authentic connection alongside AI use. No proprietary software platform, technical stack, or data product is described in source material; "core technology" is explicitly listed as not publicly disclosed.
The Rithm Project firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Rithm Project
- Legal name
- The Rithm Project
- Website
- https://therithmproject.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Rithm Project is a US-based nonprofit that researches AI's impact on youth relationships, develops research-backed educational products and card games, and convenes a 160+ leader Changemaker Network to reach 10 million young people by 2036.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Rithm Project industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Development Nonprofit
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (62411)
- SIC
- Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Children’s & Youth Educational Entertainment (Edutainment) (EDAGALAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Interactive Multimedia Learning Content (Video, Audio, Interactive Lessons) (EDAFACAG), AI & Emerging Technology Literacy (EDAAAIAJ)
Keywords
Where The Rithm Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denver
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
The Rithm Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations & Charitable Contributions: The Rithm Project operates as a nonprofit and relies on donations from individuals and organizations. Donations are tax-deductible and support the production and distribution of tools and resources. Digital tools are free; printed items are subsidized through donations ($12 US / $27 international per item).
- Foundation & Grant Funding: The organization is funded by a coalition of foundations and corporate donors including Bezos Family Foundation, Omidyar Network, Hopelab, Walton Family Foundation, Raikes Foundation, and others. These supporters provide grants to fund research, programming, and the Changemaker Network.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | One time/ perpetual license | Free digital tools — downloadable at no cost |
| Donation/ grant-funded | One time/ perpetual license | Printed card decks — donation-based pricing (US) |
| Donation/ grant-funded | One time/ perpetual license | Printed card decks — donation-based pricing (International) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Rithm Project product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Rithm Project produces research, educational tools (card games, conversation kits, curricula), and community-building programs that help young people navigate human connection in the age of AI. Its products include The AI Effect card game, the Sparks Toolkit, and Portrait Cards, offered free digitally and on a donation basis in print, supported by a Changemaker Network of cross-sector leaders and a Youth Fellowship program.
Product overview
The Rithm Project is a research and advocacy organization focused on human connection in the age of AI. Rather than a unified software platform, it offers a portfolio of physical and digital educational products: The AI Effect (a card game exploring AI's impact on relationships), Nine Portrait Cards (printed research cards based on surveys of 2,400 youth), and the Sparks Toolkit (discussion activities for classrooms and families). The organization also operates a Changemaker Network of cross-sector leaders and conducts research on youth AI use. All products are offered on a donation basis with digital tools free to download.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The AI Effect: A card game exploring how AI can strengthen human connection and when it might pull us apart.
- Sparks Toolkit
- Nine Portrait Cards
Quantifiable outcome
- 72% of teens report having used AI for companionship; over half do so daily — underscoring the urgency and scale of the issue the organization addresses.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Rithm Project
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Rithm Project technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Rithm Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Google / Google DeepMindcoreGoogle and Google DeepMind are represented in the Changemaker Network (Mary Jo Madda, Terra Terwilliger) as cross-sector leaders working on the intersection of technology and youth connection. This represents a strategic relationship with technology industry leaders shaping AI policy and design.
- IDEO.orgcoreDiane D'Costa from IDEO.org serves as a Rithm Facilitator, bringing human-centered design methodology to the organization's work. IDEO.org's expertise in co-design with young people directly supports The Rithm Project's tools and frameworks.
- The Jed FoundationcoreAndrew Baker (The Jed Foundation) and John MacPhee (The Jed Foundation) are members of the Changemaker Network, collaborating on youth mental health and connection issues.
- Encode JusticecoreKashyap Rajesh (Encode Justice) serves as a Rithm Facilitator, and Sneha Revanur (Encode) is in the Changemaker Network. Encode is the world's first and largest youth-powered movement for safe and responsible AI, directly aligned with Rithm's mission.
- Omidyar Network (Changemaker Network)coreGovind Shivkumar and Michelle Barsa from Omidyar Network are active Changemaker Network members. Omidyar Network is both a funder and strategic partner contributing to the cross-sector collaboration that defines the network.
- Center for Youth and AIcoreCyra Alesha, associated with the Center for Youth and AI at Georgia Tech, is a Youth Fellow for The Rithm Project, representing the intersection of academic AI research and youth leadership.
- Stanford d.school / IDEOminorYC Sun from IDEO and Stanford d.school is listed in the Changemaker Network, representing design thinking expertise applied to human connection and AI.
- Bezos Family Foundation (Changemaker Network)coreJody Rosentswieg and Eden Xenakis from the Bezos Family Foundation are Changemaker Network members, contributing strategic and programmatic expertise to the network's work.
- TRAILS (Translating Research into Adolescent Lighting Solutions)coreElizabeth Koschmann (TRAILS) and Damion LeeNatali (TRAILS) are Changemaker Network members working on youth mental health and connection in educational settings.
- Peer Health ExchangecoreChris Wilson from Peer Health Exchange is a Changemaker Network member, contributing expertise in youth health education and peer-to-peer support programs.
- MIT Center for Constructive CommunicationcoreDimitra Dimitrakopoulou from MIT Center for Constructive Communication is a Changemaker Network member, contributing research expertise on communication and technology.
- BUILD.orgcoreThais Rezende from BUILD.org is a Changemaker Network member, contributing to youth entrepreneurship and development programs.
- Clayton Christensen InstitutecoreJulia Freeland Fisher from the Clayton Christensen Institute is a Changemaker Network member, contributing research on disruptive innovation in education.
- Common Sense MediacoreYvette Renteria from Common Sense Media is a Changemaker Network member, contributing expertise in media literacy and youth digital citizenship.
- AI4ALLcoreTess Posner from AI4ALL is a Changemaker Network member, contributing expertise in inclusive AI education for underrepresented groups.
- Future CoachminorKanya Balakrishna from Future Coach is a Changemaker Network member focused on coaching and youth development.
- Civics UnpluggedminorAbby Binder from Civics Unplugged is a Changemaker Network member, contributing civic engagement expertise.
- Kingmakers of OaklandminorChris Chatmon from Kingmakers of Oakland is a Changemaker Network member, contributing expertise in equity-focused youth development.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Rithm Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Hopelab: Philanthropy and applied research foundation investing in technology for youth mental health and wellbeing; both organizations share a youth mental health/technology lens, sit in the same foundation funding pool, and have direct staff overlap through the Changemaker Network.
- YMCA of the USA: Largest US youth development nonprofit operating programs in 10,000+ communities; comparable as a longstanding youth-serving nonprofit whose local branches could plausibly adopt Rithm's curricula and toolkits at scale.
- IDEO.org: Nonprofit design studio applying human-centered design to social challenges, with strong credentials in co-design with young people; comparable methodology (design-driven tools for youth-serving missions) and explicit network overlap.
Direct peers
- Center for Humane Technology: Nonprofit working at the intersection of technology, AI, and human wellbeing, producing research, campaigns, and field-building resources that shape public conversation on AI and society. Both organizations are explicitly listed as peer collaborators in Rithm's Changemaker Network.
- The Jed Foundation: National nonprofit protecting emotional health and preventing suicide among teens and young adults; comparable in that both translate mental health research into programs and curricula for college-age young people.
- Encode Justice: Youth-led movement organizing against harmful AI and for safe, responsible AI; closely aligned with Rithm on youth-led organizing, AI safety framing, and convening students as co-creators of AI-related educational content.
- Peer Health Exchange: Youth health education nonprofit that trains young adults to mentor peers on mental and physical health; comparable mission area (youth health, peer-led education) and overlapping changemaker network.
- AI4ALL: Nonprofit focused on inclusive AI education and representation for underrepresented groups, with a strong youth leadership pipeline; shares Rithm's mix of AI literacy content, youth fellowship-style programs, and cross-sector partner network.
- Common Sense Media: Independent nonprofit that reviews and rates media and technology for kids and families and produces curricula on digital literacy; directly comparable because both organizations translate research on youth media/AI use into educational tools for parents, educators, and young people.
- BUILD.org: Youth development nonprofit using entrepreneurship to engage underrepresented high school students; shares the youth development, education-adjacent philanthropic ecosystem and changemaker network overlap.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Rithm Project social profiles
Digital presenceThe Rithm Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Rithm Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
The Rithm Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Rithm 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 Rithm Project
What does The Rithm Project do?
The Rithm Project produces research, educational tools (card games, conversation kits, curricula), and community-building programs that help young people navigate human connection in the age of AI. Its products include The AI Effect card game, the Sparks Toolkit, and Portrait Cards, offered free digitally and on a donation basis in print, supported by a Changemaker Network of cross-sector leaders and a Youth Fellowship program.
Is The Rithm Project a public or private company?
The Rithm Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Rithm Project founded?
The Rithm Project was founded in 2023. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Rithm Project based?
The Rithm Project is headquartered in Denver, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Rithm Project make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations & Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are foundation & Grant Funding.
Who are The Rithm Project's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Hopelab, YMCA of the USA and IDEO.org. Direct peers are Center for Humane Technology, The Jed Foundation, Encode Justice, Peer Health Exchange, AI4ALL, Common Sense Media and BUILD.org.
Does The Rithm Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Rithm Project.
What industry is The Rithm Project in?
The Rithm Project's product category is Youth Development Nonprofit. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAGALAK, Children’s & Youth Educational Entertainment (Edutainment), with a secondary code of EDAFACAG, Interactive Multimedia Learning Content (Video, Audio, Interactive Lessons). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 3944.