Asia Christian Education Fund

What Asia Christian Education Fund does

Asia Christian Education Fund (ACEF; legal name 特定非営利活動法人アジアキリスト教教育基金) is a Japanese certified non-profit organization founded in Tokyo in 1990 to advance education access for underprivileged children in Bangladesh. Operating from a small office inside the Japan Christian Church Building in Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-ku, the organization works in long-standing partnership with local Bangladeshi NGO BDP (Basic Development Partners), which runs 42 elementary schools serving approximately 4,600 students across districts including Netrokona, Jamalpur, Dhaka, Barishal, and Pubail. ACEF holds Certified NPO status from the Japanese government and Good Governance Certification from JCNE (Japan Non-profit Organization Evaluation Center), initially awarded in December 2020 and renewed in March 2024.

ACEF's programmatic portfolio combines direct education support (school construction and operation, library establishment, supplies, teacher support), economic empowerment programs (microfinance to prevent child labor and early marriage), and cross-border youth engagement. The latter includes annual study tours to Bangladesh (priced at 280,000 yen per participant in 2024), the ACEF Youth volunteer platform engaging Japanese university students, and seminars/workshops in Japan on international cooperation themes. The organization also operates modest social-enterprise lines — sales of Bangladeshi handicrafts, children's-artwork greeting cards, and a referral commission on the "Education Video Package: SDGs" produced by CASA de UME — that double as engagement tools for Japanese supporters.

ACEF's business model is donation- and membership-driven rather than commercial. Revenue is generated through individual donations, general and missionary membership fees, periodic crowdfunding campaigns across CAMPFIRE, Syncable, GOEN, and rescuex.jp platforms, corporate grants (notably the Panasonic NPO/NGO Support Fund for SDGs in 2021 and JICS NGO Support Project funding), study tour participation fees, and small merchandise sales. The organization runs on a very lean operational footprint — roughly two part-time secretariat staff at 1,100 yen per hour alongside an Executive Secretary General — with mission delivery executed almost entirely through the BDP partnership rather than direct in-country operations.

Name

Asia Christian Education Fund

Legal name

特定非営利活動法人アジアキリスト教教育基金

Website

https://acef.or.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Asia Christian Education Fund (ACEF) is a Tokyo-based certified non-profit founded in 1990 that supports elementary education for underprivileged children in Bangladesh through a long-standing partnership with local NGO BDP, supplemented by study tours, youth engagement, and microfinance programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Education Support (Nonprofit)

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)

Keywords

• International education support
• Nonprofit fundraising programs
• Microfinance services
• Study tour programs
• Community development NGO

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership Fees: ACEF raises funds through individual donations, membership fees (一般会員 and マンスリー会員), and designated donations. Donations are collected via credit card, bank transfer, and online donation platforms (GOEN). Membership re-registration campaigns are run periodically.
2. Study Tour Fees: ACEF organizes and conducts study tours to Bangladesh, charging participation fees. The 2024 study tour cost 280,000 yen per person, covering airfare, accommodation, meals, airport taxes, fuel surcharges, and preparation session fees. This is both a programmatic activity and a revenue stream.
3. Sales of Bangladesh Handicrafts: ACEF sells Bangladeshi handmade crafts (手工芸品) in Japan, including greeting cards featuring children's artwork, catalogs, and other goods. These are sold at events, bazaars, and through direct sales to supporters.
4. Sales Commission on Educational Video Package: ACEF earns a referral commission when purchasing the 'Education Video Package SDGs' (produced by Casa de UME). ACEF introduces the product and receives a commission on sales made through its referral links.
5. Grant Funding: ACEF receives grant funding from organizations such as Panasonic NPO/NGO Support Fund for SDGs and JICS NGO Support Project. Grants support specific projects including organizational strengthening and partnership building with BDP.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ACEF is a certified NPO that funds education support in Bangladesh through partnership with local NGO BDP, covering elementary school construction and operation, microfinance for families, vocational training, and library setup. Domestically in Japan, it runs Bangladesh study tours, seminars and workshops, a youth platform (ACEF Youth), and a small social enterprise selling Bangladeshi handicrafts and greeting cards, all funded primarily by individual donations, membership fees, grants, and crowdfunding.

Product overview

ACEF (Asia Christian Education Fund) is a certified NPO that operates a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on education support in Bangladesh and Japan. The core offering consists of elementary school construction and operation through partnership with BDP, supplemented by study tours, seminars, and youth engagement platforms. ACEF generates revenue through social enterprises including Bangladesh handicraft sales, greeting cards, and educational video packages. The organization also provides volunteer opportunities and maintains regular communication with supporters through newsletters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Education Support Programs in Bangladesh Supporting elementary school construction, operation, and education supply delivery in Bangladesh through partnership with local NGO BDP, providing quality education access to underprivileged children across 42 schools serving approximately 4,600 students.
• Study Tours to Bangladesh Educational travel program for Japanese participants, primarily youth, to visit Bangladesh, learn about cross-cultural living, observe ACEF's partner school operations, and participate in ACEF activities. The 2024 tour cost 280,000 yen per person, covering airfare, accommodation, meals, airport taxes, and fuel surcharges.
• Microfinance Programs Microfinance initiatives for families in Bangladesh to support children's continued education and prevent child labor and early marriage, including COVID-19 era economic support programs.
• Bangladesh Handicraft Sales Sales of Bangladeshi handmade crafts (手工芸品) to support Bangladeshi artisans and fund ACEF's educational programs, sold at events, bazaars, and direct sales to supporters in Japan.
• Greeting Cards (Bangladeshi Children's Artwork) Greeting cards designed by Bangladeshi children, sold in sets of 4 cards (A and B sets) with proceeds supporting one elementary student's one month of schooling in Bangladesh.
• Educational Video Package - SDGs DVD/video package covering all 17 SDGs with perspectives from 17 NGOs, including ACEF's content on SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and education in Bangladesh. ACEF earns referral commissions on sales made through its referral links.
• Seminars and Workshops Educational events including dignity workshops (尊厳Cafe), sharing evenings (シェアリングの夕べ), autumn seminars (ACEF秋のセミナー), and practice report sessions on education and international cooperation themes.
• Youth Platform (ACEF Youth) Platform for Japanese young people to participate in ACEF activities, including student volunteer coordination, youth-led crowdfunding campaigns (e.g., 91.7万 yen youth campaign in 2024), and social media promotion.
• Volunteer and Internship Programs Opportunities for volunteers and interns to support ACEF operations including supporter management, craft sales, PR activities, and office administration in Japan.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3 libraries established in BDP schools serving approximately 400 students (2022)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BDP (Basic Development Partners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBDP is ACEF's primary local partner in Bangladesh, operating 42 elementary schools that ACEF has supported since 1990. The partnership covers school construction, educational support, vocational training, and microfinance programs. BDP's Executive Director Ambros visited Japan for ACEF's general assembly and met with Japanese educational institutions.
• Japan International NGO Center (JANIC)minorOthersACEF is a member of JANIC (日本国際協力NGOセンター), a network of Japanese NGOs engaged in international cooperation. JANIC membership provides ACEF with peer networking, shared resources, and collective advocacy capabilities.
• Japan-Bangladesh Association (日バ協会)minorOthersACEF is listed as a related link alongside the Japan-Bangladesh Association, indicating a network relationship within the Bangladesh-focused NGO community in Japan.
• Hachidori Electric Power (ハチドリ電力)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHachidori Electric Power is a social enterprise providing renewable energy. ACEF is registered as a support organization with Hachidori Electric Power, receiving 1% of Hachidori users' monthly electricity bills as donations.
• Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic NPO/NGO Support Fund for SDGs)coreOthersPanasonic's NPO/NGO Support Fund for SDGs awarded ACEF a continued grant (2021) for organizational strengthening and sustainable partnership building with BDP. The grant supports vision sharing and mid-term planning with the Bangladesh partner.
• GOEN (donation platform)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorACEF migrated its donation processing and membership management from Syncable to GOEN in March 2023. GOEN provides integrated membership system functionality enabling timely and accurate supporter communication.
• CASA de UME (CASA de UME 一般社团法人梅村尚久纪念多文化连帯馆)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACEF participated in the production of the 'Education Video Package: SDGs Achieving Goals through NGO Voices, Actions, and Critique,' contributing content on SDG 5 (Gender Equality). ACEF earns referral commissions for sales of this educational DVD package.
• Amazon Japan (Amazon新生活をみんなで応援 program)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerACEF participated in Amazon Japan's seasonal support program, listing needed supplies (nutrition food for children, ACEF office equipment) on Amazon's wishlist for supporter purchases.
• ICU Service Learning CenterminorOthersACEF is linked alongside ICU's Service Learning Center, indicating a collaborative relationship for international learning and service opportunities for students.
• NCC Education Department (NCC日本キリスト教協議会教育部)minorOthersACEF is linked alongside the NCC Education Department, indicating connections with Japan's Christian council for educational activities.
• Zen Tomo (全国友の会)minorOthersACEF is linked alongside Zen Tomo (全国友の会), indicating a network relationship in the Japanese civil society community.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Plan International Japan: A major international child-rights and education NGO with a Japan fundraising presence; comparable to ACEF in mission and donor-base logic (Japanese supporters funding overseas child education), but with global scale and corporate partnership capabilities.
• Save the Children Japan: A larger, established international NGO with a Japan office focused on children's rights and education globally; comparable to ACEF in mission (child education in developing countries) but operates at significantly greater scale and breadth.
• Habitat for Humanity Japan: Japan chapter of a global housing and community-development NGO; comparable to ACEF in operating model (Japan-headquartered NPO funding on-the-ground international development programs via local partners) but focuses on housing rather than education.

Direct peers

• AAR Japan: Japan-based international NGO supporting education, health, and disability inclusion in developing countries across Asia; comparable to ACEF as a similarly sized Japan-anchored NPO funding and implementing programs in South/Southeast Asia.
• CWS Japan (Church World Service): A faith-affiliated Japan-based international NGO delivering humanitarian and development programs abroad; comparable to ACEF as a Christian-rooted, Japan-headquartered organization running donor-funded education and community programs overseas.
• DEAR (Development Education Association): A Japanese NPO promoting global/development education through curricula, teacher training, and study programs; comparable to ACEF as a Japan-based organization connecting Japanese supporters to international development learning experiences.
• BDP (Basic Development Partners): BDP is ACEF's core local implementing partner and operates 42 elementary schools plus microfinance and vocational training programs in Bangladesh, making it directly comparable as an education-focused NGO serving similar beneficiaries in the same geography.

Others

• JANIC (Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation): Umbrella network of Japanese NGOs engaged in international cooperation, of which ACEF is a member; comparable as an ecosystem enabler that supports, networks, and advocates for member NGOs like ACEF.
• JCNE (Japan NPO Center for Evaluation): The Japanese non-profit evaluation body that issues the Good Governance Certification held by ACEF (cert ID 2020g0027); comparable as a sector infrastructure organization that defines credibility standards ACEF must meet.
• JICS (Japan International Cooperation System): A Japanese foundation under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that channels grants and manages NGO support programs; ACEF's website itself was built with a JICS NGO Support Project grant, making JICS a directly comparable funder/administrative peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/acef_ngo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCsGYJcU6RD6513M__71TGAg
• Facebookfacebook.com/theAsiaChristianEducationFund
• Instagraminstagram.com/acef.ngo

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Asia Christian Education Fund