California Congress Of Parents, Teachers, And Students, Inc.

What California Congress Of Parents, Teachers, And Students, Inc. does

California State PTA (operating as CAPTA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association founded in 1897 and headquartered in Sacramento, California. The organization connects families, schools, and communities as part of the public-education foundation, serving more than 750,000 members across approximately 2,700 local PTA units organized into 27 districts statewide. It functions as the California state affiliate of National PTA, the nation's largest volunteer-led child-advocacy association with 3.2 million members nationally. California State PTA delivers a portfolio of programs including the School Smarts Family Engagement Program (a customizable, evidence-based curriculum available in six languages with four pricing tiers from $4,900 to $6,900 per academy), the Reflections Art Program, scholarships and grants, the annual Convention, Legislation Conference, and Honorary Service Awards. Its core technology infrastructure includes the TOTEM electronic membership system for digital enrollment and e-membership cards, a comprehensive online Toolkit with templates, forms, and bylaws, and a multi-language website.

The organization's revenue model is diversified across four primary streams: recurring membership dues collected from individual PTA members through local units; individual donations and planned giving; fee-based School Smarts program licenses charged to school districts; and insurance premium administration through broker AIM (since October 2018), with annual premiums of $305 per unit, $210 per council, and $210 per district. The go-to-market is hybrid: a community-led, grassroots motion recruiting parents and teachers through local school PTA units combined with direct-to-consumer enrollment via the TOTEM platform and website. Distribution flows through a hierarchical structure at unit, council, district, state, and national levels, supported by localized regional offices in Alhambra, San Francisco, Santa Ana, San Bernardino, San Jose, San Diego, Hayward, and Redwood City. Customer segments include parents and caregivers, teachers and school staff, students, schools and districts, and community advocates—all focused on improving children's education, health, and well-being.

Name

California Congress Of Parents, Teachers, And Students, Inc.

Legal name

California Congress Of Parents, Teachers, And Students, Inc.

Website

https://www.capta.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1897

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

California State PTA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association serving 750,000+ members across 2,700+ school PTA units in California, delivering family engagement programs, advocacy, and leadership training as the state affiliate of National PTA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues collected from individual PTA members at local unit level, with per capita fees sent through council and district channels to state and national PTA
2. Donations and Contributions: Individual donations and planned giving to support California State PTA programs, training, resources, and advocacy efforts statewide. Monthly and annual donation options available.
3. School Smarts Program Fees: Fee-based family engagement program with four pricing tiers ranging from $4,900 to $6,900 per academy, including optional add-ons for additional materials
4. Insurance Premium Administration: Administration of insurance program for PTAs through broker AIM, with annual premiums for units ($305), councils ($210), and districts ($210)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

California State PTA operates as a nonprofit child advocacy association that delivers membership services, training, advocacy, family engagement programs, scholarships, insurance administration, and an online toolkit to support more than 2,700 local PTA units and 750,000+ members across California. It connects families, schools, and communities through programs including School Smarts, Reflections, Convention, Legislation Conference, and PTA membership management via the TOTEM electronic membership system.

Product overview

California State PTA operates as a non-profit child advocacy association offering a portfolio of programs, services, and resources organized around family engagement, advocacy, member support, and leadership development. The core offerings include the School Smarts Family Engagement Program (a fee-based customizable training curriculum with multiple pricing tiers), the Reflections Art Program, annual Convention, Scholarships and Grants, Legislation Conference, Insurance Coverage, Tax Filing Support, and the online PTA Toolkit. The TOTEM electronic membership system enables digital membership management. These programs work together to support PTA units, councils, and districts across California in their mission to positively impact the lives of all children and families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• School Smarts: A customizable training program from an evidence-based curriculum designed to bring together parents from diverse backgrounds in support of helping their children and schools succeed.

Products and services

• School Smarts Family Engagement Program A customizable, fee-based family engagement training curriculum available in six languages with arts-based interactive activities, facilitator training, printed curriculum binders, art kits, and ongoing support, sold to schools and school districts.
• Insurance Coverage Annual insurance protection for PTA organizations including General Liability and Umbrella, Directors and Officers Liability ($1 million limit), Fidelity Bond, and Workers' Compensation Insurance, with premiums of $305 per unit, $210 per council, and $210 per district.
• PTA Membership Annual individual membership in the California State PTA offered through local PTA units at schools, with per capita fees flowing through council and district channels to state and national PTA. Enrolled via the TOTEM electronic membership system with digital membership cards.
• Reflections Art Program An arts recognition program encouraging students to explore their creativity through various artistic mediums, offered as part of PTA programming.
• Annual California State PTA Convention Annual statewide convention providing leadership training, networking, elections, bylaws amendments, resolutions adoption, and legislation platform adoption for PTA members across California.
• Legislation Conference Annual conference focused on legislative advocacy training and policy issues affecting children, youth, and families, supporting PTA's advocacy mission.
• Scholarships and Grants Financial assistance programs including scholarships for graduating high school seniors, continuing education scholarships for credentialed classroom teachers and counselors, PTA volunteers, and school nurses.
• Honorary Service Awards Recognition program honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to children and families through PTA service, including PTA volunteers and educators.
• PTA Toolkit Comprehensive online resource providing guidance, instruction, and templates for PTA officers and chairs, including forms, job descriptions, financial procedures, advocacy resources, and program planning tools.
• TOTEM Electronic Membership System Electronic membership platform enabling PTA units to manage memberships online, distribute e-membership cards, and streamline enrollment for parents and families searching for local PTA units.
• Tax Filing Support Tax filing support center providing resources and assistance for PTA leaders to comply with federal and state tax requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75% of School Smarts parent graduates feel very knowledgeable about building positive relationships and effectively communicating with school educators and administrators
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National PTAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational PTA is the parent organization and largest child advocacy association in America. California State PTA operates as the state affiliate, receiving advocacy frameworks, national position statements, program resources, and connecting to the broader 3.2 million member national network.
• AIM (Association Insurance Management Inc.)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAIM serves as California State PTA's insurance broker since October 2018, providing insurance coverage including General Liability, Directors & Officers, Fidelity Bond, and Workers' Compensation for PTA units. AIM provides 24/7 support including weekends and Spanish-language assistance.
• TOTEMcoreTechnology or IntegrationTOTEM is the electronic membership system provider enabling California PTA units to manage memberships online, distribute digital membership cards, and track enrollment. Units are being onboarded to the platform progressively.
• Ed100.orgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEd100.org is a free online course on California education offering brief lessons. California State PTA references Ed100.org as a resource for advocacy chairs and legislative officers to learn about the state legislative process, with a drawing for members who complete quizzes.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• National PTA: Parent national organization of California State PTA and the largest child advocacy association in the U.S. with ~3.2M members. Comparable as a membership-based child advocacy nonprofit offering advocacy frameworks, position statements, and program resources to state affiliates.
• National Education Association (NEA): Large U.S. education-focused membership and advocacy organization. Comparable as a membership-driven education advocacy body that engages teachers, families, and policymakers on K-12 issues, though structured around educators rather than parents.
• AARP: Large U.S. membership association with millions of dues-paying members, advocacy, insurance products, and digital member services. Comparable as a model for membership-driven recurring revenue, advocacy influence, and value-added member perks at scale.

Direct peers

• Texas PTA: Texas state affiliate of National PTA. Direct structural peer to California State PTA - same membership/advocacy model, district/unit hierarchy, and program offerings (Reflections, School Smarts-like engagement programs) in a different large state.
• New York State PTA: Another large state PTA affiliate serving New York families and schools. Same mission, governance structure, and product portfolio (advocacy, scholarships, Reflections, parent education) as California State PTA, operating in a comparable population-dense geography.
• Florida PTA: Florida state affiliate of National PTA. Direct peer providing membership, advocacy, and family engagement programs to Florida schools and families, with similar structure and product offerings to California State PTA.
• Illinois PTA: Illinois state PTA affiliate operating under the same National PTA charter with comparable membership, advocacy, and parent engagement programs targeting K-12 families in Illinois.

Regional players

• National Parent Teacher Association (Canada) / CPTA: Canadian analog to the U.S. PTA network providing parent engagement and school advocacy outside of California, useful as a regional comparison point for cross-border parent-led advocacy models.

Others

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National nonprofit network supporting youth development, education, and family services across the U.S. Comparable as a federated, chapter-based nonprofit serving children and families with programming, advocacy, and community engagement.
• 4-H (National 4-H Council): U.S. youth development and education organization operating through a federated model with state and county chapters. Comparable as a long-standing, volunteer-driven nonprofit delivering youth education, leadership, and family engagement programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CAPTA4Kids
• Instagraminstagram.com/californiastatepta

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California Congress Of Parents, Teachers, And Students, Inc.