Citizenship Counts
Citizenship Counts is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers a free civics curriculum and facilitates school-based naturalization ceremonies in partnership with USCIS and Federal Courts, serving middle and high schools, educators, and students nationwide since 2008.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersVoorhees, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Citizenship Counts does
Citizenship Counts is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in August 2008 in Voorhees, New Jersey, by Holocaust survivor and 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Gerda Weissmann Klein; co-founder and Executive Director Alysa Cooper (Klein's granddaughter) continues to lead the organization after Klein's death in April 2022. The organization delivers a free, interactive, multi-disciplinary civics curriculum called The Path to Citizenship, originally developed with McDougal Littell (now Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), to middle and high schools across the country, alongside free teacher training and program resources. Its defining capability is facilitating authentic, school-based naturalization ceremonies in partnership with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Federal Courts, enabling students to witness and participate in the Oath of Allegiance; ceremonies have been staged at high-profile venues including the Smithsonian's Museum of American History, the National Constitution Center, the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library, the Mall of America, and an NBA halftime (Phoenix Suns, February 2016).
The underlying technology stack is intentionally lightweight: SurveyMonkey for student and educator feedback, PayPal and GoFundMe for donation processing, Amazon Smile for affiliate giving, and Google reCAPTCHA for account security. There is no proprietary software platform, no mobile app, and no AI/ML layer disclosed. The product portfolio has expanded to include a Naturalized Citizen Story Sharing program and America's 250th anniversary educational resources (2026), broadening the audience beyond K-12 classrooms.
The organization is funded entirely through donations and charitable contributions: individual one-time and recurring gifts, corporate matching gifts, IRA charitable transfers, bequests and charitable trusts, tribute gifts, and Amazon Smile contributions. Suggested program sponsorships ranging from $100 (student art supplies) to $5,000 (teacher trainings) function as donation tiers rather than paid pricing. Operational scale is modest at 1-10 employees with a part-time marketing internship, yet the curriculum has reached schools in 39 states and cumulatively engaged hundreds of thousands of students since inception, including a district-wide deployment across all 37 middle schools in Orange County Public Schools (FL) to satisfy the state's civics mandate.
Citizenship Counts firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Citizenship Counts
- Legal name
- Citizenship Counts
- Website
- https://citizenshipcounts.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Citizenship Counts is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers a free civics curriculum and facilitates school-based naturalization ceremonies in partnership with USCIS and Federal Courts, serving middle and high schools, educators, and students nationwide since 2008.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Citizenship Counts industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Civic Education Services
- NAICS
- Civic and Social Organizations (81341)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Civic, Citizenship & Community Engagement Education (EDAAAEAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Civic Participation & Leadership Development (Voting, Advocacy, Community Leadership) (EDAAADAL), Citizenship Test Preparation (Civics & Interview) (EDAAADAA)
Keywords
Where Citizenship Counts is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Voorhees
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Citizenship Counts business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Citizenship Counts accepts one-time gifts, monthly recurring donations, and monthly donations from individual supporters. Donations can be made via PayPal or mailed checks.
- Corporate Matching Gifts: Corporate matching gift programs allow employees to increase the value of their charitable contributions through employer-matched donations.
- Amazon Smile: Percentage of qualifying Amazon purchases are donated to Citizenship Counts when supporters select the organization as their charity of choice on AmazonSmile.
- IRA Charitable Transfers: Tax-free gifts from IRAs for donors aged 70½ or older, transferred directly to Citizenship Counts.
- Bequests and Charitable Trusts: Donors can name Citizenship Counts as a beneficiary in their will or living trust.
- Tribute Gifts: Charitable contributions made in honor or memory of family members, friends, or colleagues, with personalized donor acknowledgement letters sent to recipients.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | $100 - Sponsor of Student Art Supplies |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | $500 - Sponsor of Naturalization Ceremony Reception |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | $1,500 - Sponsor of Data Analysis and Focus Groups |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | $5,000 - Sponsor of Teacher Trainings |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Citizenship Counts product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Citizenship Counts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides a free, interactive, multi-disciplinary civic education curriculum (The Path to Citizenship) for middle and high school students covering the naturalization process, immigration history, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. The organization also coordinates authentic naturalization ceremonies at schools and community venues in partnership with USCIS and Federal Courts, enabling students to witness and participate in citizenship events.
Product overview
Citizenship Counts is a national non-partisan nonprofit organization offering a unified civic education program primarily for middle and high school students. The core offering consists of a free interactive curriculum (The Path to Citizenship) that educates students on citizenship tenets, appreciation of rights and responsibilities, and celebration of citizenship through participation in naturalization ceremonies. The program is complemented by student and educator feedback surveys, naturalized citizen story-sharing opportunities, America's 250th celebration resources, and donation processing via PayPal and Amazon Smile. The organization operates with support from a marketing internship program and maintains partnerships with government agencies including USCIS and Federal Courts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Core Curriculum (The Path to Citizenship) An interactive, multi-disciplinary civic education curriculum for middle and high school students that educates students on the tenets of citizenship, the naturalization process, the role immigration has played in creating a diverse society, and their rights and responsibilities as American citizens. The curriculum is provided free of charge and includes lessons on the naturalization process, push-pull factors, history of immigration, and preparing for the naturalization test.
- Naturalization Ceremony Facilitation Assistance in planning and hosting community-based naturalization ceremonies at schools and community venues, working with USCIS, Federal Courts, and other governmental agencies. The program enables students to witness and participate in naturalization ceremonies, with new citizens encouraged to engage with students and community members at receptions hosted by students.
Quantifiable outcome
- Program utilized in schools across 39 states, reaching hundreds of thousands of students since 2008
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Citizenship Counts
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Citizenship Counts technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature1 record
Citizenship Counts partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, foundational, flagship and notable.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)coreFormal government partnership for coordinating naturalization ceremonies at schools and community venues. USCIS works with Citizenship Counts to bring authentic naturalization ceremonies to students across the country, enabling new citizens to take the Oath of Allegiance in educational settings.
- Federal CourtscorePartnership with Federal Courts to administer naturalization oaths at school-based ceremonies. Judges participate in citizenship ceremonies at schools, lending judicial authority and gravitas to the student civic education experience.
- McDougal Littell / Houghton Mifflin HarcourtfoundationalOriginal curriculum publisher. In 2007, Alysa Cooper was hired by McDougal Littell (now Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) to author 'The Path to Citizenship' curriculum, which became the foundation for Citizenship Counts' core educational program.
- Smithsonian's Museum of American HistoryflagshipPrestigious venue host for Citizenship Counts naturalization ceremonies. The organization has coordinated ceremonies at this landmark venue, providing students with an unparalleled civics education experience.
- National Constitution CenterflagshipVenue partner for naturalization ceremonies. Located in Philadelphia, the center provides an educational setting for citizenship ceremonies that reinforces students' understanding of constitutional principles.
- George H.W. Bush Presidential LibraryflagshipVenue partner for naturalization ceremonies, one of several prestigious national landmarks hosting Citizenship Counts events.
- Mall of AmericanotableUnique venue host for Citizenship Counts naturalization ceremonies, bringing civic education programming to one of America's most visited tourist and retail destinations.
- Phoenix Suns (NBA)notableIn February 2016, Citizenship Counts collaborated with the Phoenix Suns to coordinate the very first naturalization ceremony ever held during halftime at an NBA game, combining sports engagement with civic education.
- CIVXNow CoalitionnotableCitizenship Counts is one of 100+ civic-minded organizations represented in CIVXNow, a national coalition promoting civic education. The partnership includes polling research showing bipartisan support for K-12 civic education as a solution to national polarization.
- Gerda and Kurt Klein FoundationfoundationalThe Foundation (established 1998) partnered with Southern Poverty Law Center/Teaching Tolerance to create the 'One Survivor Remembers' teaching kit distributed to 116,000+ schools. Also partnered with TIME Classroom for 'Stand Up, Speak Out, Lend A Hand' curriculum sent to 22,000+ teachers. Foundation's mission aligns with Citizenship Counts' civic education goals.
- USC Shoah FoundationnotableFeatured story about Gerda Weissmann Klein and 'The Sacred Duties of Democracy' on the foundation's platform, promoting her message of civic responsibility and democratic participation.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Citizenship Counts competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Teaching Tolerance (Southern Poverty Law Center): Provides free K-12 anti-bias and civil rights teaching resources. Compares as a free-to-schools civics-adjacent curriculum provider with national reach and institutional backing.
- Civics Renewal Network: Coalition of 30+ civics organizations pooling free K-12 resources. Citizenship Counts is referenced as a member; the network is comparable as an aggregator of civics content for educators.
- Newsela: Instructional content platform offering leveled civics and social studies texts to K-12 schools. Comparable in delivering standards-aligned civics content to schools at scale.
Direct peers
- iCivics: Founded by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, iCivics is the largest civics education provider in the U.S., offering free K-12 civics curriculum and games. Highly comparable in mission (civic education for youth), target market (schools), and free distribution model.
- Center for Civic Education: National nonprofit providing free K-12 civics and government curriculum, including We the People and Project Citizen. Directly comparable in product (civics curriculum for schools), customers (educators and districts), and mission.
- Street Law, Inc. Nonprofit that develops civics and law-related education programs for schools, with a focus on practical citizenship. Comparable in delivering curriculum and teacher training to secondary schools.
- Generation Citizen: Nonprofit bringing action civics to middle and high school students through classroom programs and teacher support. Directly comparable in target audience (secondary students) and civic education mission.
- Close Up Foundation: Civic education nonprofit serving middle and high school students through curriculum and Washington, D.C.-based programs. Comparable in student civic engagement focus and school partnerships.
- Mikva Challenge: Nonpartisan nonprofit empowering youth civic engagement through school-based programs, action civics, and youth voice initiatives. Comparable in audience (secondary students) and experiential civic education model.
Emerging players
- Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History: Provides free U.S. history and civics resources, professional development, and programs for K-12 educators and students. Comparable in mission-aligned civics and history education for secondary schools.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Citizenship Counts social profiles
Digital presenceCitizenship Counts compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Citizenship Counts financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Citizenship Counts leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Citizenship Counts funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Citizenship Counts 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 Citizenship Counts
What does Citizenship Counts do?
Citizenship Counts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides a free, interactive, multi-disciplinary civic education curriculum (The Path to Citizenship) for middle and high school students covering the naturalization process, immigration history, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. The organization also coordinates authentic naturalization ceremonies at schools and community venues in partnership with USCIS and Federal Courts, enabling students to witness and participate in citizenship events.
Is Citizenship Counts a public or private company?
Citizenship Counts is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Citizenship Counts founded?
Citizenship Counts was founded in 2008. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Citizenship Counts based?
Citizenship Counts is headquartered in Voorhees, United States, in the North America region.
How does Citizenship Counts make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Matching Gifts, amazon Smile, IRA Charitable Transfers, bequests and Charitable Trusts and tribute Gifts.
Who are Citizenship Counts's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Teaching Tolerance (Southern Poverty Law Center), Civics Renewal Network and Newsela. Direct peers are iCivics, Center for Civic Education, Street Law, Inc., Generation Citizen, Close Up Foundation and Mikva Challenge. Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is listed as an emerging player.
Does Citizenship Counts have an API?
No public API is recorded for Citizenship Counts.
What industry is Citizenship Counts in?
Citizenship Counts's product category is Civic Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAEAI, Civic, Citizenship & Community Engagement Education, with a secondary code of EDAAADAL, Civic Participation & Leadership Development (Voting, Advocacy, Community Leadership). Its NAICS code is 81341.