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  • October 2018 (Revised May 2019)
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Khan Academy 2018

By: William Sahlman and Nicole Tempest Keller
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:29
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Abstract

Founded in 2008, Khan Academy was a global educational nonprofit with a mission to provide a free, world-class education for anyone anywhere in the world. By 2018, the organization had expanded into numerous content areas, product areas, and geographic markets. However, a newly minted 3-year strategic plan called for greater focus and prioritization to enable the young organization to maximize its impact. It also called for increased fundraising efforts to ensure long-term sustainability. The case poses several questions: How can the organization balance its far-reaching aspirational vision for transforming education globally with the short-term need for greater focus? Would the priorities set in the strategic plan enable Khan Academy to create systemic global change? How should donors evaluate the attractiveness and impact of a potential investment in Khan Academy relative to other organizations in the educational market? Was Khan Academy on the right path to ensuring long-term sustainability? What should Khan Academy’s management team do?

Keywords

Entrepreneur; Sustainability; Scaling; Social Entrepreneurship; Nonprofit Organizations; Strategy; Education; Entrepreneurship; Teaching; Education Industry; California

Citation

Sahlman, William, and Nicole Tempest Keller. "Khan Academy 2018." Harvard Business School Case 819-064, October 2018. (Revised May 2019.)
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About The Author

William A. Sahlman

Entrepreneurial Management
→More Publications

Related Work

    • October 2018 (Revised May 2019)
    • Faculty Research

    Khan Academy 2018

    By: William Sahlman and Nicole Tempest Keller
    • January 2020
    • Faculty Research

    Khan Academy 2018 (Abridged)

    By: William A. Sahlman and Nicole Tempest Keller
Related Work
  • Khan Academy 2018 By: William Sahlman and Nicole Tempest Keller
  • Khan Academy 2018 (Abridged) By: William A. Sahlman and Nicole Tempest Keller
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