Complexly, the production company launched by Hank and John Green and best known for Crash Course and SciShow, is formally transitioning to a nonprofit. The move puts one of the internet’s most influential education studios squarely in the public-interest camp at a moment when platforms are grappling with AI-generated clutter and trust in online information is under strain.
Company leaders say nonprofit status will let Complexly prioritize impact over ad models and click-through rates, opening doors to grants, philanthropic partnerships, and projects that might not pencil out in a purely commercial framework. As part of the shift, the organization has earmarked $8.5 million to expand production and partnerships, including an extended collaboration with YouTube and education-focused institutions.
Complexly has operated for more than a decade as a home for researched, classroom-ready videos and podcasts, collaborating with public-interest partners like PBS and the National Science Foundation, and building sustained communities around shows such as SciShow Kids, Eons, and The Origin of Everything. The nonprofit turn codifies a mission the founders have long described as service-oriented: free, independent learning at scale.
What Nonprofit Status Changes for Complexly’s Operations
Becoming a 501(c)(3) typically enables an organization to accept tax-deductible donations, compete for foundation grants, and ring-fence editorial goals through mission-centric governance and public reporting. For an education studio, that can mean more room to build series in subjects that are essential but not obviously “viral,” from civics and health to foundational math and literacy.
It also creates a clearer bridge to universities, libraries, and museums that already budget for open educational resources. Complexly’s history with academic and public media partners positions it well for consortium-style projects, course-aligned playlists, and educator toolkits that extend beyond YouTube’s recommendation engine.
The company’s leadership has framed the shift as a commitment to editorial independence in an ad-driven ecosystem that rewards speed and volume. In practice, that can mean slower production cycles, more rigorous expert review, and a willingness to tackle subjects that require nuance—costly choices that are easier to justify in a nonprofit context.
A Track Record Built on Trust in Educational Media
Founded in 2012, Complexly helped pioneer high-quality educational video on YouTube with Crash Course, a fast-paced series used by teachers and learners worldwide for subjects ranging from world history to economics. Sister channels like SciShow and SciShow Kids expanded the brand’s reach to curiosity-driven science formats for adults and children.
That footprint has been reinforced through partnerships with PBS Digital Studios and support from the National Science Foundation and Google. Complexly has also experimented with college-aligned offerings, including work with Arizona State University on entry-level course content designed to ease learners into for-credit pathways—an example of how public-interest media can intersect with formal education.
Beyond video, Complexly’s podcasts, such as Dear Hank & John, have served as on-ramps to communities built around curiosity and learning. The through line is an editorial process that foregrounds subject-matter experts, peer review, and accessible storytelling—features that make the catalog useful in classrooms as well as for independent study.
The Platform Context for YouTube and Online Learning
YouTube remains the world’s most widely used video platform, and research from organizations like Pew Research Center shows that a large share of users turn to it to learn how to do things. That centrality has brought new responsibilities: YouTube has updated policies around synthetic media, deepfakes, and what it calls low-quality clutter, while funding learning initiatives such as the YouTube Learning program, announced with a $20 million commitment.
Amid the rise of generative AI, the economics of online education are shifting. Some tech companies have leaned into monetized AI assistants for classrooms and healthcare, while many public broadcasters, libraries, and nonprofits are doubling down on transparent sourcing and human editorial review. Complexly’s nonprofit shift signals a bet that rigorous, citation-driven production remains a competitive advantage.
What to Watch Next as Complexly Shifts to Nonprofit
In the near term, expect new series and expanded seasons across core subjects, along with educator resources that make it easier to integrate episodes into curricula. Translation and accessibility are likely priorities given the public-interest mandate and the global audience for Crash Course and SciShow.
Observers will also watch how Complexly diversifies revenue—balancing grants, individual donations, sponsorships aligned with nonprofit guidelines, and platform partnerships—while maintaining independence. As a 501(c)(3), the organization will file public disclosures that illuminate how it allocates funds across production, research, and outreach.
For learners, educators, and institutions, the headline is simple: one of online education’s most trusted producers is formalizing its public mission. If Complexly leverages its nonprofit status to scale quality while resisting the pull of low-value content, it could help reset expectations for what educational media on the open web can deliver.
