ZERO TO THREE
ZERO TO THREE is a 200+ employee national nonprofit founded in 1977 that serves as the leading U.S. authority on infant and toddler development, delivering evidence-based programs, professional training curricula (e.g., DC:0-5, HealthySteps, Safe Babies), advocacy campaigns, and research publications to early childhood professionals, parents, and policymakers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ZERO TO THREE does
ZERO TO THREE is a Washington, DC-based national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1977 (originally as the National Center for Clinical Infant Programs) that operates as the leading U.S. authority on infant and toddler development from birth through age three. The organization serves three primary stakeholder groups: early childhood professionals (educators, mental health clinicians, pediatric providers, child welfare workers), parents and caregivers, and federal/state policymakers. Its core portfolio comprises direct-service programs (HealthySteps integrated pediatric primary care, Safe Babies Court Team for child welfare), proprietary evidence-based curricula and diagnostic frameworks (DC:0-5 diagnostic classification, The Growing Brain curriculum, Critical Competencies), an annual LEARN Conference, an e-commerce bookstore, a tiered membership program ($120/$216/$306 for 1/2/3-year terms), and advocacy campaigns including Think Babies and the newer Believe In Babies movement. The organization also operates the Evidence to Impact Center (established in 2022 with a $4.2M HHS grant) and the ZERO TO THREE Fellowship, which has produced 300+ alumni over four decades.
The underlying technology stack is content- and curriculum-driven rather than software-driven: proprietary diagnostic frameworks (DC:0-5), training-of-trainers certification programs, branded curricula (The Growing Brain), and research publications (ZERO TO THREE Journal, State of Babies Yearbook). There is no disclosed API, SDK, or AI/ML capability in the source data. Revenue mechanics span six streams: federal/state/local government grants and contracts, foundation and corporate grants, individual donations (including planned giving), membership subscription fees, bookstore sales, and conference/training registration fees. Distribution is multi-channel: direct-to-consumer via zerotothree.org, in-person and digital conferences, field/enterprise team trainings, policy advocacy outreach, and a fellowship alumni network with international reach (fellows from Uruguay, Peru, Canada).
ZERO TO THREE currently employs over 200 staff and has expanded into a fifth cohort spanning 44 states to strengthen infant mental health systems. It holds a Candid Transparency Seal (2026) and Charity Navigator Four-Star Rating (2025), and is led by Executive Director Matthew Melmed (since 1995).
ZERO TO THREE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ZERO TO THREE
- Legal name
- ZERO TO THREE
- Website
- https://zerotothree.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- ZERO TO THREE is a 200+ employee national nonprofit founded in 1977 that serves as the leading U.S. authority on infant and toddler development, delivering evidence-based programs, professional training curricula (e.g., DC:0-5, HealthySteps, Safe Babies), advocacy campaigns, and research publications to early childhood professionals, parents, and policymakers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ZERO TO THREE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Early Childhood Development Services
- NAICS
- Educational Services (61), Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (62411)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Developmental Screening & Assessment (0–5) (EDACAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Parenting Skills & Child Development Education (EDACALAA), Early Childhood Learning Standards Authorities (EDADAEAF), Developmental Therapy / Early Childhood Special Instruction (EDACAFAG)
Keywords
Where ZERO TO THREE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
ZERO TO THREE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation and Corporate Grants: Funding from private foundations and corporate grants supporting specific programs and initiatives
- Government Grants and Contracts: Federal, state and local government grants and contracts including $4.2M grant from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for Early Childhood Developmental Health Systems Center
- Individual Donations: Individual donor contributions and planned giving programs
- Membership Fees: Annual membership fees providing access to discounts, virtual events, exclusive content, and member resources. 1 Year: $120, 2 Year: $216, 3 Year: $306
- Bookstore Sales: Sales of publications, resources, and training materials through ZERO TO THREE Bookstore with 20% member discount and free shipping
- Conference and Training Registration: LEARN Conference registration fees and team training program fees for professional development
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | 1 Year Membership |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | 2 Year Membership |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | 3 Year Membership |
| Other | One-time | LEARN Conference Early Bird - Members |
| Other | One-time | LEARN Conference Early Bird - Non-members |
| Other | One-time | LEARN Conference Onsite - Members |
| Other | One-time | LEARN Conference Onsite - Non-members |
| Other | One-time | Group Registration Discount |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bookstore Items |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
ZERO TO THREE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ZERO TO THREE is a national nonprofit that translates early childhood development science into evidence-based programs, professional development curricula, diagnostic frameworks, and publications for professionals, parents, and policymakers serving infants and toddlers (ages 0-3). Its direct offerings include the HealthySteps pediatric primary care program, Safe Babies child welfare approach, the annual LEARN Conference, the Growing Brain and DC:0-5 training curricula, an online bookstore, the ZERO TO THREE Fellowship, policy advocacy, and research publications such as the State of Babies Yearbook.
Product overview
ZERO TO THREE is a national nonprofit organization that offers a comprehensive portfolio of programs, publications, and professional development services focused on early childhood development from birth to age three. The organization operates as a multi-product entity comprising direct service programs (HealthySteps, Safe Babies), annual conferences (LEARN Conference), advocacy initiatives (Think Babies, Policy Center), professional development curricula (The Growing Brain, DC:0-5 Training, Critical Competencies), research publications (State of Babies Yearbook, ZERO TO THREE Journal), and an e-commerce bookstore. These products work together to fulfill the organization's mission of ensuring all babies have a strong start in life through direct service delivery, capacity building for professionals, policy advocacy, and public awareness campaigns.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HealthySteps: A team-based, integrated pediatric primary care program that promotes positive parenting and healthy child development.
- Safe Babies
- Think Babies
- LEARN
- Believe In Babies
- Baby Brain Map
Products and services
- HealthySteps A team-based, integrated pediatric primary care program that promotes positive parenting and healthy development in the first five years of life, implemented in pediatric practices.
- Safe Babies A nationally recognized approach to transforming child welfare into the practice of child and family well-being, preventing maltreatment and keeping families together.
- Safe Babies Court Team Infant-toddler court program that brings together judges, child welfare professionals, and families to improve outcomes for babies in the child welfare system.
- LEARN Conference Annual professional development conference for early childhood educators, mental health leaders, researchers, and advocates offering cutting-edge research, CEUs, and networking opportunities.
- Professional Development Training Programs Comprehensive training offerings including The Growing Brain curriculum, DC:0-5 Clinical Training, IECMH Training, Critical Competencies Training, and Pre-Service Training for early childhood professionals.
- The Growing Brain Comprehensive curriculum and professional development program providing understanding of how the brain develops and strategies to encourage healthy brain development from birth to age 5, with training-of-trainers certification.
- DC:0-5 Clinical Training In-depth training on the DC:0-5 Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health Development Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood for mental health, healthcare, and early intervention professionals.
- Policy Center Non-partisan, research-based policy advocacy center working at federal, state, and local levels to improve child care, infant mental health, family economic security, child welfare, and early learning systems.
- ZERO TO THREE Bookstore Online marketplace offering evidence-based publications, books, training materials, curricula, and resources for early childhood professionals and parents.
- ZERO TO THREE Membership Membership program offering discounts on trainings, bookstore items, and conference registration, free virtual events, exclusive self-paced online learning, and member-only experiences.
- ZERO TO THREE Fellowship 18-month intensive leadership program cultivating the next generation of early childhood leaders, with over 300 alumni across four decades and an international alumni network.
- National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning (NCECDTL) National center providing training, technical assistance, and resources to support early childhood programs and professionals.
- Early Childhood Developmental Health Systems: Evidence to Impact Center Center focused on early childhood developmental health systems, working to improve health and well-being for infants and toddlers through systems-building and capacity expansion across multiple states.
- Military Families Program Support program providing resources and training for military families with infants and toddlers.
- State of Babies Yearbook Annual research publication comparing state policies and their impact on infants and toddlers across the United States.
- ZERO TO THREE Journal Professional journal publishing research and analysis on infant and early childhood mental health and development.
Quantifiable outcome
- Safe Babies approach demonstrates permanency for infants, prevention of repeat maltreatment, timely services, and increased placements with relatives
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ZERO TO THREE
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
ZERO TO THREE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
ZERO TO THREE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Groundwork OhiominorOhio-based advocacy organization working on childcare policy issues; mentioned as part of coalition urging federal government to disburse childcare funding
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ZERO TO THREE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ZERO TO THREE social profiles
Digital presenceZERO TO THREE compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
ZERO TO THREE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ZERO TO THREE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles22 records
ZERO TO THREE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ZERO TO THREE 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 ZERO TO THREE
What does ZERO TO THREE do?
ZERO TO THREE is a national nonprofit that translates early childhood development science into evidence-based programs, professional development curricula, diagnostic frameworks, and publications for professionals, parents, and policymakers serving infants and toddlers (ages 0-3). Its direct offerings include the HealthySteps pediatric primary care program, Safe Babies child welfare approach, the annual LEARN Conference, the Growing Brain and DC:0-5 training curricula, an online bookstore, the ZERO TO THREE Fellowship, policy advocacy, and research publications such as the State of Babies Yearbook.
Is ZERO TO THREE a public or private company?
ZERO TO THREE is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ZERO TO THREE founded?
ZERO TO THREE was founded in 1977. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is ZERO TO THREE based?
ZERO TO THREE is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does ZERO TO THREE make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Foundation and Corporate Grants are the primary driver. The others are government Grants and Contracts, individual Donations, membership Fees, bookstore Sales and conference and Training Registration.
Does ZERO TO THREE have an API?
No public API is recorded for ZERO TO THREE.
What industry is ZERO TO THREE in?
ZERO TO THREE's product category is Early Childhood Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDACAFAA, Developmental Screening & Assessment (0–5), with a secondary code of EDACALAA, Parenting Skills & Child Development Education. Its NAICS code is 61 and its SIC code is 8200.