Houston Area Urban League

What Houston Area Urban League does

The Houston Area Urban League (HAUL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded on June 19, 1968, that delivers a portfolio of community services to underserved individuals and families across Greater Houston. Its program portfolio spans six core lines: Center for Social Justice & Education (civic engagement, voter outreach, advocacy); Education and Youth Development (Project Ready and GENLITES/MIDLITES/NULITES/HILITES sequences from birth to age 25); Entrepreneurship Center (Small Business University, SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program, Black Restaurant Accelerator); Housing and Social Services (HUD-approved housing counseling, mortgage delinquency, rental counseling, veteran support, homebuyer education); Health and Wellness (education, insurance enrollment, maternal wellness, vaccine equity, Community Health Equity Alliance); and Workforce Development & Training (Basic Skills Training, Career Coaching, Urban Tech Jobs 2.0, Urban Energy Jobs Program, Project Elevate, and Center for Energy Workforce Development). Programs are delivered through four physical locations (1301 Texas Avenue HQ, Griggs Road, Angel Lane, Emancipation) and via partnerships with schools, community centers, Boys & Girls Clubs, and HBCUs.

HAUL's business model is charitable rather than commercial: services are provided at no cost or reduced cost to participants, with revenue derived from individual donations, corporate sponsorships (Shell, Comcast, Google, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann, CenterPoint Energy, bp, United, Southwest, Sysco, H-E-B), foundation grants (Rockefeller Foundation, Sozosei Foundation), and government funding (HUD, Texas Veterans Commission, NeighborWorks America, TDHCA). The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Phyllis Turner-Brim and led by President & CEO Judson W. Robinson III (in role since 2008), and is affiliated with the National Urban League and United Way of Greater Houston. Annual fundraising is anchored by the Advancing Opportunity Luncheon (June) and the Equal Opportunity Day Gala (December).

Name

Houston Area Urban League

Legal name

Houston Area Urban League

Website

https://haul.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Houston Area Urban League is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1968 that delivers workforce development, housing counseling, education, health, entrepreneurship, and social justice programs to underserved individuals and families across Greater Houston, funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Community Housing Services (62422), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Workforce development training
• Housing counseling services
• Youth education programs
• Community advocacy services
• Entrepreneurship small business support

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization solicits individual charitable contributions through its website donation portal, direct mail campaigns, and event-based giving. Donations support all HAUL programs including workforce training, youth development, housing assistance, health services, and social justice initiatives.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor HAUL events (Advancing Opportunity Luncheon, Equal Opportunity Day Gala) and programs. Sponsors receive recognition, networking opportunities, and association with HAUL's mission. Major sponsors include Shell, Comcast, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, CenterPoint Energy, and numerous other corporations.
3. Grant Funding: HAUL receives grants from government agencies (Texas Veterans Commission, HUD), foundations (The Rockefeller Foundation), and corporate giving programs to fund specific programs and initiatives.
4. Program Service Fees: Some programs generate revenue through participant fees, though many services are provided free of charge to low-income individuals and families. Housing counseling, workforce training, and educational programs may have nominal fees or operate on sliding scales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Houston Area Urban League is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers advocacy and community social services to underserved individuals and families across Greater Houston. Its core offerings include workforce development and job training, HUD-approved housing counseling, youth education and development, health and wellness programs, entrepreneurship and small business support, and civic engagement and social justice advocacy. Programs are delivered primarily at no cost to participants through four physical service locations, community partner sites, and signature annual events.

Product overview

Houston Area Urban League is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community services organization offering a portfolio of social programs organized around seven core areas: Education and Youth Development, Workforce and Economic Development, Housing, Social Justice, Health and Wellness, and Entrepreneurship. The organization operates as a unified suite of community empowerment programs rather than a technology product platform. Core programs include the Center for Social Justice & Education (advocacy and civic engagement), Education and Youth Development (youth programs from birth through age 25 including Project Ready and literacy initiatives), Entrepreneurship Center (small business development and SBU training), Housing and Social Services (HUD-approved counseling), Health and Wellness Program, and Workforce Development & Training (career preparation, certifications, and job placement). Workforce programs include Urban Tech Jobs 2.0 (IT certifications), Urban Energy Jobs Program (clean energy training), Project Elevate (youth empowerment), and Center for Energy Workforce Development. The organization hosts annual events including the Advancing Opportunity Luncheon and Equal Opportunity Day Gala.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Center for Social Justice & Education A dedicated space for civic engagement, advocacy, voter outreach, legislative education, and community empowerment programs including Racial Opportunity for All, Racial Opportunity in the Workplace, Police Reform, and The Power of the Vote initiatives, serving Houston residents and community advocates.
• Education and Youth Development Programs providing academic achievement support, social-emotional development, and college and career readiness for youth from birth through age 25, including Project Ready, GENLITES (birth to 10 years), MIDLITES (11-14 years), NULITES (15-18 years), HILITES (19-25 years), and summer programs. Also provides scholarships, literacy coaching, book distribution, and after-school programs.
• Entrepreneurship Center Small Business Development University (SBU) offering training, counseling, and business support services for entrepreneurs, including strategic marketing, digital strategy, financial management, venture financing, and business planning curriculum. Also includes the SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program and Black Restaurant Accelerator, serving aspiring and existing entrepreneurs, particularly entrepreneurs of color.
• Housing and Social Services HUD-approved housing counseling and social services including financial counseling, mortgage delinquency resolution, rental housing counseling, homeless assistance, first-time homebuyer workshops, fair housing education, and veteran support services through the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans' Assistance, serving homebuyers, homeowners, renters, and veterans.
• Health and Wellness Program Health education, healthcare access assistance, nutritious food access, vaccine equity programs, and maternal and infant health initiatives addressing social and structural factors impacting community well-being, including insurance enrollment support for Houston residents.
• Workforce Development & Training Job readiness training, career counseling, industry certifications, and employment placement in healthcare, IT, skilled trades, logistics, and customer service. Programs include Basic Skills Training, Career Coaching, Workforce Occupational Skills, Urban Tech Jobs 2.0, Urban Energy Jobs Program, Project Elevate, and Center for Energy Workforce Development, serving unemployed and underemployed adults in Greater Houston.
• HAUL Job Board Online job board connecting job seekers with employment opportunities, integrated with career coaching resources and workforce development program registration for Houston-area residents.
• Urban Tech Jobs Program 2.0 (UTJP 2.0) Workforce development initiative providing no-cost IT certification training including CompTIA Tech+, CompTIA A+, AI Essentials, AWS, Cybersecurity, Networking, and Cloud+ with career coaching and job placement support. Partnered with National Urban League, Comcast, and Google, serving underserved Houston job seekers.
• Urban Energy Jobs Program 80-hour clean energy workforce training program covering power industry fundamentals, alternative energy (solar, wind, nuclear, natural gas), biomass and biofuels, and OSHA-30 certification with pathways to Registered Apprenticeship Programs, serving job seekers in Greater Houston.
• Project Elevate - Urban Youth Empowerment Program Flagship workforce development program for youth ages 16-25 providing no-cost training and certifications in energy (OSHA 30, Pipeline Safety) and technology tracks (CompTIA Tech+, CompTIA A+, AI Fundamentals) with career readiness and placement support.
• Center for Energy Workforce Development Pre-apprenticeship training and career pathways into skilled technical energy careers combining certifications with career coaching for clean and renewable energy, power industry, safety compliance, and energy infrastructure sectors.
• Community Health Equity Alliance (CHEA) Partnership addressing serious mental illness care through community-informed solutions, featuring the Black Mental Health Directory and navigation tools for adults living with mental health conditions. Partners include Black Psychiatrists of America and NAMI Greater Houston.
• Advancing Opportunity Luncheon Premier mid-year fundraiser held in June bringing together business leaders, policymakers, and community advocates for dialogue on workforce development, education, entrepreneurship, and community infrastructure investments, serving as a major donor engagement and community visibility platform.
• Equal Opportunity Day Gala Annual gala celebrated in December honoring HAUL service to the community and recognizing individuals, corporations, and organizations demonstrating public service and dedication to marginalized communities, with corporate sponsorship and networking components.

Quantifiable outcome

• Thousands served annually through workforce development, housing counseling, health services, education, and entrepreneurship programs
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Urban LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1968HAUL is an affiliate of the National Urban League, the nation's oldest and largest community-based organization dedicated to helping African Americans achieve economic and social advancement, headquartered in New York City. This affiliation provides access to national resources, best practices, and the broader Urban League network.
• United Way of Greater HoustoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1968HAUL is affiliated with United Way of Greater Houston, providing additional organizational support, funding, and connections to community resources through the United Way network.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHAUL is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, providing housing counseling, foreclosure prevention, and housing education services under HUD oversight. This designation enables HAUL to provide certified housing counseling services.
• Texas Veterans CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans' Assistance provides grants supporting HAUL's Veteran Support Service Program, offering housing counseling, credit counseling, case management, financial management, and gap financial assistance to veterans.
• NeighborWorks AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeighborWorks America supports HAUL's housing counseling and financial stability programs, providing resources and funding for housing education initiatives.
• Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTDHCA partners with HAUL on housing initiatives and affordable housing programs in Texas.
• National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)coreTechnology or IntegrationHAUL is an NCCER Certified Training Sponsor, providing industry craft skills training through the Workforce Occupational Skills program, enabling participants to earn nationally recognized construction and energy credentials.
• Center for Energy Workforce DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHAUL operates a Center for Energy Workforce Development connecting individuals from underserved communities to careers in the energy sector through pre-apprenticeship training and industry partnerships.
• SBA (Small Business Administration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHAUL participates in the SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program (CNPP), reaching and supporting underserved small businesses with recovery services including financial assistance, access to capital, contracting support, and business development.
• Rice UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRice University's Kinder Institute for Urban Research partners with HAUL on civic engagement and research initiatives. Dr. Ruth N. Lopez Turley, director of the Kinder Institute, serves as a panelist at HAUL events.
• HAUL GuildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe HAUL Guild is a volunteer organization founded in 1998 to expand outreach and service through dedicated volunteers supporting HAUL programs and events.
• HAUL Young ProfessionalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHAUL Young Professionals (haulyp.org) engages young professionals in leadership, civic engagement, and community action, expanding HAUL's reach to a younger demographic while developing future community leaders.
• Black Psychiatrists of AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Community Health Equity Alliance (CHEA), prioritizing community-informed solutions for serious mental illness care and Black/African ancestry adults.
• NAMI Greater HoustonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Community Health Equity Alliance (CHEA), supporting mental health advocacy and healthcare delivery for underserved communities.
• Fisk UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFisk University is HAUL President Judson W. Robinson III's alma mater, where he serves on the Board of Trustees. The university supports HAUL's mission through leadership engagement.
• Houston Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCC partners with HAUL on workforce development and educational programs, providing pathways for students and community members.
• Texas Southern UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSU partners with HAUL on educational programming and civic engagement initiatives, including joint events at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law.
• Prairie View A&M UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrairie View A&M University supports HAUL's SHELL Power Through Partnership program, strengthening HBCU partnerships for college and career readiness.
• Center for Civic and Public Policy ImprovementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with HAUL on the Southeast Houston Affordable Housing Initiative, providing financial education for prospective homebuyers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• National Urban League: National parent network of which HAUL is an affiliate; operates the same workforce, housing, education, and advocacy program model across 90+ affiliates, making it the most structurally comparable organization.
• NAACP: National civil rights and economic empowerment organization with overlapping social justice advocacy, education, and economic opportunity missions; comparable on advocacy and community-empowerment dimensions.

Direct peers

• New York Urban League: Another large Urban League affiliate delivering workforce development, housing counseling, youth education, and entrepreneurship programs; operates the same playbook as HAUL in a different region.
• Chicago Urban League: Major Urban League affiliate with parallel workforce, housing, and education programs serving a large urban population; directly comparable in scale and program mix to HAUL.
• Los Angeles Urban League: West Coast Urban League affiliate offering similar workforce, housing, youth, and small business programs; directly comparable sister-affiliate model.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston: Houston youth-development nonprofit that delivers academic support, college and career readiness, and after-school programming to a similar demographic; directly comparable on Education and Youth Development vertical.
• Houston Habitat for Humanity: Houston-focused affordable housing organization offering homebuyer education and housing counseling along the same delivery model as HAUL's Housing and Social Services department.

Others

• United Way of Greater Houston: Funding and coordination partner of HAUL and a broader human-services funder/aggregator in the Greater Houston region; comparable as a Houston-area nonprofit umbrella serving overlapping donor and beneficiary bases.

Emerging players

• SERJobs (SER National): Houston-area workforce development nonprofit focused on job training and placement for Hispanic and low-income adults; overlaps directly with HAUL's workforce development and English-language training offerings.

Regional players

• Houston Community College - Workforce Development: Public workforce credentialing partner; offers industry-recognized certifications and adult education in the same Houston market as HAUL and competes for similar trainee populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HouUrbanLeague
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@HoustonAreaUrbanLeague
• Facebookfacebook.com/HouUrbanLeague
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/houston-area-urban-league
• Instagraminstagram.com/HouUrbanLeague

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Houston Area Urban League