Intercultural Family Services

What Intercultural Family Services does

Intercultural Family Services, Inc. (IFS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit human services agency founded in 1979 in Philadelphia and incorporated as Intercultural Family Services, Inc. (originally the Asian American Services Center, later Philadelphia Refugee Service Center). It operates from a 36,000-square-foot headquarters at 4240 Chestnut Street in West Philadelphia with a staff of approximately 120 and a board chaired by Kameron Zitelli. The organization is COA-accredited by the Council on Accreditation (a service of Social Current).

IFS delivers two integrated program portfolios. The Community Well-Being & Prevention portfolio includes HUD-certified housing counseling and first-time home buyer grant administration (since 1983), the School-Based Truancy Program operating in 70 schools across West and Northeast Philadelphia, Family Empowerment Services, the Enhancing Parenting Skills Program (EPSP) using the Nurturing Parenting curriculum (in English, Spanish, and Mandarin), the Peer2You gun violence prevention program in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, and the CREATE after-school arts program. The Behavioral Health Services portfolio provides outpatient behavioral health (children, adolescents, adults), Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) in zip codes 19151 and 19139, and Mobile Mental Health Treatment (MMHT) delivered at nursing facilities, senior living organizations, and home health care settings. Services are trauma-informed, strength-based, and culturally competent.

IFS makes the bulk of its revenue through government contracts with the City of Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS), Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS), Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the School District of Philadelphia, the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), and HUD. Secondary revenue comes from insurance reimbursement (Medicaid, Medicare, Community Behavioral Health, Community Care Behavioral Health, Ambetter Health), charitable donations, foundation grants, and event-based fundraising (notably the annual IFS Golf Classic at White Manor Country Club). The technology stack is conventional: standard case management, telehealth, and the Relias Learning Management System, with no proprietary platform or AI-driven tooling disclosed.

Name

Intercultural Family Services

Legal name

Intercultural Family Services, Inc.

Website

https://ifsinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Intercultural Family Services is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers culturally competent behavioral health, housing counseling, truancy prevention, parenting education, and gun violence prevention services to families and youth across Greater Philadelphia through government contracts and community partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community-based human services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family & Parenting Education (Family Literacy, Parenting Skills) (EDAAAFAF), Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH), Family Engagement & Caregiver Support Programs (SEL/Mental Health) (EDAKAMAK)

Keywords

• Community-based human services
• Behavioral health counseling
• Housing counseling services
• Family support programs
• Gun violence prevention

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts: Primary revenue from city of Philadelphia and state agency contracts including DHS, DBHIDS, DHCD, School District of Philadelphia for housing counseling, truancy intervention, family empowerment, and behavioral health services.
2. Insurance Reimbursement: Revenue from Medicaid, Medicare, Community Behavioral Health (CBH), Community Care Behavioral Health (CCBH), and commercial insurance (Ambetter Health) for outpatient behavioral health and IBHS services.
3. Donations and Grants: Charitable contributions from individuals, foundation grants, and event-based fundraising including annual golf charity event.
4. First Time Home Buyer Grants Administration: IFS administers First Time Home Buyer grants up to $20,000 for families completing required training, working with city housing partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Intercultural Family Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers community-based human services across the Greater Philadelphia region. Its core offerings span two divisions—Community Well-Being & Prevention (school-based truancy intervention, HUD-certified housing counseling, family empowerment services, Parenting Skills Program, Peer2You gun violence prevention, CREATE after-school enrichment) and Behavioral Health Services (outpatient therapy, Intensive Behavioral Health Services/IBHS, mobile mental health treatment). Programs are delivered at the West Philadelphia clinic, in 70 partner schools, at community events, and at partner facilities such as nursing homes.

Product overview

Intercultural Family Services offers a comprehensive portfolio of human services programs organized into two main categories: Community Well-Being & Prevention Programs and Behavioral Health Services. The Community Well-Being division includes the School-based Truancy Program, Family Empowerment Services (FES), Housing Counseling Program, Peer2You Gun Violence Prevention Program, Enhancing Parenting Skills Program (EPSP), and the CREATE After-School Program. The Behavioral Health Services division comprises Outpatient Behavioral Health, Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS), and Mobile Mental Health Treatment (MMHT). These programs work together to provide culturally competent, family-centered support addressing behavioral health, housing, truancy, parenting, and violence prevention across the Greater Philadelphia area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Peer2You: Gun violence prevention and mentorship program in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, providing life skills and mentorship to Philadelphia youth
• Enhancing Parenting Skills Program (EPSP)
• Housing Counseling Program
• School-based Truancy Program
• Family Empowerment Services (FES)
• Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS)
• Mobile Mental Health Treatment (MMHT)
• Outpatient Behavioral Health

Products and services

• Community Well-Being & Prevention Programs A suite of prevention-focused programs including HUD-certified housing counseling, financial literacy workshops, parenting education, truancy intervention, and violence prevention through mentorship.
• School-based Truancy Program Partners with the City of Philadelphia School District to work with youth identified as truant; IFS truancy case managers conduct regular home and school visits to support interventions for independent school attendance across 70 schools in West and Northeast Philadelphia.
• Family Empowerment Services (FES) Voluntary community-based service providing support and resources to maintain family health, safety, and stability; helps families avoid DHS involvement and child removal from the home through case management.
• Housing Counseling Program HUD-certified homeownership and rental counseling since 1983, providing first-time home buyer workshops and administering First Time Home Buyer grants up to $20,000; partners with the City of Philadelphia for free counseling services.
• Peer2You Gun Violence Prevention Program In partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, provides life skills and mentorship to empower resiliency and growth in Philadelphia's youth; peer engagement specialists trained in PLAAY (Prevention of Long Term Aggression and Anger in Youth).
• Enhancing Parenting Skills Program (EPSP) 12-topic parenting workshop using the Nurturing Parenting curriculum, available virtually in English, Spanish, and Mandarin; designed for small groups with a maximum of 15 participants.
• Outpatient Behavioral Health Culturally competent, evidence-based behavioral health care tailored to children, adolescents, and adults using trauma-informed, strength-based approach with a licensed psychiatrist on staff for medication management; accepts Medicaid, Medicare, CBH, CCBH, and Ambetter Health with self-pay options.
• Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) Evidence-based individual, family, and group mental wellness services for children, youth and families in zip codes 19151 and 19139, supporting the ability to live, learn, and thrive in natural settings.
• Mobile Mental Health Treatment (MMHT) Mental health support for individuals living in nursing facilities, senior living organizations, or receiving home health care; clinicians provide psychoeducation and collaborate with treatment teams at partner facilities.
• CREATE After-School Program Free enrichment program offering youth opportunities in dance, music, and visual arts, held at the West Philadelphia IFS office.

Quantifiable outcome

• First Time Home Buyer grants up to $20,000 available to families completing required training
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of PennsylvaniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with UPenn for Peer2You gun violence prevention program. Peer engagement specialists trained in PLAAY (Prevention of Long Term Aggression and Anger in Youth) evidenced-based modality.
• City of Philadelphia (DBHIDS, DHCD, DHS)coreOthersMultiple city agencies partner with IFS for contracted services including housing counseling, behavioral health, family empowerment, and truancy programs.
• School District of PhiladelphiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for school-based truancy intervention services operating in 70 schools across West and Northeast Philadelphia.
• Community Behavioral Health (CBH)coreOthersPrimary payer for outpatient behavioral health services. CBH is Philadelphia's managed care organization for behavioral health services.
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for HOPE Symposium on Gun Violence Prevention. CHOP's Center for Violence Prevention co-sponsored the 2025 symposium.
• Temple UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for 2025 HOPE Symposium at Howard Gittis Student Center. Partnership includes panel participation from Temple University Hospital trauma experts.
• US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)coreOthersIFS housing counseling program is HUD-certified, providing homeownership and rental counseling to Philadelphia residents.
• NeighborWorks AmericaminorOthersPartnership supporting IFS housing counseling and community development programs.
• PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD)coreOthersState agency partner supporting gun violence prevention and community safety initiatives.
• Independence Blue Cross FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFunder for School District of Philadelphia's Back-to-School Celebration & Bus Tour, which IFS attended as a community partner.
• CBS News PhiladelphiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner for HOPE Symposium, providing coverage and visibility for gun violence prevention initiatives.
• Philly Book BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner at Second Annual Back to School Block Party, providing resources to families.
• The Enterprise CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner at Back to School Block Party, offering resources and opportunities to families.
• God or GunsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity organization partnering with Peer2You for Back to School Block Party event.
• Cradles to CrayonsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonor partner for Winter Wonderland event, providing winter coats for distribution to families in need.
• The Alliance of Community Service ProvidersminorOthersProfessional membership organization representing 75+ nonprofits in Southeastern Pennsylvania serving people with intellectual disabilities, mental health issues, and those recovering from addictions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Nationalities Service Center: Philadelphia nonprofit serving immigrants and refugees with interpretation, legal, social services, and health programming—overlapping with IFS's refugee services heritage and cultural-competency positioning.
• Women Against Abuse: Philadelphia's leading domestic violence service nonprofit offering emergency shelter, counseling, and advocacy—comparable community-based crisis and family support service model.
• JEVS Human Services: Philadelphia-based nonprofit providing workforce development, behavioral health, and community support services with comparable contract-dependent funding model and similar Philadelphia agency relationships.
• Maternity Care Coalition: Philadelphia-area nonprofit supporting pregnant and parenting families through home visiting, parenting education, and family support—directly comparable to IFS's EPSP and Healthy Start programming.
• Project HOME: Philadelphia nonprofit addressing homelessness and poverty through housing, education, and workforce programs with HUD-funded models—overlaps with IFS housing counseling and family stabilization work.
• Congreso de Latinos Unidos: Philadelphia Latino-focused human services nonprofit offering behavioral health, education, workforce, and family services in a similar integrated model targeting the city's Hispanic population.
• Horizon House: Philadelphia-based human services nonprofit providing behavioral health, intellectual disability, and community support services—comparable integrated behavioral health and case management model.

Regional players

• Mazzoni Center: Philadelphia-based nonprofit providing behavioral health, medical, and social services with culturally-competent focus on LGBTQ+ populations—comparable integrated human services delivery in the same geography.

Emerging players

• Cradles to Crayons: Philadelphia-originated nonprofit providing essential goods to children in poverty—IFS is a distribution partner, and the organizational model of wraparound family support overlaps with IFS community programs.

Broad incumbents

• Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC): Large Philadelphia-area nonprofit operating a broad portfolio of health and human services including behavioral health, child welfare, and community programs—overlaps with multiple IFS service lines at greater scale.

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ifsphilly
• Facebookfacebook.com/ifsphilly
• Instagraminstagram.com/ifsphilly
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ifsphilly

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Intercultural Family Services