Tanager Place

What Tanager Place does

Tanager Place is a 501c3 nonprofit children's mental health and human services agency headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, founded in 1879 as Linn County's first children's human service organization. It delivers a continuum of prevention, treatment, and outreach programs to more than 4,000 children, teens, young adults, and families annually across Linn and Johnson counties in southeast Iowa. The clinical portfolio spans outpatient therapy, school-based mental health services in 14+ districts, community and in-home services (BHIS, Family Peer Support, MST), residential programs (PMIC, ICF/IID), and the Summit House crisis stabilization program launched in 2024. Prevention programs include YouthPort, the LGBTQ+ Youth Center, Camp Tanager (a 34-acre facility serving 1,000+ campers each summer), CDF Freedom Schools, infant mental health, expressive arts, and social skills groups. The proprietary RISE: Wellness & Resilience Framework, developed internally by VP of Programming Tonya Hotchkin, underpins treatment methodology and is extended externally through the Meraki Institute of Learning and the published book "Together We Rise."

The organization is funded through a diversified mix of insurance and Medicaid billing, individual and corporate donations (including the $1M Bridge to the Future Scholarship endowment from 2020), foundation and corporate grants, planned giving and endowment gifts (Volk Legacy Society), special events (golf tournament, gala, summer fest, chili cook-off), and program fees from camp and venue rentals. Tanager Press, a wholly-owned publishing subsidiary, produces framework-related publications. Distribution is multi-modal: three Cedar Rapids facilities (Inpatient Campus, Estle Center, Camp Tanager), embedded school-based therapists across 14+ districts, in-home and community-based delivery, and an LGBTQ+ Youth Center.

Recent strategic activity has been concentrated on expanding the clinical continuum downward and upward in age (Bright Foundations Therapeutic Child Care for ages 3-5, opened February 2026; Summit House crisis stabilization, opened July 2024), deepening the school-based footprint across Eastern Iowa districts, and a 2025 leadership and governance buildout including a new VP of Development, a new VP of Finance, and six-plus new board members across the Operating and Foundation Boards. The organization has no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, no public API or SDK, and no public technology partnerships beyond standard website and client portal functionality.

Name

Tanager Place

Legal name

Tanager Place

Website

https://tanagerplace.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1879

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Tanager Place is a 501c3 nonprofit children's mental health and human services agency in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, founded in 1879. It delivers prevention, treatment, and outreach programs — outpatient therapy, school-based services, residential care, and crisis stabilization — to over 4,000 youth and families annually across Linn and Johnson counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Mental Health Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare (HSAAAIAC), Special Education Resource Rooms & Pull-Out Programs (EDAKAAAJ)

Keywords

• Children mental health services
• Youth counseling therapy
• School-based behavioral health
• Family support services
• Crisis stabilization residential

Headquarters

HQ city

Cedar Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and corporate donations through one-time gifts, recurring monthly gifts, multi-year pledges, and tribute/memorial gifts. Managed through online portal, ACH, credit card, check, Venmo, and PayPal.
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Grant funding from foundations and corporate donors. Example: $5,000 grant from Variety - the Children's Charity of Iowa for wellness spaces.
3. Insurance Reimbursement for Services: Services billed to insurance including Medicaid and most private insurance. Families responsible for co-pays not covered by insurance.
4. Planned Giving and Endowment Gifts: Legacy gifts through bequests, charitable trusts, gift annuities, beneficiary designations, retirement assets, and real estate. Members of Volk Legacy Society.
5. Special Events: Revenue from annual events including Teeing Up for Tanager Golf Tournament, Imagination Square Gala, Summer Fest, and Chili Cook-Off.
6. Camp Fees and Venue Rentals: Camp Tanager generates revenue through overnight camps, day camps, medical specialty camps, and facility rentals (weddings, conferences, retreats).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Tanager Place is a nonprofit children's mental health and human services organization delivering prevention, treatment, and outreach programs to children, teens, and families in southeast Iowa. Core services include outpatient mental health therapy, school-based behavioral health, residential and crisis stabilization care, in-home and community services, summer camps, and LGBTQ+ youth programming, all guided by the proprietary RISE: Wellness & Resilience Framework.

Product overview

Tanager Place is a children's mental health and human services organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of prevention, treatment, and outreach programs. The organization operates three core service areas: Prevention programs (YouthPort, LGBTQ+ Youth Center, Camp Tanager, CDF Freedom Schools, Infant Mental Health, Expressive Arts, Social Skills Group), Treatment services (Outpatient/Mental Wellbeing Clinic, School-Based Services, Community and In-Home Services including BHIS and MST, Residential Services including Summit House crisis stabilization, and Expressive Arts therapy), and Outreach through the Meraki Institute of Learning. Key initiatives include the RISE: Wellness & Resilience Framework guiding all programs, the Bridge to the Future Scholarship supporting youth education, and the newly launched Bright Foundations Therapeutic Child Care for children ages 3-5. Founded in 1879, Tanager serves over 4,000 children and families annually in Linn and Johnson counties in southeast Iowa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Camp Tanager: Day and overnight camp programs established in 1926, offering summer camp experiences for children ages 6-11, including free campership programs and specialized medical camps for children with diabetes or hemophilia. Serves over 1,000 campers each summer on a 34-acre campsite.
• YouthPort
• LGBTQ+ Youth Center
• CDF Freedom Schools
• Meraki Institute of Learning
• Summit House at Tanager
• Bright Foundations: Therapeutic Child Care
• Together We Rise
• Bridge to the Future Scholarship

Products and services

• Summit House at Tanager (Crisis Stabilization Residential Services) Short-term residential crisis stabilization program for youth aged 17 and under, offering a safe and supportive environment with individual, family, and group therapy, skill building, and caregiver engagement.
• Outpatient Services / Mental Wellbeing Clinic Outpatient clinic offering individual, family, and group therapy, psychiatric diagnosis and medication management, psychological testing, and expressive therapy modalities (art, music, drama) for children and families.
• School-Based Services On-site therapy and behavioral health intervention services (BHIS) delivered within partner school districts, supporting students, educators, and mentors across multiple districts in Eastern Iowa.
• Community and In-Home Services Services delivered in homes, offices, or community settings, including Behavioral Health Intervention Services (BHIS), Family Peer Support Services, Multisystemic Therapy (MST), and community-based Expressive Arts.
• YouthPort Collaborative prevention program pooling resources from Tanager, Boys & Girls Club of Cedar Rapids, and Young Parents Network to offer shelter, safety, nutritious meals, academic support, social skill development, and parenting education.
• LGBTQ+ Youth Center Safe and confidential environment for LGBTQ+ youth, families, and allies offering support groups, mentoring, Pride Café, community service, health initiative classes, parent workshops, financial literacy, tutoring, and career exploration.
• Camp Tanager Day and overnight camp programs serving 1,000+ campers each summer on a 34-acre site, including specialized medical camps (diabetes, hemophilia), swim camp, free camperships, and venue rentals.
• CDF Freedom Schools Six-week summer literacy and enrichment program for children in grades K-12, increasing literacy, self-esteem, socio-emotional skills, and love of learning. Inspired by the 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer Project.
• Meraki Institute of Learning Professional development and training institute providing learning experiences for families, professionals, communities, and organizational systems, grounded in the RISE: Wellness & Resilience Framework.
• Bright Foundations Therapeutic Child Care Therapeutic early childhood program serving children ages 3-5 with emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges who have struggled in traditional child care settings, integrating early childhood education, social-emotional learning, and mental health support.
• Bridge to the Future Scholarship Scholarship program providing financial support for tuition, books, tools, and educational expenses for youth pursuing college, trade school, or career pathways. Has awarded over $264,200 to 47 local youth.
• Together We Rise Book Published book by Tonya Hotchkin on the RISE: Wellness and Resilience Framework, blending research with real stories of transformation; produced by Tanager Press.
• Infant Mental Health Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) partnering mental well-being professionals with early childhood caregivers to promote mental well-being of young children and their caregivers.
• Social Skills Group Year-round prevention program providing a judgment-free environment for children to practice and develop social skills through music, art, community outings, and special events.
• Expressive Arts Program Art, music, and drama therapy program helping children unlock emotions, memories, and experiences through visual arts, music, or creative writing; offered through outpatient, school-based, and community settings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,000+ youth and families served annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Boys & Girls Club of the CorridorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in YouthPort collaborative, providing safe space for children before and after school with programming including health, life skills, recreation, fitness activities, tutoring, and nutritious meals.
• Young Parents Network (YPN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in YouthPort offering multilingual prenatal and parenting groups at Kirkwood Community College and Hoover Elementary, home visits in Linn & Jones counties, and literacy programs. Home of the We Care Shop and Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank.
• CYC SourcesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirtual marketplace for professional development of Child and Youth Care (CYC) Practitioners offering learning experiences for Meraki Institute.
• The Coalition (Iowa's Child Welfare Provider Training Academy)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeraki Institute partners with The Coalition to provide high quality professional development through Iowa's Child Welfare Provider Training Academy, offered free to child welfare and Youth & Family Service providers.
• Mental Health/Disability Services of the East Central Region (ECR)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough partnership with MHDS of ECR, professional development courses are provided throughout the 9 county area and online to build excellence in mental health disability service providers workforce.
• TransamericasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting the LGBTQ+ Youth Center program.
• Cedar Rapids ToyotasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting the LGBTQ+ Youth Center program.
• United Way of Central IowasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting the LGBTQ+ Youth Center program.
• American Camp Association (ACA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCamp Tanager is an ACA member camp, following strict rules and regulations to help protect campers and provide a safe environment.
• Cedar Rapids Economic AlliancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership organization supporting Cedar Rapids business community.
• Iowa City Area Chamber of CommercesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of commerce membership supporting Iowa City area business community.
• Med QuartersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional healthcare and medical services organization partnership supporting healthcare initiatives.
• Foundation 2 Mobile CrisiscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Foundation 2 mobile crisis for youth crisis referrals to Summit House at Tanager.
• CommUnity Mobile CrisiscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with CommUnity mobile crisis for youth crisis referrals to Summit House at Tanager.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Four Oaks Family & Children's Services: Iowa-based nonprofit providing child welfare, behavioral health, and juvenile justice services across multiple locations including Cedar Rapids; directly mirrors Tanager in mission, regional footprint, and service mix.
• Orchard Place: Des Moines-based nonprofit offering child and family mental health services including residential, outpatient, and community programs; closely comparable in scope, age focus, and nonprofit operating model.
• ChildServe: Iowa-based nonprofit serving children with developmental disabilities, autism, and complex medical needs through residential, therapy, and childcare programs; overlaps in ICF/IID residential and pediatric therapy services.
• Lutheran Services in Iowa: Iowa-wide human services nonprofit operating child welfare, refugee, and behavioral health programs statewide; comparable in scale and nonprofit delivery model across similar client populations.

Broad incumbents

• Boys Town: Nationwide nonprofit providing child behavioral health, residential, and family services; a larger, scaled peer operating the same integrated prevention-through-residential model Tanager offers regionally.
• KidsPeace: National nonprofit operating residential treatment, community-based mental health, and education programs for children and adolescents; comparable in therapeutic residential and school-based service lines.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: Large national nonprofit operating residential, outpatient, and school-based behavioral health services for children with autism, IDD, and emotional disturbance; closely aligns with Tanager's PMIC/ICF-IID continuum.

Regional players

• Foundation 2: Iowa-based crisis services nonprofit and Tanager's channel partner for mobile crisis referrals to Summit House; comparable in mental health crisis stabilization but focused on crisis lines rather than treatment continuum.
• Children's Home & Aid: Midwest-headquartered child welfare and behavioral health nonprofit operating foster care, residential, and family services; comparable in nonprofit child services model though serving different state geography.
• Lutheran Social Services of Illinois: Faith-affiliated human services nonprofit with child welfare, behavioral health, and senior services portfolio; comparable in faith-rooted nonprofit delivery of integrated youth and family services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TanagerPlace
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/TanagerPlaceOrg
• Facebookfacebook.com/tanagerplace
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/200922
• Instagraminstagram.com/tanagerplace

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Tanager Place