PHF
Public Health Foundation (PHF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1970 that builds capacity for U.S. governmental public health agencies through the TRAIN Learning Network (5,000+ courses, 6M+ users), performance improvement consulting, and workforce development programs, serving state, local, and federal health departments.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What PHF does
Public Health Foundation (PHF) is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1970 and headquartered in Washington, DC, that builds capacity for U.S. governmental public health agencies through training, technical assistance, and convening. Its flagship asset is the TRAIN Learning Network, a learning management system hosting 5,000+ free courses reaching 6 million+ public health, healthcare, and behavioral health professionals, operated via state and regional affiliates and course providers. PHF also runs Performance Improvement Consulting Services covering quality improvement (QI), performance management (PM), workforce development, and PHAB accreditation/reaccreditation support, delivered onsite or remotely to state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments.
PHF monetizes primarily through professional services: tailored performance improvement consulting (quote-based), custom eLearning development services (SCORM-based Articulate Rise/Storyline courses starting at $25,000-$30,000, toolkits at $20,000, job aids/SOPs at $15,000, training plans at $5,000), instructor-led virtual workshops (e.g., $600/participant for the QI in Public Health workshop), and a niche online bookstore. The TRAIN platform itself is freemium with revenue generated through course provider and affiliate partnerships rather than user fees. Supporting programs include the Council on Linkages (a 23-organization national convener on public health workforce development), the Academic Health Department Learning Community (1,400+ members), the PHF Immunization Center, the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals framework (updated 2021), and a recently launched AI in Public Health advisory line. Customers are concentrated in U.S. government public health, with named state and local health department engagements (Rhode Island, Nebraska, Tennessee, Kansas, Sedgwick County, Houston) and federal contracts including CDC, Indian Health Service, and Veterans Health Administration.
PHF operates with 11-50 employees and does not publicly disclose revenue, consistent with its nonprofit structure funded through grants, consulting fees, and partnerships rather than equity capital. The organization plays a structural role in the U.S. public health workforce ecosystem that for-profit vendors cannot easily replicate, anchored by 50+ years of operating history, the convening function of the Council on Linkages, and the embedded adoption of TRAIN and the Core Competencies framework across health departments.
PHF firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PHF
- Legal name
- Public Health Foundation
- Website
- https://phf.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Public Health Foundation (PHF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1970 that builds capacity for U.S. governmental public health agencies through the TRAIN Learning Network (5,000+ courses, 6M+ users), performance improvement consulting, and workforce development programs, serving state, local, and federal health departments.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PHF industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Health Training Services
- NAICS
- Administration of Public Health Programs (92312), Administration of Education Programs (92311), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Program Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) (HLAJANAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL), Online Healthcare & Nursing Universities (Allied Health, RN-to-BSN, etc.) (EDAHALAF), Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning (MEL) & Reporting for Donor Programs (BPADAOAL)
Keywords
Where PHF is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
PHF business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Performance Improvement Consulting Services: PHF provides technical assistance and training to health departments on performance improvement, quality improvement, workforce development, and accreditation. Services are tailored and provided onsite or remotely.
- TRAIN Learning Network: Free learning management system for public health professionals providing access to 5,000+ courses. Revenue is generated through partnerships with course providers and affiliates.
- eLearning Development Services: Custom eLearning development services for organizations including SCORM courses, toolkits, videos, and training plans. Pricing starts at $5,000 for training plans and goes up to $30,000 for comprehensive SCORM courses.
- PHF Bookstore: Sale of public health professional resources including textbooks, guides, and educational materials through an online bookstore.
- Virtual Workshops: Live instructor-led virtual workshops on quality improvement and performance management, priced at $600 per participant with materials included.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Virtual Workshop - Using Quality Improvement in Public Health |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | SCORM Articulate Rise Course (1-hour) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | SCORM Articulate Storyline Course (1-hour) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Toolkit Development |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Job Aid or SOP Development |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Training Plan Development |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels10 records
PHF product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PHF (Public Health Foundation) is a nonprofit organization that delivers public health workforce development through three core offerings: the TRAIN Learning Network (a free online learning management system with 5,000+ courses and 6 million users), Performance Improvement Consulting Services (technical assistance and training for health departments), and eLearning Development Services (custom course design and production). The organization also operates the PHF Bookstore and runs targeted programs such as the Immunization Center and AI in Public Health initiative.
Product overview
PHF (Public Health Foundation) operates as a nonprofit organization providing a comprehensive suite of public health workforce development products and services. The core offerings center on the TRAIN Learning Network (a learning management system with 5,000+ courses reaching 6 million users) and Performance Improvement Consulting Services (technical assistance for quality improvement, performance management, accreditation, and workforce development). The product portfolio includes specialized programs such as AI in Public Health (AI consulting and training), the PHF Immunization Center, Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals, and the Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice. Additional offerings encompass eLearning Development Services (custom course development using Articulate Rise/Storyline), the Academic Health Department Learning Community, Foundational Public Health Services alignment resources, and various toolkits including the Public Health Quality Improvement Encyclopedia, Performance Management Toolkit, and Retention and Recruitment Toolkit. These products work together to support health departments in improving performance, achieving accreditation, and strengthening the public health workforce.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- TRAIN Learning Network: The nation's premiere learning resource for professionals who protect the public's health, offering the largest collection of free public health courses accessible in one central learning hub
- PHF Immunization Center
- Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals
Products and services
- TRAIN Learning Network Free online learning management system providing access to 5,000+ public health-related courses for public health professionals across the United States.
- Performance Improvement Consulting Services Technical assistance, training facilitation, and performance improvement services for state, local, tribal, and territorial public health departments, as well as healthcare organizations and businesses.
- eLearning Development Services Custom eLearning course design, development, and production services for public health agencies, training organizations, and healthcare partners.
- PHF Bookstore Online bookstore selling public health books, reference materials, and educational resources to public health professionals and students.
- Virtual Workshops Live virtual training workshops on public health topics delivered to public health professionals and agency staff.
- AI in Public Health Program Program offering training, resources, and guidance on the application of artificial intelligence in public health practice.
- Immunization Center Training and resource center providing immunization-related educational content and courses for public health professionals.
Quantifiable outcome
- Saved over $350,000 for Tennessee Department of Health new nurse orientation through TRAIN
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use PHF
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
PHF technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
PHF partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health PracticecoreThe Council on Linkages is a collaborative of 23 national organizations convened by PHF that strengthens public health workforce development. It enhances collaboration between academic public health and public health practice to improve public health education and training, practice, and research.
- Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB)corePHF supports PHAB accreditation efforts by providing consulting services, training, and tools to help health departments achieve and maintain accreditation standards.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)coreCDC is a federal health agency customer for eLearning development services. PHF has developed training content including the Pink Book (Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases).
- Indian Health Service (IHS)coreFederal health agency customer for eLearning development services.
- Veterans Health Administration (VHA)coreFederal health agency customer for eLearning development services.
- Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH)coreMember organization of Council on Linkages representing schools and programs of public health.
- National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)coreMember organization of Council on Linkages representing local health departments. PHF participates in NACCHO360 conference.
- Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)coreMember organization of Council on Linkages representing state and territorial health officials.
- American Public Health Association (APHA)coreMember organization of Council on Linkages representing public health professionals.
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)coreMember organization of Council on Linkages representing federal health resources and services.
- Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)coreMember organization of Council on Linkages that accredits schools and programs of public health.
- National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE)coreMember organization of Council on Linkages that provides the Certified in Public Health credential.
- TRAIN Learning Network AffiliatescoreState and regional health departments and organizations that manage learning for their workforce through TRAIN, listing courses and tracking training data.
- TRAIN Learning Network Course ProviderscoreOrganizations that provide courses through the TRAIN Learning Network platform, including federal agencies, state health departments, and educational institutions.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
PHF competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- HealthStream: HealthStream is a major healthcare workforce learning and performance platform serving hospitals and health systems. While it is a larger, publicly traded commercial LMS, it competes for the same healthcare training and credentialing budgets that PHF and TRAIN serve.
- Relias: Relias provides a healthcare-focused LMS and compliance training platform used by hospitals, health systems, and human services organizations. Its target market and learning technology overlap with TRAIN's healthcare workforce segment.
Direct peers
- de Beaumont Foundation: de Beaumont Foundation is a private nonprofit focused on public health workforce and systems improvement, including training, research, and the BUILD Health Challenge. Its mission and customer base (state and local health departments) closely mirror PHF's.
- National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI): NNPHI is a nonprofit network of public health institutes that convenes training, evaluation, and capacity-building programs for public health practitioners. It serves a similar state and local health department customer base as PHF.
- National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO): NACCHO is a membership association representing local health departments and a Council on Linkages member. It provides training, resources, and advocacy for the same local public health workforce that PHF's Performance Improvement Consulting and TRAIN serve.
- Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH): ASPPH represents CEPH-accredited schools and programs of public health and is a Council on Linkages member. It overlaps with PHF on academic-practice partnerships and public health workforce competency frameworks.
- Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO): ASTHO represents state and territorial public health officials and provides workforce development and capacity-building resources. It is a Council on Linkages member with overlapping training and technical assistance offerings for state health departments.
Regional players
- CDC Learning Connection: The CDC Learning Connection is a federal CDC initiative that connects public health professionals to free training and learning resources. It is both a TRAIN course provider/affiliate and a partial substitute for some TRAIN functionality in the U.S. public health market.
Others
- Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB): PHAB is the accrediting body for U.S. health departments and a strategic partner of PHF. While not a direct competitor, PHAB's accreditation standards drive demand for PHF's consulting and training services, making it a closely adjacent ecosystem participant.
Emerging players
- Coursera for Government: Coursera partners with government agencies including the CDC to deliver online public health coursework. It is an emerging competitor for higher-education-credentialed training that could supplement or substitute for some TRAIN offerings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
PHF social profiles
Digital presencePHF financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PHF leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
PHF funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PHF 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 PHF
What does PHF do?
PHF (Public Health Foundation) is a nonprofit organization that delivers public health workforce development through three core offerings: the TRAIN Learning Network (a free online learning management system with 5,000+ courses and 6 million users), Performance Improvement Consulting Services (technical assistance and training for health departments), and eLearning Development Services (custom course design and production). The organization also operates the PHF Bookstore and runs targeted programs such as the Immunization Center and AI in Public Health initiative.
Is PHF a public or private company?
PHF is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was PHF founded?
PHF was founded in 1970. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is PHF based?
PHF is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does PHF make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Performance Improvement Consulting Services are the primary driver. The others are TRAIN Learning Network, eLearning Development Services, PHF Bookstore and virtual Workshops.
Who are PHF's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are HealthStream and Relias. Direct peers are de Beaumont Foundation, National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI), National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) and Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). CDC Learning Connection is listed as a regional player. Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) is listed as an others. Coursera for Government is listed as an emerging player.
Does PHF have an API?
No public API is recorded for PHF.
What industry is PHF in?
PHF's product category is Public Health Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAJANAA, Program Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL), with a secondary code of BPAGAKAL, Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 92312 and its SIC code is 8200.