National Fatherhood Initiative

What National Fatherhood Initiative does

National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It operates as a capacity-building organization rather than a direct service provider, equipping human service organizations, government agencies, correctional facilities, early childhood programs, and military family support units with evidence-based fatherhood curricula, staff training, and technical assistance. NFI's mission is to address the social and economic costs of father absence, citing statistics that 1 in 4 children grow up without a biological, step, or adoptive father and that federal spending on 14 major assistance programs serving father-absent households reached $154.2 billion annually (2018 data).

Its product portfolio centers on the 24:7 Dad family of curricula (A.M. foundational, P.M. advanced, and Key Behaviors Workshop — most recently updated to the 4th Edition in 2025), complemented by InsideOut Dad for incarcerated fathers, Understanding Dad for mothers, ProFathering15 as an online self-paced option, and Non-Custodial Dads Booster Sessions. The professional training arm sells three certificate programs (Father Engagement, Effective Facilitation, Recruitment & Retention) individually or bundled, delivered through the Fatherhood Practitioners Academy. Research assets include the Father Facts compendium (9th Edition, 2024) and the $154 Billion Man policy report. Free tools — the Father Friendly Check-Up assessment and Fatherhood Program Selection Tool — serve as lead generators, and print resources (brochures, guides, handbooks, posters) round out distribution.

Commercially, NFI is unusual among nonprofits in that the vast majority of its funding comes from product and service sales rather than donations or grants. Curriculum kits are sold as one-time perpetual licenses (e.g., 24:7 Dad A.M. facilitator kit at $899, A.M.+P.M. bundle at $1,558); training and certificates are priced $149-$747; publications range from $99.99 (Father Facts print) to $500 (Father Facts enterprise PDF). Distribution runs through the e-commerce storefront store.fatherhood.org, phone sales, an online quote request system, and purchase-order processing for U.S. and Canadian government buyers. Operationally, NFI reports 52,000+ practitioners trained, 13,500+ organizations impacted, and 11.7 million+ skill-building resources distributed across all 50 states, D.C., U.S. territories, and worldwide U.S. military bases.

Name

National Fatherhood Initiative

Legal name

National Fatherhood Initiative®

Website

https://fatherhood.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

National Fatherhood Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 that builds capacity for human service organizations, government agencies, and corrections facilities by selling evidence-based fatherhood curricula, professional facilitator training certificates, and research publications such as 24:7 Dad and Father Facts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Family Services Training and Fatherhood Programs

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Co-Parenting, Father Engagement & Caregiver Inclusion Programs (EDACALAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC), Family & Parent Support Services (Parent Coaching, Advocacy) (EDAJALAK)

Keywords

• Fatherhood programs
• Family services training
• Evidence-based curricula
• Parent education resources
• Social services training

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Program Curriculum Sales: Sale of fatherhood program kits (facilitator manuals, handbooks, support materials) including 24:7 Dad, InsideOut Dad, Understanding Dad, and related curricula. These are one-time purchases of physical/digital curriculum materials. Major revenue source according to FAQ stating 'vast majority of funding comes from sale of programs and other resources.'
2. Professional Training Services: Revenue from training programs including on-demand facilitator training, live webinar training, and custom on-site/in-person training sessions. Includes certificate programs (Father Engagement Certificate, Effective Facilitation Certificate, Recruitment & Retention Certificate).
3. Print Resources and Publications: Sale of print materials including brochures, guides, pocket guides, handbooks, tip cards, and research publications like Father Facts 9th Edition.
4. Technical Assistance and Consulting: Technical assistance and consulting services provided to organizations implementing fatherhood programs. Free lifetime technical support included with program purchases.
5. Individual Donations and Foundation Grants: Minimal funding from individual donations and private foundations. The majority of revenue comes from product/service sales rather than donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

National Fatherhood Initiative develops, sells, and licenses evidence-based fatherhood curricula and provides professional training and technical assistance to human service organizations. Its core products are the 24:7 Dad program family (A.M., P.M., Key Behaviors Workshop), InsideOut Dad for incarcerated fathers, Understanding Dad for mothers, and ProFathering15 for self-paced online use, sold as facilitator kits with handbooks and support materials. It complements these with certificate training programs (Father Engagement, Effective Facilitation, Recruitment & Retention), assessment tools, research publications, and consulting/technical assistance services for organizations implementing fatherhood programs.

Product overview

National Fatherhood Initiative operates a multi-product portfolio centered on evidence-based fatherhood programs, professional training certificates, and research publications. The core offering consists of the 24:7 Dad® family of programs (A.M. for foundational skills, P.M. for advanced topics, Key Behaviors Workshop for condensed delivery), complemented by InsideOut Dad® for incarcerated fathers, Understanding Dad™ for maternal co-parenting support, and ProFathering15™ as an online self-paced option. Non-Custodial Dads Booster Sessions extend the 24:7 Dad curriculum with specific topics for non-custodial fathers. The professional training arm offers three certificate programs (Father Engagement, Effective Facilitation, and Recruitment & Retention) available individually or bundled as Expert or Advanced packages. Research products include the Father Facts™ 9 publication and $154 Billion Man Report. Free tools include the Father Friendly Check-Up™ assessment and Fatherhood Program Selection Tool. Print resources encompass brochures, guides, handbooks, and posters covering child development, co-parenting, and father involvement topics. The organization distributes through FatherSource™, its e-commerce and resource center arm.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 24:7 Dad®: NFI's flagship evidence-based fatherhood program that teaches the five characteristics of a 24:7 Dad. Available in A.M. (foundational skills) and P.M. (advanced skills) versions, as well as Key Behaviors Workshop format.
• InsideOut Dad®
• Understanding Dad™
• ProFathering15™
• Father Friendly Check-Up™ (FFCU)
• FatherSource™
• Father Facts™
• Championing Fatherhood Blog

Products and services

• 24:7 Dad A.M. 4th Edition Facilitator Kit Evidence-based fatherhood program teaching the five characteristics of a 24:7 Dad, covering foundational fathering skills such as discipline, men's health, communication, and co-parenting. Designed for group or one-on-one delivery with 12 core sessions plus 1 optional introductory session. Sold to organizations as a facilitator kit.
• 24:7 Dad P.M. 4th Edition Facilitator Kit Advanced evidence-based fatherhood program covering deeper topics including power and control, anger management, stress, and family relationships. Intended for fathers who completed 24:7 Dad A.M. or another program. Sold to organizations as a facilitator kit.
• 24:7 Dad Key Behaviors Workshop Facilitator Kit Condensed fatherhood program reinforcing the 5 characteristics of a 24:7 Dad and helping dads develop 12 key behaviors. More condensed than A.M. and P.M. versions. Sold to organizations.
• InsideOut Dad Facilitator Kit Evidence-based fatherhood program developed specifically for incarcerated fathers. Encourages fathering from the inside by helping dads develop pro-fathering attitudes, knowledge, and skills, and equips them with fathering strategies for release. Sold to correctional facilities and reentry programs.
• Understanding Dad Facilitator Kit Program helping moms recognize the importance of dad's involvement in their children's lives. Encourages reflection on how past experiences impact relationships with fathers and teaches communication skills to strengthen co-parenting. Sold to organizations serving mothers.
• ProFathering15 Online Program Interactive and engaging online program that builds dads' skills in fathering, parenting, and healthy relationships. Self-paced format that dads can complete on their own or with support from program staff.
• 24:7 Dad Non-Custodial Dads Booster Sessions Five separate 2-hour sessions covering critical issues faced by non-custodial fathers including workforce readiness, rights and responsibilities, visitation, child support, and money management. Designed as a complement to core 24:7 Dad sessions.
• Co-Parenting Curricula Bundle Bundle combining 24:7 Dad A.M. and P.M. with Understanding Dad for organizations delivering comprehensive co-parenting support programs.
• Father Engagement Certificate On-demand, self-paced training covering five core competencies for father engagement: creating father-friendly organizations, program design, recruitment and retention, involving moms, and fundraising. Minimum 4 hours self-paced. Sold as a subscription certificate program.
• Effective Facilitation Certificate On-demand training exploring essential characteristics and techniques of successful facilitators, covering adult learning principles and proven facilitation methods. Minimum 6 hours self-paced, 60 days to complete. Sold as a subscription certificate program.
• Recruitment & Retention Certificate On-demand training providing proven strategies to build, measure, assess, and refine a customized recruitment and retention plan for fatherhood programs. Minimum 5 hours self-paced, 60 days to complete. Sold as a subscription certificate program.
• Advanced Certificate Bundle Two-part certificate bundle combining Father Engagement Certificate and Effective Facilitation Certificate for essential competencies in engaging fathers and facilitating programs. Minimum 10 hours self-paced.
• Expert Certificate Bundle Comprehensive three-certificate bundle including Father Engagement Certificate, Effective Facilitation Certificate, and Recruitment & Retention Certificate. Minimum 15 hours self-paced with 120-day completion window.
• Father Facts 9th Edition Comprehensive research publication containing data and research on benefits of father involvement and impacts of father absence. Ninth edition includes over 370 new entries and 21 new chapters and sections.
• $154 Billion Man Report Report estimating $154 billion in annual taxpayer costs linked to father absence, analyzing federal spending on 14 major assistance programs supporting children in father-absent households. Co-authored with the Center for Policy Research.
• Father Friendly Check-Up (FFCU) Free comprehensive assessment tool helping organizations evaluate father friendliness across four key areas: Leadership Development, Organizational Development, Program Development, and Community Engagement.
• Fatherhood Program Selection Tool Interactive tool that recommends appropriate fatherhood programs based on organization needs and program goals including evidence-based programs, group-based delivery, self-paced options, and incarcerated father programs.
• Training Institute Services Custom on-site or webinar-based training services for up to 30 people, customized with organizational goals in mind. Includes live public webinar training for program facilitators.
• The 24:7 Dad: 12 Habits of Confident Fathers (Book) Book authored by NFI President Christopher Brown providing research-informed guidance for fathers on developing habits that foster confident parenting and healthier outcomes for children. Published through major booksellers and online retailers.
• Help Me Grow Resource Series Age-based resource series covering child development from birth through elementary school years, including The First Year, Toddler & Pre-School Years, and Elementary School Years guides. Sold as printed packs to organizations and individuals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 52,000+ individuals trained in working with fathers
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• City of New York DYCDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2011, the City of New York's Department of Youth and Community Development contracted with NFI to create a specialized version of 24:7 Dad for organizations serving non-custodial fathers. This partnership resulted in the Non-Custodial Dads Booster Sessions that are now available to organizations nationwide.
• Center for Policy ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNFI partnered with the Center for Policy Research to author The $154 Billion Man report comparing federal expenditures from 2006 and 2018 on assistance programs for father-absent households.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse: Federal government-sponsored resource hub under the Office of Family Assistance that promotes fatherhood programs and disseminates research. Comparable to NFI because it operates in the same mission space and is sometimes a referral source, but it is a free public resource rather than a paid curriculum vendor.
• AVANCE: Nonprofit that provides parent education and early childhood programs in underserved communities using a research-backed curriculum. Comparable to NFI because it develops and licenses program models to community organizations to engage vulnerable parents (mothers predominantly but with growing father inclusion work).

Broad incumbents

• Casey Family Programs: Large private foundation focused on child welfare and foster care reform that funds, evaluates, and disseminates program models. Comparable to NFI because it works in the family services ecosystem with a focus on direct service providers and government agencies, but operates at much greater scale (billions in assets).
• Zero to Three: National nonprofit focused on early childhood development (ages 0-3) that develops evidence-based curricula, training, and policy resources for organizations serving infants and toddlers. Comparable to NFI because it operates the same B2B2C capacity-building model equipping human service organizations with research-backed content in a specific parenting domain (early childhood versus fathers).
• Child Trends: Nonprofit research organization producing rigorous studies and program evaluation on child and family wellbeing, widely used by policymakers and practitioners. Comparable to NFI because it produces influential research publications (Father Facts equivalent) and works with government agencies and human service organizations on family-strengthening content.
• Center for Children and Families (Georgetown): Georgetown University policy center producing data-driven research and policy analysis on health coverage and family economic security programs. Comparable to NFI because it informs the same government decision-makers about family-support policy and often cites father absence statistics.

Others

• National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges: National judicial organization that produces training, technical assistance, and policy resources for courts handling family and juvenile matters. Adjacent to NFI because its audience (judges, court personnel) overlaps with non-custodial father programming and family policy advocacy.

Direct peers

• The Fatherhood Project (Families and Work Institute): A national fatherhood program operating inside Families and Work Institute that develops research-based fatherhood programming and resources, including Boot Camp for New Dads. Closest direct peer to NFI because both operate in the same niche (fatherhood capacity-building) targeting human service organizations and government agencies with evidence-based curriculum and training.
• Parents as Teachers: Evidence-based home visiting and parent education organization that develops curricula and trains practitioners to deliver family support programs. Directly comparable to NFI's 24:7 Dad model because both sell turnkey curriculum kits plus facilitator training and certification to organizations serving families at scale.
• Healthy Families America (HFA): Evidence-based home visiting program from Prevent Child Abuse America serving expectant and new parents, with accredited training, credentialing, and program materials sold to local organizations. Comparable because it uses the same playbook as NFI: trademarked curriculum + facilitator credentialing + technical assistance to a human service organization customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/nationalfatherhoodinitiative
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-fatherhood-initiative
• Xx.com/thefatherfactor

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 National Fatherhood Initiative