Center for Christian Virtue

What Center for Christian Virtue does

Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) is Ohio's largest Christian public policy organization, founded in 1983 (originally as Citizens for Community Values) by Pastor Jerry Kirk and now led by President Aaron Baer following Kirk's 2026 death at age 94. Headquartered at 62 East Broad Street in Columbus, directly across from the Ohio Statehouse, CCV combines policy research, grassroots lobbying, media production, and a five-ministry distribution network to advance pro-life, school choice, religious-liberty, and parental-rights legislation at the Ohio General Assembly and increasingly at the federal level. Its served constituency spans individual Ohio Christian donors, pastors, K-12 Christian school families, Christian business owners, and allied policymakers.

CCV's core technology consists of a Squarespace-hosted website, a VoterVoice-powered Action Center that converts a supporter's address into a tailored email/call campaign to the correct Ohio legislator, an opt-in SMS subscriber program operated by Powered By Text, LLC across major U.S. carriers, a weekly podcast (The Narrative) hosted by the President, Policy Executive Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews, and three proprietary annual research products: the Family Structure Index (national 50-state ranking co-published with the Institute for Family Studies), the Hope and a Future Report, and the Vital Signs Abortion Report. The organization distributes programming through five wholly-operated ministry sub-brands: the Church Ambassador Network (CAN) for pastors, the Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN) for K-12 Christian schools, the Christian Business Partnership (CBP) for marketplace leaders, the Tom Minnery Fellowship for Cultural Engagement (a pastor cohort program), and the OCEN Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO).

Revenue derives from individual donations (including matched-gift campaigns such as the $50,000 Giving Tuesday 2025 drive), tiered annual gala sponsorships across three Ohio cities ($2,000 Friend through $25,000 Champion tiers), ticketed conference admissions for the Essential Summit annual conference, and Ohio state tax-credit contributions redirected to the OCEN SGO (up to $750 per individual / $1,500 per joint filer). All advocacy content, voter guides, the Action Center, and research reports are provided free of charge, with donor support underwriting the lobbying, research, and coalition activity. CCV's most significant recent policy outcomes include — per The New Yorker and ProPublica (2025) — a key role in one of the most dramatic expansions of private-school vouchers in the country, the $15.6 million release of earmarked state funding for the Relationships Under Construction curriculum, and a coalition of 170+ child advocacy groups supporting SB167.

Name

Center for Christian Virtue

Legal name

Center for Christian Virtue

Website

https://ccv.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Center for Christian Virtue is Ohio's largest Christian public policy organization, combining proprietary research, grassroots lobbying, and a five-ministry network of churches, K-12 schools, businesses, pastors, and a scholarship fund to advance pro-life, school choice, religious-liberty, and parental-rights legislation at the Ohio Statehouse and federal level.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Christian Public Policy Advocacy

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Advocacy & Public Policy Organizations (BPAGAJAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Faith-Based Media, Publishing & Broadcasting (Radio, TV, Digital, Press) (BPAGAJAI)

Keywords

• Christian public policy advocacy
• Religious liberty advocacy
• Pro-life advocacy
• School choice advocacy
• Faith-based lobbying

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals, collected via the CCV website donation page, processed with credit card information collected through an SSL-encrypted donation form.
2. Gala Sponsorships and Ticket Sales: Annual celebration galas in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus with tiered table sponsorships (Friend $2,000; Partner $5,000; Advocate $10,000; Champion $25,000), individual general-admission tickets, and bundled Essential Summit tickets.
3. Conference & Summit Ticket Sales: Ticketed admission to the Essential Summit annual conference, with early-bird discounts, group rates (10+), and limited-time promotional pricing (e.g., Buy 2 Get $50 off).
4. Matching-Gift Campaigns: Time-bounded matching-gift drives (e.g., Giving Tuesday $50,000 match) that double donor impact during defined windows.
5. Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) Tax-Credit Contributions: Ohio dollar-for-dollar tax-credit contributions redirected to the OCEN SGO (up to $750 individual / $1,500 joint filer) that fund K-12 Christian school scholarships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) operates Ohio's largest Christian public policy organization, conducting grassroots advocacy, original policy research, and direct legislative lobbying on issues such as school choice, religious liberty, pro-life legislation, parental rights, and family stability. The organization delivers a portfolio of ministry networks (Church Ambassador Network, Ohio Christian Education Network, Christian Business Partnership, Tom Minnery Fellowship), research publications (Family Structure Index, Hope and a Future Report, Vital Signs Abortion Report), and signature events (Essential Summit, Celebration Galas, Ohio March for Life, Prayer at the Statehouse), supported by an Action Center advocacy platform and The Narrative podcast.

Product overview

Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) operates as Ohio's largest Christian public policy organization, but its "products" are an integrated portfolio of advocacy ministries, media, research, and events rather than a single software product. The core platform is the main CCV website (ccv.org), which hosts the Action Center advocacy tool, news/blog, donor system, and event registration. Surrounding it are ministry-network sub-brands (Church Ambassador Network, Ohio Christian Education Network and its Scholarship Granting Organization, Christian Business Partnership, and the Tom Minnery Fellowship for Cultural Engagement) plus recurring media properties (The Narrative podcast) and annual research publications (the Family Structure Index, the Hope and a Future Report, and the Vital Signs Abortion Report). Engagement is driven through signature events — The Essential Summit conference, the Cleveland/Columbus/Cincinnati Celebration Galas, the Ohio March for Life, and Prayer at the Statehouse — and through the Action Center, which uses VoterVoice to mobilize supporters to contact lawmakers on bills such as HB249, SB167, SB156, and the Comstock Act enforcement effort.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Church Ambassador Network (CAN): CCV's ministry arm focused on serving and resourcing the Church for public policy advocacy.
• Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN)
• Christian Business Partnership (CBP)
• The Tom Minnery Fellowship for Cultural Engagement
• The Narrative
• The Essential Summit
• Family Structure Index
• Hope and a Future Report
• Ohio March for Life

Products and services

• The Narrative Podcast Weekly podcast dissecting cultural and political issues from a Christian worldview, featuring national conservative figures and CCV's leadership. Audience members can submit questions by voicemail/text at 614-769-7077 or email [email protected].
• Church Ambassador Network (CAN) CCV ministry that serves and resources Ohio pastors and local churches, connecting ministry leaders with public policy engagement and equipping them for cultural witness through training and events.
• Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN) CCV partner ministry transforming Christian education in Ohio by supporting member K-12 schools with advocacy, scholarship funding, curricular resources, and the Hartshorn Dignity of Life Award program.
• Christian Business Partnership (CBP Ohio) CCV business-focused ministry helping Christian business owners advocate, educate, and celebrate their faith in the marketplace through networking events and policy engagement.
• Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) Administered through OCEN, the SGO lets Ohio taxpayers redirect up to $750 ($1,500 for joint filers) of their state tax liability as dollar-for-dollar tax credits to fund scholarships for K-12 Christian school students.
• The Tom Minnery Fellowship for Cultural Engagement Cohort-based educational fellowship providing pastors and church leaders with practical training on cultural issues and biblical strategies for engaging the public square.
• Family Structure Index Annual research index published jointly with the Institute for Family Studies ranking U.S. states on family stability metrics such as marriage rates, fertility, child poverty, and educational outcomes. The 2026 edition ranked Ohio 30th nationally.
• Hope and a Future Report Annual flagship research report published with the Institute for Family Studies and Professor Brad Wilcox quantifying the effects of family decline on child poverty, violence, and education, with policy recommendations.
• Vital Signs Abortion Report Annual policy report tracking Ohio abortion statistics and trends, used to support legislative and cultural advocacy.
• Action Center CCV's online one-click advocacy hub (powered by VoterVoice) that enables supporters to contact Ohio state legislators, U.S. Representatives, U.S. Senators, and federal agency officials about active legislation and policy campaigns.
• The Essential Summit CCV's annual one-day Christian worldview conference held in Columbus, featuring five breakout tracks (Faith in Action, Christian Education, Marketplace Impact, Church Leadership, Pregnancy Center Leadership).
• Celebration Galas (Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati) Annual fundraising galas in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati featuring national conservative keynote speakers, with tiered table sponsorships ranging from $2,000 (Friend) to $25,000 (Champion).
• Ohio March for Life Annual pro-life march and rally held at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, co-hosted with the March for Life Education and Defense Fund.
• End Mail-Order Abortion Campaign Public policy advocacy campaign dedicated to ending the interstate mailing of chemical abortion drugs such as mifepristone.

Quantifiable outcome

• Heritage Christian School students scored 61% on 2026 Ohio State Tests vs. 60% statewide average, at half the per-pupil cost of Canton City Schools ($15,548 per pupil).
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Institute for Family StudiesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-produces the annual Family Structure Index (FSI) and the 2025 Hope and a Future report with Professor Brad Wilcox. The FSI is CCV's flagship research product and is featured on Fox News, The New Yorker, and ProPublica.
• The Heritage FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-supports Sen. Reynolds' App Store Accountability Act (SB167) alongside more than 170 child advocacy groups; Heritage President Kevin Roberts publicly endorsed CCV's school-choice and parental-rights work in 2024.
• National Center on Sexual ExploitationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed among 170+ child advocacy groups aligned with CCV in supporting Ohio SB167 (App Store Accountability Act) and broader child-online-safety legislation.
• Protect Young EyesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoalition partner on Ohio SB167 and other child-online-safety advocacy efforts.
• Defend Young MindsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoalition partner on Ohio SB167 and child-online-safety advocacy.
• American Principles ProjectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoalition partner on Ohio SB167 and child-online-safety advocacy.
• Project STANDminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoalition partner on Ohio SB167 and child-online-safety advocacy.
• Child First Policy CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoalition partner on Ohio SB167 and child-online-safety advocacy.
• Digital Progress InstituteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoalition partner on Ohio SB167 and child-online-safety advocacy.
• Utah Parents UnitedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoalition partner on Ohio SB167 and child-online-safety advocacy.
• Family First, Inc. (Mark Merrill)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMark Merrill, founder/president of Family First (All Pro Dad, iMOM), is a recurring podcast guest on The Narrative; CCV co-promotes All Pro Dad's Ohio Stadium event. Family First is based in Tampa, FL, and reaches over 8 million families annually.
• Pregnancy Decision Health Center (PDHC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founded by Mike and Peggy Hartshorn (namesakes of CCV's Hartshorn Dignity of Life Award); serves as a local pregnancy resource center benefiting from OCEN-affiliated diaper drives and baby-bottle campaigns.
• Capital Research CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerResearcher Parker Thayer (Capital Research Center) appeared on The Narrative to discuss Ohio's Medicaid home-care fraud investigation; CCV's coverage amplified Capital Research's findings and contributed to Ohio's home-care freeze.
• Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOhio Attorney General Dave Yost resigned effective June 7, 2026, to become ADF's VP of Strategic Research and Innovation; CCV celebrated the move as a win for religious liberty.
• March for Life Education and Defense FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts the annual Ohio March for Life in Columbus; inaugural march held October 5, 2022, and ongoing collaboration through 2026.
• Colson Center for Christian WorldviewminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosts "Kids and Culture" events with CCV and Tree of Life Christian Schools featuring John Stonestreet.
• Cedarville University "Rekindle" worship teamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLeads worship at CCV's Prayer at the Statehouse events, including the "Nehemiah's Hope" gathering.
• Life Leadership Conference (David Bereit)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCCV Senior Fellow for Strategic Initiatives Peter Range partners with Life Leadership Conference for joint pro-life accountability messaging; David Bereit appeared on The Narrative podcast.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Focus on the Family: Colorado Springs-based Christian ministry advocating on family, marriage, and life issues. Comparable to CCV in mission and constituency (Christian families), with a much larger national media footprint but less concentrated state-level legislative focus.
• American Family Association: Mississippi-based Christian advocacy organization engaging on family values, parental rights, and cultural issues. Closely comparable to CCV in worldview, grassroots mobilization style, and donor-driven ministry model.
• Family Research Council: National Christian conservative public policy organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. Most directly comparable peer to CCV: same faith-based policy advocacy model, similar family-and-life issue agenda, comparable donor and grassroots mobilization infrastructure at a national scale.
• Eagle Forum: Traditional-values Christian conservative advocacy organization founded by Phyllis Schlafly. Comparable to CCV on grassroots policy education, parental rights, and Christian-conservative worldview, with a national rather than state-concentrated footprint.
• March for Life Education and Defense Fund: National organizer of the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., and co-host (since 2022) of CCV's Ohio March for Life. Direct peer on pro-life event mobilization, aligned on Comstock enforcement and pro-life legislative priorities.
• Ohio Right to Life: State-level pro-life advocacy organization operating in the same Ohio policy arena as CCV. Direct competitor in Ohio pro-life lobbying with overlapping agenda on Comstock enforcement, parental consent, and abortion-pill regulation.
• Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America: National pro-life policy and political organization. Closely comparable to CCV's pro-life advocacy arm (Vital Signs Abortion Report, Comstock enforcement campaigns), but operates nationally rather than in a single state.

Broad incumbents

• Heritage Foundation: Premier U.S. conservative think tank and policy shop. CCV is listed as a Heritage coalition partner on SB167 and Heritage President Kevin Roberts publicly endorsed CCV; Heritage is a broader incumbent that complements CCV's state-level work with national research and litigation capacity.
• Alliance Defending Freedom: Large Christian legal advocacy organization. CCV has a documented strategic partnership with ADF (celebrating AG Yost's move to ADF); ADF operates as the legal arm that complements CCV's legislative advocacy on religious-liberty and pro-life issues.
• Americans for Prosperity: National libertarian-conservative advocacy organization with state chapters and significant Ohio presence. Comparable to CCV on grassroots lobbying, Action Center-style digital tools, and donor-funded advocacy infrastructure, with a broader economic-policy remit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CCVPolicy
• Facebookfacebook.com/CCVPolicy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ccvpolicy

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries5 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 Center for Christian Virtue