WRI Solutions

What WRI Solutions does

WRI Solutions, legally Welfare Research, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit and quasi-governmental agency founded in 1967 under New York State law and headquartered in Albany, New York. The organization delivers four professional service lines to mission-driven public-sector and non-profit clients: Administration (staffing, project and program management, implementation support, event planning and facilitation), Evaluation (surveys, focus groups, interviews, and data analysis using SPSS and Dedoose), Consulting (plan development, implementation strategies, facilitation, and targeted support), and Publications (writing, editing, design, and digital strategy). Its primary customers are New York State agencies, including the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), the Unified Court System, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Justice Center for the Protection of People With Special Needs, alongside non-profit partners such as the Mental Health Association in NYS and AHRC Nassau. WRI also operates dedicated online portals and resource products, most notably the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) application portal, the Chafee Funds application portal, and the IDD Resource Center housing the Quick Guides: Tools for Independence series. Revenue is generated through government contracts, foundation grants, and donations; services are delivered via a combination of direct staff, out-stationed personnel embedded at client locations, and online platforms.

Name

WRI Solutions

Legal name

Welfare Research, Inc.

Website

https://www.wrisolutions.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WRI Solutions is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit and quasi-governmental agency providing administration, evaluation, consulting, and publication services to New York State government agencies, non-profits, and foundations in human services, child welfare, mental health, and developmental disabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Human Services Consulting

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Office Administrative Services (56111)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Admissions, Enrollment & Registrar Operations (Application Processing, Records) (EDAEALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Research Administration & Grants Management Support (Pre/Post-Award, Compliance) (EDAEALAO), Financial Aid Compliance, Verification & Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) (EDALAJAH)

Keywords

• Nonprofit consulting services
• Program evaluation services
• Government contract administration
• Event planning facilitation
• Accessible publications

Headquarters

HQ city

Albany

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts: Primary revenue from contracts with New York State agencies including OCFS, NYS Unified Court System, and county departments of social services. Services include staffing, program management, evaluation, and event coordination.
2. Foundation and Grant Funding: Funding from foundations such as Casey Family Programs, Redlich Horwitz Foundation for specific initiatives and programs.
3. Donations: 501(c)(3) not-for-profit accepts donations from individuals to support operations and mission.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

WRI Solutions provides administration, evaluation, consulting, and publication services to mission-driven government agencies, non-profit organizations, and foundations in New York State. Services span staffing, program management, event planning, research and evaluation using mixed-methods tools (SPSS, Dedoose), strategic consulting and facilitation, accessible publications and digital strategy, plus administration of financial-support programs such as the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) and Chafee Funding Awards Programs for current and former foster youth.

Product overview

WRI Solutions offers a portfolio of professional services to mission-driven government agencies, non-profit organizations, and foundations. The core offerings include four main service lines: Administration Services (staffing, project management, event planning), Evaluation Services (research, surveys, data analysis), Consulting Services (strategy, facilitation), and Publications Services (writing, editing, design, digital strategy). Additionally, WRI has developed the IDD Resource Center, a dedicated online platform housing Quick Guides: Tools for Independence series for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, along with associated training materials. WRI also administers financial support programs including the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program and Chafee Funding Awards Program for foster youth. The company operates as both a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit and quasi-governmental agency, with services delivered through a combination of direct staff, online portals, and event management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IDD Resource Center: A dedicated, user-friendly space on WRI's website housing Quick Guides and related training materials for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. The design emphasizes simplicity, clarity, and accessibility.

Products and services

• Administration Services Staffing, project and program management, implementation support, and event planning and facilitation services delivered to government agencies and non-profit organizations.
• Evaluation Services Research and evaluation services including surveys, focus groups, interviews, and data analysis using mixed-methods tools such as SPSS and Dedoose to assess program efficacy and impact.
• Consulting Services Strategic consulting including plan development, implementation strategies, facilitation, and targeted support to assist organizations with projects and change initiatives.
• Publications Services Writing, editing, and design services for promotional content, accessible informational materials, practice guides, manuals, and digital strategy including web design and rebranding.
• IDD Resource Center Web-based resource center housing accessible Quick Guides and training materials for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, covering relationships, transition after high school, employment, housing, and transportation.
• Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program Administration of the ETV financial-support program for youth with current or former foster care involvement who are in college or vocational school, including a dedicated online application portal for tuition, housing, and school-related expenses.
• Chafee Funding Awards Program Administration of pandemic-related funding awards for older youth in or formerly in foster care, processed through an online application and award portal.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 6,000 applications processed for Education and Training Voucher program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• AHRC NassaucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Multi-year evaluation partnership (2024-2028) evaluating a statewide DEI initiative focused on improving outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Partnership funded through grant with NYS Council on Developmental Disabilities, conducted in collaboration with NY Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation and NADSP.
• New York Alliance for Inclusion and InnovationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaborative partner alongside AHRC Nassau and NADSP on the statewide DEI initiative for people with IDD. WRI developed the Companion Piece to the Housing Resource Guide for this organization.
• National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaborative partner alongside AHRC Nassau and NY Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation on the statewide DEI initiative focused on improving outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Lifespan of Greater RochesterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership for Enhanced Multidisciplinary Team (E-MDT) Conference (2021-2022) and Elder Abuse strategic planning. WRI provides event support including planning, registration, and technical assistance for conferences in partnership with US DOJ, NYS Office of Victim Services, and other organizations.
• NYS Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership for the Quick Guides: Tools for Independence Initiative (2020-2023) and ongoing Rideshare Quick Guide development. WRI creates accessible publications and resources for individuals with IDD, including guides on relationships, transition after high school, employment, housing, and transportation.
• Court Appointed Special Advocates of NYS (CASANYS)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Evaluation support partnership assessing delivery and impact of grant from NYS Office of Victim Services through the federal Victims of Crime Act. WRI provides evaluation services and creates visual data stories through publications and infographics.
• NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Long-standing partnership with OCFS spanning over 30 years. WRI administers the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program, processes Chafee Funds, supports Anti-Trafficking Summits, provides out-stationed staff, and assists with various child welfare initiatives. This is WRI's primary government partner representing the core of their administrative services business.
• Justice Center for the Protection of People With Special NeedsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership for regional training sessions (2019) and statewide virtual summits (2022-2025). WRI manages logistics, provides on-site support, conducts venue searches, and handles contract negotiations for training events across New York State.
• Mental Health Association in NYS (MHANYS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Multi-year evaluation partnership supporting mental health programs including Mental Health First Aid (2023-present), Mental Health Community Partners (2022-present), CarePath evaluations (2022-present), and School Mental Health Resource and Training Center (2018-present). WRI designs surveys, conducts focus groups, and produces evaluation reports.
• NYS Unified Court System (UCS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Partnership for event coordination, judicial education, and implicit bias training. WRI provides technical assistance for conferences and trainings, coordinated the Road to Quality Legal Representation summit, and supports the Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Children through webinar hosting and event management.
• NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1993Long-standing partnership since 1993 providing technical support for human resources and procurement needs. WRI provides staffing, human resources management, and financial administrative services through out-stationed staff.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Center for Justice Innovation: The Center for Justice Innovation is a NYS-based nonprofit that operates and researches court and justice system reforms, including specialized courts and implicit bias training. WRI's Evaluation Program Manager Amanda Cissner previously spent 23 years there, and both organizations serve NYS UCS on similar court improvement work.
• MDRC: MDRC is a nonprofit social policy research organization that designs and evaluates programs serving low-income populations, including foster youth and workforce development. WRI's mix of program administration and mixed-methods evaluation on human services programs closely mirrors MDRC's operating model.
• Child Trends: Child Trends is a nonprofit research organization focused on improving the lives of children and youth, including those in foster care. WRI's child welfare, ETV, and Youth Advisory Board work with NYS OCFS directly overlaps with Child Trends' research and evaluation on similar populations.
• National Center for State Courts: The National Center for State Courts provides research, consulting, and training services to court systems nationwide, including implicit bias and judicial education. WRI's work with NYS UCS on implicit bias training, Family Treatment Courts, and judicial education overlaps directly with NCSC's service lines.
• Public Consulting Group: Public Consulting Group is a management consulting firm that partners with state and local government agencies on human services program administration, evaluation, and technology. WRI's administration and evaluation services for NYS OCFS, UCS, and DSS align with PCG's core government human services practice.

Broad incumbents

• Westat: Westat is a large employee-owned research firm that conducts surveys, evaluations, and statistical analyses for federal, state, and nonprofit clients. WRI competes for similar evaluation RFPs but at a smaller scale, and Westat represents the larger incumbent in the same evaluation services market.
• Mathematica: Mathematica is a major research and evaluation consultancy whose human services portfolio covers child welfare, education, and mental health. WRI's evaluation practice (mixed-methods research, surveys, focus groups) competes in the same space, though at a much smaller scale.
• Education Development Center (EDC): EDC is a global nonprofit that designs, implements, and evaluates programs in education, health, and economic opportunity. WRI's education funding (ETV), mental health training evaluation (Mental Health First Aid), and IDD work mirror EDC's mix of administration, evaluation, and publications services.
• American Institutes for Research (AIR): AIR is one of the largest U.S. behavioral and social science research organizations, working on education, health, and human services evaluation. WRI's evaluation, training, and program administration work for NYS agencies is the same problem set AIR addresses at a national scale.

Emerging players

• Wurzweiler School of Social Work / Yeshiva University (research centers): Academic-affiliated research and evaluation centers in NY conduct program evaluation and capacity-building work for human services agencies in similar domains as WRI. They compete for some of the same nonprofit and foundation evaluation RFPs though typically with academic rather than operational delivery models.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wrisolutions
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wri-solutions
• Instagraminstagram.com/wri.solutions
• Xx.com/WRI_NY

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about WRI Solutions