CHILDREN AT RISK
CHILDREN AT RISK is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 that conducts research and policy advocacy to improve outcomes for Texas's 7.3 million children, serving families, educators, child care providers, and state policymakers through research centers, school rankings, and statewide coalitions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersHouston, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CHILDREN AT RISK does
CHILDREN AT RISK is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and advocacy organization founded in 1989 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, with additional staff presence in North Texas, Central Texas, and El Paso. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Texas's 7.3 million children through strategic research, public policy analysis, education, collaboration, and advocacy. The organization operates four specialized research centers—the Center for Social Measurement & Evaluation (CSME), the Center for Child Health Research & Policy (CCHRP), the Center for Parenting and Family Well-Being (CPFWB), and a Disaster Resilience & Recovery team—that produce the annual Texas School Rankings (published for 19+ years), the Texas Equity Report, the Growing Up in Houston report, the Bexar County Child Health Initiative Report 2026, and academic journals including the Journal of Applied Research on Children.
The organization's business model rests on diversified nonprofit revenue streams: tax-deductible individual donations, foundation grants (e.g., a $200,000 grant from the Trellis Foundation in February 2025 for Opportunity Youth advocacy), corporate sponsorships (Kroger for School Food Rankings; Rainwater and Walton Family Foundations for the Texas School Guide), special event fundraising (annual Golf Classic and Accolades Luncheon), and ACTX memberships at $10/month or $150/year. Research publications, policy resources, advocacy tools, and the TexasSchoolGuide.org and SmartParents.org platforms are provided free of charge to the public. Distribution occurs through direct legislative testimony, the Advocacy Action Center, virtual learning events (10 hosted in 2024), and coalition-based channels including the Texas Family Leadership Council (TXFLC), the Texas Racial Equity Collaborative (TREC), the Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN), the Texas Prenatal-to-Three Collaborative, and the Children's Resiliency Collaborative. Customer segments served include Texas children and families, parents, educators, child care providers, policymakers and legislators, opportunity youth aged 16-24, and nonprofit partner organizations.
CHILDREN AT RISK firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CHILDREN AT RISK
- Legal name
- CHILDREN AT RISK
- Website
- https://childrenatrisk.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- CHILDREN AT RISK is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 that conducts research and policy advocacy to improve outcomes for Texas's 7.3 million children, serving families, educators, child care providers, and state policymakers through research centers, school rankings, and statewide coalitions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CHILDREN AT RISK industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Child Advocacy and Policy Research
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Data Reporting & Outcomes Measurement for Regulators/QRIS (EDACAKAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Child-to-Staff Ratio & Staffing Compliance Monitoring (EDACAKAG), Accreditation Support (NAEYC/NECPA/State) (EDACAKAD)
Keywords
Where CHILDREN AT RISK is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Houston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
CHILDREN AT RISK business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 76-0360533), CHILDREN AT RISK relies on tax-deductible donations from the public. Monthly recurring donations are encouraged for supporters.
- Grants: The organization receives grants from foundations including a $200,000 grant from Trellis Foundation to strengthen advocacy initiatives for Opportunity Youth and Young Adults.
- Special Events: Annual fundraising events including the CHILDREN AT RISK Golf Classic and Annual Accolades Luncheon.
- ACTX Membership: ACTX young professionals membership at $10.00 monthly or $150.00 annually, offering access to events, mentorship, and advocacy opportunities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | ACTX Annual Membership |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
CHILDREN AT RISK product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CHILDREN AT RISK conducts independent research and data analysis on the well-being of Texas children, translates findings into policy recommendations, and advocates before the Texas Legislature and with community partners. It operates programs across education (Center for Social Measurement & Evaluation), child health, family well-being, and disaster resilience, and delivers contracted K-12 services through its merged Houston A+ Challenge and ELQN operations.
Product overview
CHILDREN AT RISK is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization that serves as a catalyst for change to improve the quality of life for children through strategic research, public policy analysis, education, collaboration, and advocacy. The organization operates several research divisions (Center for Social Measurement & Evaluation, Center for Child Health Research & Policy, Center for Parenting and Family Well-Being, and Disaster Resilience & Recovery) that produce publications including the annual Texas School Rankings and Texas Equity Report. It maintains online resources for parents (TexasSchoolGuide.org, Smartparents.org) and operates collaborative initiatives including the Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN), Texas Family Leadership Council (TXFLC), and Texas Prenatal-to-Three Collaborative. The organization also developed the SAY Houston mobile application for disaster recovery research and runs an Advocacy Action Center for policy engagement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Texas School Rankings
Quantifiable outcome
- 19+ years of annual school rankings published
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use CHILDREN AT RISK
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
CHILDREN AT RISK technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
CHILDREN AT RISK partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Texas Family Leadership Council (TXFLC)coreStatewide coalition of child and family advocates working together to advance policies benefiting Texas children. TXFLC coordinates collective action and shares resources across member organizations.
- Texas Racial Equity Collaborative (TREC)coreCoalition united in working together to bring about positive social change for communities of color. TREC addresses health, education, basic needs, and fair justice through a three-pronged plan of educate, collaborate, and advocate.
- Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN)corePartnership with Harris County Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity (DEEO) focused on improving quality of early childhood care and education in Harris County child care deserts.
- Family ServicecorePartnered with Family Service and Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University on the Bexar County Child Health Initiative Report 2026 to address mental health, nutrition, and chronic disease.
- Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice UniversitycoreAcademic partnership for the Bexar County Child Health Initiative Report 2026, providing policy research and analysis on children's health issues.
- Children's Resiliency Collaborative (CRC)coreCoalition focused on equitable disaster recovery for children, providing updates and coordinating efforts among member organizations engaged in disaster preparedness and recovery.
- Save the ChildrencoreCollaborated on the Still At Risk: Children One Year After Hurricane Harvey report, combining research efforts on child recovery from natural disasters.
- Rupani Foundation USAcorePartnered with ELQN to host family day events supporting caregivers in Houston child care deserts, highlighting local impact of early childhood initiatives.
- Collaborative for ChildrencoreSelected as vendor for ELQN's facility, safety and security initiative as part of the network's seven community-driven initiatives.
- Texas Prenatal-to-Three (PN-3) CollaborativecoreStatewide collaborative focused on improving outcomes for children from birth to age three, partnering on Early Childhood Education Summits and policy advocacy.
- Houston A+ ChallengecoreMerged into CHILDREN AT RISK in 2022, bringing experienced professional coaches who have served over 250,000 students to increase impact on public education improvement.
- KrogerminorKroger sponsors the School Food Rankings program, supporting research and recognition of quality school nutrition programs.
- United WaycorePartnership with United Way of Greater Houston and JPMorgan Chase & Co. on the Growing Up in Houston report assessing quality of life for children.
- ALICE Project (United Way Tarrant County)minorPartnership on equity research highlighting that working families struggle for food, shelter, health and child care.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CHILDREN AT RISK competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Children's Defense Fund: National child advocacy organization conducting research and policy advocacy on child poverty, education, health, and juvenile justice. Overlaps with C@R on policy advocacy and research methodology but operates nationally rather than focused on a single state.
- Annie E. Casey Foundation (Kids Count): National foundation producing the KIDS COUNT dataset on child well-being and funding state-level affiliates. Comparable to C@R in producing child well-being data and state-level indicators, but operates nationally with far greater resources.
- NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children): National organization setting standards and accrediting early childhood education programs. Comparable to C@R's work with the Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN) in Harris County and its ECE policy advocacy; operates nationally with accreditation and training programs.
- Save the Children: Global nonprofit focused on children’s health, education, and disaster recovery. Direct collaboration partner with C@R on the Still At Risk post-Hurricane Harvey report; shares disaster resilience and child well-being mission.
Direct peers
- Every Texan (formerly Center for Public Policy Priorities): Texas-based policy advocacy and research organization focused on opportunity, equity, and economic well-being for children and families. Comparable to C@R in its use of data to influence state policy and its nonprofit, Austin/Houston-based advocacy model.
- Texans Care for Children: Austin-based nonprofit that drives policy advocacy and research on children’s health, safety, education, and economic security across Texas. Highly comparable to CHILDREN AT RISK in mission, Texas-only focus, legislative engagement, and use of data to inform policy recommendations.
Regional players
- Kids Forward (Wisconsin): Wisconsin-based child and family policy advocacy organization. Operates a similar state-level research-plus-advocacy model on child well-being, family economic security, and health, but in a different state with no Texas presence.
- Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (child well-being program): State-level policy research organization producing child well-being and budget analysis in Georgia. Closely comparable in using data and budget analysis to advocate for children and families, but in a different geography.
Others
- United Way of Greater Houston: Co-funder with JPMorgan Chase on the Growing Up in Houston report. Similar Houston-based nonprofit working on child and family well-being through research, fundraising, and coalition-based program delivery.
- Baker Institute for Public Policy (Rice University): Academic partner on the Bexar County Child Health Initiative Report 2026. Comparable as a research-driven policy organization producing child health and welfare analysis, though housed within a university rather than an independent nonprofit.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CHILDREN AT RISK social profiles
Digital presenceCHILDREN AT RISK financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CHILDREN AT RISK leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
CHILDREN AT RISK subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
CHILDREN AT RISK funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CHILDREN AT RISK 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 CHILDREN AT RISK
What does CHILDREN AT RISK do?
CHILDREN AT RISK conducts independent research and data analysis on the well-being of Texas children, translates findings into policy recommendations, and advocates before the Texas Legislature and with community partners. It operates programs across education (Center for Social Measurement & Evaluation), child health, family well-being, and disaster resilience, and delivers contracted K-12 services through its merged Houston A+ Challenge and ELQN operations.
Is CHILDREN AT RISK a public or private company?
CHILDREN AT RISK is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CHILDREN AT RISK founded?
CHILDREN AT RISK was founded in 1989. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is CHILDREN AT RISK based?
CHILDREN AT RISK is headquartered in Houston, United States, in the North America region.
How does CHILDREN AT RISK make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are grants, special Events and ACTX Membership.
Who are CHILDREN AT RISK's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Children's Defense Fund, Annie E. Casey Foundation (Kids Count), NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and Save the Children. Direct peers are Every Texan (formerly Center for Public Policy Priorities) and Texans Care for Children. Regional players are Kids Forward (Wisconsin) and Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (child well-being program). Others are United Way of Greater Houston and Baker Institute for Public Policy (Rice University).
Does CHILDREN AT RISK have an API?
No public API is recorded for CHILDREN AT RISK.
What industry is CHILDREN AT RISK in?
CHILDREN AT RISK's product category is Nonprofit Child Advocacy and Policy Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDACAKAM, Data Reporting & Outcomes Measurement for Regulators/QRIS, with a secondary code of EDACAKAG, Child-to-Staff Ratio & Staffing Compliance Monitoring. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.