CHILDREN AT RISK

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.

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

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

• Child advocacy services
• Policy research nonprofit
• Education equity research
• Child welfare policy
• Public policy analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Special Events: Annual fundraising events including the CHILDREN AT RISK Golf Classic and Annual Accolades Luncheon.
4. ACTX Membership: ACTX young professionals membership at $10.00 monthly or $150.00 annually, offering access to events, mentorship, and advocacy opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Texas Family Leadership Council (TXFLC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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 ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered 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 UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition focused on equitable disaster recovery for children, providing updates and coordinating efforts among member organizations engaged in disaster preparedness and recovery.
• Save the ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the Still At Risk: Children One Year After Hurricane Harvey report, combining research efforts on child recovery from natural disasters.
• Rupani Foundation USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with ELQN to host family day events supporting caregivers in Houston child care deserts, highlighting local impact of early childhood initiatives.
• Collaborative for ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected 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) CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide collaborative focused on improving outcomes for children from birth to age three, partnering on Early Childhood Education Summits and policy advocacy.
• Houston A+ ChallengecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMerged into CHILDREN AT RISK in 2022, bringing experienced professional coaches who have served over 250,000 students to increase impact on public education improvement.
• KrogerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKroger sponsors the School Food Rankings program, supporting research and recognition of quality school nutrition programs.
• United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on equity research highlighting that working families struggle for food, shelter, health and child care.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad 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

• Xx.com/childrenatrisk
• Facebookfacebook.com/childrenatrisk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/children-at-risk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 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 CHILDREN AT RISK