Coalition for Children, Youth & Families

What Coalition for Children, Youth & Families does

The Coalition for Children, Youth & Families is a Wisconsin-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1982 by foster and adoptive parents and incorporated as an independent entity in 1983 under founding Executive Director Colleen Ellingson. Headquartered in West Allis, Wisconsin with approximately 14 staff, the organization supports families navigating child welfare, foster care, kinship care, and adoption through four core program brands: the Wisconsin Family Connections Center (an online resource hub), Champion Classrooms (training and education platform for caregivers and professionals), Wisconsin Adoption (an adoption database and guidance service), and No Matter What Families (a YouTube-based storytelling initiative). Its service delivery model combines one-on-one Resource Specialist support (available statewide via phone, email, and outreach) with digital self-serve portals and evidence-based training, reaching all 72 Wisconsin counties.

The organization is funded through individual donations (cash, cryptocurrency, stock, and Donor Advised Funds), corporate partnerships and sponsorships, and signature fundraising events including an Annual Golf Outing and Annual Gala. Its go-to-market is community-led, relying on deep relationships with public, private, and tribal child-serving agencies to refer and serve families. Reported 2025 program impact includes 1,254 families supported, 2,906 people trained, and 118,659 resource connections, with a stated program efficiency of 87% of donations directed to programs and services.

The Coalition does not operate proprietary technology infrastructure or AI/ML capabilities; it functions as a service-focused intermediary and capacity builder. Governance rests with an independent volunteer Board of Directors whose members include representatives from KPMG, Deloitte, Molson Coors Beverage Company, American Family Insurance, and other Wisconsin corporate and civic organizations. The organization holds 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (EIN 39-1496074) and was recognized in 2023 by the Human Rights Campaign on the All Children – All Families list for LGBTQ+ inclusion in child welfare.

Name

Coalition for Children, Youth & Families

Legal name

Coalition for Children, Youth & Families

Website

https://coalitionforcyf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Coalition for Children, Youth & Families is a Wisconsin-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports foster, adoptive, and kinship families across all 72 Wisconsin counties through resource navigation, training, adoption services, and storytelling. It is funded by individual donations, corporate partnerships, and annual events, with 87% of contributions directed to programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Child Welfare and Family Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family & Parent Support Services (Parent Coaching, Advocacy) (EDAJALAK), Family Engagement & Caregiver Support Programs (SEL/Mental Health) (EDAKAMAK), Home Visiting & Parent Coaching Programs (EDACALAC)

Keywords

• Foster care support
• Adoption services
• Kinship care resources
• Child welfare advocacy
• Family support services

Headquarters

HQ city

West Allis, Wisconsin

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization receives donations from individual supporters through various channels including online donations, cryptocurrency, stock donations, and Donor Advised Funds. These contributions directly support programs and services for families.
2. Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships: Businesses partner with the Coalition through employee giving days, corporate sponsorships of events (Gala, golf outing), foundation-directed donations, and custom partnership opportunities.
3. Training Services: Free or low-cost training courses, webinars, and educational materials provided to caregivers and professionals. Champion Classrooms offers evidence-based training for trauma-informed care.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Coalition for Children, Youth & Families provides free or low-cost direct support, resource connection, and training to families navigating child welfare, foster care, adoption, and kinship care across Wisconsin. Core programs include the Wisconsin Family Connections Center (online resource hub), Champion Classrooms (training and education), Wisconsin Adoption (adoption database and guidance), and Resource Specialists who provide one-on-one personalized guidance. Services are funded by individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants, and are delivered statewide across all 72 Wisconsin counties.

Product overview

The Coalition for Children, Youth & Families operates as a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs designed to support families navigating child welfare and adoption across Wisconsin. The core offerings include the Wisconsin Family Connections Center (resource hub), Champion Classrooms (training and education platform), Wisconsin Adoption (adoption database), and No Matter What Families (video storytelling initiative). These programs are complemented by the Connected Voices Blog and Resource Library, creating a comprehensive ecosystem that provides personalized guidance, educational content, resource connections, and community support for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wisconsin Family Connections Center: Comprehensive online hub for navigating out-of-home care, connecting families with support services and essential resources.
• Wisconsin Adoption
• Champion Classrooms
• No Matter What Families

Products and services

• Wisconsin Family Connections Center Comprehensive online hub that helps Wisconsin families navigate out-of-home care, connecting them with support services and essential resources. Geared toward foster, adoptive, and kinship families seeking centralized information and guidance.
• Champion Classrooms Training and education platform offering webinars, courses, discussion groups, and conferences that equip caregivers and child welfare professionals with knowledge, skills, and strategies to understand trauma, build resilience, and create stable, nurturing environments.
• Wisconsin Adoption Central database and guidance service for families exploring adoption in Wisconsin, including information about children waiting for permanent homes. Supports domestic, international, and foster care adoption pathways.
• No Matter What Families YouTube video storytelling initiative sharing real stories of hope and resilience to help foster, adoptive, and kinship families know they are not alone in their journey.
• Resource Library Digital resource repository containing tip sheets, newsletters, fact sheets, and reports covering topics such as Medicaid, long-term supports, family leadership, and advocacy, supporting families and professionals working with child welfare systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,254 families provided with resources, guidance, and support in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered notable, core and supporting.

• Family Voices of WisconsinnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Family-run organization that helps families caring for children with disabilities or high support needs access coordinated, family-centered health care and community supports.
• Wisconsin Family Connections CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA comprehensive online hub for navigating out-of-home care, connecting families with support services and essential resources. The Coalition connects families to this partner resource.
• Champion ClassroomscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining and education platform offering webinars, courses, and conferences for caregivers and professionals working with families in child welfare and adoption.
• Wisconsin AdoptioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentral database and guidance service for families exploring adoption, including information about children waiting for permanent homes.
• Public, Private, and Tribal Child-Serving AgenciescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeep relationships with child welfare agencies across Wisconsin enable the Coalition to provide comprehensive support and advocacy for families navigating complex systems.
• The Giving BlocksupportingTechnology or IntegrationCrypto Philanthropy platform processing cryptocurrency donations safely and securely for the Coalition.
• Renaissance Charitable FoundationsupportingTechnology or IntegrationPartner for processing charitable donations of stock for the Coalition in partnership with The Giving Block.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Adoption Exchange Association: National nonprofit that facilitates adoption of children from foster care and supports families and caseworkers across multiple states. Directly comparable to the Coalition's Wisconsin Adoption database and family-matching mission.
• Raise the Future: Formerly Children's Home Society of Minnesota, Raise the Future supports adoption and foster families across the Upper Midwest through education, recruitment, and post-adoption services. Comparable geography, mission, and family-support services.
• Together We Rise: National nonprofit providing direct support (welcome boxes, scholarships, advocacy) to foster and adoptive youth and families. Comparable donor-supported family support model with similar target population.
• Children Awaiting Parents: National nonprofit operating an online photo-listing database and adoption recruitment services for children in foster care waiting for permanent families. Directly comparable to Wisconsin Adoption's database function.
• Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption: National nonprofit focused on finding permanent homes for children in foster care through adoption awareness, recruitment, and corporate partnerships (notably Wendy's). Comparable in mission, donor model, and child-welfare focus.
• FosterAdopt Connect: Regional Midwest nonprofit providing foster and adoptive family support services including training, case management, and resource navigation. Highly comparable service mix and target population to the Coalition.
• National Council for Adoption: Advocacy and education nonprofit supporting adoptive families, adoptees, and birth parents through policy work and family support services. Comparable nonprofit advocacy and family-support model.
• National Foster Parent Association: National nonprofit supporting foster parents through advocacy, training, and peer networks. Directly comparable as a foster-family support and training organization.

Broad incumbents

• Child Welfare League of America: National membership organization providing advocacy, training, and resources for child welfare agencies, professionals, and families. Comparable training and family-support orientation at broader scale.
• AdoptUSKids: Federally funded national project operated by the Children's Bureau that supports adoption of children from foster care, including a public photo listing and family recruitment resources. Competes in the same adoption-database space with public-sector scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/coalitionforcyf
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC_FyAJi4p2QfDBPHsqfSYjg
• Facebookfacebook.com/CoalitionforCYF
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/coalitionforcyf
• Instagraminstagram.com/coalitionforcyf

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Coalition for Children, Youth & Families