Colorado River Alliance
Colorado River Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 in Austin, Texas, delivering water science education programs — including the Mobile River mobile science center and Redbud field trips — to Texas students while organizing volunteer river cleanups across the Texas Colorado River basin.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- Headquarters—
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Colorado River Alliance does
Colorado River Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1994 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, with a mission to champion the long-term vitality of the Texas Colorado River. The organization's work centers on three integrated program pillars: youth water science education, community conservation engagement, and watershed stewardship. Its flagship education programs include the Mobile River, a 42-foot traveling water science center that delivers TEKS-aligned, hands-on curriculum to 7th graders across the Texas Colorado River basin, and the Redbud Field Trip Program, an elementary school offering operated at LCRA's five-acre Wilkerson Center for Colorado River Education. The Groundwater to the Gulf summer institute provides continuing education credits to Central Texas educators, while a bilingual Digital Resource Library extends program reach through virtual visits and downloadable content.
The organization's technology stack is modest and purpose-built for nonprofit education delivery: the Mobile River trailer contains interactive models and educational videogames, digital resources are distributed via Zoom and Google Classroom, volunteer events are managed through GivePulse, and event ticketing runs on HelloFund. Rather than relying on proprietary technology, the competitive differentiation stems from physical infrastructure (the Mobile River unit, the Wilkerson Center partnership), curriculum alignment with Texas standards, and Spanish-language accessibility.
Revenue is generated through diversified nonprofit funding streams including individual donations, corporate sponsorships (Legacy Leaders such as Samsung, Oracle, YETI, H-E-B, Applied Materials, 3M), foundation grants (Trull Foundation, Texan By Nature), government and quasi-government support (LCRA, Austin Water, Texas Water Development Board), and special events — most notably the annual Cocktails for the Colorado gala, which raised $383,830 in 2024. The Development & Communications Director oversees an $800,000 annual fundraising plan. Core educational programs are provided free to participants, with the organization reaching approximately 14,000 people annually and removing roughly 10,000 pounds of trash from the river each year through volunteer cleanup events.
Colorado River Alliance firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Colorado River Alliance
- Legal name
- Colorado River Alliance
- Website
- https://coloradoriver.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Colorado River Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 in Austin, Texas, delivering water science education programs — including the Mobile River mobile science center and Redbud field trips — to Texas students while organizing volunteer river cleanups across the Texas Colorado River basin.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Colorado River Alliance industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Education and Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)
Keywords
Colorado River Alliance business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Free educational programs |
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Colorado River Alliance product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Colorado River Alliance delivers free water science education and river conservation programs for the Texas Colorado River basin. Its core offerings include the Mobile River (a 42-foot traveling STEM education center for middle schools), Redbud Field Trips at the Wilkerson Center (for elementary students), Groundwater to the Gulf (an educator summer institute providing continuing education credits), and large-scale volunteer cleanup events (Lake Travis Cleanup, Lake Austin Cleanup, and Community Creek Cleanups). Programs are funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, memberships, and an annual gala.
Product overview
Colorado River Alliance offers a comprehensive suite of water education and conservation programs centered on the Texas Colorado River. The core offerings include the Mobile River (a 42-foot traveling water science center for middle school students), the Redbud Field Trip Program (elementary school field trips at the Wilkerson Center), and Groundwater to the Gulf (educator training institute). Supporting programs include the Digital Resource Library with TEKS-aligned resources in English and Spanish, the Water Pledge & Calculator for community engagement, and the River Resilience Speaker Series. Conservation efforts include annual Lake Austin Cleanup, Lake Travis Cleanup, and Community Creek Cleanups, with the River Society engaging emerging conservation leaders. The annual Cocktails for the Colorado gala raises funds while honoring River Heroes. The organization reaches 14,000 people annually through its programs and removes approximately 10,000 pounds of trash from the river each year.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Mobile River: A 42-foot traveling water science center that brings hands-on aquatic science education to middle school students across the Texas Colorado River basin.
- Wilkerson Field Trips
- Groundwater to the Gulf (G2G)
- YES! Programs
- Cocktails for the Colorado
- River Society
- Tributary League
- River Resilience Speaker Series
Products and services
- Mobile River A 42-foot traveling water science center that brings hands-on water education directly to 7th graders across the Texas Colorado River basin. Features interactive models, educational videogames, and TEKS-aligned curriculum covering water quality analysis, conservation training, and population and climate impacts on water resources.
- Redbud Field Trip Program Elementary school field trip program held at LCRA's Wilkerson Center for Colorado River Education, a five-acre riverside outdoor exhibit space. Teaches students about geology, geography, drinking water sources, healthy watershed attributes, pollution, water cycle, and conservation methods.
- Groundwater to the Gulf (G2G) Free summer institute providing Central Texas educators with continuing education credits (CECs) while traveling from Central Texas to the Gulf. Connects educators to the people, places, and waterways that shape the Texas Colorado River basin with TEKS-aligned resources.
- Lake Travis Cleanup Annual cleanup event, one of the largest single-day volunteer lake cleanups in the world. Includes scuba divers, paddlers, and shoreline volunteers removing trash from Lake Travis. Collaboration between CRA, Travis County Parks, and Keep Austin Beautiful.
- Lake Austin Cleanup Annual cleanup event where volunteers remove litter and debris from Lake Austin using paddleboards, kayaks, and shoreline efforts. Partners with Lake Austin Calm, LCRA Parks, and local businesses to provide equipment and support.
- Community Creek Cleanups Regular volunteer cleanup events at various locations including Onion Creek Metropolitan Park and Eastern Travis County Parks. Removes trash from creeks and watersheds impacting the Texas Colorado River.
- River Resilience Speaker Series Monthly luncheon speaker series featuring experts on water conservation, landscape architecture, and environmental topics. Hosted at venues overlooking Lady Bird Lake, with small group discussions.
- Digital Resource Library Online library featuring games, puzzles, scavenger hunts, arts and crafts projects, educational videogames, virtual field trips, and TEKS-aligned activity guides available in English and Spanish. Includes Texas 2040 game for middle school students.
- Water Pledge & Calculator Online tool allowing individuals to calculate water conservation potential and take a pledge to conserve water. The average American uses about 30,000 gallons of water each year at home; through water-conservation pledges, CRA programs help leave over 20 million gallons of water in the river every year.
- Texas 2040 Game Educational video game for middle school age-level students teaching about water resources, conservation, and the Texas Colorado River basin through interactive gameplay.
- Cocktails for the Colorado Annual fundraising gala celebrating the Texas Colorado River with live music, food, drinks, and live auction. Features the John Lay River Hero Award presentation.
- River Society Emerging conservation leaders group that supports CRA cleanup efforts and organizes community engagement events. Members participate in paddleboard cleanups, happy hours, and advocacy activities.
- Tributary League Membership program for ongoing supporters of the Colorado River Alliance.
Quantifiable outcome
- 14,000 people reached by programs every year
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Colorado River Alliance
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Colorado River Alliance technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature4 records
Colorado River Alliance partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Lake Austin CalmminorProvided 45 volunteers with complimentary paddleboard access during the 4th Annual Lake Austin Cleanup. Paddleboard rental company located at Mozart's Coffee Roasters.
- Mozart's Coffee RoastersminorPartnered with CRA to host events and serve as gathering point for Lake Austin Cleanup. Mozart's hosts benefit events for first responders and community gatherings.
- Samsung Austin SemiconductorcoreSamsung Austin Semiconductor supports The Mobile River program, helping bring hands-on water science education to middle school students across Central Texas. CRA Executive Director Adrienne Longenecker noted Samsung's support enables Manor ISD students to better understand their drinking water source through Mobile River field trips. Samsung employees also participated in World Water Day activities at the facility.
- OraclecoreOracle is a year-round supporter of YES! Programs and dedicated Lake Austin Cleanup volunteers. Oracle employees have brought their own paddleboards and hosted private cleanups. CRA visits Oracle headquarters for employee engagement events featuring the Mobile River and Ripple mascot. Oracle supports expanding access to free, immersive STEM education across Central Texas.
- The Trull FoundationminorThe Trull Foundation supported CRA's efforts to expand programming to students in Matagorda County, enabling the Mobile River to travel to Matagorda Bay and reach 380 middle school students and 414 individuals overall.
- Keep Austin BeautifulcoreCollaborating partner in the annual Lake Travis Cleanup - one of the largest single-day volunteer lake cleanups in the world.
- Travis County ParkscoreKey partner in organizing the Lake Travis Cleanup and Spring Cleanup events. Provides volunteers, kayaks, and logistical support for cleanup activities.
- Keep Texas BeautifulminorCRA reports Lake Austin Cleanup litter data to Keep Texas Beautiful's Litter Database, the first statewide litter database placing local efforts in statewide context.
- Texan By NatureminorTexas Water Action Collaborative (TxWAC), a program of Texan By Nature, matches companies and funders with conservation projects to benefit Texas water resources.
- Boys & Girls Club of the Highland LakesminorThe Mobile River visited for the 6th Annual Touch-A-Truck event, with 213 community members exploring the exhibit during interactive family activities.
- YETIcoreYETI joined as a Legacy Leader in 2017, providing financial support and donating top-of-the-line gear to encourage volunteer participation at cleanup events. YETI volunteers have showed up by the hundreds to remove trash from the river.
- Austin WatercoreAustin Water partnered with AISD to launch the Mobile River program in 2015. They continue as a key partner supporting water education and conservation initiatives.
- Austin Independent School District (AISD)coreAISD partnered with the City of Austin's water utility and CRA to develop and implement the Mobile River program from its inception, planning curriculum and programmatic elements directly with CRA.
- Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)coreLCRA partnered with CRA in 2009 to create the Redbud Field Trip Program at the Wilkerson Center for Colorado River Education. LCRA provides the five-acre riverside outdoor exhibit space. LCRA Parks provides kayaks and volunteers for cleanup events. LCRA also operates over 275 hydromet gauging stations and provides meteorological data.
Scale indicators20 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Colorado River Alliance competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District: Central Texas groundwater conservation district protecting the Edwards Aquifer and Barton Springs. Comparable in mission (water resource protection, education, and stewardship) and in operating across the same Central Texas watershed as CRA.
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Austin-based environmental education and native-plant conservation organization with a public-facing outdoor site and deep K–12 and educator programming. Highly comparable as a Central Texas environmental education nonprofit with field-trip offerings.
- Hill Country Conservancy: Central Texas land and water conservation nonprofit focused on the Texas Hill Country. Operates overlapping programs around land preservation, water resources, and community stewardship, making it a close mission and geography peer.
- Keep Austin Beautiful: Austin-based nonprofit that organizes community cleanups, beautification, and environmental education. Direct co-organizer of the Lake Travis Cleanup with CRA, sharing volunteer-based cleanup programming and donor base.
- San Antonio River Authority: Texas-based river authority that performs watershed protection, water-quality monitoring, conservation education, and cleanup programs on the San Antonio River. Highly comparable as a regionally focused water-stewardship organization combining education, outreach, and on-the-ground river care.
Broad incumbents
- American Rivers: National river-conservation organization running cleanups, advocacy, and education across U.S. rivers. Comparable in core mission (river protection, education, volunteer mobilization) but at much broader national scale versus CRA's single-watershed focus.
- National Wildlife Federation: Large national conservation nonprofit with significant K–12 environmental education programming (e.g., Eco-Schools). Comparable as an environmental education and conservation funder/organizer, but at national scale across many ecosystems.
- Waterkeeper Alliance: Global nonprofit network focused on protecting waterways through advocacy, litigation, and community education. Overlaps with CRA's water-quality, education, and stewardship mission but operates as an umbrella organization rather than a single local program provider.
- Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on conserving land for public use, including parks and natural areas near waterways. Comparable through park/conservation-area stewardship and education partnerships, but operates across the U.S. rather than a single basin.
Regional players
- Texas Land Conservancy: Texas-focused land and water conservation nonprofit that protects natural areas, including watersheds, through easements and education. Comparable mission in Texas-focused conservation and stewardship, with overlapping donor and partner networks.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Colorado River Alliance social profiles
Digital presenceColorado River Alliance financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Colorado River Alliance leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Colorado River Alliance funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Colorado River Alliance 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 Colorado River Alliance
What does Colorado River Alliance do?
Colorado River Alliance delivers free water science education and river conservation programs for the Texas Colorado River basin. Its core offerings include the Mobile River (a 42-foot traveling STEM education center for middle schools), Redbud Field Trips at the Wilkerson Center (for elementary students), Groundwater to the Gulf (an educator summer institute providing continuing education credits), and large-scale volunteer cleanup events (Lake Travis Cleanup, Lake Austin Cleanup, and Community Creek Cleanups). Programs are funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, memberships, and an annual gala.
Is Colorado River Alliance a public or private company?
Colorado River Alliance is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Colorado River Alliance founded?
Colorado River Alliance was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Who are Colorado River Alliance's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Hill Country Conservancy, Keep Austin Beautiful and San Antonio River Authority. Broad incumbents are American Rivers, National Wildlife Federation, Waterkeeper Alliance and Trust for Public Land. Texas Land Conservancy is listed as a regional player.
Does Colorado River Alliance have an API?
No public API is recorded for Colorado River Alliance.
What industry is Colorado River Alliance in?
Colorado River Alliance's product category is Environmental Education and Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAK, Water Resources & Watershed Protection. Its NAICS code is 712190 and its SIC code is 8200.