iFoster
iFoster is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a free web-based portal that connects over 40,000 children and youth in the U.S. foster care system with resources, peer support, employment placement, and Medicaid-funded care coordination across all 50 states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersTruckee, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What iFoster does
iFoster is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in October 2010 by Serita Cox (CEO) and Reid Cox (CFO), headquartered in Truckee, California, with regional offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and New York. The organization operates a free, web-based member portal serving children and youth in the U.S. foster care system across all 50 states plus Guam and Puerto Rico, with over 40,000 members, 3,500+ partner child welfare agencies, and 302 corporate resource partners. Core offerings include a resource portal organized across nine categories (education, career, technology, health, recreation, child care, clothing, advisors, and daily living), the TAY Assistant with a secure Digital Locker for document storage, the iFoster Jobs Program for employment placement, Peers Paving the Path (Medi-Cal certified peer support), ReMade in America (a circular-economy clothing program tied to the Dream Factory workforce facility opened in Los Angeles in 2026), the 1 Laptop Program, a Guaranteed Income Program, the Voice of the Foster Care Community research initiative, the Life After Foster Care podcast, and a Caregiver Training Series developed with AARP.
The platform is built on .NET architecture with SSL certification and HIPAA compliance for handling member health information, with a companion mobile app launched in 2021. Third-party integrations include Abenity (member discounts), CareerCruising (career assessment), and Microsoft (software licenses for the 1 Laptop Program). The organization's peer-led staffing model trains current and former foster youth as Peer Support Specialists and Youth Ambassadors, including 55 Medi-Cal certified specialists in California as of 2025.
iFoster's business model is a donation-and-grant-funded nonprofit: services are entirely free for foster youth, caregivers, and agencies, with no user fees. Operating funding is drawn from philanthropic donations, private foundation grants, government grants (notably from the Federal Children's Bureau), and corporate partnerships in which businesses donate excess inventory, offer discounted products and services, or sponsor programs. Strategic partnerships include Medicaid managed care contracts (10 plans across CA, KS, KY, OH, MI, and WV) and major employer relationships in grocery, retail, and healthcare (Raley's, Ralph's/Food 4 Less, Kroger, CVS, Starbucks, Weis Markets, Aetna Better Health, Eisner Health). The organization reports $467 million in delivered resources and services in 2025, against a historical baseline of $50 million.
iFoster firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- iFoster
- Legal name
- iFoster
- Website
- https://ifoster.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- iFoster is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a free web-based portal that connects over 40,000 children and youth in the U.S. foster care system with resources, peer support, employment placement, and Medicaid-funded care coordination across all 50 states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
iFoster industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Foster Care and Child Welfare Services
- NAICS
- Temporary Help Services (561320)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Childcare & Eldercare Caregiving Platforms (BPAMAHAJ)
Keywords
Where iFoster is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Truckee
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
iFoster business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Philanthropic Donations: Individual donations from public supporters. iFoster is funded by donations and accepts contributions through various giving programs.
- Foundation Grants: Support from private foundations that share iFoster's mission of supporting foster youth.
- Government Grants: Grant funding from Federal Children's Bureau and other government sources supporting child welfare programs.
- Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with businesses that donate products, provide job opportunities, and fund programs. Businesses donate excess inventory, provide discounts, or sponsor programs in exchange for access to the foster care community.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free membership for all eligible community members |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels9 records
iFoster product offering
Product offeringCore offering
iFoster operates a free, web-based portal platform that aggregates resources, opportunities, and support services for the foster care community. Its core offerings include a members-only resource portal spanning nine categories, the TAY Assistant with Digital Locker for secure document storage, the iFoster Jobs Program for employment placement, Peers Paving the Path peer support services, ReMade in America circular-economy clothing, and the Dream Factory workforce development facility.
Product overview
iFoster is a nonprofit organization operating a web-based portal platform (portal.ifoster.org) that connects children, youth, and families in the foster care system with resources, opportunities, and support. The core platform—the iFoster Resource Portal—serves as a members-only gateway to hundreds of free and discounted products and services across nine categories. The portfolio includes the iFoster TAY Assistant with Digital Locker for document management, the iFoster Jobs Program offering career pathways through Community Service and Community Health tracks, Peers Paving the Path peer support services, ReMade in America circular-economy clothing program with its Dream Factory workforce facility, Voice of the Foster Care Community research initiative, Life After Foster Care podcast, Caregiver Training Series in partnership with AARP, the 1 Laptop Program, and a Guaranteed Income Program. Together, these offerings address the full spectrum of needs from immediate concrete resources to long-term career development and advocacy.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ReMade in America: A 'For Us, By Us' social enterprise that takes companies' unsold clothing that would otherwise go into landfills and recycles them into free high-quality clothing kits for children and youth in the foster care system. Also includes job training and career pathways for foster youth.
- Peers Paving the Path
- iFoster Jobs Program
- iFoster TAY Assistant
Products and services
- iFoster Resource Portal Members-only online portal providing free access to hundreds of resources across nine categories (K-12 Education, Post-High School/Career, Technology, Health & Wellness, Recreation, Child Care, Clothing, Advisors, Daily Living) tailored by location, eligibility, and member type. Serves foster youth, caregivers, agencies, and case workers across all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
- iFoster TAY Assistant with Digital Locker Online personal assistant for transition-age youth (ages 16-24) that helps manage documents, find resources, apply for programs, track goals, and store important life documents in a secure, data-encrypted Digital Locker accessible from anywhere.
- iFoster Jobs Program Award-winning training, internship, and employment placement program offering two career pathways (Community Service Pathway as Peer Support Specialists and Community Health Pathway as Public Health Ambassadors) connecting transition-age foster youth with national and regional employer partners including Raley's, Ralph's, Food 4 Less, Starbucks, Kroger, CVS, and Weis Markets.
- Peers Paving the Path Peer support program pairing current and former foster youth (ages 16-26) with Medi-Cal Certified Peer Support Specialists to create personalized 90-day transition plans focused on stability, independence, and education/career goals, with connections to Enhanced Care Management services.
- ReMade in America 'For Us, By Us' circular-economy social enterprise that recycles unsold corporate clothing into free clothing kits for foster youth while hiring and training foster youth in supply chain, distribution, and retail skills.
- ReMade Dream Factory Workforce development facility at 1320 S Boyle Ave, Los Angeles where foster youth design and produce products (starting with ComFYie keychains), gaining marketable skills in product design, supply chain, digital marketing, and circular economy systems.
- Voice of the Foster Care Community Research and advocacy initiative that amplifies the voices of foster youth, caregivers, and professionals through annual surveys to drive system change and inform the Child First Model, with over 15,000 surveys completed since 2021.
- Life After Foster Care Podcast Podcast hosted by foster youth exploring real stories, challenges, and triumphs of navigating life after foster care, featuring firsthand experiences and resources for independence, available on Spotify and YouTube.
- Caregiver Training Series Training partnership with AARP providing four modules covering foster parent licensing, kinship caregiver relationships, child welfare system navigation, and iFoster resource access.
- 1 Laptop Program Program providing refurbished laptops with Microsoft Windows and Office to college-bound and in-college foster youth, addressing the digital divide affecting foster youth (less than 5% rural and 21% urban CA foster youth had computer access before the program).
- Guaranteed Income Program Program providing 18 months of monthly financial support to hundreds of foster youth to help cover essential expenses while working toward education, employment, and independence goals.
- iFoster Mobile App Fully integrated mobile app into the iFoster portal providing on-the-go access to resources, document storage, and program applications for members.
Quantifiable outcome
- 86% of members surveyed got the resources they needed
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use iFoster
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
iFoster technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
iFoster partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- MicrosoftcoreMicrosoft partnered with iFoster's 1 Laptop Program, providing 9,000 Windows and Office software licenses. Committed to providing more to support laptop distribution to college-bound foster youth. Program addressed digital divide with less than 5% rural and 21% urban CA foster youth having computer access.
- Raley's Family of Fine StorescoreMajor employer partner in iFoster Jobs Program. Raley's hires foster youth and has recognized them as 'fantastic employees who fit our culture well.' Mark Foley: 'Programs like iFoster partner with us to turn their talents into job success.'
- Ralph's and Food 4 LesscoreMajor employer partner with 'phenomenal partnership.' Kendra Doyel: 'The people who come to work for us through iFoster are ideal candidates and employees and have been a wonderful addition to our workforce.'
- Weis MarketssecondaryGrocery partner that raised $250,000 through round-up at register campaign to support local foster youth. Multi-state campaign benefiting iFoster Hope campaign.
- StarbuckscoreGift drive benefiting over 11,500 foster children. Major employer partner providing career opportunities for foster youth with benefits and tuition reimbursement.
- Aetna Better HealthcoreMedicaid managed care partnership (Aetna Better Health–iFoster Connections for Life program) with 10 contracts across CA, KS, KY, OH, MI, WV. Year-long study showed positive outcomes for foster youth members.
- Eisner HealthsecondaryHealthcare partner for Community Health Pathway where foster youth intern as Public Health Ambassadors at Eisner Health clinics across LA County. Pilot program in California.
- KrogercoreMajor grocery industry partner with national and regional operations providing job opportunities for foster youth through iFoster Jobs Program.
- CVScoreHealthcare/retail employer partner providing career opportunities for foster youth with benefits and advancement potential.
- Ticket to DreamsecondaryPartnered with iFoster and Microsoft to provide laptops to California foster youth. Part of coalition to provide laptop to every foster youth in California.
- Learn To BesecondaryNational nonprofit providing free one-on-one virtual tutoring for K-12 foster youth. Prioritizes iFoster member referrals. Provided almost 3,000 minutes of tutoring within months of launch.
- AARPsecondaryPartnership with AARP to create caregiver training modules covering foster parenting, kinship care, and navigating child welfare system. AARP Purpose Prize awarded to iFoster co-founder.
- AT&TsecondaryCorporate partner providing resources through iFoster portal. One of 302 companies offering products and services to the foster care community.
- Smiles Change LivessecondaryNon-profit partner providing orthodontic care access for foster youth. Part of 302 companies providing resources through iFoster portal.
- United WayssecondaryNational nonprofit partner providing resources and support to the foster care community through iFoster portal.
- AbenitycoreThird-party platform managing iFoster's member discount program. Provides unique login credentials for members to access exclusive discounts. iFoster pays fees for Abenity's services.
- CareerCruisingsecondaryCareer and college assessment platform helping youth assess aptitudes and career paths. Available to iFoster members.
- CUNY - Youth MattersecondaryPartner program (Youth Matter) supporting college-bound foster youth with resources and pathways to higher education.
- Fostering Youth College Success InitiativesecondaryProgram supporting foster youth in pursuing higher education with scholarships and resources.
- Working Advantage Discount ProgramsecondaryEmployee discount program partner available through iFoster member benefits.
Scale indicators20 records
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights6 records
iFoster competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- National Youth Advocate Program: National nonprofit providing direct services to youth and families, including foster care, behavioral health, and community-based programs. Comparable beneficiary population and direct-service delivery model across multiple states.
- National Foster Youth Institute: Foster-youth-led advocacy organization amplifying youth voices to drive policy reform in the child welfare system. Comparable peer-led, lived-experience-led model and audience, though focused on advocacy rather than direct resource provision.
- FosterClub: A peer-led national nonprofit for current and former foster youth, run largely by young people with lived experience. Closely comparable to iFoster in mission, audience (transition-age foster youth), and peer-led engagement model.
- Together We Rise: National nonprofit that provides tangible resources (beds, suitcases, school supplies) to children in foster care. Comparable to iFoster's resource portal and corporate-partnership-driven distribution of goods to the same beneficiary population.
- Foster America: Workforce-development intermediary focused exclusively on connecting young people from foster care to meaningful employment. Directly comparable to iFoster's Jobs Program, with similar employer-engagement and outcomes-measurement orientation.
- Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption: National foundation focused on foster care adoption and permanency outcomes for children in the U.S. child welfare system. Comparable mission scope and national reach, though focused on adoption pathways rather than resource and workforce provision.
- Ticket to Dream Foundation: National nonprofit partnering with corporations and child welfare agencies to deliver items, experiences, and services to foster youth. Direct peer to iFoster's portal model and corporate-channel partnerships (Ticket to Dream is already an iFoster partner).
Emerging players
- findhelp (formerly Aunt Bertha): A national social-care network connecting people to free and reduced-cost programs. Comparable as a digital resource-matching platform, though broader in scope (not foster-care-specific) and operates as a venture-backed technology company rather than a nonprofit.
Broad incumbents
- Casey Family Programs: The largest national operating foundation focused on child welfare, with significant programmatic work in foster care. Comparable audience and policy voice, but operates at a much larger scale and as a private foundation rather than a membership-driven platform.
- Jobs for the Future (JFF): National nonprofit driving workforce development and economic mobility for underserved populations, including opportunity youth. Comparable in its workforce-program orientation and employer partnerships, though broader in scope than foster-care-specific placement.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
iFoster social profiles
Digital presenceiFoster compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
iFoster financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
iFoster leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
iFoster funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
iFoster 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 iFoster
What does iFoster do?
iFoster operates a free, web-based portal platform that aggregates resources, opportunities, and support services for the foster care community. Its core offerings include a members-only resource portal spanning nine categories, the TAY Assistant with Digital Locker for secure document storage, the iFoster Jobs Program for employment placement, Peers Paving the Path peer support services, ReMade in America circular-economy clothing, and the Dream Factory workforce development facility.
Is iFoster a public or private company?
iFoster is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was iFoster founded?
iFoster was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is iFoster based?
iFoster is headquartered in Truckee, United States, in the North America region.
How does iFoster make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Philanthropic Donations are the primary driver. The others are foundation Grants, government Grants and corporate Partnerships.
Who are iFoster's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are National Youth Advocate Program, National Foster Youth Institute, FosterClub, Together We Rise, Foster America, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and Ticket to Dream Foundation. findhelp (formerly Aunt Bertha) is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Casey Family Programs and Jobs for the Future (JFF).
Does iFoster have an API?
No public API is recorded for iFoster.
What industry is iFoster in?
iFoster's product category is Foster Care and Child Welfare Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAHAJ, Childcare & Eldercare Caregiving Platforms. Its NAICS code is 561320 and its SIC code is 7361.