The Fostering Collective

What The Fostering Collective does

The Fostering Collective (legally East Texas Orphan Care Network Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Tyler, Texas, that recruits, equips, and supports foster, adoptive, and kinship families in East Texas. Its core service is a community-based support ecosystem that combines recruitment guidance, ongoing family support, and tangible resources. Core offerings include community support groups (Mom Collective, Dad Collective, Family Collective, Kinship Collective), a Family Resource Center with a virtual resource library and three Collective Closets (Tyler, Mount Pleasant, Henderson), trauma-informed parent coaching using Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) methodology, certified babysitter training (recognized by 14+ child-placing agencies and providing up to 72 hours of respite), a church engagement program with TBRI training, and the Heart Gallery East Texas adoption matching program. Sensory areas at the physical locations were co-developed with the University of Texas at Tyler Occupational Therapy Master's Program.

The organization generates revenue primarily through donations and charitable contributions from individuals, churches, and community organizations, supplemented by United Way funding from Smith and Rusk counties, small event registration fees ($10 babysitter training, $35-$50 trauma workshops, $20 community events), and church/corporate partnership sponsorships. Its go-to-market approach is community-led and channel-partner-driven: 40+ church partners across East Texas serve as referral and event-hosting nodes, while 14+ child-placing agencies (Arrow, Buckner, Azleway, Bair, Methodist Children's Home, Upbring, TFI, and others) provide reciprocal certification and referral arrangements. The organization holds ECFA accreditation, EIG Certified Transparent status, and membership in the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), and is governed by a board of directors that includes agency supervisors, pastors, attorneys, and licensed counselors.

Name

The Fostering Collective

Legal name

East Texas Orphan Care Network Inc.

Website

https://thefosteringcollective.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Fostering Collective is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit in East Texas that recruits, trains, and supports foster, adoptive, and kinship families through community groups, trauma-informed coaching, resource closets, and a network of 40+ church and 14+ child-placing agency partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Foster Care Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (624110), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parent Support Groups & Peer Networks (EDACALAG), Family & Parent Support Services (Parent Coaching, Advocacy) (EDAJALAK)

Keywords

• Foster care services
• Adoption support
• Trauma-informed care
• Family support services
• Child welfare services

Headquarters

HQ city

Tyler

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501c3 nonprofit organization (East Texas Orphan Care Network Inc.), The Fostering Collective relies primarily on donations from individuals, churches, and community organizations. The website prominently features a donate button.
2. Event Registration Fees: Small registration fees for events such as babysitter training ($10), trauma training workshops ($35-$50), and community events like Splash Kingdom ($20 per person).
3. Church and Corporate Partnerships: Support from church partners and companies wanting to help support foster families, including volunteer programs and financial sponsorship.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Fostering Collective recruits, equips, and supports Christ-centered foster, adoptive, and kinship families in East Texas through a comprehensive ecosystem of services. Core offerings include Foster and Adoption Support Services guiding families through licensure, Community Collectives (Mom, Dad, Family, Kinship) for ongoing peer support, trauma-informed parent coaching using TBRI methodology, Certified Babysitter Training (up to 72 hours respite), Family Resource Center with Collective Closets and sensory areas, Church Engagement Program with TBRI training, and Heart Gallery East Texas adoption advocacy.

Product overview

The Fostering Collective is a faith-based nonprofit organization in East Texas offering a comprehensive ecosystem of foster care support services. The organization operates as a unified service platform rather than a single product, providing multiple interconnected programs including: community support groups (Mom, Dad, Family, and Kinship Collectives), a Family Resource Center with virtual library and donation closet, trauma-informed parent coaching, certified babysitter training for foster families, church engagement with TBRI training, Heart Gallery East Texas adoption services, and event programming. These services work together to recruit, equip, and support Christ-centered families to help children in foster care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 60% of foster families quit after first year due to lack of support - The Fostering Collective addresses this through retention programs
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• South Spring Baptist ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey church partner actively involved in supporting foster and adoptive families. Members Joel and Amanda Byers serve in leadership; Lead Pastor Joel Byers helps families take next steps in foster/adoption process.
• Green Acres Baptist ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-campus church partner hosting regular events including Dad Collective gatherings and Lake Day at their Retreat Center at Lake Tyler. Brett Cavett serves on The Fostering Collective board as Treasurer.
• Grace Community ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-campus church partner with members Matt and Jennie Ravanesi (Fostering Collective Engagement Director) serving as active members. Hosts Mom Collective events.
• Antioch Baptist, Beall Chapel, Bethel Bible, Bullard Southern, Central Baptist Jacksonville, Central Tyler, Crossroads Community, FBC Henderson, FBC Liberty City, FBC Marshall, FBC Mt. Pleasant, FBC Palestine, FBC Swan, FBC Tyler, Flint Baptist, Gladewater Baptist Mt. Pleasant, Lakeside Baptist, Lakeside Baptist Elkhart, Lanes Chapel, Life Church Tyler, Living Acts Church, New Beginnings Longview, New Covenant, One Nation Church, Pleasant Hill, Pollard Methodist, Rock Hill, Soma, Southside Palestine, Sylvania Church, The Branch Community, The Woods Baptist, Trinity Lutheran, Tyler Christian Fellowship, Tyler Presbyterian, Westwood Baptist, Whitehouse First AssemblymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner40+ church partners across East Texas providing community support, referrals, event hosting, and volunteer resources for foster/adoptive families.
• Arrow Child and Family MinistriescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChild-placing agency partner; families can receive babysitter certification through The Fostering Collective that is recognized by Arrow.
• Buckner Child and Family ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor child-placing agency partner; Elisabeth Sabella serves on The Fostering Collective board while also working as supervisor at Buckner.
• AzlewaymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChild-placing agency partner serving East Texas communities; participating in babysitter certification program.
• The Bair FoundationmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChild-placing agency partner participating in The Fostering Collective's babysitter certification training.
• Methodist Children's HomemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChild-placing agency partner; participating in babysitter certification program with dedicated contact BrieAnna Vine.
• Christian HomesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChild-placing agency partner participating in babysitter certification and family support programs.
• Compass ConnectionsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChild-placing agency partner participating in The Fostering Collective's family support ecosystem.
• Grace ManormajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChild-placing agency partner participating in babysitter certification program.
• UpbringmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChild-placing agency partner; participates in The Fostering Collective's family support network.
• TFI FamilymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChild-placing agency partner participating in The Fostering Collective's family support ecosystem.
• A World For ChildrenmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChild-placing agency partner.
• Noble CSmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFoster home development partner participating in babysitter certification program.
• Children's VillageminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChild-placing agency partner serving Tyler area.
• TBHCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgency partner participating in babysitter certification program.
• University of Texas at Tyler Occupational Therapy Master's ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership to develop sensory areas for families; collaborated on creating the sensory space at the Family Resource Center.
• Heart Gallery East TexascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram helping children in foster care find forever families through professional photography and community events. Gillian Sheridan serves as Heart Gallery East Texas Director.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Forgotten Initiative: Faith-based organization that mobilizes churches to support foster families and children in care through coordinated volunteer programs and wrap-around services. Direct peer in church-engagement and family support model.
• Promise686: Faith-based nonprofit that mobilizes churches to support foster and adoptive families with a wrap-around care model very similar to The Fostering Collective, including trauma-informed training, community groups, and church engagement. Direct comparable in mission and operating model.
• Show Hope: Christian nonprofit providing financial grants, care, and pre- and post-adoptive support for families and waiting children. Comparable in faith-based family support, but more focused on adoption grants versus The Collective's retention/community focus.
• Safe Families for Children: Faith-rooted nonprofit providing volunteer host families and wrap-around support to families in crisis, including those involved with the child welfare system. Operates a comparable support-ecosystem model with church networks and family support services.
• FaithBridge Foster Care: Faith-based organization equipping churches to engage in foster care through wrap-around family support, training, and partnerships with public agencies. Highly comparable in the church-mobilization model and trauma-informed care positioning.
• Embrace Texas (TX Initiative): Texas-based faith-rooted initiative connecting churches with child welfare to support foster families and prevent child removal. Comparable operating geography and church-mobilization approach.

Emerging players

• Chosen. Adoption: Adoption and foster care ministry offering financial assistance, counseling, and family support with a faith-based lens. Partial overlap on family support but distinct financial-assistance focus.
• Lifeline Children's Services: Christ-centered child-placing agency providing pregnancy services, foster care, and adoption support alongside family support programming. Comparable faith-based positioning and family services breadth.

Others

• Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO): Umbrella membership organization supporting and convening Christian orphan-care ministries globally; The Fostering Collective is itself a CAFO member. Enables rather than competes with the Collective's mission.

Broad incumbents

• Bethany Christian Services: Large faith-rooted child-placing agency and family support organization offering foster care, adoption, and refugee services across the U.S. Operates a much broader portfolio but overlaps on trauma-informed family services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/thefosteringcollective
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-fostering-collective

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 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 The Fostering Collective