What Child Poverty Action Lab does

Child Poverty Action Lab (CPAL) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Its mission is to reduce Dallas's child poverty rate — currently affecting 1 in 5 children — by 50% within a single generation, using data-driven approaches across seven "Big Bets": Benefits Delivery, Maternal Health, Housing, Safety and Criminal Justice, Strong Neighborhoods, Early Development, and Economic Connectedness. CPAL operates as what it describes as an "unofficial R&D department for Dallas," producing research, data tools, and direct-service pilots that feed public agency and community partner decision-making.

CPAL's core technology stack is a data integration and analytics platform oriented around Dallas-specific poverty indicators. Its principal products include the North Texas Eviction Project (a real-time eviction filing data portal for Dallas County, used by the Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center to identify filings as they are submitted) and the Dallas Homestead Exemption Map (an interactive tool tracking utilization by neighborhood, census tract, and ZIP code). Annual research outputs include the Rental Housing Needs Assessment (now in its 2025 edition, documenting a 46,000-unit shortage of affordable rental homes for households at or below 50% AMI) and an Evictions in Dallas County report. Direct-service products include the Trust Her mobile clinic, launched with Parkland Health Foundation to provide same-day family planning to Dallas College students, and the North Texas Maternal Health Accelerator, a $25 million initiative coordinated by CPAL with TCU, UT Southwestern, Parkland, and other partners to reduce severe obstetric complications by more than 20% over three years.

The business model is philanthropic: CPAL derives 100% of its funding from individuals, corporations, and foundations, with named supporters including Blue Meridian, The Dallas Foundation, Communities Foundation of Texas (via the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Fund), DRK Foundation, and the George and Fay Young Foundation. CPAL has no paying customers and does not charge for its services or data tools. Its go-to-market is community-led: it engages in 1,500+ annual conversations with residents and front-line workers, coordinates a coalition of CEOs from Dallas's ten largest public agencies representing more than $10 billion in combined operating budget, and operates through a network of 100+ partner organizations including Dallas County, City of Dallas, Dallas ISD, DART, Parkland Health, Dallas Housing Authority, Dallas College, Dallas Police Department, Workforce Solutions, and major community nonprofits and foundations.

Name

Child Poverty Action Lab

Legal name

Child Poverty Action Lab

Website

https://childpovertyactionlab.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Child Poverty Action Lab is a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018 that uses data analytics, public agency partnerships, and community programs to cut Dallas's child poverty rate by 50% within a generation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Impact Research and Advocacy

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Child Protection & Child Rights (BPAGABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Maternal, Child & Family Health Departments (HLAJAAAK)

Keywords

• Child poverty research
• Affordable housing analysis
• Eviction data tracking
• Nonprofit data analytics
• Maternal health programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Donations: CPAL is an independent 501(c)(3) entity that relies 100% on generous support of individuals, corporations, and philanthropic foundations to fund its mission of reducing child poverty in Dallas

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Child Poverty Action Lab (CPAL) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces research reports, interactive data tools, and community programs aimed at reducing child poverty in Dallas. Its deliverables include the Annual Rental Housing Needs Assessment, the Evictions in Dallas County report, the North Texas Eviction Project data portal, the Dallas Homestead Exemption Map, and coordinated initiatives such as the Trust Her Mobile Clinic and the North Texas Maternal Health Accelerator. CPAL convenes CEOs of Dallas's largest public agencies (representing over $10B in operating budget) and 100+ partner organizations to align data-driven strategies across housing, maternal health, benefits delivery, safety, early development, and economic connectedness.

Product overview

CPAL operates as a research and data organization (501(c)(3) entity founded in 2018) focused on reducing child poverty in Dallas. The organization produces research reports (Rental Housing Needs Assessment, Evictions in Dallas County, Homestead Exemptions report), data tools (Dallas Homestead Exemption Map, North Texas Eviction Project portal), and community programs (Trust Her mobile clinic, Maternal Health Accelerator). The portfolio includes no software product or platform in the traditional sense—the organization functions as an R&D department for Dallas, integrating data into public systems and community programs to break cycles of intergenerational poverty.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 2025 Rental Housing Needs Assessment Annual research report that quantifies rental housing affordability, supply gaps, and opportunity metrics for low-income households in the City of Dallas. Targeted at policymakers, public agencies, and community organizations working on housing.
• 2024 Evictions in Dallas County Report Research report analyzing eviction filings, outcomes, and displacement in Dallas County. Aimed at legal aid groups, housing advocates, public agencies, and researchers.
• An Underutilized Housing Affordability Tool: Homestead Exemptions Research report quantifying homestead exemption uptake gaps and potential tax savings for Dallas County homeowners. For policymakers, housing advocates, and residents.
• Dallas Homestead Exemption Map Interactive public web map tool visualizing homestead exemption utilization by neighborhood, census tract, and ZIP code in Dallas County. Used by residents, researchers, and public agencies.
• North Texas Eviction Project Online data portal providing real-time eviction filing data for Dallas County. Used by legal aid providers (e.g., Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center), housing advocates, and researchers to identify and respond to filings proactively.
• Housing Remediation as an Effective Intervention for Pediatric Asthma Issue brief describing the impact of pediatric asthma in Dallas and how home repair can improve outcomes and economic mobility for children. For health systems, housing advocates, and public agencies.
• Trust Her Mobile Clinic Mobile clinic program, launched with Parkland Health, providing same-day access to birth control and family planning for Dallas College students regardless of ability to pay.
• North Texas Maternal Health Accelerator $25M multi-organization initiative coordinated by CPAL in partnership with TCU, UT Southwestern, Parkland Health, and other collaborators to reduce maternal morbidity and preterm birth across North Texas.

Quantifiable outcome

• Identified 8,500 student parents supporting 25,000+ children through Dallas College partnership
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• North Texas Maternal Health Accelerator (MHA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024CPAL coordinates the MHA initiative involving TCU Burnett School of Medicine, UT Southwestern, Parkland Health, Health My Resources of Tarrant County, and Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation. 11 philanthropies committed nearly $25 million to address maternal morbidity and preterm birth rates. Goal: reduce severe obstetric complications by more than 20% over three years.
• Dallas CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed by County Judge Clay Jenkins, Dallas County is part of CPAL's coalition of public agency CEOs who meet regularly to coordinate poverty reduction strategies. CPAL provides data and insights at the center of strategy conversations for agencies representing over $10 billion in operating budget.
• City of DallascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert represents the City of Dallas in CPAL's public agency CEO coalition. The city is a key partner in CPAL's data-driven approach to addressing child poverty and housing affordability.
• Dallas Independent School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuperintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde leads Dallas ISD's participation in CPAL's collaborative approach. Dallas ISD is key to early development interventions and identifying student families in need of support.
• Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresident & CEO Nadine Lee represents DART in CPAL's CEO coalition. DART plays a role in economic connectedness by providing transportation access to jobs and services for low-income families.
• Dallas County District AttorneycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistrict Attorney John Creuzot participates in CPAL's public agency CEO coalition, bringing the criminal justice perspective to coordinated poverty reduction efforts.
• Dallas Housing AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Troy Broussard represents the Dallas Housing Authority in CPAL's coalition. The authority is central to housing interventions and addressing the 46,000-unit affordable housing shortage.
• Parkland Health & Hospital SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresident & CEO Dr. Frederick Cerise leads Parkland's participation in CPAL's CEO coalition. Parkland is a key partner in maternal health initiatives including the North Texas Maternal Health Accelerator.
• Dallas CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChancellor Dr. Justin Lonon represents Dallas College in the CPAL coalition. CPAL helped identify 8,500 student parents supporting 25,000+ children, connecting them with benefits and wraparound services.
• Dallas Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChief Eddie Garcia represents DPD in CPAL's coalition. The department is involved in safety and criminal justice initiatives, including data-driven approaches to reducing crime in high-risk neighborhoods.
• Workforce Solutions of Greater DallascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterim President Ashlee Verner leads the workforce development agency's participation in CPAL's coalition, supporting economic mobility and employment opportunities for families.
• Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center (DEAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPAL provides real-time eviction filing data that DEAC uses to identify filings as soon as submitted, proactively reach out to tenants, and prepare legal defenses before court. DEAC provides legal defense for every tenant, in every court, every day.
• Forest ForwardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization working with CPAL on neighborhood revitalization and economic mobility initiatives.
• Jubilee ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization partner collaborating with CPAL on neighborhood-based poverty reduction efforts.
• CommitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner organization supporting CPAL's collaborative approach to addressing community challenges.
• Big ThoughtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner working with CPAL on early development and youth programming initiatives.
• Texas 2036coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolicy and research partner aligned with CPAL's long-term goals for Texas, focusing on data-driven decision making.
• FraziercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity development partner collaborating with CPAL on neighborhood transformation initiatives.
• Builders of HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing-focused partner working with CPAL on neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing solutions.
• Better BlockcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity development organization partner collaborating on place-based interventions and neighborhood transformation.
• WIC Greater DallascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNutrition program partner working with CPAL on maternal and early childhood health initiatives.
• The Education Redesign LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational research partner providing expertise on early development and education interventions.
• Dallas Regional ChambercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional business organization partner supporting economic mobility and workforce development initiatives.
• TreccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate research partner providing data and expertise on housing market conditions.
• IDEO.orgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHuman-centered design partner providing expertise on program design and innovation methodology.
• Tenison Women's Health Center Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner supporting maternal health initiatives and women's health services.
• United to LearncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation-focused partner working on early learning and student success initiatives.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Harlem Children's Zone: Comprehensive child poverty intervention in Central Harlem combining in-house schools, social services, and community programs. Comparable comprehensive multi-issue approach to breaking intergenerational poverty, though delivered through direct service rather than data and convening.
• StriveTogether: National cradle-to-career collective impact network supporting local partnerships that use shared data and outcomes tracking to improve outcomes for children from cradle to career. Highly comparable to CPAL's data-driven coalition approach, though operating across many cities rather than concentrating in one.
• Robin Hood Foundation: One of the largest US antipoverty foundations, focused on New York City children and families through evidence-based grantmaking and operating programs. Comparable philanthropic + data + measurable-outcomes orientation and child-poverty mission, though structured as a foundation rather than an action-oriented nonprofit.
• Code for America: Nonprofit that builds digital tools and technology solutions for government services, particularly for low-income Americans. Comparable approach of using data and technology to improve public systems serving low-income populations, though focused on benefits access and criminal justice rather than child poverty specifically.
• Children's Defense Fund: National child advocacy organization focused on child poverty, education, health, and welfare policy. Comparable child-centered anti-poverty mission, though operates primarily through federal-level policy advocacy rather than city-level coalition convening and data infrastructure.
• Family Independence Initiative: National nonprofit that works directly with families in poverty to scale upward mobility, using data-driven approaches and peer learning. Comparable data-driven antipoverty methodology and family-level intervention focus, though relies on direct family engagement rather than public-agency convening.

Broad incumbents

• Urban Institute: Major Washington-based social and economic policy research organization that studies poverty, housing, education, and social programs. Comparable research and data orientation, but operates nationally as a think tank rather than as a city-level action organization with coalition convening authority.
• Annie E. Casey Foundation: Major national foundation focused on child welfare, foster care, education, and economic mobility for children and families in the US. Comparable child welfare and economic mobility mission, but operates at national scale through grantmaking rather than through direct local action and coalition convening.

Emerging players

• PolicyLink: National research and action institute advancing racial and economic equity through policy change, place-based initiatives, and data infrastructure. Comparable research + advocacy + equity orientation on poverty, though focused at national policy level rather than city-level coalition coordination.
• Opportunity Insights: Harvard-based research institute led by Raj Chetty studying economic mobility and the geography of opportunity using large-scale administrative data. Comparable research orientation and data-driven analysis of poverty and mobility, though academic rather than action-oriented and not focused on convening.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/child-poverty-action-lab-cpal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Child Poverty Action Lab