Down Syndrome Association of Houston

What Down Syndrome Association of Houston does

Down Syndrome Association of Houston (DSAH) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by a group of mothers seeking to create a dedicated resource center for Houston-area families at a time when little information existed about Down syndrome. The organization provides health, education, and advocacy resources to individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the broader community across the Greater Houston area, including Katy, Pearland, The Woodlands, and Baytown. It is led by Executive Director Michael Roberts, with a small permanent staff supplemented by a 14-member volunteer Board of Directors, and is supported by a credentialed bilingual psychologist who serves as Community Outreach Director.

DSAH's programmatic portfolio spans the full life course: the Congratulations! Program delivers free gift bags to parents of newborns with Down syndrome; Community Groups provide localized peer support; the Hear and Here program (launched 2026) offers bilingual one-on-one and small-group mental health sessions; Art of Inclusion delivers therapeutic art programming; DSAH United fields a soccer team and clinics that compete internationally; Club 21 provides social programming for teens and adults; and the Resource Center handles information and referrals to national and Texas-specific Down syndrome and IDD service organizations. Educational workshops cover IEP support, special needs planning, potty training, and Medicaid Waiver navigation. Underlying technology is minimal — a WordPress website with an events management plugin, Zoom for virtual sessions, and the PledgeIt platform for donations and membership — with no proprietary platform, AI capability, or app product.

Revenue mechanics rest on diversified nonprofit streams: direct individual donations and recurring membership pledges via PledgeIt, event-driven fundraising anchored by the annual Houston Buddy Walk (presented by Texas Children's in 2024 and The Katherine Ferruzzo Foundation in 2026), Official Charity Partner participation in the Chevron Houston Marathon Run for a Reason program, corporate sponsorships (including Back to School Bash support), and Spirit Nights with local businesses such as Howdy Homemade Ice Cream Katy (donating 15% of proceeds). The organization also maintains referral relationships with national Down syndrome and Texas IDD authorities (NDSS, Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network, The Harris Center, Gigi's Playhouse, The Arc of Texas). Credentialing is provided by GuideStar Gold Seal of Transparency and BBB Accredited Charity status.

Name

Down Syndrome Association of Houston

Legal name

Down Syndrome Association of Houston

Website

https://dsah.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Down Syndrome Association of Houston is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1974 that provides health, education, advocacy, mental health, and community programs for individuals with Down syndrome and their families across the Greater Houston area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Advocacy and Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

Keywords

• Disability advocacy services
• Special needs family support
• Developmental disability resources
• Nonprofit community programs
• Health education advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: DSAH raises funds through direct donations (online via PledgeIt charity portal), event fundraising, and corporate sponsorships tied to flagship events such as the Houston Buddy Walk and Chevron Marathon partnership.
2. Membership Dues: The organization offers a membership program (accessible via a charity pledge platform), providing family members and supporters a formal way to join and support DSAH with annual recurring dues.
3. Event Revenue and Fundraising: Revenue generated through event participation fees, fundraising pledges, and spirit-night partnerships where local businesses donate a percentage of proceeds (e.g., 15% from Howdy Homemade Ice Cream Katy).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Down Syndrome Association of Houston (DSAH) is a nonprofit charitable organization that provides health, education, and advocacy resources to individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the Greater Houston community. It delivers a coordinated suite of programs including newborn congratulatory gift bags, bilingual mental health support (Hear and Here), community support groups, therapeutic art and recreational soccer programs, educational workshops, and a resource center offering accurate information and timely referrals.

Product overview

Down Syndrome Association of Houston operates as a nonprofit organization offering a coordinated suite of support programs and services for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the Greater Houston community. The organization provides direct support through the Congratulations! Program for new parents, the Hear and Here mental health initiative, and local Community Groups that bring resources to families. Therapeutic programming includes the Art of Inclusion art program and DSAH United soccer team and clinics. Educational offerings consist of workshops on IEP support, special needs planning, and Medicaid Waivers. The DSAH Resource Center serves as the central hub for information and referrals, while Club 21 provides social activities for individuals aged 13 and older. The organization hosts annual signature events including the Houston Buddy Walk and various community picnics and gatherings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Congratulations! Program
• Hear and Here Program
• Community Groups
• Art of Inclusion Program
• DSAH United Soccer Team and Clinics
• DSAH Resource Center
• Educational Workshops
• Club 21

Quantifiable outcome

• DSAH has been serving the Greater Houston community continuously since 1974.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Katherine Ferruzzo FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Presenting sponsor of the 2026 Houston Buddy Walk. The Katherine Ferruzzo Foundation provides major event sponsorship enabling DSAH to host its flagship annual awareness and fundraising event at Shell Energy Stadium for a day of fun, food, and fellowship.
• Texas Children'scoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Presenting sponsor of the 2024 Houston Buddy Walk. Texas Children's Health Plan partnered with DSAH for the annual walk event and also for the Back to School Bash event, providing free backpacks to children in attendance.
• Chevron (Chevron Houston Marathon)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023DSAH is an Official Charity Partner of the Chevron Houston Marathon Run for a Reason Program. The partnership enables DSAH to recruit runners who fundraise in honor of the organization, with Chevron providing the marathon platform and charity partner status.
• Volunteer HoustonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDSAH is listed on the Volunteer Houston platform (volunteerhou.org) to recruit and manage volunteers who assist with office administration and community programs. All volunteers must pass a criminal background check.
• National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNDSS is the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome. DSAH links to NDSS as a primary resource for families and promotes NDSS programs and advocacy efforts.
• Down Syndrome Diagnosis NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network connects, supports, and provides accurate information to families with a diagnosis of Down syndrome. DSAH refers families to this organization as a primary resource.
• Texas Children's Hospital Down Syndrome ClinicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTexas Children's Down Syndrome Clinic provides services ensuring the healthy development of children with Down syndrome. DSAH refers families to this clinic as a key healthcare resource.
• The Center for PursuitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Center for Pursuit provides comprehensive services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including job training, medical care, residential services, day programs, dental care, and behavioral counseling. DSAH's new home is at the Center for Pursuit and hosts community gatherings and events there, including the Valentine's Party at 4400 Harrisburg Blvd.
• Bitty and Beau's Coffee (Houston)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBitty and Beau's, a coffee shop staffed by people with disabilities, serves as a venue for multiple DSAH events including Coffee & Conversation gatherings, Royal Tea Party, and Coffee Community Events. Provides inclusive community space.
• The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Harris Center offers programs and services for those living with IDD including respite care, case management, Home and Community-based Services, mental health, and drop-in programs for Harris County residents. DSAH refers families to this authority.
• Gigi's PlayhouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGigi's Playhouse offers free therapeutic and educational programs for all ages with Down syndrome, from prenatal diagnosis through adulthood. DSAH refers families to Gigi's Playhouse Houston and Sugar Land locations as a complementary resource.
• Howdy Homemade Ice Cream (Katy)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDSAH Spirit Night partner where 15% of proceeds from an evening are donated to DSAH, providing a community fundraising opportunity with a local business.
• The Arc of Texas and local chaptersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Arc of Texas promotes, protects, and advocates for the human rights of Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. DSAH refers families to Arc chapters in Harris County, Fort Bend County, Katy, Spring Branch-Memorial, and Beaumont.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Down Syndrome Society: National advocacy and resource organization for individuals with Down syndrome; DSAH directly links to NDSS as a primary family resource and promotes its advocacy work, making it the closest national-scale peer in mission and beneficiary population.
• GiGi's Playhouse: Operates free therapeutic, educational and social programs for individuals with Down syndrome from prenatal diagnosis through adulthood; DSAH refers members to GiGi's Playhouse Houston and Sugar Land locations, indicating overlapping programmatic offerings to the same Down syndrome population.
• Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network: Connects and supports families receiving a Down syndrome diagnosis with information and peer networks; DSAH refers new parents to DSDN as a primary resource, making it a near-identical peer in the family-support and newborn-diagnosis segment.
• Global Down Syndrome Foundation: National Down syndrome organization focused on research, medical care, advocacy, and education; comparable to DSAH in beneficiary population (individuals with Down syndrome) and in combining self-advocacy, family support, and healthcare navigation resources.
• National Association for Down Syndrome: Oldest organization in the U.S. serving individuals with Down syndrome, providing parent support, advocacy, and educational resources; structurally very similar to DSAH as a long-standing, regionally anchored Down syndrome support and advocacy nonprofit.

Broad incumbents

• The Arc of the United States: Largest national organization advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, of which Down syndrome is a subset; DSAH refers families to Arc chapters across Greater Houston, indicating overlapping but broader IDD-serving scope.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services including early intervention, therapy, and community programs for people with disabilities and special needs; broader than DSAH in disability categories but operationally analogous as a multi-service disability support nonprofit with local affiliates.

Regional players

• Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas: Regional Down syndrome association serving the Austin/Central Texas area with programs, advocacy, and family support; near-identical operating model to DSAH but in an adjacent Texas geography, making it the most directly comparable regional peer.
• The Arc of Texas: Texas state chapter of The Arc, providing IDD advocacy and services with local chapters across Texas including Harris County, Fort Bend, and Spring Branch-Memorial; comparable regional player serving the same Houston-area IDD population and competing for similar donor and volunteer support.
• Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City: Regional Down syndrome support organization serving the Kansas City metro with family support, education, advocacy, and social programs; operates the same 'community-based Down syndrome support guild' model as DSAH in a different U.S. region.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DSAHouston
• Facebookfacebook.com/DownSyndromeAssociationofHouston
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/down-sydrome-association-of-houston

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Down Syndrome Association of Houston