What Compeer Buffalo does

Compeer Buffalo is a private nonprofit social-support organization headquartered in Buffalo, New York, that provides non-clinical mental health services through structured volunteer friendship matching. Founded in 1985 as part of a movement begun by Bernice "Bunny" Skirboll in Rochester in 1973, Compeer Buffalo serves approximately 2,000 individuals annually across Erie County, spanning youth (ages 6+), adults, older adults, veterans, and postpartum women. Its core products are One-to-One Mentoring (a one-year commitment between trained volunteers and clients), free Social Activities (group events such as game nights, art sessions, and outings), School-Based Mentoring in partnership with districts including Lake Shore, Maryvale, and Cheektowaga, CompeerCorps for veterans, a Phone Buddy interim-support program, and Peer Support Services staffed by Certified Peer Specialists. The organization also delivers Mental Health First Aid certification, Workplace Mental Wellness workshops, and Mental Health 101 sessions as paid education programs.

The underlying technology is intentionally minimal and human-centered: there is no proprietary platform, with operations supported by commodity tools including Zoom for virtual training delivery, Microsoft Forms for intake and registration, and a third-party mentor portal (mentorportal.net) for volunteer hour tracking. Client acquisition is community-led, relying on referrals from licensed mental health professionals, school counseling staff, and direct volunteer self-referral through the website. Compeer Buffalo has earned evidence-based designations including APA Best Practice recognition, listing in SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP), NQMS Approved Member status, a Presidential Recognition Award from HHS, and the George H. Bush Five Points of Light Award.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue stack combining charitable contributions (individual, corporate, foundation, IRA rollovers, stocks/securities, matching gifts), government grants (notably SAMHSA Mental Health Awareness Training Grants and a prior $2.175M OJJDP/SAMHSA award in 2018), fee-for-service mental health education ($3,000 per MHFA session, $500 per Workplace Mental Wellness workshop, $350 per Mental Health 101 session, plus per-diem instructor fees ranging $44–$220), and special-event fundraising (the annual Friendship in Golf Tournament with sponsor tiers from $200 to $5,000). Distribution is regional to Western New York, with the parent network extending to 40 affiliates across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K., and a base of roughly 4,000 volunteers globally.

Name

Compeer Buffalo

Legal name

Compeer Buffalo

Website

https://compeerbuffalo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Compeer Buffalo is a nonprofit social-support organization that matches trained volunteer friends with youth, adults, veterans, and older adults in Western New York experiencing mental health challenges, and delivers fee-based Mental Health First Aid training to workplaces and community groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Social Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (62419), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) & Public Behavioral Health Providers (HLAFACAI), Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) & Mental Health Programs (BPADAIAK)

Keywords

• Mental health mentoring
• Nonprofit social services
• Volunteer friendship programs
• Mental health education training
• School-based mentoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Buffalo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Compeer relies heavily on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund its operations and client services. The organization accepts online donations, checks, foundation and corporate gifts, matching gifts from employers, IRA charitable rollovers, and stocks/securities contributions.
2. Government Grants: Compeer receives federal funding including SAMHSA Mental Health Awareness Training Grants to provide free mental health education trainings for select populations.
3. Mental Health Education Training Fees: Fee-for-service mental health education programs including Mental Health First Aid certification courses, Workplace Mental Wellness workshops, and Mental Health 101 sessions for organizations and individuals.
4. Special Events and Fundraisers: Annual fundraising events such as the Friendship in Golf Tournament and other community events that generate sponsorship revenue and donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Compeer Buffalo delivers non-clinical mental health support through structured volunteer friendship matching, group social activities, school-based mentoring, and certified mental health education programs including Mental Health First Aid. Its services target youth, adults, older adults, veterans, and postpartum women living with mental health challenges across Erie County in Western New York.

Product overview

Compeer Buffalo is a non-profit mental health organization offering a portfolio of social support and mental health education programs. The core offerings include One-to-One Mentoring (matching trained volunteer friends with individuals experiencing mental health challenges), a Social Activities Program (free group events for clients), School-Based Mentoring (for middle and high school students), and Mental Health Education (Mental Health First Aid training, Workplace Mental Wellness, and Mental Health 101). Additional programs include CompeerCorps for veterans, Phone Buddy support, and Peer Support Services with Certified Peer Specialists. The organization serves youth, adults, older adults, veterans, and postpartum women across Erie County, operating as part of an international network of 40+ Compeer affiliates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• One-to-One Mentoring
• Social Activities Program
• School-Based Mentoring
• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
• Workplace Mental Wellness Workshop
• Mental Health 101
• CompeerCorps
• Phone Buddy Program
• Peer Support Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of Compeer clients strongly agree or agree that they like their Compeer friend
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• New EracoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Compeer's mental health mission and community programs.
• Eco-Serve Pest ServicescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that co-sponsored Compeer Rocks mental health awareness campaign. Participates in community outreach activities.
• Ingram MicrocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Compeer's community mental health programs.
• Richmond Vona LLCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner participating in Compeer Rocks campaign to support mental health awareness.
• Horizon Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in mental health services, collaborating on community mental health initiatives.
• ECMC (Erie County Medical Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing mental health services and referrals to Compeer programs.
• Brylin Behavioral Health SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBehavioral health partner collaborating on mental health services and community support.
• Chiavetta'scoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business partner co-sponsoring events including Pride Parade float and Friendship in Golf Tournament. Honored at Googie Butler Awards for community support.
• McCabe ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of Compeer Pride Parade float working with Chiavetta's.
• Sweet BuffalominorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business partner participating in Compeer Rocks mental health awareness campaign.
• Sweet Jenny'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business partner participating in Compeer Rocks mental health awareness campaign.
• WegmanscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Compeer's mental health mission and community programs.
• Buffalo BillscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional sports team partner supporting mental health awareness initiatives and community events.
• Buffalo SabrescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional hockey team partner supporting mental health awareness and community programs.
• FedExcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Compeer's operations and community programs.
• Best Self Behavioral HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBehavioral health partner collaborating on mental health services and referrals.
• Endeavor HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing mental health services coordination and referrals.
• Pendleton Creek Golf ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGolf venue hosting Compeer's annual Friendship in Golf Tournament fundraiser.
• Daemen UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner hosting Buffalo Bills viewing party and supporting mental health initiatives.
• Mental Health Association of WNYcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing mental health advocacy organization with shared mission and history with Compeer.
• Brady CorporationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Compeer's community mental health programs.
• Go Pink BuffalominorGTM or Marketing PartnerBreast cancer awareness organization with potential partnership on wellness initiatives.
• Danahy Real EstateminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReal estate partner supporting Compeer's community initiatives.
• Radah Baked GoodsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal bakery partner providing food donations for Compeer events.
• Rich's (Rich Products)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing support for Compeer events and programs.
• ToshibaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Compeer's technology and office needs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Emerging players

• Best Buddies International: Nonprofit creating one-to-one friendships and peer mentoring opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable to Compeer in one-to-one volunteer friendship matching model, though serving a different (IDD) primary population.
• Active Minds: Youth-and-young-adult mental health nonprofit building peer-to-peer awareness on campuses and schools. Comparable to Compeer's school-based mentoring and youth segments, with similar community-outreach and mental-health-literacy focus.
• Bring Change to Mind: Mental health nonprofit focused on ending stigma through peer-led conversation, storytelling, and school programs. Comparable to Compeer's school-based programming, peer support services, and community anti-stigma campaigns like Compeer Rocks.
• Hope for the Warriors: National nonprofit serving post-9/11 veterans and military families with peer support, mental health, and community reintegration programs. Directly comparable to CompeerCorps, Compeer's veteran-specific social activities and friendship program.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Large national youth-development nonprofit providing after-school programming, mentoring, and social-emotional support. Comparable in serving youth in school and community settings, but with a much broader youth-development remit rather than a mental-health-specific mission.
• Volunteers of America: Large national nonprofit providing housing, behavioral health, and community support services across many populations. Comparable in operating community-based mental health and social-support programs at scale, but with a much broader service portfolio.

Direct peers

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA): National peer-led organization providing support groups and peer resources for people living with mood disorders. Closely mirrors Compeer's peer support and group social activities model for adults with mental health conditions.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth mentoring nonprofit operating one-to-one volunteer mentoring programs for at-risk youth. Highly comparable to Compeer's school-based and youth mentoring programs in model (volunteer-driven, mentor matching), referral mechanics, and target population.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Largest U.S. grassroots mental health organization providing peer-led support groups, education, and advocacy. Directly comparable to Compeer's peer support services, MHFA-adjacent education offerings, and community-based mental health mission.
• Mental Health America (MHA): National community-based nonprofit focused on mental health education, screening, advocacy, and peer support. Comparable to Compeer in mission (reducing isolation, mental health literacy) and programming (education, peer-driven support).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CompeerBuffalo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClMN7rgWiCP12icKb90h76A
• Facebookfacebook.com/CompeerBuffalo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/compeerofgreaterbuffalo
• Instagraminstagram.com/compeerbuffalo

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

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 Compeer Buffalo