What mRelief does

mRelief is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 that operates an end-to-end SNAP (food stamps) enrollment platform accessible via web browser, SMS text message (texting 'Food' to 74544), and voice. The organization's core technology reduces a typical 17-page, 90-minute SNAP application into a 10-question flow completable in under 5 minutes via text or under 15 minutes via the mobile-optimized web application. A randomized controlled trial conducted in Kentucky with Civis Analytics and the University of Utah validated that the platform drives a 27-percentage-point higher application completion rate (59% versus 32%) than standard state portals. The technology stack also includes the Johnnie CRM, which enables outreach workers at partner food banks and community organizations to assist clients remotely over the phone, and integrates with DoorDash-provided credit to reduce document submission costs by 25%.

The platform serves five primary beneficiary segments: low-income individuals and families, seniors and people with disabilities, working families and single parents, college students, and community-based intermediary organizations (food banks, nonprofits). Distribution occurs through three channels: a direct-to-consumer self-serve model (web and SMS), partner-mediated phone assistance, and embedded deployment across 89 university campuses via the Student Basic Needs Coalition. Geographic coverage spans all 53 SNAP-participating states and territories.

mRelief's business model is grant-funded: as a 501(c)(3), the service is free to end users and revenue is generated through foundation grants and charitable donations. Disclosed funding includes a $1.1 million grant from The Families & Workers Fund (March 2023), $175,000 from the CTIA Wireless Foundation (October 2021), and a $120,000 investment from Y Combinator (March 2016). The organization is led by Executive Director Brittany Jones, with Co-Founders Rose Afriyie and Genevieve Nielsen now serving in emeritus roles. State agency vendor relationships include the California Department of Social Services (where the first end-to-end text-based SNAP enrollment system was deployed) and the USDA. Since founding, mRelief reports serving 5.74 million individuals and unlocking $2.28 billion in SNAP benefits, with 718,037 people served and $227.3 million in benefits unlocked in 2024 alone.

Name

mRelief

Legal name

mRelief

Website

https://mrelief.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

mRelief is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a free web and SMS platform that helps low-income Americans screen for and enroll in SNAP food assistance, with a presence in all 53 states and territories and a partner network spanning food banks and 89 universities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Benefits Enrollment Software (SNAP/Food Stamps)

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Healthcare-Linked Social Benefits Administration (e.g., Medicaid/Means-Tested Health Coverage) (BPAIAKAH)

Keywords

• SNAP enrollment platform
• Benefits eligibility screening
• Social services technology
• SMS benefits chatbot
• Food assistance application

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grants and Donations (Nonprofit Revenue): As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, mRelief generates revenue through grants and charitable donations. Notable grants include $1.1 million from The Families & Workers Fund (March 2023) intended to unlock $100 million in SNAP benefits over a one-year period. Revenue is used to fund operations, technology development, and outreach activities rather than distributed as profit.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

mRelief is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a multi-channel SNAP (food stamps) enrollment platform combining a web-based eligibility screener, an SMS chatbot (text "Food" to 74544), and a simplified mobile SNAP application that compresses the typical 17-page government form into roughly 10 questions completed in under 15 minutes. The platform also includes "Johnnie," a CRM for community-based outreach workers, voice-based application support, and door-to-application integration with state SNAP agencies across all 53 participating states and territories.

Product overview

mRelief offers a unified, multi-channel SNAP enrollment platform designed to simplify access to food assistance benefits. The core offering consists of an eligibility screener (accessible via web or SMS by texting 'FOOD' to 74544) and a simplified application tool that reduces the typical 17-page SNAP application to 10 simple questions. The platform provides multiple access methods: a mobile-friendly web application, text messaging, and voice support. In select states, applicants can receive phone-based application assistance from trained community partners. The system is supported by Johnnie, a CRM platform for outreach workers, and integrates with DoorDash credit for document costs. The platform operates across all 53 SNAP-participating states and territories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SNAP Eligibility Screener Self-serve screening tool for low-income individuals that determines likely SNAP (food stamps) eligibility in approximately 3 minutes via web or SMS. Free to users and available across all 53 SNAP-participating states and territories.
• Mobile SNAP Application Tool Simplified, mobile-optimized SNAP application that reduces the standard 17-page form to roughly 10 plain-language questions, completable in under 15 minutes, with enhanced logic and dropdown formatting.
• Johnnie CRM Platform CRM platform that enables community-based outreach workers at food banks and partner nonprofits to manage client cases and provide phone-based SNAP application assistance remotely. Developed during COVID-19 and used by organizational partners.
• End-to-End SMS SNAP Enrollment System State-agency-deployed text-message enrollment system that allows SNAP applicants to complete the full eligibility screening and application process by SMS, without needing internet or a smartphone.

Quantifiable outcome

• 27% higher SNAP application completion rate (59% vs 32% for standard state portal)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Student Basic Needs CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023mRelief partners with the Student Basic Needs Coalition on the SNAP Into Action program, which has brought mRelief to 89 universities and colleges nationwide. The program educates students on SNAP eligibility and empowers them to apply through mRelief's simplified platform. Together, they have unlocked $770,486.64 in SNAP benefits for college students since July 2023. Partner institutions include West Virginia University, University of South Carolina, Howard University, and University of Alabama.
• Catholic Charities of Northeast KansasminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2022Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas partnered with mRelief to use its SNAP enrollment tools. After partnering, the organization saw a 200% increase in SNAP applications, specifically in rural communities, translating into more than 2,000 families in rural Kansas being provided with SNAP information.
• Greater Chicago Food DepositorycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 September 2019The Greater Chicago Food Depository partnered with mRelief to pilot a mobile application process allowing Cook County residents to apply for SNAP benefits directly from their phones. The partnership bridges the technology gap in social service infrastructure. The Food Depository works with the state to ensure applications are processed in a timely manner and provides the mailing and submission support needed for completed applications.
• DoorDashcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2019DoorDash has been a sponsor of mRelief's Filling Fridges Across America initiative since February 2019. DoorDash provides credit to SNAP applicants to cover the costs of required documents that must be submitted for SNAP enrollment. An analysis showed DoorDash credit reduces the costs of document submission by 25 percent. The pilot in San Francisco enabled scaling to California and Illinois.
• USDA (via data.gov)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019mRelief has been a vendor to the USDA, providing SNAP eligibility screening technology through a partnership listed on data.gov. The relationship gives mRelief access to state SNAP data and institutional credibility as a government technology partner.
• California Department of Social ServicescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2019mRelief is a vendor to the California Department of Social Services, deploying the first-ever end-to-end enrollment system for SNAP in the US — all over text messaging. This represents mRelief's most significant state government integration.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• findhelp (formerly Aunt Bertha): Largest US social-care network connecting people to public and private assistance programs, including SNAP, with statewide deployments for health systems and government agencies. Comparable to mRelief as a tech-enabled benefits and social-services navigation platform serving low-income Americans.
• Benefits Data Trust: Nonprofit that uses data and targeted outreach to enroll eligible individuals in public benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, LIHEAP). Comparable to mRelief in benefits-navigation focus, state agency partnerships, and evidence-driven enrollment outcomes.
• Code for America: A 501(c)(3) civic-tech nonprofit that builds digital services for safety-net programs, including integrated benefits applications (GetCalFresh, etc.) with state governments. Most direct comparable to mRelief in mission, nonprofit status, and state-level procurement of simplified SNAP/benefits enrollment tools.
• One Degree: Nonprofit operating a free online platform that helps low-income families find and access social services, including food assistance. Comparable in mission and target population to mRelief, with a similar emphasis on simplified resource discovery and benefits navigation.
• Single Stop: National nonprofit operating Benefits Hubs (often on community college and university campuses) that screen and apply students and families to SNAP, Medicaid, and other public benefits. Closely comparable to mRelief in targeting college students, low-income households, and a multi-channel screening and application model.

Emerging players

• WICShopper / Code for America WIC: Adjacent benefits-enrollment technology serving the WIC program (special supplemental nutrition for women, infants, children) through mobile apps and simplified enrollment. Comparable to mRelief in mission around nutrition-program access and simplified digital enrollment.
• Hunger Free America: National nonprofit that runs SNAP outreach and application assistance hotlines and tools for low-income individuals, with strong overlap to mRelief's SNAP enrollment mission and target user segments.
• Social Interest Solutions: Nonprofit technology organization that builds enrollment and eligibility tools (e.g., One-e-App) for health and social services used by state and county agencies. Comparable to mRelief in serving as a nonprofit benefits-tech vendor to government, though with a broader health-coverage focus.

Others

• Civis Analytics: Data science and technology firm that partnered with mRelief on the Kentucky RCT and serves public-sector and nonprofit clients. Comparable as an enabler / data partner supporting evidence generation for benefits enrollment interventions rather than as a direct consumer-facing competitor.

Broad incumbents

• 211 (United Way): Nationwide free, confidential service providing information and referral for essential services including food/SNAP assistance, operated by United Way. Comparable to mRelief in providing multi-channel (phone, web) access to social services, but as a broad incumbent rather than a specialized SNAP-enrollment tool.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mrelief_form
• Facebookfacebook.com/mRelief
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mrelief.com
• Instagraminstagram.com/m_relief

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

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 mRelief