I Rise FL

What I Rise FL does

I Rise FL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (legally I Rise Support Network) headquartered in Pinellas Park, Florida, that promotes economic and social justice for women who have survived human trafficking, domestic violence, and other forms of exploitation. Founded conceptually in 2014 by Kristen and formally launching its core program in 2020, the organization operates a four-week Workforce Development Program that pairs economic and therapeutic principles with wraparound case management and up to three years of post-graduation support, complemented by a Survivor Network for peer support and a Community Collaborative that convenes more than 30 anti-trafficking organizations in the Tampa Bay region.

Its core product surface comprises three direct-service programs (Workforce Development Program, Survivor Network, Community Collaborative), two forthcoming 2025 programs (Rising Leaders Network launching May 2025; Girl Rising launching June 2025), and a wholly-owned social enterprise subsidiary called I Rise Curated Gift Co. that produces seasonal curated gift boxes such as the 2025 Coastal Christmas Collection ($51.75 per unit). The organization also operates an e-commerce store on its Squarespace-hosted website selling fair trade apparel, drinkware, stationery, and accessories priced between $5 and $25 in partnership with MadeFree and Joyya. The technology stack is non-proprietary: website, donation page, social media (Instagram, Facebook), and email newsletters; there is no disclosed AI, API, or software product.

The business model is donation-led: tax-deductible contributions from individuals, foundations (Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, Pinellas Community Foundation), and corporate partners via the Business Collaborative, supplemented by one-time social enterprise and merchandise sales. Pricing follows a tiered donation-with-incentive structure ($5, $15, $25 tiers) plus unit-priced gift boxes. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the organization's own e-commerce storefront and through referrals from a regional network of anti-trafficking partners, with awareness built through community engagement and national and international conference presentations.

Name

I Rise FL

Legal name

I Rise Support Network

Website

https://irisefl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

I Rise FL is a Tampa Bay-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs the nation's first trauma-informed workforce development program for women survivors of trafficking, domestic violence, and exploitation, supported by donations, a survivor-led peer network, and a social enterprise (Curated Gift Co.).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Pinellas Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners supporting the workforce development program and survivor stipends.
2. Social Enterprise (I Rise Curated Gift Co.): E-commerce sales of curated gift boxes and fair trade merchandise including t-shirts, journals, glassware, and accessories. Creates employment for survivors and generates revenue while advancing mission.
3. Merchandise Store: Direct sales of branded merchandise including fair trade t-shirts ($25), handcrafted journals ($15), glass can ($15), glass mug ($15), car decals ($5), stickers ($5), and keychains ($5).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

I Rise FL delivers a four-week trauma-informed Workforce Development Program for survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and exploitation, complemented by wraparound case management and up to three years of post-graduation support. It also operates a Survivor Network (peer support), a Community Collaborative for systems change, and runs the I Rise Curated Gift Co. social enterprise that sells fair trade merchandise and seasonal gift boxes.

Product overview

I Rise FL operates as a nonprofit organization with multiple interconnected programs and social enterprises. The core offerings include the Workforce Development Program (4-week training with wraparound case management), Survivor Network (peer support), and Community Collaborative (systems-level initiatives). The organization runs a retail Store selling fair trade merchandise (apparel, accessories, drinkware, stationery) and a social enterprise called Curated Gift Co. that creates seasonal gift collections. Upcoming programs include Rising Leaders Network (professional development networking) and Girl Rising (financial literacy for adolescents). The product portfolio spans direct service programs, merchandise retail, and curated gift subscriptions, all focused on economic empowerment for survivors of violence and exploitation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• I Rise Curated Gift Co. A social enterprise that creates jobs for survivors of violence and exploitation and teaches employable skills to help survivors rebuild their lives and gain financial independence. Specializes in curated gift products including holiday gift boxes.

Products and services

• Workforce Development Program Four-week intensive training program for survivors of violence and exploitation that pairs economic and therapeutic principles, including wraparound case management services and transition support for up to three years.
• Survivor Network

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% of domestic violence cases involve financial abuse
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

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

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Movement.comminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMovement organization partner supporting anti-trafficking initiatives and survivor support.
• United Way PascocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing support and resources for survivor services and community programs.
• United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational community services organization supporting local survivor programs and resources.
• MadeFreeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for fair trade ethically sourced products. Provides handcrafted journals and other items that support a day of freedom from human trafficking, slavery and poverty.
• JoyyaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFair trade partner providing ethically sourced and handcrafted t-shirts made in India. Pays workers a livable wage and provides benefits and professional development opportunities.
• Business Collaborative MemberscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness owners and operators committed to investing in the future of workforce development graduates by providing employment and internship opportunities.
• 30+ Anti-Trafficking Organizations in Tampa BaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of collaborating organizations working to combat human trafficking in Tampa Bay through coordinated efforts and referrals.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• GEMS (Girls Educational & Mentoring Services): New York-based nonprofit serving survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking with education, mentoring, and workforce development programs. Directly comparable to I Rise FL in mission (survivor empowerment), population served (CSEC and trafficking survivors), and service mix (training plus long-term support).
• Thistle Farms: Nashville-based nonprofit social enterprise employing survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction through a manufacturing business (body care products) plus a residential program. Closely parallels I Rise FL's combination of workforce development, wraparound services, and a revenue-generating social enterprise (Curated Gift Co.) that employs survivors.
• Restore NYC: Anti-trafficking organization providing holistic long-term services to foreign-born survivors of sex trafficking in New York, including employment, education, and economic empowerment. Directly comparable to I Rise FL in workforce development focus and survivor-centered, wraparound service model.

Broad incumbents

• A21: Global anti-trafficking nonprofit operating across prevention, protection, and prosecution with survivor aftercare programs including economic empowerment. Significantly larger scale than I Rise FL but comparable in survivor-services mission and workforce development component.
• Polaris Project: One of the largest U.S. anti-trafficking organizations, operating the National Human Trafficking Hotline and systemic advocacy. While much broader in scope, Polaris runs survivor service programs that overlap with I Rise FL's trauma-informed survivor support and referral pathways.
• International Justice Mission: Large global organization focused on rescuing and restoring victims of slavery and trafficking with survivor aftercare that includes economic empowerment. Comparable in anti-trafficking mission and survivor restoration approach, though at vastly greater scale and with a global footprint.
• ECPAT-USA: U.S. member of the ECPAT network fighting child sex trafficking and exploitation through policy, education, and survivor advocacy. Comparable in anti-trafficking mission and education-based prevention, though focused more on policy and youth prevention than direct workforce development.

Emerging players

• Dress for Success: Global nonprofit providing workforce development services (interview preparation, professional clothing, networking) primarily to women facing economic disadvantage. Comparable in workforce development for women from vulnerable populations, though Dress for Success serves a broader population than trafficking survivors specifically.
• Women's Bean Project: Denver-based social enterprise employing women facing barriers to employment by teaching job readiness through a food manufacturing business. Comparable to I Rise FL's Curated Gift Co. as a workforce development social enterprise, though serving women reentering the workforce from poverty, homelessness, or justice involvement rather than trafficking specifically.

Others

• Free The Slaves: Frontline anti-slavery organization focused on liberation, rehabilitation, and advocacy for trafficking survivors globally. Comparable in anti-trafficking mission and survivor rehabilitation, though Free The Slaves emphasizes international community-level interventions over the U.S.-based workforce development niche I Rise FL occupies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/irise.florida
• Instagraminstagram.com/irisefl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/i-rise-fl

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 I Rise FL