Texas Advocacy Project
Texas Advocacy Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1982 that provides free civil legal and social services to survivors of power-based abuse across Texas, serving 158 counties through a 46-person attorney-led staff and a 142-agency partner network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersTexas, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Texas Advocacy Project does
Texas Advocacy Project (TAP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal services organization founded in 1982 in Austin, Texas, providing free civil legal and social services to survivors of power-based abuse — dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, and human trafficking — across Texas. TAP positions itself as the only statewide organization of its kind, operating with 46 staff (39 full-time, 7 part-time, the majority being attorneys experienced in survivor law) and a formalized 142-agency partnership network spanning family violence centers, rape crisis centers, legal aid, medical partners, children's advocacy centers, human trafficking centers, colleges and universities, and coordinated community response groups. In 2024, TAP reached families in 158 of Texas's 254 counties, and in 2025 it closed 6,239 individual cases affecting 14,042 victims aged 12 to 86.
The service portfolio is anchored by the Hope Line (800-374-HOPE), a toll-free attorney-staffed legal advice line available Monday–Friday, paired with a 24/7 LegalServer-based online application portal for intake. Delivery channels combine phone-based advice, Assisted Pro Se (APS) document preparation, Virtual Legal Clinics (VLCs) operating since 2007 via online video technology that connects survivors at partner agency sites with attorneys anywhere in the state, Emergency Protective Order representation, Survivor Services (housing, mental health, Crime Victim's Compensation claims), Economic Abuse Services including the Allstate Foundation Financial Empowerment curriculum, and Impact Litigation for systemic advocacy. Multilingual self-help resources (English, Spanish, Vietnamese) and a Teachable-hosted online training portal extend the platform to judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, educators, military, and health care professionals through CEU/CLE-eligible training.
TAP's revenue model is donation- and grant-dependent, with no fees charged to clients. Funding sources include individual donations, the "Advocates for Hope" monthly sustaining giving circle, major donor gifts of $5,000 or more annually, and the annual Black & White Ball gala — which raised a record $1.272 million in 2025 — along with government and foundation grants from the Texas Access to Justice Foundation, Texas Bar Foundation, Office of the Texas Governor Criminal Justice Division, Texas Health and Human Services, OVC, Allstate Foundation, Moody Foundation, and MLB/MLBPA, among others. The organization maintains Charity Navigator four-star and GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency ratings, and is led by a six-person C-suite headed by CEO Heather Bellino, who has held the role since 2005.
Texas Advocacy Project firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Texas Advocacy Project
- Legal name
- Texas Advocacy Project
- Website
- https://texasadvocacyproject.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Texas Advocacy Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1982 that provides free civil legal and social services to survivors of power-based abuse across Texas, serving 158 counties through a 46-person attorney-led staff and a 142-agency partner network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Texas Advocacy Project industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Legal Services for Abuse Survivors
- NAICS
- Legal Services (5411), Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Human Rights Organizations (813311)
- SIC
- Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services (BPAGAEAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD), Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM)
Keywords
Where Texas Advocacy Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Texas
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Texas Advocacy Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: The organization relies on charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund operations. Donation options include general donations, tribute donations, and major donor gifts of $5,000 or more annually.
- Advocates for Hope Monthly Giving Program: Sustaining giving circle with monthly, quarterly, and annual membership options ($100/month, $300/quarter, $1,200/year) providing special recognition and updates to donors.
- Event Revenue: Annual Black & White Ball gala (raising $1.272 million in 2025), Handbags & Backpacks for Hope campaign, and other fundraising events.
- Government Grants: Funding from government agencies including Texas Access to Justice Foundation, Texas Bar Foundation, Office of the Texas Governor Criminal Justice Division, and Texas Health and Human Services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free Legal Services - All services provided at no cost |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Texas Advocacy Project product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Texas Advocacy Project provides free civil legal and social services to survivors of power-based abuse, including domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, and human trafficking across all 254 Texas counties. Core legal services include advice over the phone via the Hope Line, online intake, Emergency Protective Orders, Assisted Pro Se document preparation, Impact Litigation, Economic Abuse Services, Survivor Services, and Virtual Legal Clinics via video. The organization also delivers training and outreach to judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, educators, students, military, healthcare professionals, and the public.
Product overview
Texas Advocacy Project (TAP) is a nonprofit legal services organization offering a unified portfolio of free civil legal and social services for survivors of power-based abuse. The core offering centers on the Hope Line (toll-free legal phone line) paired with an Online Application System for intake, supplemented by Assisted Pro Se (APS) document preparation, Virtual Legal Clinics (VLC) via video, Emergency Protective Orders, Survivor Services, Economic Abuse Services, and Impact Litigation. These services are distributed across its main service delivery channels: phone-based advice, virtual clinics, and self-help document support. TAP complements its legal services with Training & Outreach Programs (in-person, virtual, and via its Teachable online portal), Pro Se Protective Order Packets (available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese), and awareness/engagement campaigns including Handbags & Backpacks for Hope and Teen Ambassadors of Hope. All services are provided free of charge to survivors across Texas.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Hope Line: Free legal help hotline at 800-374-HOPE providing legal advice and services to survivors of power-based abuse
- Handbags for Hope
- Backpacks for Hope
- Teen Ambassadors of Hope
- Advocates for Hope
- Black & White Ball
- Pro Bono Program
Products and services
- Hope Line A toll-free legal phone line (800-374-HOPE) staffed by attorneys providing legal advice, guidance, and referrals to survivors of power-based abuse. Available Monday through Friday 9am-5pm.
- Online Application System A 24/7 online intake portal allowing survivors to apply for free legal services at their convenience, with applications processed via LegalServer.
- Emergency Protective Orders (EPO) Legal representation and support for obtaining Emergency Protective Orders — court orders lasting 31-91 days that keep offenders away from victims, mandated in cases of serious bodily injury or display of a deadly weapon.
- Survivor Services Post-safety resources and connections including safety planning, shelter referrals, Crime Victim's Compensation claims assistance, housing solutions, and mental health referrals for survivors who have left abusive situations.
- Assisted Pro Se (APS) Free legal assistance helping survivors prepare self-representation legal documents for divorces, protective orders, modifications, and related matters, with support from staff at local family crisis centers.
- Impact Litigation Statewide coordinated legal efforts focused on removing barriers to justice for survivors, including improving access to protective order services, appellate advocacy, and institutional partnerships.
- Economic Abuse Services Free legal representation for child support enforcement and modification, domestic violence-related consumer law issues, and access to the Allstate Foundation's Financial Empowerment curriculum to achieve economic self-sufficiency.
- Virtual Legal Clinics (VLC) Free, confidential, face-to-face attorney consultations via online video technology for survivors at domestic violence shelters across Texas, available since 2007. Covers protective orders, divorce, child custody, property settlement, and related topics.
- Training & Outreach Programs Expert-led trainings (in-person and virtual) and webinars for partners, shelters, judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, educators, military, and healthcare professionals on recognizing, responding to, and preventing interpersonal violence. Includes CLEs and CEUs.
- Pro Bono Attorney Program Volunteer attorney program connecting pro bono lawyers with survivors, including Legal Line clinics, advice-only referrals, and full representation opportunities, with free CLEs and malpractice coverage.
Companies that use Texas Advocacy Project
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Texas Advocacy Project technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature2 records
Texas Advocacy Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.
- AccenturemajorCorporate sponsor and supporter of Texas Advocacy Project. Accenture serves as Survivor Sponsor for the Black & White Ball and has been a long-time supporter of TAP's mission to end power-based abuse in Texas.
- Attorney General of TexasmajorGovernment agency partner providing support for Texas Advocacy Project's mission to serve survivors of domestic violence and power-based abuse in Texas.
- Texas Health and Human ServicesmajorGovernment agency partner supporting Texas Advocacy Project's services for survivors across Texas.
- 142 Partner AgenciesmajorTAP has formalized partnerships with 142 agencies including family violence centers, rape crisis centers, legal aid organizations, medical partners, children's advocacy centers, human trafficking centers, social services agencies, colleges and universities, coordinated community response groups, and counseling centers across Texas.
- Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV)majorStatewide coalition member; TAP participates on TCFV's Public Policy Committee addressing the response to family violence in Texas and provides guidance on measures presented to the Texas Legislature.
- Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA)majorStatewide coalition member working to prevent sexual assault and support survivors.
- Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task ForcemajorTAP has a representative appointed to the Office of the Attorney General's Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force.
- Project Safe Expert PanelminorTAP is a member of the PROJECT SAFE Expert Panel born from Senate Bill 434 Task Force charged with addressing the relationship between domestic violence and child abuse and neglect.
- Austin Travis County Family Violence Task ForceminorLocal coordinated community response group addressing family violence in the Austin/Travis County area.
- Harris County Coordinated Domestic Violence CounselminorCoordinated community response group addressing domestic violence in Harris County, Texas.
- DaBellamajorTitle sponsor of the 2026 Black & White Ball annual fundraising gala.
- BiotemajorReception sponsor for the 2026 Black & White Ball annual fundraising gala.
- BMW of AustinminorAfterglow Party sponsor for the 2026 Black & White Ball.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights8 records
Texas Advocacy Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sanctuary for Families: New York-based nonprofit providing comprehensive civil legal and social services to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. Most direct comparable to TAP's legal aid + social services model for power-based abuse survivors, although operating in a different state.
- Family Violence Law Center: California-based nonprofit legal aid organization providing free legal services and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence, including protective orders, family law, and impact litigation. Closely comparable mission, services, and legal aid focus.
- Casa de Esperanza: National domestic violence nonprofit focused on Latinx communities with shelter, advocacy, and community-based services. Comparable peer in mission (DV survivor services) with overlapping bilingual service delivery model.
- The Network/La Red: Boston-based survivor-led nonprofit providing shelter, advocacy, and community organizing for LGBTQ+ and polyamorous survivors of domestic violence. Comparable as a niche legal/social services DV provider at sub-state scale.
Peers
- Women Against Abuse: Philadelphia-based nonprofit operating the largest domestic violence program in Pennsylvania, combining emergency shelter with civil legal services. Comparable as a comprehensive DV services provider with a legal aid component serving a regional population.
Regional players
- Texas Council on Family Violence: Texas statewide coalition of family violence programs. While a coalition rather than direct legal services provider, TCFV is a key peer in the Texas DV ecosystem and overlapping with TAP on policy and member agency relationships.
Broad incumbents
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): Largest national anti-sexual violence organization operating the National Sexual Assault Hotline. Comparable at the mission level for sexual assault survivor support, though RAINN is a much larger, hotline-focused national incumbent.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: National 24/7 crisis and information hotline for domestic violence survivors, operated by a separate national nonprofit. Comparable to TAP's Hope Line at a national scope, with overlapping donor bases and service populations.
Emerging players
- Break the Cycle: National nonprofit focused on ending teen dating violence through education and direct services to young people. Comparable as a peer serving overlapping populations (youth, DV survivors) but focused on a younger demographic segment than TAP.
- AEquitas: National nonprofit providing legal expertise, training, and resources to prosecutors and allied professionals on gender-based violence and human trafficking cases. Comparable as a peer serving the legal response ecosystem for power-based abuse, though oriented toward prosecutors rather than survivors directly.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Texas Advocacy Project social profiles
Digital presenceTexas Advocacy Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Texas Advocacy Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Texas Advocacy Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
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Texas Advocacy Project M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Texas Advocacy Project
What does Texas Advocacy Project do?
Texas Advocacy Project provides free civil legal and social services to survivors of power-based abuse, including domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, and human trafficking across all 254 Texas counties. Core legal services include advice over the phone via the Hope Line, online intake, Emergency Protective Orders, Assisted Pro Se document preparation, Impact Litigation, Economic Abuse Services, Survivor Services, and Virtual Legal Clinics via video. The organization also delivers training and outreach to judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, educators, students, military, healthcare professionals, and the public.
Is Texas Advocacy Project a public or private company?
Texas Advocacy Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Texas Advocacy Project founded?
Texas Advocacy Project was founded in 1982. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Texas Advocacy Project based?
Texas Advocacy Project is headquartered in Texas, United States, in the North America region.
How does Texas Advocacy Project make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are advocates for Hope Monthly Giving Program, event Revenue and government Grants.
Who are Texas Advocacy Project's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sanctuary for Families, Family Violence Law Center, Casa de Esperanza and The Network/La Red. Women Against Abuse is listed as a peer. Texas Council on Family Violence is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) and National Domestic Violence Hotline. Emerging players are Break the Cycle and AEquitas.
Does Texas Advocacy Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for Texas Advocacy Project.
What industry is Texas Advocacy Project in?
Texas Advocacy Project's product category is Legal Services for Abuse Survivors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAM, Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAD, Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services. Its NAICS code is 5411 and its SIC code is 8111.