The Blue Bench
The Blue Bench is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1983 providing comprehensive sexual assault prevention and survivor support services — crisis intervention, therapy, case management, and community education — across nine Colorado counties, with all client services delivered free of charge.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersDenver, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Blue Bench does
The Blue Bench is a Denver, Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1983 as the Rape Assistance and Awareness Program (RAAP) and rebranded under its current name in 2017. It operates as Metro Denver's only comprehensive sexual assault prevention and survivor support center, serving a 9-county region that includes Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Douglas, Elbert, Gilpin, Jefferson, and Lincoln Counties. The organization delivers services free of charge, with no insurance billing, and has reached nearly 500,000 survivors, loved ones, and community members since inception.
The organization's service continuum comprises four core client service lines — 24/7 crisis intervention (phone hotline, online chat via RAINN partnership, and RELAY Colorado for deaf/hard of hearing), case management and advocacy, trauma-specific individual and group therapy offered in English and Spanish, and community education through a portfolio of prevention curricula (Knowledge is Power, Let's Talk About It, Safe Bars, SHIELD, Uniting in Action, and Youth Empowerment and Safety/YES). Underlying methodology is trauma-informed care and evidence-based prevention education endorsed by the CDC and NISVS and approved by the Denver Public Schools Community Partnership Program. The technology footprint is intentionally lean: a website with Recite Me accessibility/translation (100+ languages), online chat routed through RAINN, and standard telephonic service delivery. The organization runs an 11-50 person staff and operates a network of cause-marketing partnerships across bars, restaurants, cannabis dispensaries, and corporate sponsors (e.g., Alpine Bank, Cobalt, 40 West Arts, Simply Pure, Native Roots).
The business model is purely philanthropic. Revenue streams include individual tax-deductible donations, corporate sponsorships and event underwriting (Change on Tap, RISE Survivor Art Show, Cannabis for Consent), in-kind and stock donations, pro-bono professional services, community partner events, and institutional grants — historically including federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding and Caring for Denver Foundation grants (2022 and 2025-11-24). 2025 service output included 1,889 crisis line contacts, 137 individual therapy clients, 150 case management clients, and 769 community prevention-program participants across 70+ hours of programming. The organization is currently operating through a material headwind: a 35% federal funding cut in 2025 reduced the therapy team from six therapists to one, prompting a leadership transition (Megan Carvajal to interim Executive Director Michelle Wiley to current Executive Director Karmen Carter) and an intensified pivot toward local foundation grants, corporate partnerships, and accessibility expansions such as the Rose Andom Center co-location and Recite Me integration.
The Blue Bench firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Blue Bench
- Legal name
- The Blue Bench
- Website
- https://thebluebench.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Blue Bench is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1983 providing comprehensive sexual assault prevention and survivor support services — crisis intervention, therapy, case management, and community education — across nine Colorado counties, with all client services delivered free of charge.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Blue Bench industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Support Services
- NAICS
- Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Assistance (624)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Legal Aid) (BPADADAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Crisis Response & Threat Assessment (Suicide Prevention, Violence Prevention) (EDAJAIAH), Behavioral Health & MTSS/RTI Tiered SEL Supports (EDAKAMAE)
Keywords
Where The Blue Bench is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denver
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Blue Bench business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting sexual assault prevention and survivor services. Various giving levels from $100 to $5,000 supporting specific services.
- Corporate Sponsorships & Partnerships: Sponsorships from businesses for events like Change on Tap (bars/restaurants), Cannabis For Consent (dispensaries), and RISE Survivor Art Show (Alpine Bank, Cobalt, 40 West Arts).
- Community Partner Events: Third-party events hosted on behalf of The Blue Bench to raise funds and awareness.
- In-Kind Donations: Accepts item donations for silent auctions and day-to-day office needs via Amazon Wishlist.
- Stock Donations: Donors can give stock directly, potentially providing 20% more value than cash after capital gains considerations.
- Pro-Bono Skills: Professional services donated by individuals with specialized skills.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Blue Bench product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Blue Bench provides a continuum of sexual assault prevention and survivor support services across the Denver metro area, including a 24/7 crisis hotline, online chat (via RAINN), hospital advocacy, trauma-informed individual and group therapy in English and Spanish, case management, and resource navigation. It also delivers evidence-based community prevention education programming for schools, youth organizations, bars and restaurants, cannabis businesses, and workplaces. All direct client services are offered at no cost and are not billed to insurance.
Product overview
The Blue Bench is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of sexual assault prevention and survivor support services in the Denver metro area. The organization provides a continuum of care centered around crisis intervention (24/7 hotline, online chat via RAINN, and relay services for deaf/hard of hearing individuals), case management for advocacy support, and trauma-specific therapy services (individual and group) available in English and Spanish. Complementing client services, The Blue Bench delivers community education through multiple prevention programs including Knowledge is Power, Let's Talk About It, Safe Bars, SHIELD, Uniting in Action, and Youth Empowerment and Safety (YES). The organization also runs awareness initiatives including the annual RISE Survivor Art Show, Change on Tap campaign, and Cannabis for Consent partnerships with local dispensaries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Crisis Intervention 24/7 sexual assault crisis hotline providing immediate support, information, and resource connection for survivors and their loved ones via phone (303-322-7273), online chat through a RAINN partnership, and RELAY Colorado for deaf/hard of hearing individuals.
- Case Management Compassionate advocacy and navigation support helping survivors uphold their rights and access legal, medical, and community resources, regardless of whether they choose to report the assault.
- Therapy Time-limited, trauma-specific individual and group therapy delivered in English and Spanish by trained therapists, available in-person and virtually with a typical time limit of six months; not billed to insurance.
- Groups & Workshops Support groups and workshops offering safe environments for survivors and their loved ones to share experiences and heal, including yoga and art-based programs.
- Community Education Programs Research-based prevention programming for people across the lifespan addressing individual, relational, community, and societal factors, empowering attendees to recognize inappropriate behavior, intervene, support survivors, and challenge harmful norms.
- Knowledge is Power Interactive prevention program teaching attendees to challenge harmful myths, recognize unsafe situations, support survivors, and intervene safely and effectively.
- Let's Talk About It Program equipping youth with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to prevent sexual violence and build healthy relationships.
- Safe Bars Interactive bystander intervention training for staff of bars, restaurants, and other alcohol-serving establishments to prevent sexual assault.
- SHIELD Sexual Harassment Intervention, Education, & Leadership Development program that helps businesses foster harassment-free workplaces by educating employees on legal definitions, workplace rights, and impacts of harassment.
- Uniting in Action Evidence-informed workshop empowering high school students to prevent sexual violence and build a culture of safety, respect, and accountability.
- Youth Empowerment and Safety (YES) Educational workshop equipping parents, caregivers, and youth-serving professionals with knowledge and tools to prevent sexual violence and protect children from harm.
- RISE Survivor Art Show Annual survivor art show where survivors of sexual violence create and display artwork to reclaim their narratives, shatter silence, and promote healing, with local artists and a virtual gallery component.
- Change on Tap Annual campaign educating the public about the relationship between alcohol and sexual violence and empowering alcohol-serving establishments to strengthen prevention through bar partner training.
- Cannabis for Consent Program partnering with Denver cannabis companies to elevate healing and cultivate prevention education among cannabis industry employees and customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Served nearly 500,000 survivors since 1983
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Blue Bench
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Blue Bench technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature1 record
The Blue Bench partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- RAINNcorePartnership for online chat services providing digital crisis support channel for survivors accessing help through rainn.org/hotlines.
- RELAY ColoradocorePartnership providing accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to access crisis services.
- Simply PureminorCannabis For Consent partner dispensary providing community support and awareness for sexual assault prevention.
- Native RootsminorCannabis For Consent partner dispensary participating in prevention education and awareness campaign.
- Rocky Mountain Cannabis Co.minorCannabis For Consent partner supporting sexual assault prevention education in the cannabis industry.
- Lit CannabisminorCannabis For Consent partner dispensary engaged in community education and awareness.
- Canna BoticaminorCannabis For Consent partner contributing to prevention education efforts.
- Alpine Bankminor2026 RISE Survivor Art Show sponsor supporting survivor art exhibition.
- Cobaltminor2026 RISE Survivor Art Show sponsor.
- 40 West ArtsminorGallery host for RISE Survivor Art Show exhibition (April 3-25, 2026) at 6501 W Colfax Ave, Lakewood, CO.
- Awakening BoutiqueminorSexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month 2025 partner.
- The Flour ShopminorSexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month 2025 partner.
- Fort GreeneminorSexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month 2025 partner bar/restaurant.
- Petals and PagesminorSexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month 2025 partner.
- The CryptminorSexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month 2025 partner bar.
- Voodoo DoughnutminorSexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month 2025 partner.
- Rose Andom CentercoreThe Blue Bench now offers therapy and case management services at the Rose Andom Center, expanding services to include survivors of sexual assault at this multi-service facility.
- Denver Cannabis Cares ProgramminorPartnership with City and County of Denver's Cannabis Cares program under Diversity and Inclusion badge, qualifying dispensaries for recognition through Cannabis For Consent participation.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Blue Bench competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Peace Over Violence: Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing sexual and domestic violence crisis intervention, therapy, case management, hospital accompaniment, and prevention education. Operates the same comprehensive continuum (24/7 hotline, individual/group therapy, advocacy, prevention) as The Blue Bench, making it the closest structural peer.
- Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC): Greater Boston's only comprehensive rape crisis center, providing 24/7 hotline, medical advocacy, counseling, and prevention education. Mirrors The Blue Bench's 'sole comprehensive center in metro region' positioning and continuum of services model.
- Resilience (Chicago): Chicago-based nonprofit (formerly Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women's Network / Virginia Piper) operating a sexual assault services program with hotline, hospital advocacy, counseling, and prevention education in a single metropolitan market — same service mix as The Blue Bench.
- San Francisco SAFE: San Francisco's rape crisis and violence-prevention nonprofit operating San Francisco Women Against Rape (SFWAR) services, providing 24/7 crisis line, hospital accompaniment, therapy, and prevention programming — direct service-line overlap with The Blue Bench.
- Day One (New York): New York City-based nonprofit providing youth-focused sexual violence prevention, counseling, and advocacy. Direct peer with overlapping services (therapy, advocacy, prevention) but with a youth-services specialization versus The Blue Bench's all-ages scope.
Broad incumbents
- RAINN: National umbrella organization coordinating the National Sexual Assault Hotline and operating the online chat infrastructure The Blue Bench itself uses. Functions as a back-office and referral incumbent for The Blue Bench and the broader network of local rape crisis centers nationally.
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC): National resource center providing prevention curricula, training, and technical assistance to rape crisis centers across the U.S. Overlaps with The Blue Bench on evidence-based prevention education IP and is a primary issuer of curricula standards The Blue Bench's programs are aligned to.
Regional players
- Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA): State-level coalition that funds and supports Colorado rape crisis centers including The Blue Bench. Operates in the same Colorado service geography but at a systems/advocacy tier rather than direct-service delivery, making it an adjacent state-level peer and likely funding partner.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Blue Bench social profiles
Digital presenceThe Blue Bench financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Blue Bench leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
The Blue Bench funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Blue Bench 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 The Blue Bench
What does The Blue Bench do?
The Blue Bench provides a continuum of sexual assault prevention and survivor support services across the Denver metro area, including a 24/7 crisis hotline, online chat (via RAINN), hospital advocacy, trauma-informed individual and group therapy in English and Spanish, case management, and resource navigation. It also delivers evidence-based community prevention education programming for schools, youth organizations, bars and restaurants, cannabis businesses, and workplaces. All direct client services are offered at no cost and are not billed to insurance.
Is The Blue Bench a public or private company?
The Blue Bench is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Blue Bench founded?
The Blue Bench was founded in 1983. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Blue Bench based?
The Blue Bench is headquartered in Denver, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Blue Bench make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships & Partnerships, community Partner Events, in-Kind Donations, stock Donations and pro-Bono Skills.
Who are The Blue Bench's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Peace Over Violence, Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC), Resilience (Chicago), San Francisco SAFE and Day One (New York). Broad incumbents are RAINN and National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC). Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA) is listed as a regional player.
Does The Blue Bench have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Blue Bench.
What industry is The Blue Bench in?
The Blue Bench's product category is Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADADAH, Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Legal Aid), with a secondary code of EDAJAIAH, Crisis Response & Threat Assessment (Suicide Prevention, Violence Prevention). Its NAICS code is 6241 and its SIC code is 8300.