National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What National Domestic Violence Hotline does
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Austin, Texas, authorized under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and operational since its first call on February 21, 1996. It operates as the primary national crisis intervention channel for domestic violence survivors in the United States, delivering free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through phone (1-800-799-SAFE), website-based live chat, SMS (text START to 88788), and the Ruth AI chatbot, with interpretation available in more than 290 languages via a Macy's-funded Language Line partnership. The organization also operates specialized sub-brands and partner services including love is respect (National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline), StrongHearts Native Helpline, The Deaf Hotline (via ADWAS), and DVBeds (acquired in 2025 for national scaling as a real-time shelter bed availability platform currently active in 19 states). Its underlying technology stack combines Caspio for live chat, Blackbaud/Raiser's Edge and EveryAction/FastAction for donation processing, Waterfall for SMS billing, and proprietary safety-planning tools, supported by a Washington, DC digital services office opened in 2015.
The organization's revenue model is a nonprofit hybrid of federal grants (HHS Family Violence Prevention Services as the largest single source, plus DOJ Office for Victims of Crime), corporate partnerships (NFL, Macy's, Bath & Body Works, Allstate Foundation, Bumble, TJX Companies, European Wax Center), individual donations (one-time, monthly, tribute, and planned giving via the Legacy for Hope Society), and stocks/securities gifts. There is no sales motion and no user fees; all services are provided at no cost, and the organization does not provide direct financial assistance but rather referral and safety-planning services. Governance is provided by a Board of Directors chaired by Carshae Dahl, and the organization maintains Charity Navigator 4-Star and Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency ratings, with ~1.2 million contacts handled annually and nearly 8 million lifetime contacts since inception.
National Domestic Violence Hotline firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Legal name
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Website
- https://thehotline.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
National Domestic Violence Hotline industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Crisis Intervention and Domestic Violence Support Services
- NAICS
- Individual and Family Services (6241)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH), Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Legal Aid) (BPADADAH)
Keywords
Where National Domestic Violence Hotline is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
National Domestic Violence Hotline business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Donations: Individual donations including one-time gifts, monthly giving programs, and tribute gifts (honorary/memorial donations). Donation page shows preset amounts ($25, $50, $75, $250, $500, $1,000) with options for custom amounts.
- Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with corporations including NFL, Bath & Body Works, Macy's, Allstate Foundation, Bumble Inc., TJX Companies, and European Wax Center for funding and awareness support.
- Federal Grants: Primary funding from annual federal grant from Family Violence Prevention Services Office of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Additional funding from Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice.
- Planned Giving: Legacy giving programs including stocks and securities donations, and planned bequests through the Legacy for Hope Society.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free services for all users |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels10 records
National Domestic Violence Hotline product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing 24/7/365 confidential crisis intervention to individuals affected by domestic violence in the United States, free of charge. Service is delivered via phone (1-800-799-SAFE), website live chat, SMS text-to-88788, and an AI chatbot named "Ruth," with interpretation available in 200+ languages through the Language Line partnership. Beyond direct crisis support, the organization maintains specialized helplines for teens (love is respect), Native survivors (StrongHearts), and Deaf/hard-of-hearing individuals, plus technology tools such as DVBeds for real-time shelter bed availability and a national directory of local service providers.
Product overview
The National Domestic Violence Hotline operates a comprehensive crisis support ecosystem centered on its 24/7 hotline services (phone, chat, text), available in over 200 languages. The core offering includes The Hotline crisis services and Ruth, an AI chatbot for after-hours initial support. The product portfolio encompasses specialized helplines (love is respect for teens, StrongHearts for Native Americans, The Deaf Hotline), technology tools (DVBeds for real-time shelter bed availability, Local Providers Directory), and support programs (safety planning, Storytellers Collective, Regional Advisory Councils). The organization also hosts an annual National Conference and publishes research reports. DVBeds was acquired in 2025 for national scaling, and all services integrate with partner organizations like Macy's Language Line for interpretation and various payment processors for donations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- love is respect: National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline - healthy relationship resources for young adults
- DVBeds
- Ruth
Products and services
- The Hotline Crisis Services 24/7/365 confidential crisis hotline providing free crisis intervention, personalized safety planning, education about domestic violence, and referrals to local shelters, legal help, financial aid, and counseling; accessible via phone (1-800-799-SAFE), website live chat, SMS text-to-88788, and 200+ languages through Language Line interpretation.
- Ruth AI Chatbot Domestic violence-informed compassionate AI chatbot providing text-based initial support, crisis information, and safety planning assistance to users when live advocates are unavailable.
- love is respect (National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline) 24/7 helpline providing healthy relationship resources, dating abuse support, and safety planning for teens and young adults; accessible via call, chat, and text at 866.311.9474 and loveisrespect.org.
- DVBeds Free, secure, real-time shelter bed availability tool that gives participating domestic violence programs visibility into available beds at collaborating shelters locally and across state lines; currently active in 19 states and expanding nationally.
- StrongHearts Native Helpline 24/7 culturally appropriate, anonymous, confidential, and free helpline dedicated to serving Native American and Alaska Native survivors, concerned family members, and friends affected by domestic, dating, and sexual violence.
- The Deaf Hotline (National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline) Video phone helpline (855.812.1001) serving individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing, with 24/7 advocates available via video phone, instant messenger, or email.
Companies that use National Domestic Violence Hotline
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
National Domestic Violence Hotline technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability2 records
Feature2 records
National Domestic Violence Hotline partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- NFLcorePartnership announced January 2011 with Commissioner Roger Goodell to raise awareness about domestic violence and celebrate Hotline's 15th anniversary. Dallas Cowboys star Jason Witten and baseball legend Joe Torre participated. In September 2014, NFL announced expanded partnership to support services and spread awareness about domestic violence.
- Bath & Body WorkscoreCorporate partner and one of the funders of DVBeds program. Supports The Hotline's mission through fundraising and awareness campaigns.
- Macy'scoreCorporate partner that provides Language Line access, allowing Hotline advocates to communicate with callers in more than 290 languages through trained interpreters.
- Allstate FoundationmajorFoundation partner supporting domestic violence awareness and survivor services.
- Bumble Inc.majorCorporate partner supporting The Hotline's mission to end domestic violence.
- TJX Companies, Inc.majorCorporate partner supporting The Hotline through donations and awareness initiatives.
- European Wax CenterminorCorporate partner supporting The Hotline's mission.
- Macy's (Language Line)coreProvides Language Line services enabling Hotline to offer support in more than 290 languages to callers who need interpretation.
- Verizon WirelesscoreLaunched #HOPE Initiative in 2006 allowing Verizon Wireless customers to dial #HOPE to instantly connect to The Hotline. Also sponsored live chat services launch in October 2013.
- Liz Claiborne Inc.corePartnered with The Hotline in February 2007 to launch loveisrespect.org, the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline.
- Break the CyclecorePartnership in February 2011 to expand loveisrespect.org, creating the definitive online resource to engage and empower teens through advocacy around dating abuse awareness.
- Mary Kay Inc.majorSupported the grand opening of The Hotline's digital services office in Washington, DC in July 2015.
- The Family PlacecoreCreated DVBeds in Dallas, Texas in 2019 as a community-led effort to connect survivors to safe housing. The Family Place CEO Paige Flink led the initiative that evolved into a national program.
- Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Services (ADWAS)corePartnership to operate the National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline (NDDVH), providing Deaf advocates available 24/7 via video phone, instant messenger, or email.
- StrongHearts Native Helplinecore24/7 culturally appropriate, anonymous, confidential and free service dedicated to serving Native survivors, concerned family members and friends affected by domestic, dating and sexual violence. Available by calling or texting 1-844-762-8483.
- MTVmajorOctober 2024 partnership launching Survivor GOTV initiative to engage survivors in civic participation and voting awareness.
- The Parasol CooperativeminorJune 2025 collaboration announced to support The Hotline's services.
- Futures Without Violencemajor2025 partnership to conduct survey on impact of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking on victims' work experiences. Jointly released 'Intersection of Work and Abuse' report.
- Caminar LatinominorCollaborating on survey to learn about survivor experiences with Child Protective Services (CPS) and the child welfare system.
- Domestic Abuse Intervention ProjectcoreCreated the Power and Control Wheel, which serves as The Hotline's frame of reference for describing abuse. The wheel diagrams tactics abusive partners use to maintain power over survivors.
- State Domestic Violence Coalitions (56)corePartnership with all 56 state and territory coalitions (including DC, Guam, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands) that support those affected by domestic violence, advocate for effective policies, and collaborate with local service providers.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
National Domestic Violence Hotline competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): Operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and similar 24/7 crisis infrastructure; closely comparable as a national nonprofit hotline/chat/text provider for gender-based violence survivors with federal and donor funding.
- Crisis Text Line: 24/7 text-based crisis support across mental health, DV, and other issues; comparable as a multi-channel nonprofit crisis line that competes for the same donor, volunteer, and federal funding pools.
- The Trevor Project: National 24/7 crisis intervention nonprofit for LGBTQ+ youth via call, chat, and text; structurally and operationally analogous to The Hotline, with similar funding mix and brand-led awareness model.
Emerging players
- StrongHearts Native Helpline: Culturally specific DV/sexual violence helpline for Native American and Alaska Native survivors; operates as a referral partner to The Hotline and is therefore a directly comparable crisis-channel peer.
- love is respect (operated by The Hotline): National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline, a sub-brand of The Hotline; included as a comparable youth-focused DV crisis line serving overlapping survivor demographics.
- National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline (ADWAS): Specialty DV hotline serving Deaf and hard-of-hearing survivors via video phone; operated in partnership with The Hotline, making it a directly comparable specialty crisis service.
Broad incumbents
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (SAMHSA / Vibrant Emotional Health): Federally backed 24/7 crisis line for mental health and suicide; comparable as the largest federally funded crisis-services platform and a major potential collaborator/competitor for crisis contact volume.
- Futures Without Violence: Long-standing national DV advocacy and policy organization that partners with The Hotline; comparable as a peer nonprofit shaping federal DV policy, research, and program funding.
- National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV): National advocacy umbrella for state/territory DV coalitions; closely comparable as a federally engaged DV policy and capacity-building nonprofit that overlaps with The Hotline's coalition network.
Regional players
- The Family Place: Dallas-based DV shelter and services nonprofit that originally created DVBeds; comparable as a regional DV services operator and a key upstream partner for The Hotline's DVBeds platform.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat7 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
National Domestic Violence Hotline social profiles
Digital presenceNational Domestic Violence Hotline compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
National Domestic Violence Hotline financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
National Domestic Violence Hotline leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles20 records
National Domestic Violence Hotline subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
National Domestic Violence Hotline funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
National Domestic Violence Hotline 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 National Domestic Violence Hotline
What does National Domestic Violence Hotline do?
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing 24/7/365 confidential crisis intervention to individuals affected by domestic violence in the United States, free of charge. Service is delivered via phone (1-800-799-SAFE), website live chat, SMS text-to-88788, and an AI chatbot named "Ruth," with interpretation available in 200+ languages through the Language Line partnership. Beyond direct crisis support, the organization maintains specialized helplines for teens (love is respect), Native survivors (StrongHearts), and Deaf/hard-of-hearing individuals, plus technology tools such as DVBeds for real-time shelter bed availability and a national directory of local service providers.
Is National Domestic Violence Hotline a public or private company?
National Domestic Violence Hotline is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was National Domestic Violence Hotline founded?
National Domestic Violence Hotline was founded in 1994. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is National Domestic Violence Hotline based?
National Domestic Violence Hotline is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does National Domestic Violence Hotline make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnerships, federal Grants and planned Giving.
Who are National Domestic Violence Hotline's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), Crisis Text Line and The Trevor Project. Emerging players are StrongHearts Native Helpline, love is respect (operated by The Hotline) and National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline (ADWAS). Broad incumbents are 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (SAMHSA / Vibrant Emotional Health), Futures Without Violence and National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV). The Family Place is listed as a regional player.
Does National Domestic Violence Hotline have an API?
No public API is recorded for National Domestic Violence Hotline.
What industry is National Domestic Violence Hotline in?
National Domestic Violence Hotline's product category is Crisis Intervention and Domestic Violence Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAD, Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAH, Mental Health & Crisis Support Services. Its NAICS code is 6241 and its SIC code is 8300.