Elizabeth Freeman Center

What Elizabeth Freeman Center does

Elizabeth Freeman Center (EFC) is a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1974 that serves as the designated domestic violence and sexual assault response center for Berkshire County, Massachusetts. From offices in Pittsfield (66 Allen Street), North Adams, and Great Barrington, EFC delivers an integrated crisis-response and recovery program spanning a 24/7 toll-free hotline (1-866-401-2425), emergency shelter and material assistance, safety planning, counseling and support groups, court-based advocacy, and teen dating violence prevention education in local schools. Specialized programs include SAFEPLAN (certified advocates stationed at all Berkshire district and probate courts), the LGBTQ Access Project (affirming counselors and partnership with Berkshire Pride), the Rural Access Project (rural staffing and bilingual capacity), and the award-winning Money School trauma-informed financial education program.

Services are entirely free and confidential. The product surface extends well beyond a single service: the 2017 Innovation Award-winning Money School adds financial literacy, credit rebuilding, and one-on-one banking partnerships (Greylock Federal Credit Union) to the traditional DV/SA stack. Other offerings include the Holiday Project gift-giving program, pet foster care for survivors fleeing with animals, and internet safety educational resources. Court advocate positioning is operationalized through the SAFEPLAN program and a hospital collaboration with Berkshire Medical Center's SANE initiative, where center staff are summoned as part of standard hospital protocol for assault victims.

EFC operates a grant-and-donation-funded business model. Revenue streams combine federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding and Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance (MOVA) state funding with corporate and foundation grants (Berkshire Bank Foundation, Verizon Hopeline, Guardian Life, TD Charitable Foundation, AIER, MountainOne, Mildred's Dream Foundation, the Jewish Women's Foundation of the Berkshires, Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts, Mill Town Foundation), individual and corporate donations, and peer-to-peer fundraising events such as the Rise Together annual campaign. Strategic United Way partnerships (Berkshire and Northern Berkshire) and the Williamstown Community Chest round out the funding base. The organization is independently governed by a Board of Directors and faces documented concentration risk on VOCA funding, which organization leadership has stated could trigger a 30% budget reduction if a bridge mechanism is unavailable.

Name

Elizabeth Freeman Center

Legal name

Elizabeth Freeman Center

Website

https://elizabethfreemancenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Elizabeth Freeman Center is a 50-year-old 501(c)(3) nonprofit designated to deliver free, confidential domestic violence and sexual assault crisis and recovery services to residents of Berkshire County, Massachusetts from offices in Pittsfield, North Adams, and Great Barrington.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (624110), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Protection, Child Protection & Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Response (BPAGAAAG), Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM), Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Services (EDALAFAD)

Keywords

• Domestic violence services
• Sexual assault support
• Crisis intervention
• Victim advocacy
• Violence prevention education

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual and corporate donations from the community to support free services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
2. Government Grants: Federal funding from VOCA (Victims of Crime Act), state funding from Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance (MOVA), and other government grants.
3. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Grants from organizations such as Berkshire Bank Foundation, Guardian Life Insurance, TD Charitable Foundation, and other foundations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Elizabeth Freeman Center is a nonprofit domestic violence and sexual assault response organization delivering free, confidential crisis, advocacy, and prevention services to survivors in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Core offerings include a 24/7 toll-free hotline, emergency shelter and material assistance, safety planning, court-based protection order advocacy (SAFEPLAN), counseling and support groups, economic and housing advocacy, and the award-winning Money School financial independence program. The organization also runs specialized initiatives for LGBTQ survivors (LGBTQ Access Project), rural survivors (Rural Access Project), immigrant survivors, child survivors, and school-based teen dating violence prevention education.

Product overview

Elizabeth Freeman Center is a domestic violence and sexual assault services organization offering a comprehensive suite of survivor support programs. The core offerings include a 24/7 crisis hotline, emergency shelter, safety planning, legal advocacy through the SAFEPLAN program, counseling and support services, and economic advocacy including the award-winning Money School financial independence program. Specialized services address LGBTQ survivors through the LGBTQ Access Project, rural communities through the Rural Access Project, and immigrant survivors. Additional programs include teen dating violence prevention education, the Rise Together annual fundraiser, Holiday Project gift program, pet foster care, and internet safety resources. The organization serves Berkshire County, Massachusetts from offices in Pittsfield, North Adams, and Great Barrington.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Money School: An award-winning trauma-informed financial independence initiative designed to create long-term safety and economic security for survivors of domestic or sexual violence.
• Rise Together
• Holiday Project

Products and services

• 24/7 Crisis Hotline Free, confidential, toll-free 24/7 hotline (1-866-401-2425) providing immediate crisis support, safety planning, and service referrals for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, with bilingual (English/Spanish) coverage.
• Emergency Shelter Services Safe emergency shelter and material assistance (food, safe phones, transportation) for survivors and their families fleeing imminent danger.
• Safety Planning Development of personalized safety plans for survivors whether they remain in or leave their homes, including emergency protocols and risk mitigation guidance.
• SAFEPLAN Legal Advocacy Court-based program placing specially trained and certified advocates at Northern, Central, and Southern Berkshire district courts and Berkshire Probate and Family Court to help survivors obtain protection orders and access safety tools such as new locks, security cameras, and emergency food/rent assistance.
• Counseling and Support Services Free, confidential individual and group counseling and support services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and intimate partner violence.
• Economic Advocacy Assistance with money and housing issues to help survivors achieve economic self-sufficiency and stability, including referrals to community resources.
• LGBTQ Access Project Program supporting part-time, specially trained LGBTQ counselors in all three EFC offices (Pittsfield, North Adams, Great Barrington) to provide affirming services for LGBTQ survivors of domestic and sexual violence, in partnership with Berkshire Pride and an LGBTQ Action/Advisory group.
• Rural Access Project Program addressing the unique challenges of rural survivors by funding staffing in North Adams and Great Barrington offices, increasing bilingual service capacity in South County, and supporting economic and housing advocacy.
• Money School Financial Independence Program Award-winning trauma-informed five-week financial education workshop series for survivors of domestic and sexual violence covering rebuilding credit, accessing benefits, and action planning. Includes free dinner, childcare, one-on-one financial coaches from local banks, networking with resource providers, and ongoing supports.
• Teen Dating Violence Prevention Education School-based violence prevention and healthy relationships programming delivered to nearly 1,000 Berkshire County middle and high school students annually, teaching teen dating violence awareness and intervention.
• Hospital and Police Response Physical response counselors available to respond to Berkshire Medical Center (through the SANE program partnership) and area police stations after assaults, providing immediate support to victims.
• Pet Foster Care Foster care service to help survivors fleeing violence who cannot take pets into safe housing, addressing the link between animal cruelty and human violence in partnership with HAVEN (Human Animal Violence Education Network).
• Community Education and Outreach Community presentations, school-based programming, and organizational outreach to promote awareness, healthy relationships, and prevention of domestic and sexual violence.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5,000 people served annually across Berkshire County
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Berkshire United WaycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBerkshire United Way is a funded partner of Elizabeth Freeman Center, supporting their mission to serve domestic and sexual violence survivors in Berkshire County.
• Northern Berkshire United WaycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNorthern Berkshire United Way is a funded partner supporting EFC's services in the northern part of Berkshire County.
• Williamstown Community ChestminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWilliamstown Community Chest is a community partner providing support to EFC operations.
• Berkshire Bank FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAwarded $202,416 in grants to 41 Berkshire County nonprofits including EFC, supporting their annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event and Money School program.
• Verizon Hopeline ProgramcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVerizon's Hopeline Program provides secure cell phones to EFC for distribution to domestic abuse victims, as well as $5,000 grants to support 24-hour emergency services. The program recycles old phones and uses proceeds to provide new phones with minutes and texts for victims.
• Berkshire Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBMC joined the SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) program, creating unprecedented collaboration with EFC. When victims enter the hospital, nursing staff summon center staffers as part of standard protocol, with specially trained nurses providing enhanced support.
• American Institute for Economic Research (AIER)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to hold Money School five-week financial education workshop series designed for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. AIER provides research expertise and program management.
• Guardian Life InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided grants supporting the Money School financial independence program for survivors.
• TD Charitable FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided grants supporting the Money School financial independence program for survivors.
• MountainOneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided grants supporting the Money School financial independence program for survivors.
• Mildred's Dream FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation supporter of the Money School financial independence program.
• Jewish Women's Foundation of the BerkshiresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation supporter of the Money School financial independence program.
• Women's Fund of Western MassachusettsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation supporter of the Money School financial independence program.
• Mill Town FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation supporter of the Money School financial independence program.
• Berkshire PridecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose partnership supporting the LGBTQ Access Project, which provides specialized counseling and services for LGBTQ survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
• HAVEN (Human Animal Violence Education Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of Berkshire County citizens and professionals working to identify connections between animal cruelty and human violence. A partner of Elizabeth Freeman Center addressing the intersection of animal and human abuse.
• Jane Doe Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. EFC works with Jane Doe Inc. on policy advocacy and is joined by them on initiatives like voting Yes on 3 for transgender rights.
• The Network/La RedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMassachusetts-based organization working to end domestic violence in LGBTQ communities. EFC is joined by them on initiatives supporting LGBTQ rights and safety.
• Greylock Federal Credit UnioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner providing one-on-one financial coaches for the Money School program and serving as a sponsor for Rise Together 2025. Myla Franklin, Community Lending Officer at Greylock Federal Credit Union, joined the EFC board of directors.
• The Brien CenterminorOthersCommunity mental health and substance abuse services organization. Christine Macbeth, former President and CEO of The Brien Center, joined EFC's board of directors.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• The Network/La Red: The Network/La Red is a Massachusetts-based organization specifically working to end domestic violence in LGBTQ communities, and is a partner of EFC. While operating at a broader statewide level, it directly overlaps with EFC's LGBTQ Access Project as a peer in specialized LGBTQ DV services.
• The Brien Center: The Brien Center is a Berkshire County-based community mental health and substance abuse services organization, and is a referral/community partner of Elizabeth Freeman Center. While it does not directly provide DV shelter, it overlaps in counseling, mental health, and crisis response for the same regional population.

Direct peers

• RESPOND Inc. RESPOND Inc. is a Somerville, MA-based domestic violence services organization serving Greater Boston/Mystic Valley. It offers shelter, hotline, counseling, and court advocacy parallel to EFC's SAFEPLAN model, serving as a directly comparable regional DV nonprofit.
• DOVE (Domestic Violence Ended): DOVE is a Quincy, MA-based domestic violence services organization serving Norfolk County and the South Shore. It provides shelter, hotline, counseling, legal advocacy, and violence prevention education — directly comparable in service mix and target population to EFC's Berkshire County operation.
• Safe Passage: Safe Passage is a domestic violence service organization based in Northampton, MA, serving Hampshire County. Like Elizabeth Freeman Center, it provides a 24/7 hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and community education for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault — a directly comparable single-county regional DV/SA center model.
• REACH Beyond Domestic Violence: REACH is a Waltham, MA-based domestic violence services organization serving the greater Boston MetroWest area. It offers emergency shelter, counseling, court advocacy, and community education parallel to EFC's SAFEPLAN and counseling programs, making it a directly comparable regional DV nonprofit peer.
• Pathways for Change: Pathways for Change is a Worcester, MA-based sexual assault and domestic violence services organization serving Central Massachusetts. Like EFC, it operates a 24/7 hotline, counseling, advocacy, SANE coordination with hospitals, and school-based prevention education — a directly comparable regional DV/SA center.

Broad incumbents

• Jane Doe Inc. Jane Doe Inc. is the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, and is an existing partner of Elizabeth Freeman Center. While not a direct service provider in a single county, it is the statewide umbrella that EFC collaborates with on policy advocacy and is a comparable industry incumbent for benchmarking.
• SafeLink Massachusetts: SafeLink is the Massachusetts statewide toll-free domestic violence hotline operated as part of Casa Myrna. While EFC runs its own 24/7 hotline locally, SafeLink represents the broader hotline infrastructure and is a comparable incumbent in the survivor-services ecosystem.

Others

• Berkshire United Way: Berkshire United Way is a core funded partner and grant-making entity supporting Elizabeth Freeman Center's operations in Berkshire County. As a regional nonprofit funding intermediary, it is adjacent rather than directly competitive, but is deeply connected to EFC's operating model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/elizabethfreemancenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/ElizabethFreemanCenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/elizabethfreemancenter
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxyz123
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elizabeth-freeman-center-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Elizabeth Freeman Center