What Helpline Center does

Helpline Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, founded in 1974 to provide free, 24/7 crisis support, information and referral, and community care coordination services across the state. It serves South Dakota residents through two flagship programs — the 211 Helpline (information and referral to community resources via phone, text, and online search) and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (suicide prevention, emotional support, and substance use crisis response) — plus an extensive portfolio of supporting programs including Suicide Grief Support, Volunteer Connections, Substance Use Care Coordination, Older Adult Outreach, Child Care Helpline, 211 Transportation (via Lyft Concierge), Hope Squad school-based peer support, and three mentoring initiatives (SALSA, Mentoring Together, Sioux 52).

The technology foundation combines the Helpline Center Network of Care (HCNC), a cloud-based data-sharing ecosystem that electronically links human service agencies through shared client information with a client informed consent ROI system, with multiple resource databases (211 resource database, Community Directory, Volunteer Connections Database, Child Care Database) and dedicated data dashboards for 211, 988, and homelessness metrics. The organization is the only entity in South Dakota accredited by Inform USA and the only provider of an American Association of Suicidology-certified crisis line in the state, and was the first location west of the Mississippi River to begin 211 service in 2001.

Revenue is generated through a mix of donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations; government contracts and grants (notably with the South Dakota Departments of Social Services and Health for 988 and behavioral health programs); and event-based fundraising such as the Helpline Open Golf Tournament and Spirit of Volunteerism breakfasts. All core services to end users are provided free of charge, while small paid fees apply to certain training events (e.g., Journey Beyond Loss Symposium at $25/person). The organization operates three physical offices in Sioux Falls, Brookings, and Rapid City, and supports over 100,000 people annually.

Name

Helpline Center

Legal name

Helpline Center

Website

https://helplinecenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Helpline Center is a Sioux Falls-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1974 that operates South Dakota's statewide 211 and 988 crisis lines, providing free information, referral, and suicide prevention services to residents via phone, text, and chat.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Crisis Intervention and Information & Referral Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Individual and Family Services (6241), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Behavioral Health Crisis Services Management (988/Hotlines/Mobile Crisis Coordination) (HLAEAHAK), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH), Bereavement, Grief & Family Support Services (Hospice-Linked) (HLAFAEAO)

Keywords

• Crisis intervention services
• Suicide prevention helpline
• Community resource referrals
• Information and referral services
• Mental health support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sioux Falls

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The Helpline Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Donations are tax-deductible as provided by law. The organization accepts donations via online forms, mail, Venmo, and Donor Advised Funds (DAF).
2. Government Contracts and Grants: The Helpline Center operates programs in partnership with government agencies including the South Dakota Department of Social Services and Department of Health, receiving funding for 988 Lifeline operations and various support programs.
3. Event-Based Fundraising: Annual signature events including Step Forward to Prevent Suicide Walk, Spirit of Volunteerism breakfasts, and Helpline Open Golf Tournament that raise funds to support suicide prevention and crisis support programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Helpline Center is a nonprofit organization that operates the free, 24/7 211 information and referral helpline and the 988 suicide prevention crisis lifeline for the state of South Dakota. It also runs a portfolio of community support programs—including Suicide Grief Support, Volunteer Connections, Older Adult Outreach, Child Care Helpline, Substance Use Care Coordination, and 211 Transportation—alongside mental health training programs (QPR, Mental Health First Aid, ASIST) and mentoring initiatives. Services are delivered via phone, text, chat, in-person sessions, and online resource databases, supported by the Network of Care data-sharing platform.

Product overview

Helpline Center is a nonprofit social services organization offering a portfolio of interconnected crisis support, information referral, and community assistance programs. The core offerings include the 211 Helpline (information and referral service) and 988 Lifeline (suicide prevention crisis line), both operating 24/7. These connect to specialized support programs including Suicide Grief Support, Volunteer Connections, and various care coordination services (Substance Use Care Coordination, Older Adult Outreach, Child Care Helpline). The organization operates technology-enabled platforms including the Helpline Center Network of Care (a cloud-based data-sharing ecosystem linking human service agencies) and data dashboards for homelessness, 211, and 988 metrics. Additional programs include mental health training (QPR, Mental Health First Aid, ASIST), mentoring initiatives (Sioux 52, SALSA, Mentoring Together), and transportation assistance via Lyft Concierge. The portfolio functions as a coordinated social care system rather than a unified software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 211 Helpline 24-hour information and referral service connecting South Dakota residents to community resources including financial assistance, food, housing, healthcare, mental health, transportation, and other social services. Available for free by phone (211), text (zip code to 898211), email, and online search.
• 988 Lifeline Suicide prevention and crisis support hotline providing immediate emotional support, crisis intervention, and connections to mental health and substance use resources. Available 24/7 via phone, text, and chat. Operated by Helpline Center as the only American Association of Suicidology-certified crisis center in South Dakota.
• Volunteer Connections Volunteer coordination program serving as the link between community volunteers and nonprofit agencies in the Sioux Empire and Black Hills regions. Maintains a database of volunteer opportunities and provides resources to nonprofits and businesses.
• Suicide Grief Support Programs and services supporting individuals and families bereaved by suicide loss, including the Surviving After Suicide (SAS) class, Journey Beyond Loss symposium, and Surviving After Suicide Mentor program for adults who have lost a loved one to suicide.
• Helpline Center Network of Care (HCNC) Cloud-based data-sharing ecosystem that electronically links human service agencies through shared and protected client information, including a client informed consent ROI system, to better serve clients, reduce duplication of efforts, and deliver holistic person-centered care.
• Transition to Success (TTS) Evidence-based model for addressing poverty as a condition caused by adverse social determinants of health, providing personalized coaching, care planning with 'Map of My Dreams' tools, and goal tracking across housing, employment, education, transportation, and health.
• Older Adult Outreach Program Weekly supportive phone calls to isolated or home-bound older adults in Minnehaha, Lincoln, McCook, and Turner Counties, including depression screening, mental health support, and connections to additional services. Supported by Sioux Empire United Way.
• Child Care Helpline Resource and referral program helping families find child care providers in South Dakota through an online database of licensed providers and a Child Care Specialist available by phone (211), in partnership with the South Dakota Department of Social Services and Early Childhood Enrichment system.
• Substance Use Care Coordination Connects individuals seeking substance use treatment resources and assists in mapping a pathway to recovery, providing connection to assessments, treatment options, counseling, and social supports, and distributing medication lockboxes and DisposeRx packets for safe medication disposal.
• 211 Transportation Transportation assistance through Lyft Concierge for individuals facing transportation barriers to medical or social service appointments, serving Dow Rummel residents, older adults (65+), individuals with disabilities, and those with medical/social needs including WIC appointments.
• Mental Health Trainings Mental health and suicide prevention trainings including QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), Mental Health First Aid, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), and Means Safety Training, offered free to community members and professionals in both in-person and blended learning formats.
• Hope Squad School-based peer support suicide prevention program partnering with South Dakota Department of Health and schools to train peer-selected students to watch for at-risk peers, provide friendship, identify warning signs, and seek adult help.
• SALSA (Serve & Learn Student Association) Volunteer-focused program for high school students across the Sioux Empire area with over 500 participants from nine area high schools, connecting students with local nonprofits for meaningful volunteer service and leadership development.
• Mentoring Together Collaborative initiative between Helpline Center, Teammates, Lutheran Social Services, and Sioux Falls School District to increase one-on-one mentoring at Anne Sullivan, Cleveland, and Terry Redlin elementary schools in Sioux Falls.
• Homelessness Dashboard Data dashboard developed to help the South Dakota community better understand and respond to homelessness, with data representing the work of local providers, shelters, and support programs within the Helpline Center Network of Care. Developed with support from the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100,000 people supported annually
• +3 more outcomes

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• South Dakota Department of Social ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Helpline Center operates 988 Lifeline in collaboration with the South Dakota Department of Social Services, providing statewide mental health crisis response and behavioral health resources.
• South Dakota Department of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with South Dakota Department of Health and South Dakota Schools to launch and support Hope Squads - school-based peer suicide prevention programs.
• South Dakota Department of Health (HCNC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agencies in the Helpline Center Network of Care include multiple social service organizations in Sioux Falls and Watertown working collaboratively through shared data infrastructure.
• Safe Space SDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Helpline Center has committed to being a Safe Space for LGBTQ+ individuals, partnering with Safe Space SD to provide inclusive mental health resources.
• Sioux Empire United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOlder Adult Outreach Program is supported by Sioux Empire United Way, providing weekly supportive phone calls to isolated older adults in Minnehaha, Lincoln, McCook, and Turner Counties.
• Teammates Mentoring ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative initiative between Helpline Center, Teammates, LSS (Lutheran Social Services), and Sioux Falls School District to increase mentoring at three elementary schools.
• Lutheran Social Services (LSS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative initiative between Helpline Center, Teammates, LSS, and Sioux Falls School District to increase mentoring at three elementary schools.
• Sioux Falls School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative initiative between Helpline Center, Teammates, LSS, and Sioux Falls School District to increase mentoring at elementary schools including Anne Sullivan, Cleveland, and Terry Redlin.
• Sioux Falls Area Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Helpline Center developed the Homelessness Dashboard with support from the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation to help the community better understand and respond to homelessness.
• City of Sioux FallscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSioux 52 Mentoring Initiative is a collaboration between the City of Sioux Falls, Helpline Center, and Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls to create a universal commitment to mentoring.
• Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux FallscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSioux 52 Mentoring Initiative collaboration with City of Sioux Falls and Helpline Center to unify communities in creating a long-lasting commitment to mentoring.
• Inform USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational membership organization for information and referral providers. Helpline Center is the only entity in South Dakota accredited by Inform USA.
• American Association of SuicidologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization providing certification for crisis lines. Helpline Center is the only organization in South Dakota with a crisis line certified by the American Association of Suicidology.
• South Dakota Department of Social Services (Child Care)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with South Dakota Department of Social Services and South Dakota Early Childhood Enrichment (ECE) system to provide child care resource and referral services for families.
• Network of Care Partner AgenciescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive partner agencies including: Bishop Dudley Hospitality House, Center of Hope, Community Action for Veterans, Face it Together, Sioux Falls Housing, The Banquet, Union Gospel Mission (Sioux Falls); Brothers and Sisters Behind Bars, Codington County Community Services (Watertown).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• RAINN: RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and provides crisis support services. It is comparable to Helpline Center as a crisis line operator providing 24/7 confidential support via phone and online chat, though focused on a different crisis domain.
• Trevor Project: The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ young people via phone, text, and chat. It is comparable to Helpline Center's 988 crisis services but focuses on a specific population segment that Helpline Center also serves through its Safe Space SD partnership.

Broad incumbents

• Mental Health America: Mental Health America is a national nonprofit focused on mental health advocacy, education, and screening. It is comparable to Helpline Center in mission around mental health support and suicide prevention, but operates at national advocacy scale rather than as a regional service provider.
• Vibrant Emotional Health: Vibrant Emotional Health is the national administrator of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and previously ran the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It is comparable to Helpline Center as a 988 crisis line operator but operates at national scale and serves as the backbone for state-level crisis centers including Helpline Center itself.
• United Way 211: United Way operates the national 211 network that Helpline Center participates in. It is broadly comparable as a 211 information and referral service aggregator but operates at national scale across many regions rather than a single state.

Direct peers

• 211 San Diego: 211 San Diego is a regional nonprofit that provides 24/7 information, referral, and crisis support services across San Diego County. It is directly comparable to Helpline Center as a regional 211/988 operator combining social service referrals with crisis response and care coordination.
• Crisis Text Line: Crisis Text Line provides 24/7 text-based crisis support across the United States. It is directly comparable to Helpline Center's 988 text and chat services, sharing the same mission of free, confidential emotional support and serving overlapping populations in crisis.

Others

• Network of Care (now part of TBD Solutions / NoC): Network of Care is a behavioral health and social services platform used by counties and states for resource directory and care coordination. It is comparable to Helpline Center's Helpline Center Network of Care (HCNC) as a cloud-based data-sharing ecosystem connecting human service agencies.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/helplinecenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/HelplineCenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/HelplineCenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Helpline Center