Center for Victims
Center for Victims is a Pittsburgh-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1976, providing free crisis counseling, therapy, legal advocacy, emergency shelter, and violence prevention services to 15,000+ crime victims annually in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1976
- HeadquartersPittsburgh, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Center for Victims does
Center for Victims (CV) is a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1976 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that operates as the largest, most comprehensive provider of victim services, advocacy, and education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The organization serves crime victims in Allegheny County through a one-stop-shop model anchored by a 24-hour crisis hotline (1-866-644-2882) and a portfolio of integrated services including crisis counseling, therapy, legal advocacy and court accompaniment, emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, Protection From Abuse order assistance, safety planning, child advocacy, medical advocacy, victim compensation assistance, and victim-offender dialogue.
The organization has built proprietary technology products including the Full Circle mobile application (developed in partnership with Allegheny County Jail to provide offender release notifications) and the Halo Geofencing App (an electronic PFA early warning system). It also operates the Healing Rivers Project Resiliency Center—an experiential learning and wellness facility—and a first-of-its-kind Canine-Assisted Advocacy Program whose teams were the first permitted to accompany victims during a federal court trial. Service delivery is distributed through a main office with embedded emergency shelter, satellite offices co-located within City of Pittsburgh Police, Allegheny County Police, Allegheny County Criminal and Juvenile Courts, Juvenile Probation, and the UPMC Children's Hospital Child Advocacy Center.
The business model is a hybrid of government funding and philanthropic support: revenue is generated through state grants (PCCD Violence Intervention and Prevention grants, CCVI grants), government contracts (notably with Allegheny County Jail for mandated offender release notifications), corporate sponsorships (including Verizon for the MEN Challenge campaign), individual and community donations, and third-party fundraising events. All client-facing services are provided free of charge and confidentially. The organization operates with a budget of approximately $5 million, 80+ staff, and serves 15,000+ clients directly, 35,000+ individuals in prevention education, and reaches 100,000+ individuals through community outreach annually. Executive leadership is led by President & CEO Laurie MacDonald, who spearheaded the 2012 merger that created the modern Center for Victims entity.
Center for Victims firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Center for Victims
- Legal name
- Center for Victims
- Website
- https://centerforvictims.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1976
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Center for Victims is a Pittsburgh-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1976, providing free crisis counseling, therapy, legal advocacy, emergency shelter, and violence prevention services to 15,000+ crime victims annually in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Center for Victims industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Victim Services
- NAICS
- Individual and Family Services (6241), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Housing Services (62422)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Victim Services & Witness Assistance (Justice System) (BPAIAFAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD), Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services (BPAGAEAM), Reentry & Justice-Involved Support Services (BPAGAEAN)
Keywords
Where Center for Victims is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pittsburgh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Center for Victims business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: CV relies on donations from individuals, businesses, community groups, and social organizations. The organization hosts third-party fundraising events and encourages private fundraisers. The MEN Challenge campaign engages men in violence prevention through pledge-based community involvement.
- Government Grants and Contracts: Funded through grants including Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) grants from PCCD ($88.6M statewide), Coordinated Community Violence Intervention (CCVI) grants, and contracts such as with Allegheny County Jail for offender release notification services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free victim services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Center for Victims product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Center for Victims provides free, confidential crisis intervention, trauma-informed therapy, legal advocacy, emergency shelter, and violence prevention services to all crime victims in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Services are delivered 24/7 through a single hotline gateway and an integrated one-stop-shop model that includes specialized programs such as Canine-Assisted Advocacy, the Healing Rivers Project Resiliency Center, and the Full Circle mobile app for offender release notifications.
Product overview
Center for Victims operates as a comprehensive nonprofit service organization offering a unified portfolio of victim services rather than a software product platform. The core offerings include a 24-Hour Crisis Hotline as the gateway service, integrated with Emergency Shelter, Therapy and Counseling, Legal Support, and specialized programs including the Canine Advocacy Program (providing trauma-informed canine support during forensic interviews and court proceedings), the Healing Rivers Project Resiliency Center (experiential learning and wellness space), and the Full Circle mobile application for offender release notifications. Additional services encompass Prevention Education, Community Outreach, Victim Offender Dialogue, and advocacy programs for specific needs including children's services, medical accompaniment, and safety planning. The MEN Challenge campaign represents a community engagement initiative focused on engaging men in violence prevention.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MEN Challenge: An ongoing campaign, pledge and action plan to engage men in ending violence against women and girls in Allegheny County, sponsored by Verizon and the Iota Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Inc. Awarded Outstanding Television Public Service Announcement 2015 and 36th Annual Telly Awards 2015 - Silver Award.
Products and services
- 24-Hour Crisis Hotline 24/7 crisis counseling hotline serving as the gateway to all Center for Victims services, available to crime victims, witnesses, families, law enforcement, hospitals, social workers, and mental health professionals seeking support or referrals.
- Therapy and Counseling
- Legal Support – Accompaniment & Advocacy Staff explains legal proceedings and attends court hearings to support victims through the criminal justice process from police interviews through sentencing.
- Emergency Shelter Safe, confidential emergency shelter for domestic violence survivors and their children with 24/7 crisis intervention, counseling, legal advocacy, case management, and transitional housing assistance.
- Rapid Re-Housing Program Housing assistance program for domestic violence victims who can no longer safely remain in their home.
- Protection From Abuse Order Assistance Trained advocates available 24 hours to assist with Protection From Abuse Orders, including emergency orders during evening, weekend, and holiday hours.
- Safety Planning Personalized safety plans tailored to domestic violence victims' circumstances, including options counseling and employer collaboration through EAP.
- Children's Advocacy and Counseling Age-appropriate counseling, therapeutic services, school enrollment assistance, and advocacy for children affected by domestic violence in shelter or community settings.
- Canine Advocacy Program Specially trained canines and handlers provide therapeutic support during court proceedings, crisis response, and therapy appointments for crime victims, reducing trauma impact during legal processes. First program in the country allowed to accompany victims during a trial in Federal Court.
- Healing Rivers Project (HRP) Resiliency Center Experiential learning space with interactive exhibits, wellness programs (yoga, art, music, cooking, meditation, Tai Chi, journaling), and professional trainings designed to increase understanding of trauma effects and healing strategies.
- Community Outreach Prevention and Intervention Crisis response, targeted therapy, legal advocacy, and prevention efforts addressing gun violence, group violence, and traumatic events in the Greater Pittsburgh region.
- Victim Offender Dialogue (Restorative Justice Program) Facilitated face-to-face meetings between victims and offenders in a safe environment to discuss harm, ask questions, and determine steps for repair.
- Victims Compensation Assistance Assistance with filing claims for Pennsylvania's Victims Compensation Assistance Program, including eligibility assessment and claim support.
- Full Circle Mobile Application
- Prevention Education (Expect Respect) School-based teen dating violence prevention program using Expect Respect curriculum from University of Austin, providing interactive workshops and counseling for students.
- MEN Challenge Campaign
- Offender Release Notification Program notifying victims when offenders are released or transferred from Allegheny County Jail, a mandatory component of Crime Victims Act rights.
- Medical Advocacy Advocates provide accompaniment to hospitals for sexual assault victims and training to medical professionals on recognizing domestic violence and sexual assault dynamics.
Quantifiable outcome
- Serves 15,000+ clients annually with direct services
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Center for Victims
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Center for Victims technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Center for Victims partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- VerizonmajorVerizon is a sponsor of the MEN Challenge campaign, which engages men in violence prevention against women and girls. The campaign includes a pledge and action plan with monthly activities and educational tips.
- Iota Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Inc.coreIota Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi is a co-sponsor of the MEN Challenge campaign. The fraternity organization actively participates in taking action to end violence against women and girls in Allegheny County.
- Allegheny County JailcoreAllegheny County Jail contracts with Center for Victims to provide required notifications to crime victims regarding offender incarceration status. Data from the jail enables the Full Circle app for defendant tracking and release notifications.
- Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP)coreCV provides Community Outreach & Intervention Specialists who respond to referrals and provide on-site intervention at HACP sites. The program focuses on crisis counseling and intervention following community and gun violence affecting HACP residents.
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh - Child Advocacy CentercoreCV co-locates a child advocate and Canine Advocates within the Child Advocacy Center of UPMC Children's Hospital to intervene with child victims of sexual and physical abuse. The partnership supports forensic interviews and provides trauma-informed canine engagement during the process.
- 10.27 Healing PartnershipminorPartnership formed to provide annual community support in Squirrel Hill following the 2018 Tree of Life attack. Canine teams participate in outreach events offering support, canine interaction, and rock painting activities for community healing.
- Jewish Family and Community ServicesminorAnnual partnership for Squirrel Hill community support events following the 2018 attack. Provides tent, canine advocates, and community support activities for people to talk, interact with dogs, or paint rocks.
- Woodland Hills School DistrictminorFirst-of-its-kind trauma training partnership where all coaches went through trauma training to learn how to identify triggers and respond appropriately to support athletes who may have experienced trauma.
- U.S. Attorney's Office - Western District of PennsylvaniacoreCanine Advocacy teams participate in wellness days and Victim Recognition ceremonies hosted by the U.S. Attorney's Office. CV Canine Advocates spoke about their program at the Strength and Resiliency Awards.
- Corporate Partners (General)minorCV partners with corporations who help provide lifesaving services for the entire community. Contact for partnership: Tyler Dague. Currently listing corporate partners as 'Coming Soon'.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Center for Victims competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and runs a national victim services network similar to CV's crisis hotline and counseling operations. It is directly comparable as a large-scale nonprofit providing free, confidential crisis support and therapy to victims.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides 24/7 crisis intervention, safety planning, and resources for domestic violence victims, directly comparable to CV's domestic violence emergency shelter, PFA assistance, and crisis hotline services. Both are free, confidential, and trauma-informed.
- Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR): PAAR is the local Pittsburgh-based sexual assault victim services organization, operating in the same geography as CV. It is directly comparable as a free, confidential victim services nonprofit in Allegheny County with crisis hotline, therapy, and advocacy offerings, but with a narrower crime scope (sexual assault only).
- National Center for Victims of Crime: The National Center for Victims of Crime is a direct peer nonprofit providing advocacy, training, and resources for crime victims nationally. It is closely comparable to CV in mission, victim-services portfolio, and policy advocacy focus, though operating at a national rather than county scale.
- Joyful Heart Foundation: Joyful Heart Foundation is a national nonprofit focused on healing, advocacy, and policy reform for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. It is directly comparable to CV in mission, survivor-focused programming, and policy advocacy, though with a more national, programmatic orientation.
Regional players
- Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR): PCAR is the statewide PA sexual violence coalition that funds and supports local rape crisis centers, including PAAR. It is comparable to CV as a Pennsylvania-based victim services umbrella organization, though it focuses specifically on sexual violence and operates a network of 51 centers rather than direct services.
- YWCA Greater Pittsburgh: YWCA Greater Pittsburgh operates domestic violence and sexual assault services in the same Allegheny County market as CV. It is comparable as a regional victim services nonprofit with shelter, counseling, and advocacy offerings, providing direct local competition for some of CV's services.
- Resolve Center for Dispute Resolution and Restorative Justice: Resolve is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit providing restorative justice, mediation, and conflict resolution services. It is directly comparable to CV's Victim Offender Dialogue (restorative justice) program, operating in the same regional market with overlapping victim-offender facilitation offerings.
Others
- AEquitas: AEquitas is a national nonprofit providing training and resources for prosecutors on victim-centered approaches to violence against women cases. It is thematically comparable to CV's criminal justice co-location model and legal advocacy work, though focused on prosecutor capacity building rather than direct victim services.
Emerging players
- STANDING FIRM: STANDING FIRM is a Pittsburgh-based initiative focused on engaging men in violence prevention, directly comparable to CV's MEN Challenge campaign. It is an emerging peer in the same region with thematic overlap on bystander intervention and male engagement in violence prevention, though smaller and more program-focused.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Center for Victims social profiles
Digital presenceCenter for Victims financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Center for Victims leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Center for Victims funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Center for Victims 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 Center for Victims
What does Center for Victims do?
Center for Victims provides free, confidential crisis intervention, trauma-informed therapy, legal advocacy, emergency shelter, and violence prevention services to all crime victims in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Services are delivered 24/7 through a single hotline gateway and an integrated one-stop-shop model that includes specialized programs such as Canine-Assisted Advocacy, the Healing Rivers Project Resiliency Center, and the Full Circle mobile app for offender release notifications.
Is Center for Victims a public or private company?
Center for Victims is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Center for Victims founded?
Center for Victims was founded in 1976. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Center for Victims based?
Center for Victims is headquartered in Pittsburgh, United States, in the North America region.
How does Center for Victims make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are government Grants and Contracts.
Who are Center for Victims's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), National Domestic Violence Hotline, Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR), National Center for Victims of Crime and Joyful Heart Foundation. Regional players are Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR), YWCA Greater Pittsburgh and Resolve Center for Dispute Resolution and Restorative Justice. AEquitas is listed as an others. STANDING FIRM is listed as an emerging player.
Does Center for Victims have an API?
No public API is recorded for Center for Victims.
What industry is Center for Victims in?
Center for Victims's product category is Victim Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAFAJ, Victim Services & Witness Assistance (Justice System), with a secondary code of BPAGAEAD, Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services. Its NAICS code is 6241 and its SIC code is 8300.