Women's Resource Center

What Women's Resource Center does

Women's Resource Center (WRC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1975 and headquartered in Traverse City, Michigan, providing comprehensive services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking across a four-county service area in the Grand Traverse region. The organization's core service platform includes a 24/7 crisis hotline, a 22-bed emergency shelter (Helen's House), a transitional housing program (Madeleine's House) where clients can stay up to two years on lease terms, one-on-one advocacy, a 10-week Empowerment Group support program, Personal Protection Order assistance, Crime Victim's Compensation filing, and a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) partnership with Munson Medical Center established in 1993. WRC also delivers approximately 150 community education and prevention activities annually for schools, civic groups, and allied professionals.

The business model is a hybrid of charitable giving and mission-aligned retail. Revenue is generated from individual donations (online via GiveLively, phone, mail, and stock/securities gifts), foundation and corporate grants (e.g., Impact 100 TC, TC Light & Power, DTE Energy Foundation, Bishop Parker Foundation, VOCA), and retail thrift shop sales across two Traverse City locations. The thrift shops serve a dual purpose: generating approximately half of every dollar spent toward the WRC mission while distributing free clothing and household items to survivors and community members in need. All direct services to survivors are provided free of charge, eliminating traditional pricing/billing mechanics.

Name

Women's Resource Center

Legal name

Women's Resource Center

Website

https://womensresourcecenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Women's Resource Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1975 in Traverse City, Michigan, providing free 24/7 crisis support, emergency shelter, transitional housing, advocacy, and SANE-program coordination to survivors of domestic and sexual violence across a four-county region, funded by donations, grants, and thrift shop sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Individual and Family Services (6241), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

Keywords

• Domestic violence services
• Sexual assault support
• Crisis intervention services
• Emergency shelter services
• Community advocacy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Traverse City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations: The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded primarily by donations from individuals, community members, and supporters. Donations can be made online via GiveLively platform, by phone (Visa/MasterCard/Amex/Discover), or by mail (check or cash).
2. Grants: WRC receives grant funding from government and private foundations. Recent grants include $50,000 from TC Light & Power (Home SAFE Home campaign), $116,000 from Impact 100 TC (Home SAFE Home), and historical grants from DTE Energy Foundation ($10,000). Funded in part by VOCA (Victim of Crime Act).
3. Thrift Shop Sales: WRC operates two retail thrift shops in Traverse City, MI. The shops sell donated clothing, jewelry, housewares, toys, and furnishings. Revenue supports the WRC mission; half of every dollar spent goes to support the WRC mission. The shops have given back nearly $100,000 to community members in need over 20+ years and distribute an estimated $8,000/month in free clothing and household items.
4. Stock and Securities Gifts: Donors may make gifts in the form of stocks, bonds, IRA distributions, or mutual funds, which may offer tax benefits.
5. Specialty Coffee Partnership: Higher Grounds Trading sells a special WRC blend coffee; $5 from each bag is donated to WRC.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Women's Resource Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free, confidential crisis intervention, emergency shelter, transitional housing, advocacy, and support group services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The organization operates a 24/7 crisis hotline, an emergency shelter (Helen's House), and a transitional home (Madeleine's House), complemented by Personal Protection Order assistance, Crime Victim's Compensation filing, and a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) response program. It also runs two retail thrift shops that generate mission revenue and distribute free clothing and household goods to clients and community members in need.

Product overview

Women's Resource Center is a non-profit organization (501(c)(3)) offering a comprehensive suite of domestic and sexual violence support services. The organization operates as a single integrated service offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Core services include a 24-Hour HelpLine for crisis support, Emergency Shelter (Helen's House), and Transitional Housing (Madeleine's House) for survivors. Direct client services encompass One-on-One Support, the Empowerment Group (10-week peer support program), Personal Protection Order assistance, SANE program partnership, Sexual Assault Support Group, and Crime Victim's Compensation assistance. The organization also operates WRC Thrift Shops as a revenue-generating subsidiary. Additional support services include Safety Planning resources, Tech Safety guidance for online privacy protection, and Stalking Services. Community engagement is supported through Volunteer Training (15-hour certification program) and Community Education and Prevention activities (approximately 150 events annually).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 24-Hour HelpLine Crisis support hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week providing victims and survivors with information about medical and legal systems, safety planning, and the effects of domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Emergency Shelter (Helen's House) Safe emergency housing for women and their children who are victims of domestic violence, with assistance in attaining resources for immediate and future needs.
• Transitional Housing (Madeleine's House) Agency-operated transitional home where clients sign a lease, pay a portion of rent, and may stay for up to two years while receiving supportive services.
• One-on-One Support Individual advocacy services providing domestic violence education, crisis intervention, safety planning, community resource referrals, and emotional support.
• Empowerment Group Free and confidential 10-week, 90-minute group support program for survivors of intimate partner abuse covering peer relationships, self-confidence, personal goals, and healing journey.
• Personal Protection Order Assistance Advocacy assistance with obtaining, enforcing, modifying, and terminating Personal Protection Orders (PPOs) including Domestic Relationship PPOs, Non-Domestic Stalking PPOs, and Sexual Assault PPOs.
• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program Partnership with Munson Healthcare providing sexual assault examinations with an estimated 75 exams conducted annually, with WRC staff providing emotional support and financial assistance.
• Sexual Assault Support Group Weekly support group for sexual assault survivors providing peer support and resources.
• Crime Victim's Compensation Assistance Staff and volunteers assist clients in filing claims for Crime Victim's Compensation, helping pay out-of-pocket medical expenses, lost earnings, funeral bills, grief counseling, and crime scene clean-up.
• Stalking Services Support services for stalking victims including safety planning, documentation guidance, law enforcement coordination, and assistance with anti-stalking statutes and protective orders.
• Safety Planning Resources and guidance for developing personal safety plans including recommended items to have ready, safety tips for those not living with an abuser, and planning for safety when leaving a relationship.
• Tech Safety Resources and tips to help survivors protect their online activities, including information about spyware, hacking, keystroke loggers, and remote computer access, with links to technology safety plans from the National Network to End Domestic Violence.
• WRC Thrift Shops Two retail thrift shop locations in Traverse City selling donated clothing, jewelry, housewares, and toys, with half of each dollar spent supporting the WRC mission; also distributes free clothing and household items to clients and community members in need.
• Community Education and Prevention Approximately 150 annual public awareness, prevention, and education activities for allied professionals, agencies, civic groups, and schools on domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5,000 crisis and support calls answered in 2024
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Serra Subaru of Traverse CityminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 January 2026On January 22, Serra Subaru donated 204 brand-new coats through Operation Warm. Operation Warm plans to donate 130,000 coats nationally this year. Partnership provides coats for survivors and community members in need.
• Higher Grounds TradingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHigher Grounds sells a special WRC blend coffee; $5 from each bag is donated to WRC. This partnership provides both fundraising and marketing visibility.
• MSUFCU (Michigan State University Federal Credit Union)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMSUFCU sponsored the free community event featuring Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, demonstrating community support for WRC's educational programming.
• TC Comedy FestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWRC is the first nonprofit partner of the TC Comedy Fest (April 16-18). This partnership provides fundraising opportunities through event participation and nonprofit visibility.
• Munson Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWRC partnered with Munson Medical Center and local law enforcement to establish the SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) program in 1993. WRC works with Munson's SANE nurses to respond to sexual assault cases.
• Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2004, WRC's Doula Teen Parent Program formed a partnership with TCAPS to expand its baby pantry and strengthen the program.
• Fierberg National Law GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWRC Board Member Doug Fierberg is an attorney at the Fierberg National Law Group. WRC hosted community Q&A on sexual assault led by Doug Fierberg. Fierberg National Law Group is a recognized partner in WRC's advocacy ecosystem.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV): National grassroots DV organization focused on public awareness, education, and survivor support resources. Comparable as a DV mission-aligned advocacy network, but not a direct shelter/service operator.
• National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV): National advocacy and policy organization supporting DV service providers through technology, training, and public policy. Comparable as a DV ecosystem enabler, but not a direct service provider competing with WRC.

Broad incumbents

• YWCA USA: National nonprofit operating local YWCA affiliates that provide DV/SA services, shelter, and women's empowerment programming. Comparable in mission and shelter-plus-advocacy model, but operates as a federated network with broader women's services.
• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): National anti-sexual violence organization operating the National Sexual Assault Hotline and supporting local providers. Comparable to WRC's sexual assault response (SANE) and Sexual Assault Support Group functions, but at national scale with broader portfolio.

Direct peers

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: National 24/7 crisis hotline and resource hub for DV victims, providing intervention, safety planning, and referrals. Directly comparable to WRC's hotline-driven crisis intervention core function at national scale.
• Safe Horizon: NYC-based nonprofit providing comprehensive domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking services including hotlines, shelters, and advocacy. Directly comparable as a multi-program DV/SA service organization with shelter, hotline, and advocacy continuum.
• Safe Alliance: Central Texas-based nonprofit providing DV/SA services including emergency shelter, hotline, advocacy, and forensic nursing/SANE services. Comparable as a multi-program DV/SA provider with shelter, SANE, and advocacy continuum similar to WRC's service suite.
• Turning Point, Inc. Michigan-based DV/SA service provider operating shelter, crisis line, advocacy, and SANE programs across multiple counties. Comparable as a Michigan regional DV/SA provider offering a shelter-plus-advocacy model similar to WRC.

Regional players

• SafeHouse Center: Washtenaw County, Michigan-based DV/SA service provider offering emergency shelter, hotline, advocacy, and counseling. Comparable as a Michigan-based DV/SA organization with shelter and advocacy services, but serving a different region.
• Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCEDSV): Statewide Michigan coalition providing training, technical assistance, and advocacy for DV/SA service providers. Comparable in serving Michigan DV/SA populations, but operates as a coalition rather than direct service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wrcgt
• Instagraminstagram.com/wrc_thrift_storetc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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 Women's Resource Center