SafeNet

What SafeNet does

SafeNet, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania, and Erie County's only state-accredited domestic violence agency. Founded in 1974 as Hospitality House by a coalition of interfaith women, the organization delivers a vertically integrated continuum of free, confidential services to survivors of intimate partner violence and their children: a 24/7 crisis hotline, emergency shelter (capacity 43 adult beds), the Bridge House transitional housing program (the first such program for abused women in the United States, launched 1986), counseling and advocacy, legal services through the separately incorporated PFACS subsidiary (PFA orders, custody, support, divorce), the Medical Advocacy Program operating on-call at four regional hospitals, children's services including the Big Backyard Children's Garden, and prevention education including Coaching Boys into Men. Total reach is approximately 2,000 hotline calls and 1,500+ primary victims served annually.

The underlying service infrastructure is human- and facility-driven rather than technology-driven. No proprietary technology platforms, software products, or AI systems are described; the only digital surface is a NeonCRM donation portal and a content website. Service delivery depends on Pennsylvania-certified DV counselor advocates, trained hotline staff, attorney/legal advocacy through PFACS, and partnerships with UPMC Hamot, St. Vincent, Millcreek Community Hospital, Community Health Net, MHEDS, the PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence, FUTURES WITHOUT VIOLENCE, and the Erie Police Department (via the Lethality Assessment Program). Facility footprint includes the administrative office at 1702 French Street, a neighborhood partnership center at 254 East 10th Street, and an undisclosed 24/7 emergency shelter.

The revenue model is donation-dependent. All victim services are provided free of charge. Funding streams include foundation grants (PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence, federal grants, private foundations), individual donations (online, mail, in-person events), corporate donations and event sponsorships (Erie Insurance, UPMC Health Plan, Highmark, Northwest Bank, Marquette Savings Bank, Giant Eagle, ECGRA), Erie Community Foundation's matching Erie Gives program, and ancillary venue-rental income. Annual operating budget is approximately $1.6 million. The customer base is survivor-individuals (adults, teens, children, LGBTQI, affluent victims) plus secondary B2B-style relationships with healthcare, law enforcement, and employer training clients.

Name

SafeNet

Legal name

SafeNet, Inc.

Website

https://safeneterie.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SafeNet is Erie, Pennsylvania's only state-accredited domestic violence agency, operating since 1974 and providing free 24/7 crisis hotline, emergency shelter, transitional housing (Bridge House), counseling, legal advocacy via the PFACS subsidiary, medical advocacy, and children's services to roughly 1,500-2,000 survivors annually on a ~$1.6M donation-funded budget.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic violence social services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423), Child and Youth Services (624110)

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), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH)

Keywords

• Domestic violence services
• Crisis hotline support
• Emergency shelter
• Counseling and advocacy
• Community violence prevention

Headquarters

HQ city

Erie

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants: Funded by grants from organizations such as the PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence, federal grants, and private foundations
2. Individual Donations: Monetary donations from individuals through online portal, mail, and in-person at events
3. Corporate Donations: Corporate support through direct donations, employee giving programs, payroll deductions, and event sponsorships
4. Erie Gives Matching Program: Annual participation in Erie Gives event with proportional matching funds from Erie Community Foundation

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SafeNet provides free, confidential crisis intervention and support services to victims of domestic violence, including a 24/7 hotline, emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling and advocacy, legal representation for Protection from Abuse orders, children's programming, hospital-based medical advocacy, and community outreach and prevention education. All services are delivered at no cost to survivors, and the organization also raises funds through donations, grants, corporate sponsorships, and events.

Product overview

SafeNet is Erie's only accredited domestic violence agency offering a comprehensive suite of victim services. The organization operates as a unified service platform with core programs including Emergency Shelter (Hospitality House), 24/7 Crisis Hotline, Counseling and Advocacy, Legal Services (PFACS), Children's Programs, Bridge House Transitional Housing, Medical Advocacy, and Community Outreach. Supporting services include Safety Education (cell phone, computer, and general safety planning), LGBTQI Services, Coaching Boys into Men prevention education, the Lethality Assessment Program for law enforcement, and the Big Backyard Children's Garden therapeutic outdoor space. The organization also operates venue rental facilities and an in-kind donation program (Project Connect). All services are provided free of charge to approximately 1,500-2,000 victims and their children annually. SafeNet celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024, having been founded in 1974 as Hospitality House.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Shelter (Hospitality House) Confidential, safe short-term emergency housing available 24/7 for victims of domestic violence and their children, with capacity for approximately 500 victims per year, half of whom are children under 12.
• 24/7 Domestic Violence Crisis Hotline 24-hour crisis intervention, information, and referral hotline answered by trained and certified staff, providing assessment, crisis intervention, danger assessment, and referrals to legal and medical remedies.
• Counseling and Advocacy Individual and group counseling provided by Pennsylvania-certified domestic violence counselor advocates, focusing on empowerment, safety planning, and healing. Available for residential and non-residential clients.
• Legal Services (PFACS) Attorney representation and legal advocacy for Protection from Abuse Orders and other legal issues including custody, support, and divorce cases resulting from abusive relationships.
• Children's Program Evidence-based counseling for children who have witnessed domestic violence, including structured groups, individual counseling, age-appropriate education, healing through play, and positive parenting support.
• Bridge House Transitional Housing Transitional housing program for single women and women with children who lack permanent housing due to domestic violence. First transitional housing program for abused women in the United States, offering independent furnished apartments with counseling and case advocacy.
• Medical Advocacy Program 24/7 on-call advocacy at local hospital emergency departments, professional training for healthcare staff, and protocol development for early identification of domestic abuse. One of twelve prototype programs in the nation.
• Community Outreach and Education Informative presentations about domestic violence to community groups and professional trainings tailored to workplaces, including special services for diverse minority populations through collaboration with Minority Health Education Delivery System.
• LGBTQI Services Specialized support services addressing unique challenges faced by LGBTQI individuals coping with domestic violence, including assistance with legal protections, custody, and financial independence.
• Coaching Boys into Men Evidence-based prevention program utilizing high school athletic coaches to train boys to develop healthy relationships and prevent relationship abuse, harassment, and sexual assault.
• Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) Two-pronged intervention process featuring research-based lethality screening tool and referral protocol for law enforcement to identify domestic violence victims at highest risk and connect them to services.
• Safety Planning Comprehensive safety planning resources covering safety during explosive incidents, preparing to leave, safety in the home, safety with children, and workplace safety for domestic violence victims.
• Computer and Technology Safety Education Education on safe computing practices for domestic violence survivors, including guidance on avoiding monitored devices and using safer computers at public libraries or trusted locations.
• Cell Phone Safety Safety guidance for survivors regarding mobile device privacy, location tracking, call logging, and recognizing signs of device monitoring by abusers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Re-assault dropped by 60% when victims went into shelter
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FUTURES WITHOUT VIOLENCEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFUTURES WITHOUT VIOLENCE developed the Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM) program. SafeNet received a $5,000 grant from PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence to implement this evidence-based curriculum, which utilizes high school athletic coaches to help train boys to develop healthy relationships and a future without violence. The program has been implemented in communities across the U.S. and around the world.
• PA Coalition Against Domestic ViolencecoreOthersState-level coalition providing leadership, advocacy, and grant funding for domestic violence services. SafeNet's Executive Director Sheila Ardery served in key leadership roles. The coalition became a national model for domestic violence advocacy.
• UPMC HamotcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal hospital partner in SafeNet's Medical Advocacy Program. SafeNet representatives are on-call 24 hours at hospital emergency rooms. Training of health care personnel on domestic violence identification and intervention. Part of 12-site federal project to strengthen partnerships between healthcare providers and domestic violence services.
• St. Vincent HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal hospital partner in SafeNet's Medical Advocacy Program. SafeNet advocates on-call 24 hours to assist domestic violence victims with safety planning and connect them with services. Training of medical staff on domestic violence recognition and intervention protocols.
• UPMC Hamot, St. Vincent Health Center, Millcreek Community Hospital, Community Health NetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of healthcare providers where SafeNet is on-call 24/7 for domestic violence intervention and advocacy services, screening for abuse in healthcare settings.
• Minority Health Education Delivery System (MHEDS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative project providing special domestic violence services for diverse minority populations. Safety cards with SafeNet's hotline number are distributed in hospitals and doctors' offices throughout Erie County.
• Erie Community FoundationminorOthersErie Community Foundation sponsors Erie Gives, an annual event where donors can make gifts online and the foundation provides proportional matching funds. SafeNet participates annually in this event.
• Erie InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor sponsor of SafeNet events including the 5th Annual Scrabble Tournament and 100 Women events. Support through corporate donations and sponsorships.
• Marquette Savings BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of SafeNet events and provider of financial wellness resources for victims of financial abuse.
• UPMC Health PlanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of SafeNet events including the 5th Annual Scrabble Tournament.
• Highmark HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of SafeNet events including the 5th Annual Scrabble Tournament.
• Northwest BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of SafeNet events including the 5th Annual Scrabble Tournament.
• Giant EagleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor sponsor of SafeNet's Boo Run 2018 event.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV): National membership and advocacy organization for U.S. domestic violence programs, comparable to SafeNet in mission and service philosophy but operating at federal/policy scale rather than direct-service delivery. NNEDV's policy and tech initiatives (e.g., Safety Net Project) are reference standards for organizations like SafeNet.
• Futures Without Violence (FUTURES): National nonprofit that developed the Coaching Boys into Men prevention curriculum which SafeNet implements. Comparable as a national DV organization focused on training, policy, and prevention programming, and serves as SafeNet's evidence-based curriculum partner.
• PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV): Statewide coalition that funds, trains, and advocates for Pennsylvania domestic violence programs including SafeNet. Directly comparable as the umbrella organization over SafeNet's core mission, providing grant funding and shared frameworks across the state's network of DV agencies.

Direct peers

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: Nationally operated 24/7 crisis hotline and resource directory for domestic violence victims. Directly comparable to SafeNet's 24/7 hotline product offering, though operating nationally rather than locally and serving as a referral partner when SafeNet's local capacity is exceeded.
• Safe Horizon: New York City-based direct-service nonprofit providing shelter, hotline, counseling, and legal advocacy for domestic violence and related victims. Closely comparable in service mix to SafeNet - shelter, hotline, counseling, legal services - though at significantly larger scale within a different metro market.
• Center for Hope and Safety (formerly Shelter Our Sisters): New Jersey-based domestic violence agency providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling, and legal advocacy. Operates the same integrated service model as SafeNet (emergency shelter, transitional housing, legal services) at a comparable regional scale.
• YWCA of Greater Erie: Regional YWCA chapter also serving Erie with domestic violence services, housing, and advocacy. Operates overlapping services in the same geographic market as SafeNet, making it the closest direct peer for mission alignment, service delivery model, and funding base.
• Crisis Center of Tampa Bay / The Spring of Tampa Bay: Regional domestic violence shelter and service agency operating a comparable mix of emergency shelter, hotline, counseling, and legal advocacy in a similarly mid-sized U.S. metro area. Mirrors SafeNet's integrated service platform and community-based referral model.
• RAVEN (Resolve Abuse & Violence through Education & Networking) - Center for Alternatives to Domestic Violence: Multiple mid-sized U.S. domestic violence agencies (e.g., Center for Alternatives to Domestic Violence in NY, RAVEN centers) operate the same comprehensive shelter-plus-services model as SafeNet at similar regional scale, with comparable funding mix of state grants and donations.

Others

• Erie Community Foundation: Local community foundation that administers the Erie Gives matching program in which SafeNet participates annually. Comparable not as a service peer but as a key funding ecosystem player and adjacent nonprofit partner that channels philanthropic capital to agencies like SafeNet.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Safeneterie
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCX4sztK2N0W45_sLYJMof4g
• Facebookfacebook.com/SafeNetIncErie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/safenet-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SafeNet