Saheli

What Saheli does

Saheli is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in Massachusetts in 1996, founded in collaboration with the Indian Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) by South Asian women to address domestic and sexual violence in their community. Headquartered in Burlington, MA with a secondary office in Woburn and support group sites in Quincy and Shrewsbury, the organization serves South Asian (India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives) and Arab women, families, and youth in Massachusetts who face cultural, linguistic, and immigration-related barriers to accessing mainstream domestic violence services. Core service lines include a 24/7 confidential multilingual helpline (1-866-4SAHELI), safety planning, trauma-informed mental health counseling, in-person support groups (including Arabic-language and Muslim-specific groups), housing stabilization, family-law and immigration legal services (U Visa, VAWA), economic empowerment programming (financial literacy, career support, scholarships of $1,500–$2,000), and youth engagement via the South Asian Youth Engagement Program (SYEP).

Saheli's technology footprint is modest: a multilingual WordPress website offering 17+ language translations, a case management system for tracking survivor services, and Venmo-enabled digital donations — there is no mobile app, no API, and no proprietary software product. Outreach is community-led, relying on a 24/7 helpline, WhatsApp/iMessage/Text (1-781-999-1056), online referral forms, in-person support groups, and referral partnerships with hospitals, legal services, and community organizations.

Revenue is sourced from foundation grants (notably a $100,000 Cummings Foundation grant over four years starting 2021), individual donations (Venmo and direct), and proceeds from signature fundraisers including the Nirbhaya Gala, 5K Walk, and The Art Affair. Additional funding comes from the Lenny Zakim Fund, SABA Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim Foundation, Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, The Dow Fund, and a COVID-19 Small Grant from The Allstate Foundation. All services are delivered free of charge to survivors.

Name

Saheli

Legal name

Saheli Inc

Website

https://saheliboston.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Saheli is a Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1996 that provides free, culturally-sensitive, trauma-informed domestic and sexual violence services — including a multilingual helpline, legal, housing, mental health, and economic empowerment support — to South Asian and Arab women, families, and youth.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic Violence Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Child Protection & Child Rights (BPAGABAG), Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI), Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Legal Aid) (BPADADAH)

Keywords

• Domestic violence services
• Trauma-informed counseling
• Culturally sensitive support
• Victim advocacy services
• Community-based nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants: Saheli receives grant funding from foundations such as Cummings Foundation ($100,000 over 4 years), The Lenny Zakim Fund, SABA Foundation, and other regional funders to support operations and programs.
2. Individual Donations: The organization accepts donations via Venmo and other channels from individual donors supporting the domestic violence services mission.
3. Fundraising Events: Saheli organizes annual fundraising events including the Nirbhaya Gala and The Art Affair to raise funds for essential services for domestic violence survivors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Saheli is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing culturally-sensitive, trauma-informed domestic and sexual violence services to South Asian and Arab women and families in Massachusetts. Core offerings include a 24/7 confidential multilingual helpline, safety planning, transitional housing assistance, family law and immigration legal services, one-on-one trauma-informed mental health counseling, and in-person support groups. All services are provided free of charge to survivors.

Product overview

Saheli is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of culturally-sensitive domestic violence support services for South Asian and Arab women and families in Massachusetts. The organization operates as a single integrated service model rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Core services include a multilingual helpline (1-866-472-4354), housing assistance, legal services, mental health counseling, and support groups. The Economic Empowerment Program provides financial literacy, career support, and scholarships. The Youth Engagement Program (SYEP) offers Youth Leadership Fellowship, University Ambassadorship, and internship opportunities. Prevention programs raise awareness through community education on healthy relationships. All services are designed to be culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and available in multiple languages including Arabic, Hindi, Gujarati, and others.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bilingual Helpline A multilingual confidential helpline (1-866-472-4354) providing 24/7 immediate support, safety planning, and critical information for domestic and sexual violence survivors, staffed by Domestic Violence Advocates.
• Housing Assistance
• Legal Services Family law and client legal services with the goal of increasing survivors' access to justice, including assistance navigating the complex legal system, U Visas, and VAWA protections.
• Mental Health Services One-on-one trauma-informed mental health counseling for survivors dealing with anxiety, trauma, and other symptoms, plus in-person therapeutic support groups.
• Safety Planning Personalized safety plans including important next steps, tech safety, client advice, and financial advice assessed by trained advocates.
• Benefits Advocacy Assists survivors in applying for eligible public benefits like unemployment, MassHealth, food stamps, and helps find shelters and affordable housing.
• Support Groups Regular support groups for domestic violence survivors organized in Burlington, Quincy, and Shrewsbury, including mental health therapy groups in English and Arabic, Muslim support group, and parenting classes.
• Youth Engagement Program (SYEP) A program providing South Asian youth with opportunities to engage on issues connecting them, including Youth Leadership Fellowship for high school students, University Ambassadorship, and Internship programs for college students.
• Economic Empowerment Program Provides tools and resources for survivors to live safe, self-sustaining lives including financial and computer literacy classes, certifications, professional training financial aid, career planning, and job search resources.
• Scholarships for South Asian and Arabic Girls Annual scholarships of $1,500 to $2,000 for female students pursuing college degrees, targeting underserved immigrant families.
• Prevention Programs Domestic violence awareness programs educating families and youth about healthy relationships, conducted through community organizations and expressive mediums like art and discussion.
• Trauma-Yoga Classes Therapeutic yoga classes designed for trauma recovery, offered as part of the support group programming.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 women helped to live safe, healthy and independent lives since 1996
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Indian Association of Greater Boston (IAGB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner - Saheli was founded in 1996 in collaboration with IAGB. The organization was created by South Asian women who were passionate about helping domestic violence survivors. IAGB is a key community partner for cultural events.
• Consulate General of India, New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiplomatic partner providing support for Saheli's mission serving the Indian diaspora community in Massachusetts.
• Sewa InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization partner for cultural and community engagement activities.
• Jane Doe Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMassachusetts coalition against domestic and sexual violence. Saheli is a proud partner of Jane Doe Inc.
• South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston (SABAGB)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal professional association providing support for Saheli's legal services and client referrals.
• Indian Medical Association of New England (IMANE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare professional organization supporting Saheli's referral network for medical services for survivors.
• Greater Boston Legal ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal services provider that helped survivors like Chandan obtain VAWA visas and provided other immigration legal assistance.
• Lahey Hospital/Medical CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing support for Saheli's programs including CHNA showcase presentations and community health initiatives.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Manavi: New Jersey-based nonprofit serving South Asian women and other immigrant communities facing domestic violence, offering safety planning, counseling, legal advocacy, and support groups. Direct peer serving an adjacent South Asian diaspora hub.
• Daya: Houston-based nonprofit serving South Asian and other immigrant survivors of domestic and sexual violence, providing counseling, case management, legal services, and youth prevention. Direct peer with an overlapping cultural focus and comparable service model.
• Raksha: Atlanta-based nonprofit serving South Asian survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, with case management, support groups, and legal advocacy. Direct peer serving the Southeast diaspora.
• ASHA for Women: Washington DC-area nonprofit providing culturally-specific domestic violence and sexual assault services to South Asian women, including case management, counseling, legal advocacy, and youth programs. Closely comparable culturally-specific model in a different geography.
• Narika: Bay Area nonprofit serving South Asian and Middle Eastern survivors of domestic violence with a helpline, case management, and self-sufficiency programs. Direct peer applying the same culturally-specific DV model on the West Coast.
• Sakhi for South Asian Women: New York City-based nonprofit serving South Asian survivors of domestic and sexual violence with helpline, counseling, legal advocacy, and economic empowerment. The most direct functional peer to Saheli, with a near-identical service model applied to a different metro's diaspora.
• Apna Ghar: Chicago-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and culturally-specific services for survivors of domestic violence from South Asian, Middle Eastern, and other immigrant communities. Direct peer with very similar cultural specialism and service mix.

Broad incumbents

• Casa Myrna Vasquez: Greater Boston's largest domestic violence service provider, offering shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and economic empowerment. A broader, well-resourced local incumbent that increasingly partners with culturally-specific providers like Saheli rather than competing head-on.

Others

• Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence: National resource center addressing gender-based violence in Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities. Functions as an enabler for Saheli and the broader network of culturally-specific DV providers through research, training, and federal advocacy.
• Jane Doe Inc. Massachusetts statewide coalition against sexual and domestic violence, of which Saheli is a proud partner. Adjacent ecosystem player — not a direct service competitor but a critical referral, training, and funding conduit for Saheli and similar providers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/saheliboston
• Facebookfacebook.com/SaheliBoston
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saheli-boston
• Instagraminstagram.com/saheliboston

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Saheli