Steps To End Domestic Violence

What Steps To End Domestic Violence does

Steps To End Domestic Violence is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 03-0283657) headquartered in Burlington, Vermont, that provides free, confidential services to survivors of intimate partner violence and their families. Founded in 1974 as Women's House of Refuge (renamed Women Helping Battered Women in 1980, and rebranded to its current name in 2016), the organization operates Chittenden County's only year-round pet-friendly emergency housing and runs a 21-unit shelter with a SafeHome motel program and a rapid rehousing track (up to 12 months). Service delivery is direct and human-staffed: a 24/7 multilingual hotline (English, Spanish, Swahili, Nepali) plus weekday text line, legal advocacy in civil and criminal proceedings, family programs, peer-led support groups, and community education workshops. A 20-hour Community Advocate Training grants Vermont Victim and Crisis Worker Privilege, supporting a volunteer and intern pipeline. Translated video resources are published in 15+ languages through a partnership with the Vermont Language Justice Project.

The underlying technology stack is deliberately minimal: no proprietary platforms, AI systems, or APIs are disclosed — only standard nonprofit management and donor database systems used to track service users and hotline calls. The business model is donation- and grant-driven, with no fees charged to any service user across any program. Revenue streams include individual monetary donations (one-time, monthly sustaining, honor/memory gifts processed via Vanco Payment Solutions), in-kind donations of goods (via Amazon Wishlist, GiftDrive, and drop-off), foundation grants (e.g., the Red Rover Safe Housing Grant of $50,000+), corporate sponsorships (POM Family Foundation as Premium Presenting Sponsor; Redstone, National Life Group, UVM Medical Center, 802 Credit Union as core partners), and community giving. Educational workshops operate on a donation-based sliding scale.

Steps is governed by a Board of Directors and embedded in a network of 20+ regional partners, including the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Howard Center, Vermont Legal Aid, Hope Works, Planned Parenthood, and Community Health Centers. As it enters its 50th year, the organization is operating under a new 2025-2030 Strategic Plan and a recently appointed Executive Director, signaling a formalization of long-term programmatic priorities. Geographic scope remains regional — Chittenden County, Vermont — with no current multi-county or national expansion.

Name

Steps To End Domestic Violence

Legal name

Steps to End Domestic Violence

Website

https://stepsvt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Steps To End Domestic Violence is a Burlington, Vermont-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1974 that provides free, confidential emergency shelter, 24/7 hotline, legal advocacy, and support services to survivors of intimate partner violence and their families in Chittenden County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic Violence Support Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM)

Keywords

• Domestic violence services
• Emergency shelter services
• Crisis hotline support
• Survivor advocacy programs
• Community violence prevention

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Monetary Donations: Individual donations accepted online via credit card, by mail (check), or over the phone. Includes single donations, monthly sustaining gifts, and honor/memory gifts. Donations processed through Vanco Payment Solutions.
2. In-Kind Donations: Physical donations including food/pantry items, cleaning supplies, kitchen items, linens, personal care products, clothing/shoes, and children's items. Items shipped via Amazon Wishlist or GiftDrive, or dropped off in person by appointment.
3. Contract Services: Seeking bids from contractors for shelter facilities work (exterior lighting installation), indicating some revenue from facility maintenance contracts.
4. Grants and Foundation Support: Funded by grants including Safe Housing Grant from Red Rover ($50,000+), foundation sponsors like POM Family Foundation, and community partners. Annual reports available FY2016-FY2025.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Steps To End Domestic Violence is a nonprofit organization that provides free, confidential crisis intervention and wraparound services for survivors of intimate partner violence in Chittenden County, Vermont. Core service offerings include a 24/7 multilingual hotline, a 21-unit pet-friendly emergency shelter (with SafeHome motel placement and rapid rehousing), legal advocacy, family support programs, peer-led support groups, economic justice services, and community education and outreach workshops.

Product overview

Steps To End Domestic Violence is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of services for survivors of intimate partner violence. The organization operates emergency shelter programs (a 21-unit shelter and SafeHome motel program), a 24/7 multilingual hotline, legal advocacy, family support services, educational workshops, peer-led support groups, rapid rehousing, community advocate training, and translated resources. Services are free and confidential, operating under an empowerment model that respects survivor self-determination. The organization was founded in 1974 and serves Chittenden County, Vermont.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Shelter 21-unit emergency shelter providing housing for individuals and families fleeing intimate partner violence for up to 90 days, including the only year-round pet-friendly emergency housing option in Chittenden County.
• SafeHome Program Motel placement program that can house individuals and families fleeing intimate partner violence for up to 90 days.
• Rapid Rehousing Temporary housing program (typically up to 12 months) connecting survivors with apartments in the community and providing rental assistance while they work toward independence.
• Economic Justice Program Services addressing economic abuse by helping survivors overcome financial barriers including becoming financially independent, finding career and education opportunities, and resolving legal and tenant issues.
• 24/7 Crisis Hotline 24-hour crisis hotline available in English (802-658-1996), Spanish (802-200-2314), Swahili (802-255-8268), and Nepali (802-441-7240), providing safety planning, emotional support, crisis intervention, and referrals.
• Text Line Text messaging service (802-658-1996) available Monday–Friday 8am–5pm for connecting with advocates for emotional support, safety planning, and resource navigation.
• Legal Advocacy Legal advocates provide information, help with legal systems and paperwork, and offer emotional support in criminal and family court processes including Relief from Abuse Orders, custody, child support, and divorce.
• Family Program Supportive services for families experiencing homelessness due to domestic violence, including basic needs assistance, community connections, groups, advocacy, and seasonal shelter programs.
• Support Groups Peer-led support groups for survivors of intimate partner violence including All-Survivor Support Group, Women's Support Group, Friends & Family of Survivors, Parent Support Group, and Building Healthy Relationships in Recovery.
• Community Advocate Training 20-hour and 8-hour training programs providing foundational knowledge about intimate partner violence and anti-violence work, with the 20-hour training granting Vermont Victim and Crisis Worker Privilege.
• Education and Outreach Workshops Educational presentations and workshops for various audiences including community members, parents, teens, and professionals, covering topics such as Domestic Violence 101, Healthy Relationships, Trauma-Informed Practices, Bystander Intervention, and Financial Abuse.
• Translated Resources Video resources and information about services for survivors of intimate partner violence, available in multiple languages including ASL, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, French, Haitian Kreyol, Kirundi, Maay Maay, Mandarin, Nepali, Pashto, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.

Quantifiable outcome

• 21-unit shelter capacity serving families fleeing IPV
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• The University of Vermont Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriend of Steps sponsor. Healthcare provider partnership for referral pathways and collaborative care for survivors.
• 802 Credit UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing financial services support and referrals for economic justice programming.
• Northeast Delta DentalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing dental benefits support for staff and potentially survivors.
• BirdseyeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting Steps through local business sponsorship.
• Plan Integrity PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing professional services support.
• SafeSpace at Pride Center of VermontcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides supportive services to LGBTQ+ Vermonters. Referral partnership for serving LGBTQ+ survivors of intimate partner violence.
• Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual ViolenceflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide coalition of domestic and sexual violence programs. Steps is a member organization. Provides networking, advocacy, and resource sharing.
• Howard CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health, substance use, and developmental disability services. Referral partnership for comprehensive survivor support.
• Outright VermontminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBTQ+ youth organization. Partnership for serving LGBTQ+ youth impacted by violence.
• Hope WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocacy and supportive services for survivors of sexual violence. Referral and collaborative partnership.
• Vermont Legal AidcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree civil legal advocacy. Partnership for legal services referrals and collaborative advocacy for survivors.
• Turning Point Center of Chittenden CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecovery support services. Co-hosts Building Healthy Relationships in Recovery support group at their location.
• Vermont Center for Crime Victim ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssistance with Victims Compensation Claims. Partnership for financial support services for survivors.
• SpectrumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth services organization. Partnership for youth programming and prevention work.
• Planned ParenthoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare provider partnership for reproductive health referrals and collaborative education.
• Community Health CentersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerComprehensive healthcare services. Partnership for healthcare referrals for survivors.
• USCRI VermontminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRefugee and immigrant services. Partnership for serving immigrant and refugee survivors.
• Burlington Obedience Training ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimal training partner supporting pet-friendly shelter program through training support.
• Chittenden County Humane SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimal services partner supporting pet-friendly shelter program.
• Vermont Language Justice ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for translated video resources. Produced videos in 15+ languages including ASL, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, French, Haitian Kreyol, Kirundi, Maay Maay, Mandarin, Nepali, Pashto, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Safe Horizon: NYC-based large-scale victim services nonprofit providing domestic violence shelters, hotlines, legal advocacy, and counseling. Operates the same service mix as Steps but at substantially greater scale and broader program portfolio.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: National 24/7 crisis hotline, resources, and referral service referenced by Steps for out-of-county callers. Operates the largest DV hotline infrastructure in the U.S., making it the national equivalent of Steps' hotline service line.

Direct peers

• Center for Community Solutions: San Diego-based nonprofit operating domestic violence and sexual assault services including shelter, 24-hour crisis line, legal advocacy, and counseling. Directly comparable in service mix and regional nonprofit scale to Steps.
• Harbor House: Milwaukee-based emergency domestic violence shelter providing safe housing, counseling, and advocacy. Comparable mid-sized shelter operator with similar shelter capacity and direct service model to Steps' 21-unit facility.
• Genesis Women's Shelter & Support: Dallas-based domestic violence shelter and support center offering emergency housing, hotline, children's services, and education. Comparable full-service shelter model with on-site children's programming similar to Steps' family program.
• Northwest Network: Washington-state-based organization serving LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic violence through shelter, advocacy, and community education. Operates a similar empowerment-model framework with specialized survivor populations.
• YWCA Vermont: Statewide Vermont YWCA network operating domestic violence shelters, sexual violence services, and housing programs. Closest peer offering comparable shelter/hotline/legal advocacy models in Vermont's broader geography.
• The Network/La Red: Boston-based survivor-led organization providing shelter, advocacy, and education for LGBTQ+ and HIV-affected survivors of partner abuse. Comparable niche specialization in under-served survivor populations, similar to Steps' inclusive-mission approach.
• HopeWorks: Burlington, VT-based nonprofit providing crisis intervention, advocacy, and support for survivors of sexual violence. Steps' partner in the referral network and the most directly comparable peer in the same geography, with overlapping service lines and shared training programs.
• House of Ruth: Maryland-based nonprofit providing domestic violence shelters, transitional housing, and legal clinics for survivors. Directly comparable operational model with shelter, hotline, and wraparound services at similar scale to Steps.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/stepsvt
• Facebookfacebook.com/stepsvt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/steps-to-end-domestic-violence

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Steps To End Domestic Violence