What The Aftermath Foundation does

The Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in December 2017 and headquartered in Castle Rock, Colorado, dedicated to assisting individuals transitioning out of the Church of Scientology and its Sea Organization. The foundation operates as a survivor-led organization with volunteer board members and a small paid staff (11–50 employees), providing emergency financial assistance, safe relocation support, career counseling, mental health resources, peer support groups, and education grants (up to $10,000 annually via the Rosemary Chicwak Education Grant). Additional programs include a 24/7 US and UK toll-free helpline, a reconnection platform (Aftermath Connect), an anonymous crime-reporting tool (ReportanIssue.com), and an awareness campaign including billboards placed adjacent to Scientology's Los Angeles headquarters.

The organization is funded entirely through donations and grants, with no commercial revenue. Revenue streams include one-time individual donations, a $7/month "Friends of the Foundation" recurring membership, designated campaign funds (Billboard Campaign Fund, Elder Care Campaign), the education grant endowment, YouTube ad revenue and channel memberships, and ticketed fundraising events such as "Comedy for a Cause." Distribution occurs through the foundation's website, helplines, the Aftermath Connect platform, downloadable awareness cards, and a Los Angeles therapy group co-facilitated with clinical psychologist Dr. Natalie Feinblatt. Leadership comprises President Claire Headley, Executive Director Phil Jones (appointed August 2025), and a board of former Scientology and Sea Org members; the organization was renamed in February 2025 following the passing of co-founder and namesake Mike Rinder.

Name

The Aftermath Foundation

Legal name

The Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation

Website

https://theaftermathfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Aftermath Foundation is a survivor-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides emergency aid, safe relocation, education grants, mental health resources, and community reconnection services to individuals transitioning out of Scientology and the Sea Organization.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Survivor Support and Cult Recovery Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disaster Recovery, Reconstruction & Resilience Programs (BPAGAAAK), Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

Keywords

• Cult recovery support
• Survivor assistance services
• Education grant funding
• Crisis intervention aid
• Nonprofit survivor advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Castle Rock

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters who contribute to the general fund supporting all foundation programs.
2. Friends of the Foundation Membership: Monthly recurring donations of $7.00 providing sustainable funding for survivor support when needed.
3. Education Grant Fund: Dedicated annual scholarship grant of up to $10,000 for former Scientologists and their children pursuing education.
4. Billboard Campaign Fund: Designated donations supporting awareness campaigns targeting Sea Org members and Scientologists.
5. Elder Care Campaign: New campaign specifically funding resources for former elder members including housing, family reconnection, and support services.
6. YouTube Channel Support: Revenue from YouTube channel views, subscriptions, and channel memberships supporting the organization's mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Aftermath Foundation provides free emergency financial assistance, safe relocation support, mental health resources, education grants, and career counseling to individuals leaving Scientology and the Sea Org. It supplements direct aid with a 24/7 helpline, an anonymous crime reporting mechanism, and the Aftermath Connect platform that enables survivors to reconnect with one another and rebuild community.

Product overview

The Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation is a survivor-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a single integrated support platform rather than a modular product suite. The foundation's core offering consists of emergency financial aid, safe relocation, mental health resources, education grants (via the Rosemary Chicwak Education Grant), career counseling, peer community through Aftermath Connect, a 24/7 helpline, anonymous reporting, and awareness distribution materials. These programs are unified under a survivor-centered approach, all directed at helping individuals leave Scientology and the Sea Org and rebuild independent lives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Assistance and Short-Term Financial Aid Immediate financial support and crisis aid for individuals leaving Scientology or the Sea Org who have no resources, no employment history, and no family network to fall back on.
• Safe Relocation and Logistical Support Assistance with safe physical relocation, transportation, and logistical planning for individuals escaping high-control environments, including help navigating the transition to independent living.
• Mental Health Resources and Recovery Support Therapeutic and mental health support services including a therapy group in Los Angeles co-facilitated with clinical psychologist Dr. Natalie Feinblatt, designed for former Scientology members to process trauma and rebuild identity.
• The Rosemary Chicwak Education Grant An annual scholarship grant of up to $10,000 for former Scientologists and their children to pursue education, established in honor of Rosemary Chicwak who escaped from Scientology after years of abuse.
• Career Counseling Guidance and support for career development, job readiness, and rebuilding professional lives for those who left without formal employment history or documented work experience.
• Aftermath Connect A reconnection platform enabling survivors of Scientology to find and reconnect with one another, providing community and peer support for those rebuilding their lives outside the organization.
• Distribution Materials Printed and digital informational materials including cards and flyers (Reconnection Design, Curious Design, Helpline Design) available for download or via The SP Shop, used to raise awareness and distribute the foundation's helpline information.
• The Aftermath Foundation Helpline A toll-free 24/7 helpline (888-FREE-002 in the US; 0800 090 3372 in the UK) providing immediate support and guidance to those seeking to leave Scientology or the Sea Org.
• Billboard Awareness Campaign Outdoor advertising campaign placing billboards near Scientology's Los Angeles headquarters ('Big Blue') visible to Sea Org members, displaying the foundation's helpline number to reach those inside who wish to escape.
• Anonymous Reporting Tool An anonymous crime and injustice reporting mechanism hosted on reportanissue.com, enabling victims or witnesses of criminal or unethical actions within Scientology or the Sea Org to file reports to help stop alleged abuse.

Quantifiable outcome

• Phone contacts tripled in three days following billboard campaign launch
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Comedy Works SouthminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 March 2026Comedy venue hosting 'Comedy for a Cause' fundraising event on March 11, 2026, featuring comedian John Novosad. Event to raise funds for the foundation's programs supporting individuals leaving Scientology.
• Dr. Natalie FeinblattcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 November 2024Dr. Natalie Feinblatt, a clinical psychologist specializing in trauma and cult recovery, partnered with The Aftermath Foundation to offer a therapy group in Los Angeles specifically designed for former members of Scientology. Co-facilitated by Dr. Feinblatt and Aftermath Foundation board member Michele Adair, the group provides a supportive and safe space for individuals to process their experiences, share stories, and begin healing. The program focuses on trauma, identity rebuilding, and finding community outside of Scientology.
• Clear Channel OutdoorminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 March 2024Clear Channel Outdoor provided billboard advertising space near Scientology's headquarters in Los Angeles. A one-year contract was signed with First Right of Refusal. The billboard featured the organization's toll-free helpline (888-FREE-002) visible from 'Big Blue.' However, Scientology pressured Clear Channel, which ultimately removed the billboard within days of installation.
• Phil JonescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024Phil Jones, who spent nearly 40 years inside Scientology and experienced firsthand the manipulation and heartbreak of disconnection (losing contact with his children), joined The Aftermath Foundation board in March 2024. He brings experience from his successful 2016 'Call Me' billboard campaign exposing disconnection. Appointed Executive Director in August 2025.
• ReportanIssue.comcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnonymous reporting platform for victims of or witnesses to criminal or unethical actions within the Church of Scientology or the Sea Org. The foundation directs people to file reports to help stop alleged abuse and bring justice to those responsible.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cult Recovery Services: Provides counseling, education, and resources for individuals and families affected by cults, coercive control, and high-demand groups. Overlapping client base and service philosophy with the foundation.
• International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA): ICSA is a research and education network focused on cultic studies, psychological manipulation, and recovery; the foundation explicitly links to ICSA on its website. Both serve overlapping audiences of cult survivors and families, though ICSA emphasizes research/conferences while Aftermath focuses on direct survivor aid.
• Open Minds Foundation: Provides support, education, and community resources for former cult members and their families. Highly comparable mission and survivor-led model, with overlapping programming around recovery, education, and family reconnection.
• Hartley French Foundation: Supports people exiting cults and high-control environments with financial assistance, recovery resources, and community support. Direct peer in providing transition aid to cult leavers.
• Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center: A nonprofit retreat and resource center serving survivors of cultic and high-control groups, offering residential programs, counseling, and reintegration support. Comparable direct-service delivery model for cult leavers.
• INFORM (Information Network Focus on Religious Movements): Nonprofit providing information, research, and support regarding new religious movements and cults. Overlapping audience of cult survivors and families with research- and education-oriented services.
• Freedom of Mind Resource Center: Founded by cult recovery expert Steve Hassan, this organization offers strategic interaction counseling and resources for former cult members. Comparable in serving cult-leavers with counseling and educational support.

Regional players

• Cult Survivor (UK): UK-registered charity helping former members of cults, coercive relationships, and high-demand groups. Provides helpline, peer support, and education — directly comparable in mission and scope but focused on the UK.

Broad incumbents

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Large national mental health nonprofit providing support groups, education, and crisis resources. Comparable in mission-adjacent mental health and crisis support delivery, though serving a much broader population.
• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): Large survivor-services nonprofit operating a national sexual assault hotline, education, and advocacy. Comparable operating model — survivor-centered nonprofit with 24/7 helpline, anonymous reporting, and crisis support — but serving a different survivor population.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TheAftermathFoundation
• Xx.com/aftermathfdn
• Facebookfacebook.com/AftermathFoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Aftermath Foundation