River House
River House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 in Grayling, Michigan, providing free shelter, crisis intervention, youth advocacy, and outreach services to survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual abuse across four rural northern Michigan counties, funded by donations, fundraising events, and its Chasing Dreams thrift store.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersGrayling, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What River House does
River House, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1985 and headquartered in Grayling, Michigan, that provides safety, shelter, and supportive services to survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual abuse across four rural northern Michigan counties: Crawford, Ogemaw, Oscoda, and Roscommon. The organization's core service portfolio includes a 24-hour crisis line and crisis text line, residential shelter, non-residential outreach advocacy (safety planning, legal advocacy, employment and housing assistance, parenting support), specialized youth programs using the proprietary G.L.U.E.D. framework (Growing-Learning-Understanding-Empowering-Developing) for children affected by domestic violence, and structured Healthy Relationships support groups. All direct services are provided free of charge to survivors, and the organization maintains 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with Charity Navigator recognition.
Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropic and mission-aligned channels: tax-deductible individual, business, and foundation donations (processed via PayPal); in-kind donations through an Amazon Wishlist; passive contributions via the I-Give.com affiliate shopping program; proceeds from the wholly-owned social enterprise thrift store subsidiary Chasing Dreams - River House Resale Store (located at 6375 W M72 Highway, Grayling, with survivor voucher eligibility); and annual fundraising events including Cornhole Tournaments, Dancing for River House, Purses with a Purpose, Bingo at Tinker's Junction, and GivingTuesday campaigns. The organization employs fewer than 10 staff and is governed by a seven-member volunteer Board of Directors (President Mary Beth, Vice President Michelle, Treasurer Jason, Secretary Jennifer, and Board Members Wanda, Chris, and Shirley).
There is no proprietary technology platform or software product; the organization operates a standard WordPress website designed and maintained by third-party vendor 45th Parallel Digital Designs. Distribution occurs through direct in-person advocacy (Youth Advocates and Outreach Advocates embedded across the four-county service area), a 24/7 crisis hotline and text line, community events, and the physical thrift store, with a community-led go-to-market motion grounded in local partnerships and word-of-mouth referrals.
River House firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- River House
- Legal name
- River House, Inc.
- Website
- https://riverhouseinc.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- River House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 in Grayling, Michigan, providing free shelter, crisis intervention, youth advocacy, and outreach services to survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual abuse across four rural northern Michigan counties, funded by donations, fundraising events, and its Chasing Dreams thrift store.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
River House industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Services
- NAICS
- Temporary Shelters (624221)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)
Keywords
Where River House is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grayling
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
River House business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations supporting the organization's mission to serve survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual abuse.
- Thrift Store Sales: Chasing Dreams River House Resale Store sells donated clothing, furniture, household goods, and craft supplies. Proceeds directly fund River House's mission and survivors can use vouchers to shop.
- Fundraising Events: Annual and special events including Cornhole Tournaments, Dancing for River House, Purses with a Purpose, Bingo events, and GivingTuesday campaigns generate additional revenue.
- Third-party Donation Programs: Amazon Wishlist donations and I-Give.com shopping program (up to 26% of purchases donated) provide in-kind support and financial contributions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free services for survivors |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
River House product offering
Product offeringCore offering
River House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing free safety, shelter, and advocacy services to survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual abuse across four Michigan counties (Crawford, Ogemaw, Oscoda, and Roscommon). Core offerings include 24/7 crisis intervention via phone and text, residential shelter, non-residential outreach advocacy, youth advocacy programs (including the G.L.U.E.D. framework), legal and personal advocacy, and a social enterprise thrift store (Chasing Dreams) that generates revenue to fund services.
Product overview
River House, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing a comprehensive suite of services to survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual abuse. The organization operates as a single-service model focused on direct client support rather than a technology platform. Core services include emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis intervention via hotline and text, youth advocacy programs (including the G.L.U.E.D. program for children), non-residential outreach services across four counties, and a social enterprise thrift store (Chasing Dreams). The organization does not offer technology products or SaaS platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 24/7 Crisis Line Services
Quantifiable outcome
- 40 years of continuous service to the community
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use River House
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
River House technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
River House partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- AmazonminorAmazon Wishlist partnership allows supporters to purchase shelter supplies directly from River House's wishlist and ship items to the shelter. This provides in-kind donations of essential items needed to operate the shelter and serve survivors.
- I-Give.comminorThrough I-Give.com, up to 26% of purchases from over 600 retailers (including Barnes & Noble, Staples, Sears, Expedia) are donated to River House. This is a passive revenue stream where registered supporters shop as usual and a percentage is contributed.
- PayPalminorPayPal is used as the payment processor for secure online donations to River House, enabling donors to contribute funds via the organization's website.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
River House competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- The Salvation Army: National nonprofit offering domestic violence shelter and social services in addition to broader humanitarian programming. Comparable through DV shelter operations and nonprofit/thrift-store retail hybrid model, but vastly larger and more diversified.
- Safe Horizon: One of the largest U.S. nonprofits serving DV and sexual assault survivors with shelter, hotlines, counseling, and court advocacy. Comparable mission and service model, though operating at substantially greater scale across New York City.
- Catholic Charities of Michigan: Large statewide social services organization providing counseling, housing, and crisis support including DV services. Comparable as a Michigan nonprofit addressing family and community welfare, but operating a much broader service portfolio.
Direct peers
- YWCA West Central Michigan: Provides DV shelter, sexual assault services, and advocacy across multiple West Michigan counties. Comparable in core service delivery (shelter, crisis line, advocacy) and nonprofit structure serving similar survivor populations.
- SafeHouse Center: Washtenaw County, Michigan DV and sexual assault services organization offering shelter, crisis intervention, and youth programs. Comparable as a regional Michigan DV shelter with multi-service continuum and youth-focused programming similar to G.L.U.E.D.
- Turning Point, Inc. Domestic violence and sexual assault services organization based in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, serving Isabella and Clare counties. Directly comparable as a mid-Michigan rural DV shelter with crisis line, shelter, and advocacy services for survivors.
- HAVEN of Oakland County: Michigan-based nonprofit providing shelter, counseling, and advocacy for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Directly comparable in mission, service model, and geography (Michigan), though serving a more urban county.
Others
- National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV): National advocacy and capacity-building umbrella for U.S. domestic violence organizations. Comparable ecosystem participant providing training, policy advocacy, and resources that member shelters like River House rely on for federal funding access and best-practice guidance.
Emerging players
- Goodwill of Northern Michigan: Regional nonprofit operating thrift retail stores to fund mission-driven workforce programs across Northern Michigan. Comparable as a nonprofit social enterprise using resale store revenue to fund community services, though mission focuses on employment rather than DV response.
Regional players
- Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan: Traverse City-area nonprofit providing DV and sexual assault services across a multi-county Northern Michigan service area. Directly comparable in mission and rural Northern Michigan operating context, but serving a different county cluster.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
River House social profiles
Digital presenceRiver House compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
River House financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
River House leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
River House subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
River House funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
River House M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about River House
What does River House do?
River House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing free safety, shelter, and advocacy services to survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual abuse across four Michigan counties (Crawford, Ogemaw, Oscoda, and Roscommon). Core offerings include 24/7 crisis intervention via phone and text, residential shelter, non-residential outreach advocacy, youth advocacy programs (including the G.L.U.E.D. framework), legal and personal advocacy, and a social enterprise thrift store (Chasing Dreams) that generates revenue to fund services.
Is River House a public or private company?
River House is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was River House founded?
River House was founded in 1985. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is River House based?
River House is headquartered in Grayling, United States, in the North America region.
How does River House make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations are the primary driver. The others are thrift Store Sales, fundraising Events and third-party Donation Programs.
Who are River House's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are The Salvation Army, Safe Horizon and Catholic Charities of Michigan. Direct peers are YWCA West Central Michigan, SafeHouse Center, Turning Point, Inc. and HAVEN of Oakland County. National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) is listed as an others. Goodwill of Northern Michigan is listed as an emerging player. Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan is listed as a regional player.
Does River House have an API?
No public API is recorded for River House.
What industry is River House in?
River House's product category is Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAD, Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services. Its NAICS code is 624221.