DomesticShelters.org

What DomesticShelters.org does

DomesticShelters.org is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that operates the largest searchable database of domestic violence shelters and programs in the United States and Canada. The platform serves two primary constituencies: (1) survivors and individuals at risk of intimate partner abuse seeking shelter, programs, education, and healing resources, and (2) domestic violence professionals (shelter staff, advocates, counselors) who need tools, training, and a venue to list and manage their programs. The site is organized around four user journeys — Identify Abuse, Get Help, Heal, and DV Professionals — and combines a location-, service-, and language-filtered shelter directory with a content library of 1,435+ articles, videos, webinars, and assessment tools. A mobile application extends the platform with a safety feature that lets users disguise the app icon (calculator, weather, folder) to protect users on monitored devices. Professional tools include embeddable widgets for partner organizations, a Data Center for analytics, location profile claiming, and the Purple Ribbon Awards program.

The business model is donation-funded rather than revenue-generating. All services are free to end users; the organization is sustained through cash donations, cryptocurrency donations, a corporate giving program, article underwriting, and Facebook fundraisers. Distribution is primarily organic and content-driven — SEO, content marketing, email newsletters, webinars, and partner referrals from state coalitions, provincial groups, and Bright Sky US. The organization is privately operated, with no disclosed funding rounds, parent company, or executive team beyond what's referenced on the site, and no public financial filings referenced in the available data. The platform claims to help 2 million+ survivors annually and has facilitated $350,000+ in donated items to shelters and programs.

Name

DomesticShelters.org

Legal name

DomesticShelters.org

Website

https://domesticshelters.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DomesticShelters.org is a U.S. nonprofit that operates the largest searchable directory of domestic violence shelters and programs across the U.S. and Canada, serving survivors seeking help and DV professionals who serve them. The platform is free to users and funded entirely through donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic Violence Support Platform

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Temporary Shelters (624221)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Protection, Child Protection & Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Response (BPAGAAAG)

Keywords

• Domestic violence resources
• Shelter directory services
• Victim support platform
• Abuse prevention resources
• Nonprofit social services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Cash Donations: Direct monetary donations from individual donors to support DomesticShelters.org operations and help millions of victims annually.
2. Cryptocurrency Donations: Acceptance of cryptocurrency donations as an alternative giving method.
3. Corporate Giving Program: Corporate donations and giving programs allowing businesses to support the organization.
4. Article Underwriting: Sponsors can underwrite specific articles on the platform, providing revenue while delivering educational content.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DomesticShelters.org operates the largest searchable online database of domestic violence programs and shelters in the U.S. and Canada, paired with an extensive library of free educational articles, videos, and webinars. The platform helps survivors find safety resources by location, services, and language while supporting domestic violence professionals with tools, training, and data. All services are provided free of charge and funded through donations.

Product overview

DomesticShelters.org is a nonprofit platform offering a unified resource hub for domestic violence support. The core offering combines a searchable directory of shelters and programs across the U.S. and Canada with an extensive educational resources library featuring articles, videos, and webinars. Additional offerings include professional tools (Widgets, Data Center) for DV professionals to better serve clients, and the Purple Ribbon Awards program for recognition. The platform serves both survivors seeking help and professionals working in the domestic violence field.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Searchable Shelter Database

Quantifiable outcome

• 2 Million+ survivors helped each year
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Bright Sky UScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDomesticShelters.org is identified as a trusted Bright Sky US partner. Bright Sky US is a domestic violence resource platform, and this partnership extends the reach of both organizations to help victims and survivors of intimate partner violence access comprehensive resources and support services.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Hotline (National Domestic Violence Hotline): Operates the primary 24/7 hotline and resource directory for domestic violence victims in the U.S. Overlaps directly with DomesticShelters.org on shelter and resource referral, though differentiates via live advocate support.
• Bright Sky US: Domestic violence resource platform providing a directory of services and partner organizations in the U.S. Already identified as a trusted DomesticShelters.org partner; closest direct comparable in scope, technology, and target audience.
• Love Is Respect: National resource dedicated to young people and dating violence, offering chat, text, and resource navigation. Operates in adjacent DV support space with similar educational content model and donor-driven nonprofit structure.
• Women's Shelters Canada / ShelterSafe.co: Canadian directory of women's shelters and transition houses. DomesticShelters.org already extends into Canada, making this a close geographic peer for shelter listings and survivor referrals.

Broad incumbents

• Futures Without Violence: National nonprofit providing education, training, and resources on DV and health. Operates an overlapping audience of professionals and survivors with extensive educational content offerings.
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV): Established advocacy organization working on public policy, awareness, and resource provision for DV victims. Provides overlapping directory and educational content services, primarily through a policy/advocacy lens.
• NNEDV (National Network to End Domestic Violence): Membership and advocacy network serving state coalitions and DV service providers. Offers overlapping data, technology, and resources for DV professionals — directly competing for the professional segment DomesticShelters.org addresses.
• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): Large national nonprofit operating a hotline and resource directory for sexual violence survivors. Serves an adjacent survivor population with overlapping digital resource, education, and partnership models.

Others

• Joyful Heart Foundation: National nonprofit offering healing and education resources for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. Operates in the broader survivor-support ecosystem with educational content similar to DomesticShelters.org.

Emerging players

• National Indigenous Women's Resource Center: Provides DV resources, training, and advocacy focused on Native women and tribal communities. Adjacent mission space with overlapping directory, educational content, and partner-driven distribution model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/domesticshelters
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/domesticshelters-org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 DomesticShelters.org