RESPOND, Inc.

What RESPOND, Inc. does

RESPOND, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services organization headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, founded in 1974 as New England's first domestic violence prevention agency and the second oldest in the United States. Over 50 years, the organization has served more than 100,000 survivors and community members through a comprehensive suite of free, confidential programs: a 24-hour crisis hotline (answered by trained counselors), an 8-bedroom emergency shelter with capacity for 8 families or 21 individuals (the only wheelchair-accessible DV shelter in the Boston area), individual and group counseling, legal advocacy, children's services, a Housing Assistance Program, the SAFER safety-planning program in collaboration with the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department, a Law Enforcement Partnerships (LEP) program that embeds domestic violence counselors with municipal police departments, a Teen Dating Violence Prevention curriculum delivered through local schools, and a Young Parents Program. Services are delivered in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Cape Verdean Creole across 11 Greater Boston communities (Somerville, Cambridge, Everett, Malden, Melrose, Medford, Reading, North Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, Winchester, and Woburn).

RESPOND does not develop proprietary technology products; its underlying platform is a WordPress-based marketing site, a staffed crisis-line operation, and outsourced shelter/facility infrastructure. Its business model is a community-led nonprofit funding stack with four primary revenue streams: individual donations (suggested tiers $25-$1,000), corporate and foundation grants (notably Cummings Foundation, Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, The Boston Foundation), in-kind donations from corporate sponsors and community members, and third-party fundraising events including galas, chili cook-offs, and Facebook peer-to-peer campaigns. The core go-to-market is direct service delivery plus a partnership-driven referral network spanning police departments, school districts, hospitals, and allied social service organizations.

The leadership team is anchored by CEO Victoria Helberg, who was elevated in 2022 after a nationwide search succeeding 14-year CEO Jessica Brayden, supported by a Chief Programs Officer (Amanda Reichmuth), a Director of Programs and Services (Michelle Fine), and a board of directors. RESPOND has received multiple competitive foundation awards including a $100,000 Cummings Foundation '100K for 100' grant (2016, selected from 479 applicants), a $50,000 Cummings sustaining grant (2018), a $10,000 Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation targeted grant (2018), and a $50,000 Boston Foundation grant (2022). The organization celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024 and reports that 75% of shelter residents find long-term housing and do not return to abusers.

Name

RESPOND, Inc.

Legal name

RESPOND, Inc.

Website

https://respondinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

RESPOND, Inc. is a Somerville, Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1974 that delivers free, confidential domestic violence prevention, shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and education services to survivors across 11 Greater Boston communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic Violence Social Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

Keywords

• Domestic violence services
• Emergency shelter services
• Crisis intervention services
• Victim advocacy services
• Community education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Somerville

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: RESPOND accepts one-time and monthly donations from individuals, with suggested amounts ranging from $25 to $1,000. Donations support prevention, intervention, and education programs.
2. Corporate and Foundation Grants: RESPOND receives grants from foundations such as Cummings Foundation ($100K and $50K grants), Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation ($10K), and Boston Foundation ($50K). These grants support housing assistance, emergency shelter, and general operations.
3. In-Kind Donations: RESPOND accepts in-kind donations including gift cards to local grocery stores, pharmacies, and wish list items through Amazon. Corporate sponsors also provide goods for shelter residents.
4. Third-Party Fundraising Events: RESPOND benefits from community fundraising events including galas, chili cook-offs, Facebook fundraisers, and third-party events organized by supporters.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

RESPOND, Inc. is a nonprofit social services agency that provides free, confidential domestic violence prevention, intervention, and direct support services to survivors and their children. Core offerings include an 8-bedroom emergency shelter (capacity for up to 8 families or 21 individuals), a 24-hour crisis hotline answered by trained counselors, individual and group counseling, legal advocacy and court support, housing assistance, children's services, and community education programs delivered through schools, businesses, and partner organizations across the Greater Boston area.

Product overview

RESPOND, Inc. offers a comprehensive suite of social services for domestic violence survivors, not a technology product. Services include emergency shelter (capacity 8 families/21 individuals), a 24-hour crisis hotline, individual and group counseling, legal advocacy, community education programs, children's services, housing assistance, SAFER Program, Law Enforcement Partnerships Program, Young Parents Program, and Teen Dating Violence Prevention. All services are free, confidential, and available in multiple languages (English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Shelter Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 75% of shelter residents find long-term housing and do not return to abusers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

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

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PegasystemscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2019Long-time supporter serving as Presenting Sponsor for RESPOND's 45th anniversary gala. Pegasystems has provided ongoing support for RESPOND's work to end domestic violence.
• Just Add CookingminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2017Meal kit delivery service partnership featuring RESPOND's Chili Cook-Off winning recipe. $1 from each box sold during the featured week donated to RESPOND. Joint fundraising and community engagement.
• Shannon Meara FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2017Funding support for teen dating violence prevention programs at Woburn Memorial High School. Foundation funds education initiatives, healthy relationship curriculum, and annual scholarships in memory of Shannon Meara.
• Malden Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw enforcement partnership providing dedicated domestic violence counselors embedded with police. Partnership includes hosting memorial vigils for victims and joint community education efforts. Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis praised RESPOND's contributions to the community.
• Stoneham Police DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on domestic violence awareness initiatives including a mannequin challenge video to raise awareness about strangulation dangers. Police and RESPOND created content urging the public not to be 'frozen by fear.'
• Melrose Police DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew partnership to help Melrose better care for victims of domestic violence through victim support group services.
• Reading and Woburn PoliceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to add domestic violence counselors to police response teams in Reading and Woburn.
• The Network/La RedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBTQ domestic violence advocacy organization. RESPOND and The Network/La Red partnered to respond to same-sex domestic violence incidents and provide resources to LGBTQ survivors.
• Furnishing Hope of MassachusettsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to help clients set up safe homes. RESPOND refers clients needing furniture to Furnishing Hope when RESPOND cannot accept large donations.
• Local Schools and School DistrictscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with schools to provide teen dating violence prevention programs as part of health classes. Programs include healthy relationship curriculum in 9th grade wellness classes and student assemblies.
• Malden Zonta ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership on gender-based violence awareness initiatives. Malden Zonta supports RESPOND's mission through joint events and advocacy.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Womanspace: New Jersey domestic violence agency providing shelter, 24-hour hotline, counseling, and community education in a multi-county region. Comparable in scope (shelter + advocacy + education) and operating model to RESPOND.
• SafeLink (Massachusetts statewide DV hotline): State-contracted 24/7 domestic violence hotline for Massachusetts; RESPOND routes after-hours calls to SafeLink. Operates an overlapping crisis-intervention and referral service model with the same survivor population.
• Jane Doe Inc. (Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence): Statewide Massachusetts coalition supporting rape crisis centers and DV programs; runs a 24/7 sexual-assault hotline and member-agency support. Comparable in service scope (hotline, advocacy, training) though organized as a coalition rather than direct service provider.
• Casa Myrna Vasquez: Greater Boston-area domestic violence nonprofit providing emergency shelter, housing, and advocacy services to survivors. Directly comparable in mission, geography, and service mix (shelter + counseling + legal advocacy + education), and competes for the same regional foundation grants.
• Center for Safety & Change: Rockland County, NY DV service agency providing shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and community education. Similar mid-sized nonprofit structure and case-management delivery model to RESPOND.
• Sanctuary for Families: New York City-based DV nonprofit offering shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and economic-empowerment programs. Highly comparable direct-service portfolio and multisite shelter model, but operates at significantly larger scale.
• Harbor House of Wisconsin (Domestic Abuse Support): Wisconsin-based DV nonprofit providing shelter, counseling, advocacy, and prevention education. Comparable service mix and community-based delivery model, though serves a different geography than RESPOND.
• The Network/La Red: Massachusetts-based domestic violence organization focused on LGBTQ and alternative-relationship communities, operating a hotline, shelter, and advocacy services. Listed as an active RESPOND partner; overlap is high in mission, service portfolio, and geographic catchment.

Others

• Furnishing Hope of Massachusetts: Massachusetts-based nonprofit providing furniture and household goods to families transitioning out of shelters or hardship. Listed as an active RESPOND partner and supports clients moving into long-term housing — adjacent rather than directly competitive.

Broad incumbents

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: Nationwide 24/7 domestic violence hotline and resource hub; RESPOND is one of the agencies that receives referrals from this hotline. Overlaps in crisis-response services at a national rather than regional scale, and serves as a referral partner rather than head-to-head competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/RESPONDinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/RESPONDincDV
• Instagraminstagram.com/respond_dv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/respondinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 RESPOND, Inc.