What Friends of Firefighters does

Friends of Firefighters is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (federal tax ID #01-0611469) founded in 2001 by Nancy Carbone at the request of FDNY firefighters in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. The organization provides free, confidential, and independent mental health and wellness services to active and retired FDNY firefighters and their families across New York City. Its service portfolio comprises licensed clinical counseling (individual, marriage, and family therapy), the Aaron Clark Peer Support Team led by active and retired firefighters, wellness programming, a children's program (The Bravest Children), cancer and life coaching, and systematic firehouse outreach that engages approximately 10,000 FDNY members through twice-yearly visits.

The technology stack is intentionally minimal and human-centric: services are delivered in-person at the restored firehouse headquarters in Red Hook, Brooklyn (199 Van Brunt Street) and remotely via HIPAA-compliant telehealth platforms. No proprietary software products, AI features, or consumer-grade platforms are documented. Side-channel revenue generation includes an online merchandise shop, event-space rentals at the Red Hook firehouse, and a co-branded Falcon Personal Care 3-in-1 product partnership.

The business model is donation-and-grant funded rather than market-priced. All clinical services are provided free of charge to FDNY firefighters and their families. Revenue streams include individual and corporate donations, government grants (most notably $632,000 in congressional funding secured in 2026 by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and UFA President Andy Ansbro), merchandise sales, event-based fundraising (Firehouse Chili Cook-Off, Ride for Resilience, NYC Marathon team, galas), and product partnership royalties (e.g., $2 per Falcon bottle). The organization operates with a 1-10 employee headquarters team, is independent from FDNY, and is governed by a Board of Directors and Advisory Council. Quantitative utilization metrics include 7,300+ counseling sessions over 24 months (approximately $1.1M in delivered service value), 35% year-over-year growth in counseling requests, and an explicit goal to deliver 10,000 counseling sessions annually by 2030.

Name

Friends of Firefighters

Legal name

Friends of Firefighters

Website

https://friendsoffirefighters.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Friends of Firefighters is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2001 that delivers free, confidential mental health counseling, peer support, and wellness services to active and retired FDNY firefighters and their families in New York City.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health and Wellness Services for First Responders

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (62419), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN), Disaster Behavioral Health & Psychosocial Support (HLAJAGAM)

Keywords

• First responder mental health
• Free counseling services
• Peer support programs
• Firefighter wellness programs
• Nonprofit mental health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn Park

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual and corporate donations fund free, confidential mental health services. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with federal tax ID #01-0611469.
2. Congressional Funding: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and UFA President Andy Ansbro secured $632,000 in congressional funding to support mental health services.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling branded merchandise including apparel, books, and specialty items with proceeds supporting the organization.
4. Product Partnership Revenue: Falcon Personal Care partnership donates $2.00 per bottle sold to Friends of Firefighters.
5. Event-Based Fundraising: Community events including galas, chili cook-offs, bike rides, marathons, and comedy nights generate donations and sponsorships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Friends of Firefighters provides free, confidential, and independent mental health and wellness services to active and retired FDNY firefighters and their families. Core service lines include clinical counseling (individual, marriage, and family) by licensed mental health professionals, the Aaron Clark Peer Support Team led by active and retired firefighters, wellness programs, cancer support and life coaching, and twice-yearly outreach to all NYC firehouses. All services are delivered free of charge, funded entirely by donations, grants, merchandise sales, and event fundraising.

Product overview

Friends of Firefighters is a nonprofit organization providing a comprehensive suite of free, confidential mental health and wellness services to active and retired FDNY firefighters and their families. The organization operates from a restored firehouse in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and offers services through multiple delivery channels: clinical counseling (individual, marriage, and family) delivered by licensed mental health professionals using evidence-based approaches (CBT, PCT, RTM, Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness); peer support through The Aaron Clark Peer Support Team led by active and retired firefighters; wellness programming; outreach to firehouses; specialized support for children (The Bravens Children) and cancer patients; and life coaching. The organization also operates a merchandise shop and event space rental as revenue-generating activities, and partners with Falcon Personal Care for a co-branded 3-in-1 product where $2 per bottle sold supports the mission. Services are provided in-person and via HIPAA-compliant telehealth platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Counseling Services Confidential counseling delivered by licensed mental health professionals experienced in first responder care. Includes individual counseling, marriage counseling, and family therapy addressing trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, anger management, retirement adjustment, and relationship issues. Free to FDNY firefighters and their families, delivered in-person at Red Hook headquarters and online.
• The Aaron Clark Peer Support Team Peer support program led by active and retired firefighters who share lived experience. Provides trusted guidance and genuine understanding for firefighters navigating emotional challenges tied to injuries, work-related trauma, career transitions, retirement, and personal struggles.
• Wellness Services Wellness services including resilience and mindfulness training that support the overall health and well-being of FDNY firefighters and their families, delivered as part of the organization's holistic mental health offering.
• Outreach Program Twice-yearly visits to all New York City firehouses engaging close to 10,000 FDNY members, including attendance at fundraising events, fraternal organization dinners, FDNY sports events, On the Arm breakfast, Firehouse Kitchen Talk, visits to the Rock, and workshops.
• The Bravest Children Children's support group providing a safe, engaging environment for children in the FDNY community to express feelings and build resilience. Focuses on confidence, in-person social skills, healthy coping strategies, communication tools, and emotional well-being.
• Cancer Support One-on-one cancer coaching for navigating diagnosis, treatment, recovery, or survivorship, with focus on emotional support, decision-making clarity, resilience, and helping clients regain a sense of control throughout their cancer journey.
• Life Coaching Coaching to help clients overcome obstacles between them and their goals in health, career, life purpose, or other areas, providing tools to uncover strengths and build visions and plans for the future.
• Merchandise Shop Online store selling Friends of Firefighters merchandise including apparel (polos, t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts), accessories (beach towels), and specialty items (Grateful Dead poster, Hell's Hundred Acres book) to support the organization's mission.
• Falcon x Friends of Firefighters 3-in-1 Product Co-branded 3-in-1 high-performance personal care product (shampoo, conditioner, body wash) built for athletes and first responders, with $2 from every bottle sold donated to Friends of Firefighters to fund free mental health services.
• Event Space Rental The restored firehouse headquarters at 199 Van Brunt Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn is available for event rentals including fundraisers, educational symposiums, conferences, film screenings, play readings, networking gatherings, cocktail receptions, and dinners.
• CancerFit by Livestrong Exercise program offered through Friends of Firefighters in partnership with Livestrong to support the firefighting community in rebuilding strength, energy, and confidence during all phases of the cancer journey, available in-person and virtually.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35% year-over-year increase in service utilization
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

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

• Falcon Personal CarecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Product partnership with Falcon Personal Care for their 3-in-1 high-performance personal care product designed for athletes and first responders. $2.00 of every bottle sold is donated to Friends of Firefighters to fund free, confidential mental health services.
• UFA President Andy AnsbroflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Senator Gillibrand to secure $632,000 in congressional funding. Long-standing organizational ally supporting firefighter mental health initiatives.
• LivestrongcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-benefit partner for the First Responder Ride for Resilience. Partnership addresses physical and mental health impact of cancer on the first responder community.
• Boston Fire Cancer FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDesignated funding beneficiary through Friends of Firefighters for the First Responder Ride for Resilience event.
• New York Firefighters Heart and LungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosting FHKT: Bridging your physical and mental health events. Medical center designed by firefighters for firefighters providing cardiac and pulmonary testing.
• Pig Island NYCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for Pig Island NYC food festival events in 2025 and 2026, featuring FDNY firefighter competitors.
• Food Karma ProjectsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresents Rib King NYC with Friends of Firefighters as official community partner for the 2026 BBQ festival.
• NY Firefighters FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Firehouse Kitchen Talk events. Founded by Andy Ansbro, UFA President, to support FDNY families facing hardships due to off-duty injuries and illnesses.
• Billy Moon FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFirehouse Kitchen Talk partner. Foundation honors fallen FDNY firefighter Billy Moon and supports organ donor and recipient families.
• FDNY Rescue 1minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreated Aaron Clark Memorial shirts with proceeds supporting the Aaron Clark Peer Support Team.
• FDNYflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhile FDNY supports the mission, Friends of Firefighters is a separate, independent entity. The organization was founded at the request of FDNY firefighters after 9/11.
• FDNY EMS Help FundminorOthersPartnered with EMS FDNY Help Fund and Hands on Health Associates to provide confidential mental health services to EMS members.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The All Clear Foundation: Nonprofit supporting the mental health and wellbeing of first responders and their families through education, resources, and clinical services. Comparable mission, population, and service catalog.
• Safe Call Now: Confidential crisis line and resource referral service for first responders and their families. Comparable population, confidential support model, and 24/7 access focus.
• Code Green Campaign: Initiative focused on addressing mental health issues in first responders, particularly firefighters and EMS. Comparable as a peer/community-driven mental health awareness and support organization for the same population.
• First Responder Support Network (FRSN): Provides counseling, education, and resiliency programs for first responders and their families. Directly comparable in mission and service mix (clinical + peer support).
• Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FFBHA): Nonprofit providing behavioral health awareness, education, and support specifically for firefighters and their families. Closely comparable mission, population served, and community-led delivery model.
• IAFF Center of Excellence: The International Association of Fire Fighters' residential and outpatient behavioral health treatment program for firefighters and paramedics. Directly comparable as a mental health service provider for the same first responder population.

Regional players

• Boston Fire Cancer Foundation: Firefighter-cancer-focused nonprofit already partnered with Friends of Firefighters via the First Responder Ride for Resilience. Comparable as a regional firefighter health nonprofit and partnership peer.

Emerging players

• Behind the Shield: Nonprofit providing mental health resources and support to first responders. Comparable mission with a broader first responder (law enforcement + fire) focus than Friends of Firefighters' FDNY-only scope.

Broad incumbents

• National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Behavioral Health Program: National organization offering behavioral health resources, training, and a helpline for volunteer firefighters. Comparable population with a broader national/ volunteer-firefighter remit.
• Share the Load (NVFC program): National firefighter mental health awareness and support initiative under NVFC. Comparable focus on firefighter mental health and family support, but delivered at national scale rather than city-specific.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/friendsoffirefighters.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/friends-of-firefighters

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Friends of Firefighters