MyFriendBen
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersDenver, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
MyFriendBen firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MyFriendBen
- Legal name
- MyFriendBen
- Website
- https://myfriendben.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MyFriendBen industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Benefits Eligibility Software
- NAICS
- Social Assistance (624), Health and Welfare Funds (525120), Insurance and Employee Benefit Funds (5251)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Hospital & Medical Service Plans (6324)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Eligibility & Benefits Verification (HLACACAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Eligibility, Enrollment & Benefits Administration (HLAEALAH), Employer/Member Engagement Platforms for Provider-Sponsored Plans (HLACAEAM)
Keywords
Where MyFriendBen is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denver
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
MyFriendBen business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Philanthropic Grant Funding: MyFriendBen operates as a nonprofit and is primarily funded through grants from foundations including Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ($2.4M grant), Pritzker Family Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Rainwater Charitable Foundation, and Telluray Foundation. The core product remains free to end users in all operating states.
- Enterprise Partner Services: MyFriendBen is exploring earned revenue models for enterprise partners and more complex technical integrations. This includes potential fees for government agencies or large nonprofits requiring customized implementations, API access, or technical support.
- Fiscal Sponsorship: Currently operating under the fiscal sponsorship of Impact Charitable, an established Denver-based 501(c)3 nonprofit, while establishing independent 501(c)3 status.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Screener for Individuals |
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise/Government Partner Integrations |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
MyFriendBen product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MyFriendBen operates a free, web-based benefits eligibility screener that allows individuals to complete a short demographic survey in approximately 6 minutes and receive a personalized report showing eligibility, estimated dollar value, and time required to apply for 40+ federal, state, and local programs including SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, CHIP, Section 8, EITC, and Child Tax Credit. The screener is complemented by BenBot, an AI-powered conversational navigator, and BenWallet, a benefits tracking and financial planning hub, all built on PolicyEngine's open-source rules-as-code platform.
Product overview
MyFriendBen is a nonprofit technology organization offering a suite of products for public benefits access. The core product is the MyFriendBen Screener, a benefit eligibility tool that screens for 40+ federal, state, and local programs in approximately 6 minutes. The product portfolio includes BenBot (AI-powered conversational navigator), BenWallet (benefits tracking and financial planning hub), The Access Initiative (webinar series for navigators), training programs with certifications, and a partner toolkit. All products are built on an open-source infrastructure powered by PolicyEngine's rules-as-code platform. The company operates across multiple states (Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington) with API and integration capabilities for enterprise partners.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BenBot: An AI-powered conversational guide that walks families through benefits eligibility screening and application in real-time. With the rules of MyFriendBen and the details of a case manager, it is a navigator in your pocket.
- BenWallet
Products and services
- MyFriendBen Screener A free, web-based benefits eligibility screener that allows individuals to complete a short demographic survey in approximately 6 minutes and receive a personalized report showing eligibility, estimated dollar value, and time required to apply for 40+ federal, state, and local programs including SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, CHIP, Section 8, EITC, Child Tax Credit, and more. Available in 21 languages with a 90%+ accuracy rate and an anonymous screening option.
- BenBot An AI-powered conversational guide that walks families through benefits eligibility screening and application in real-time, combining the rules of MyFriendBen with the details of a case manager to provide an interactive navigator in the user's pocket.
- BenWallet A digital hub where families can track their benefits, set financial goals, and plan ahead for their future financial stability.
Quantifiable outcome
- 115,000+ households supported nationally with $58-60M in benefits accessed
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use MyFriendBen
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
MyFriendBen technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability7 records
Feature6 records
MyFriendBen partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- AnthropicflagshipMyFriendBen selected as one of the nonprofit host organizations for Claude Corps, a program designed to bring early-career AI talent together with mission-driven organizations. Anthropic, CodePath, and Social Finance cover fellow salary, benefits, training, and ongoing support for 12-month embedded fellowships.
- Child Poverty Action Lab (CPAL)corePartnership to launch the Texas Accelerator for MyFriendBen, a new initiative incubated at CPAL to rapidly expand access to public benefits across urban and rural Texas communities. CPAL hosts a full-time MyFriendBen Director responsible for structuring partner-led pilots, designing marketing and outreach tests, and accelerating adoption. CPAL serves as early anchor funder with support from Rainwater Charitable Foundation.
- Delta FundflagshipFeatured by Delta Fund in coverage of MyFriendBen's expansion into Washington State. Delta Fund highlights MyFriendBen's potential to support families navigating complex benefit systems and the importance of partnerships in bringing the tool to new areas.
- Colorado Digital ServicesflagshipCollaboration on the Colorado Energy Savings Navigator (CESN), a one-stop digital portal to help Coloradans find which clean-energy rebates, tax credits, and assistance programs they qualify for. MyFriendBen/Gary Community Ventures partnered with Rewiring America, state agencies, and Colorado Digital Services for this initiative.
- Code the DreamcoreDurham-based nonprofit partnered to launch MyFriendBen in North Carolina. Code the Dream provided technical development and partnered with community-based organizations and community health workers across NC for early-access testing of MyFriendBen.
- Center for Transforming LivescoreTarrant County nonprofit anchoring the Texas Accelerator's early adopters. Founded in 1907, the organization serves nearly 4,000 individuals each year, 77% below federal poverty level, focusing on lifting women, children, and families out of poverty through housing, early childhood education, and economic mobility services.
- First Step StaffingflagshipNational workforce organization dedicated to lifting individuals experiencing homelessness into stable employment. First Step's Dallas office integrates MyFriendBen into employee support workflow with 100-130 individuals using the tool each week to identify benefits that stabilize housing, food security, health care, and family well-being alongside return to work.
- NC 211flagshipInformation and referral service provided by United Way of North Carolina, powered by local United Ways. Partnership makes it easier for North Carolinians to access vital health and human service resources through 211 call or referral to MyFriendBen screener.
- PolicyEnginecoreNational open-source rules-as-code platform that powers MyFriendBen's rules engine. PolicyEngine builds and maintains the sophisticated eligibility rules that enable accurate screening across 40+ programs with regular updates as policies change.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
MyFriendBen competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- One Degree: Nonprofit benefits navigation platform that helps low-income families find and access social services across categories similar to MyFriendBen's SNAP, Medicaid, housing, and childcare coverage.
- Single Stop: National nonprofit operating benefits-screening and application assistance in colleges and communities, with a screener model closely paralleling MyFriendBen's navigator-driven approach.
- Findhelp (formerly Aunt Bertha): Largest U.S. social-care network helping people find and connect to benefits, resources, and social services. Directly comparable in benefits screening/navigation serving both consumers and enterprise partners (health systems, governments).
- Propel: Builds Fresh EBT (SNAP benefit management) and Providers apps serving the same low-income benefits-recipient population as MyFriendBen, with consumer-first product and benefit-eligibility features.
Broad incumbents
- Code for America: Established civic-tech nonprofit that has built benefits access and criminal-justice tools (e.g., GetCalFresh). Operates across similar mission space with broader scope and significantly more resources.
- HealthCare.gov: Federal ACA marketplace with eligibility screening for Medicaid/CHIP and subsidized coverage—an overlapping subset of MyFriendBen's healthcare benefits, with much larger scale but narrow scope.
- Benefits.gov: Federal government's official benefits portal; competes as the default public option for benefits discovery and overlaps in the programs MyFriendBen screens for, though its UX is dated and not eligibility-personalized.
Regional players
- Rewiring America: Nonprofit focused on electrifying households and identifying rebates/assistance; partners with MyFriendBen on the Colorado Energy Savings Navigator (CESN) and addresses adjacent benefit categories.
Others
- Code the Dream: Nonprofit technology organization partnered to build and launch MyFriendBen in North Carolina—closest development peer in civic-tech with a smaller direct product overlap.
- PolicyEngine: Underlying open-source rules-as-code platform that powers MyFriendBen's eligibility engine. Not a direct competitor but the most critical technology dependency and partner.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MyFriendBen social profiles
Digital presenceMyFriendBen compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
MyFriendBen financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MyFriendBen leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
MyFriendBen funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MyFriendBen 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 MyFriendBen
What does MyFriendBen do?
MyFriendBen operates a free, web-based benefits eligibility screener that allows individuals to complete a short demographic survey in approximately 6 minutes and receive a personalized report showing eligibility, estimated dollar value, and time required to apply for 40+ federal, state, and local programs including SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, CHIP, Section 8, EITC, and Child Tax Credit. The screener is complemented by BenBot, an AI-powered conversational navigator, and BenWallet, a benefits tracking and financial planning hub, all built on PolicyEngine's open-source rules-as-code platform.
Is MyFriendBen a public or private company?
MyFriendBen is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was MyFriendBen founded?
MyFriendBen was founded in 2023. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is MyFriendBen based?
MyFriendBen is headquartered in Denver, United States, in the North America region.
How does MyFriendBen make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Philanthropic Grant Funding is the primary driver. The others are enterprise Partner Services and fiscal Sponsorship.
Who are MyFriendBen's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are One Degree, Single Stop, Findhelp (formerly Aunt Bertha) and Propel. Broad incumbents are Code for America, HealthCare.gov and Benefits.gov. Rewiring America is listed as a regional player. Others are Code the Dream and PolicyEngine.
Does MyFriendBen have an API?
Yes. MyFriendBen offers an open API that enables automated benefit eligibility reports to be generated and delivered via integration with external systems. The company has piloted automated screening by integrating with navigation center scheduling systems and CRMs. Additionally, the Colorado Energy Savings Navigator (CESN) collaboration involves API connections between state agencies, Rewiring America, and Gary Community Ventures/MyFriendBen for surfacing energy rebates and assistance programs. The API infrastructure is built on open-source principles with PolicyEngine as the underlying rules-as-code platform.
What industry is MyFriendBen in?
MyFriendBen's product category is Public Benefits Eligibility Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLACACAD, Eligibility & Benefits Verification, with a secondary code of HLAEALAH, Eligibility, Enrollment & Benefits Administration. Its NAICS code is 624 and its SIC code is 7372.