David's Refuge

What David's Refuge does

David's Refuge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 by Warren and Brenda Pfohl in honor of their son David, who passed away in 2009 from Batten Disease. The organization provides respite, community events, and wellness support to parents and guardians of children with special needs or life-threatening medical conditions, primarily across New York State. Its core offering, the Tried-and-True Respite Program, delivers free two-night weekend getaways at a network of 21 partner hotels and bed-and-breakfasts across New York, staffed by 24+ trained volunteer hosts with personal caregiving experience. The product portfolio also includes a Reimbursement Respite pilot (up to $400 for self-arranged stays plus up to $200 in childcare funding), a Wellness Initiative combining yoga, breathwork, sound healing, nutrition, and fitness programming, and a Mental Health Support Program offering no-cost individual, couples, caregiver, and sibling counseling.

The organization operates no proprietary technology platforms; service delivery is relationship-driven and mediated through annual applications, a private Facebook caregiver group, email newsletters, in-person events, and a content marketing blog (Warren's Blog). Distribution is geographically constrained—applications are currently accepted only from New York State residents—and channels include direct applications, the partner hotel/B&B network, and community partnerships with organizations such as the Fayetteville YMCA.

Revenue is entirely donation-based and comprises four streams: individual donations (including the Circle of Giving monthly program with tiers of $10–$60 and the Ring of Refuge major-donor recognition program), corporate partnerships (notably Bill Rapp Superstore's SUBARU Share The Love initiative, which has raised approximately $200,000 over four years), annual fundraising events (HAUN Golf Tournament, Pineview Champion Challenge, ROC for Caregivers, A Taste of David's Refuge), and legacy/planned giving. All programs are provided free of charge to eligible families, and the organization is staffed by 1–10 employees and governed by a Board of Directors, with no parent company or external equity ownership.

Name

David's Refuge

Legal name

David's Refuge, Inc.

Website

https://www.davidsrefuge.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

David's Refuge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free respite weekends, wellness programs, community events, and mental health support to parents and guardians of children with special needs or life-threatening medical conditions across New York State, operating a network of 21 partner hotels and trained volunteer hosts since 2011.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Caregiver Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Overnight Respite Care (HSABAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Live-In Respite Care (Multi-Day) (HSABAGAC), Respite-Focused Adult Day Programs (Caregiver Relief) (HLADAIAG)

Keywords

• Caregiver respite services
• Special needs support
• Nonprofit wellness programs
• Family caregiver community
• Respite care nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Liverpool

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters, including the Circle of Giving monthly giving program with tiers from $10-$60 per month, and the Ring of Refuge recognition program for major donors.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate giving through programs like Bill Rapp Superstore SUBARU Share The Love (donations from vehicle sales), Embrace the Difference jewelry line (percentage of sales), and corporate wellness pledges.
3. Fundraising Events: Annual fundraising events including HAUN Golf Tournament, Pineview Champion Challenge, ROC for Caregivers comedy event, and A Taste of David's Refuge.
4. Legacy Giving: Planned giving through wills, estates, beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance policies, and bequest language for donors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

David's Refuge provides free weekend respite getaways (two nights) at partner hotels and bed & breakfasts across New York State for parents and guardians of children with special needs or life-threatening medical conditions, including meals and gifts. The organization complements these weekends with year-round wellness programming (yoga, breathwork, mental health counseling, nutrition), seasonal community events, and a Reimbursement Respite alternative (up to $400 plus up to $200 for childcare). All programs are delivered at no cost to eligible families and funded through donations.

Product overview

David's Refuge is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of respite, community, and wellness services to parents and guardians of children with special needs or life-threatening medical conditions. The core offering is the Tried-and-True Respite Program, providing free weekend getaways at partner hotels and bed & breakfasts across New York State, complemented by a Reimbursement Respite alternative. The organization also delivers Tried and True Community Events (seasonal celebrations and pop-up activities) and a year-round Wellness Initiative (in-person and virtual workshops, mental health counseling, and fitness programs). Donations are facilitated through one-time and recurring programs including Circle of Giving and Ring of Refuge. Most services are provided at no cost to families, funded through donor support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tried-and-True Respite Program A free weekend respite program providing two nights of accommodation at partner bed and breakfasts, boutique hotels, and resorts across New York State, including meals and gifts, for parents and guardians of children with special needs or life-threatening medical conditions.
• Reimbursement Respite An alternative respite option enabling caregivers to plan their own 1-2 night weekday or weekend respite, pay costs upfront, and apply for reimbursement up to $400 for 2 nights plus up to $200 in childcare support funding.
• Tried and True Community Events Year-round community events for caregivers and their families, including Valentine's Date Nights, Moms Celebration (formerly Beauty of Mom), Dads Night Out, Halloween Celebration, Cookies with Santa, and Pop-Up Events with ticket giveaways.
• Wellness Initiative A year-round wellness program combining in-person and virtual events for caregivers, including yoga, sound healing, breathwork, meditation, mindfulness workshops, creative practices, nutrition series, and fitness classes.
• Mental Health Support Program Free mental health services for caregivers offered through partnership with a local counseling practice, including 4 individual or couples counseling sessions, 3 caregiver support groups per year (6-part series), a couples series, and sibling support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 9 out of 10 parents report feeling well cared for by the community
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

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

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bill Rapp Superstore - SUBARU Share The LovecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBill Rapp Superstore has been named the SUBARU Share The Love Hometown Charity for six consecutive years. From November through January, customers who purchase a SUBARU can choose to have $100 donated to David's Refuge. Over four years this partnership has raised $200,000 to support local caregivers.
• Embrace the DifferenceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJewelry line with message of kindness, acceptance and inclusion. $5-$30 from each purchase can be directed to David's Refuge. Available at Reeds Jewelers locations.
• Skaneateles Field Resort and SpacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner bed and breakfast location in Skaneateles, NY. Provides complimentary or discounted accommodations for caregiver respite weekends in the Finger Lakes region.
• Watkins Glen Harbor HotelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hotel location along Seneca Lake in Watkins Glen, NY. Provides accommodations for caregiver respite weekends in the Finger Lakes wine country region.
• Moonshadow Bed and BreakfastcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner B&B in Hammondsport, NY near Keuka Lake. Provides peaceful retreat accommodations for caregiver respite weekends in the Finger Lakes.
• Best Western Plus Oswego HotelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hotel on the Oswego River with views of Oswego Harbor and Lake Ontario. Provides waterfront accommodations for caregiver respite weekends.
• Chautauqua Harbor HotelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hotel on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in Celoron, NY. Features 135 deluxe guest rooms and suites with lake views for caregiver respite weekends.
• Hampton Inn & Suites Lake PlacidcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hotel on Mirror Lake edge near Lake Placid's Main Street. Includes heated indoor pool and hot breakfast for caregiver respite weekends in the Adirondacks.
• Fayetteville YMCAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating organization for the annual Halloween Celebration event. In 2023, the event saw over 700 community members attend. Provides venue and support for inclusive family Halloween activities.
• Samantha Haun - Certified Yoga TeacherminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWellness partner providing yoga and energy work services for caregiver wellness programs.
• Liz Sheen, RN - Holistic Nursing and Wellness CoachminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard certified holistic nursing and wellness coach offering yoga instruction and wellness coaching for caregiver programs.
• Emily Tills, MS, RDN, CDN - Registered DietitianminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirtual nutrition coach providing nutrition series and dietary guidance for caregiver wellness initiative.
• Dr. Kaushal B. Nanavati, MDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssistant Dean of Wellness and Director of Integrative Medicine at Upstate Medical University. Provides wellness expertise and support for caregiver programming.
• Melissa Carman, PhD, LMHCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health counselor providing individual and couples counseling services through the mental health support program at no cost to caregivers.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Parent to Parent USA: National network of state-based Parent to Parent programs offering peer matching, emotional support, and information for parents of children with disabilities or special health care needs. Closest direct peer in mission and caregiver-relief focus, though they deliver peer support rather than overnight respite.
• Family Voices: National family-led organization supporting children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities through peer support, advocacy, and resource navigation. Comparable caregiver-support focus, but at a national policy/advocacy level rather than direct respite delivery.
• Caregiver Action Network: National nonprofit serving family caregivers across all conditions through education, peer support, and resources. Highly comparable caregiver-first mission, but with a broader caregiver population (not limited to parents of special needs children) and education/resources focus rather than in-person respite.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: One of the largest U.S. nonprofits serving people with disabilities and special needs, offering respite, camping, and family support services across many states. Broad incumbent in the disability family-support space with significantly larger scale and broader service portfolio.
• The Arc of the United States: National organization with a federation of state and local chapters serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Provides family support, respite navigation, and advocacy at a much larger scale than David's Refuge.
• National Respite Network (ARCH): National resource center that connects families to respite care services and supports the National Respite Locator. Comparable because it operates in the same respite-for-caregivers category, but as a referral/advisory body rather than a direct service provider.
• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD): National rare disease patient advocacy organization providing education, advocacy, and family support including respite funding programs. Comparable because David's Refuge originated from a rare-disease family experience (Batten Disease), and NORD runs a comparable respite assistance program for caregivers of children with rare conditions.

Emerging players

• Bright Spot Respite Retreat: Smaller nonprofit that provides overnight respite retreats for caregivers of children with special needs in limited geographies. Closest direct peer in the niche of overnight-respite-as-caregiver-relief model, but with much smaller scale than David's Refuge.
• Make-A-Wish Foundation: Large nonprofit delivering wish experiences (including travel getaways) to children with critical illnesses. Comparable in delivering curated hospitality-style experiences to families of medically complex children, but focused on the child rather than the caregiver and at much larger scale.

Others

• Ronald McDonald House Charities: Provides lodging and family-support services to families with seriously ill children near hospitals. Adjacent peer in the family-lodging-plus-support category for special-needs caregivers; not a direct competitor because it operates near medical facilities rather than as restorative getaways.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DsRefuge
• Xx.com/davidsrefuge
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/davids-refuge-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 David's Refuge