National Violence Prevention Hotline (NVPH) Allocation of Donations
We are committed to providing the same resources and support for everyone struggling with thoughts of violence regardless of ethnicity, sex, orientation, or background.
Responsible Use of Funds
At the National Violence Prevention Hotline (NVPH), every dollar donated is utilized with intention and integrity. Our commitment to financial stewardship isn’t just a reflection of our current limited funding—it’s a core value. 100% of donations directly support our hotline’s ability to operate, executing our mission to prevent violence and save lives by providing free, confidential, compassionate crisis support. Below outlines where donations are allocated.
- RingCentral Phone System and Toll-Free Number
This VoIP phone system is the backbone of our hotline. It allows us to securely handle incoming calls, with AI tools that generate call summaries and transcripts for quality assurance. Costs increase as we expand our counselor team, with each new counselor adding a user expense. We also maintain our 888-664-6652 toll-free number so anyone in crisis can reach us at no cost. - Crisis Counselors
Currently, Michelle—our lead and supervising crisis counselor—is the only paid staff member answering calls. Michelle brings extensive experience from her years with 988 (Suicide Lifeline). To maximize resources, we’ve focused on recruiting and training volunteer counselors. Four volunteers are currently in training, though they are only able to commit part-time.
Paid counselors are essential for building a reliable, consistent response team and achieving 24/7 coverage. We have several qualified counselors with violence prevention experience ready to join once funding allows. Expanding this team is critical, especially since violent ideation often occurs during overnight hours. - Director of Operations
Erin, our Director of Operations, ensures the hotline runs smoothly every day. She manages counselor shifts, oversees volunteers, debriefs calls, reviews transcripts, tracks data, compiles trends, monitors expenses, and identifies new opportunities for funding, collaboration, and outreach. Her leadership ensures both operational efficiency and strategic growth for NVPH. - Website Management
Our website is a critical lifeline for those seeking help. It is the primary way many people find the hotline. Thanks to discounted work from Emberly Digital, we recently upgraded the site to clearly display our hotline number, outline our services, and provide immediate access to support. Maintaining a strong digital presence is essential for reaching people in crisis, and we currently utilize services on an ala carte basis to conserve funds. - Upcoming Marketing Campaigns
We are preparing targeted outreach using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and online advertising to reach individuals contemplating violence or concerned about someone they know. Planned campaigns include platforms where violent ideation or extremist content is sometimes discussed, such as Discord and niche forums.
Thanks to a Google Ads Non-Profit Grant, we can run limited search engine ads at no cost. However, to expand impact and reach more people in need, additional funds will support a broader digital marketing strategy until NVPH becomes a household name like 988.
Summary:
While we welcome funding for any specific expenses, 24/7 coverage is a top priority, as we are committed to building a future where no call for help goes unanswered. To achieve this, we have been seeking funding towards hiring additional counselors—which directly saves lives from violence. With more counselors onboarded, we can confidently expand our marketing efforts, knowing we have a reliable team in place to consistently respond to every call.
How We've Maximized Funding Efficiency
We are committed to directing every dollar to mission-critical work. Key strategies include:
- Legal and Threat Assessment Expertise: Partnering with professionals who donate their time and services pro bono. For example, representatives from ATAP Worldwide have provided guidance at no cost, and Michelle participates in her local Iowa chapter voluntarily.
- Volunteer Support: Roles beyond operating the hotline—donor relations, PR, outreach, content creation, social media, and research—are staffed entirely by volunteers.
- University Collaboration: Dr. Heidi Rueda, Ph.D., and her students from the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Grace Abbott School of Social Work are conducting a third-party study of our data to validate the hotline’s impact.
- Low-Cost Data Collection: Call data is securely collected using a no-cost Google-based solution, saving over $5,000.
- Leadership Without Compensation: The President and other members of the Board volunteer 5-12 hours weekly, and all board members serve without pay.
By minimizing overhead, 100% of funding goes to keeping the hotline operational, expanding capacity, and saving lives.
Every dollar helps us intervene early, provide guidance, and connect individuals with life-saving resources. Our pilot phase is already producing key outcomes—successful de-escalations, response times, and referral effectiveness—which positions us to pursue larger grants and explore integration with services like the 988 Lifeline. This ensures NVPH complements existing crisis systems rather than duplicating them.