REBECCA BENDER INITIATIVE

A nonprofit organization
Fundraise

$300 raised by 2 donors

2% complete

$15,000 Goal

Elevate Academy: a Rebecca Bender Initiative (RBI) was born from one survivor's desire to change the outcome for others like her. Founded in 2014 by survivor leader and national advocate Rebecca Bender, Elevate began with just five students on Skype and a bold vision: that every survivor of human trafficking deserves the chance not just to survive - but to thrive. Today, RBI leads the global movement for economic empowerment of survivors through its flagship program, Elevate Academy—the largest online school in the world designed by and for survivors of human trafficking. This survivor-led platform offers trauma-informed, career-focused training that equips students with the skills, confidence, and community to create a new future.

From life planning and leadership development to resume building and entrepreneurship, Elevate Academy’s coursework is tailored specifically to help survivors build sustainable careers and break generational cycles of poverty.

Since its inception, RBI has served over 1,600 survivors across 717 U.S. cities and 22 countries, offering more than 3,600 hours of free education annually. Beyond direct services, RBI has trained over 143,000 professionals—including law enforcement, corporate leaders, and frontline service providers—on how to respond to trafficking with trauma-informed excellence.

By elevating survivor voices and equipping professionals, RBI is reshaping not just lives - but entire systems.

Mission

To lead leaders in the fight against trafficking, impact culture and change lives.

Needs

Survivors of human trafficking face enormous challenges when trying to rebuild their lives. Many have missed out on years of education and job opportunities, making it incredibly difficult to find stable, living-wage employment. Without the right support, far too many face re-exploitation, poverty, or continued marginalization.

That’s why Elevate Academy exists. But the demand for our tuition-free program continues to grow—and we need your help.

Your gift will help support the operational costs of our program by expanding access to Elevate courses and coaching for survivors, and provide individualized support to help more students stay engaged and graduate.

When you give to the Rebecca Bender Initiative, you’re doing more than supporting a program—you’re helping survivors break free from cycles of exploitation and step into careers with purpose, dignity, and economic independence.

Equity Statement

At the Rebecca Bender Initiative, we believe that equity, inclusion, and belonging are essential to our mission of empowering survivors of trafficking and advancing systemic change. Our human capital—our people—is our most valuable asset. The individual differences, lived experiences, knowledge, creativity, innovation, and talents that each employee brings to our work are vital to shaping our culture, strengthening our impact, and driving our success.

RBI is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where every employee feels valued, heard, and supported. Our equity-centered practices apply across every facet of our organization—from recruitment and hiring, to compensation and benefits, to professional development, advancement, and beyond.

We actively work to create a culture grounded in:

Respectful communication and collaboration among all team members

Representation of diverse identities and perspectives across all levels

Work/life balance through flexible schedules and wellness initiatives

Ongoing education, training, and accountability around equity and inclusion

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

REBECCA BENDER INITIATIVE

Tax id (EIN)

45-5100719

Guidestar

Causes

Human Trafficking & Exploitation, Economic/Financial Security/Poverty, Employment & Workforce Development

Operating Budget

$500,000 - $999,999

Counties Served

Dallas, Collin, Cooke, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Fannin, Grayson, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Montague, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, Tarrant, Wise

BIPOC Serving

Native American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx

Address

P.O Box 208
Desoto, TX 75123

Phone

817-900-2014

Email

ldelagarza@rebeccabender.org

Website

https://rebeccabenderinitiative.org/

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