Nonprofits live in a world of constant friction—tight budgets, stubborn misconceptions, and the lingering challenge of sustainability. Yet, every so often, one refuses to merely endure and instead reimagines the fight for justice. Callisto, a pioneering organization harnessing technology to combat serial sexual assault, exemplifies this spirit. When a funding gap forced it to announce it would close its doors in September 2024, media visibility—bolstered by being named Impact Organization of the Year by The Los Angeles Tribune—set the stage for a subsequent funding campaign. In just weeks after their difficult announcement, the campaign, with a goal of $1,000,000, raised over quarter of a million dollars, thanks to generous individual donors and a pivotal $200,000 contribution from Arnold Ventures.
A new surge of funding enabled Callisto to remain open and continue to provide survivors with access to its technology, emerging with a fiercer resolve to empower survivors and challenge the systems that protect predators. Callisto’s story is not a story of survival. Callisto’s journey is testament to how communities can come together to fight for a safer world.
The Near End: Facing Closure
Despite the transformative potential of its technology, Callisto faced a funding crisis. Operational funding fell short, leaving the nonprofit unable to provide its services. For CEO Tracy DeTomasi, the decision to close Callisto in 2024 was devastating.
“Fundraising as a nonprofit is always challenging,” DeTomasi said. “We reached a point where we couldn’t see a clear path forward financially. We had built something extraordinary, but without the resources to sustain it, we had to make the heartbreaking decision to shut down.”
It was not for lack of impact. Callisto had already demonstrated the transformative potential of its groundbreaking platform, the Callisto Vault. This innovative tech enables sexual assault survivors to confidentially log incidents of sexual assault, identify serial offenders through encrypted matching technology, and connect with legal options counselors for support along their healing journeys. Piloted to over a half a million users across 38 college campuses when their platform first launched in 2022, Callisto expanded access to Callisto Vaultreach to anyone with an .edu email address in the fall of 2023.
Yet, even with its impressive track record, the organization faced the harsh realities of funding shortages—a struggle familiar to many nonprofits navigating a world where resources often do not align with the gravity of the causes they address.
The announcement of their pending closure marked a profound loss—not just for Callisto, but for the countless survivors who relied on its resources. Yet, even in the depths of despair, hope flickered.
The Closure That Lead to Transformation
Just when the outlook seemed bleak and Callisto prepared to close its doors, recognition as the Impact Organization of the Year by The Los Angeles Tribune sparked a wave of attention and support that reignited the organization’s mission, the staff’s energy to keep trying, and collective action from the community.
“The timing was surreal,” DeTomasi recounted. “We received the news [of the Impact Organization of the Year Award] hours after our board had voted to close. That recognition not only validated the importance of our work but also gave us the energy to explore alternative solutions.”
What followed after closure was nothing short of extraordinary. Survivors across social media stepped forward, sharing their stories through powerful videos and personal testimonies to save Callisto. This wave of public sharing created a ripple effect, inspiring others who have remained silent about their experiences to find their voices and join the movement. Each new post, letter, or video amplified the cause, building momentum and driving others to speak up in solidarity. The growing number of survivor stories is sparking widespread support and awareness, demonstrating the immense impact Callisto has had.
Supporters rallied, donations poured in, and Arnold Ventures took a stand for Callisto’s cause, donating $200,000. “Arnold Ventures is excited about the potential Callisto brings to hold serial perpetrators accountable and finally end the epidemic of sexual violence in this country. We’re honored to partner with Callisto as they maximize their impact in the years ahead,” shared Arnold Ventures when they cut Callisto the large check. Arnold Ventures, is an organization that believes “philanthropy is uniquely positioned to take risks and make big bets in ways the public and private sectors are often unable or unwilling to do.”
The fact that Arnold Ventures has committed and publicly pledged their $200,000 donation, which can be seen on the Callisto website, is a clear signal that larger-scale organizations recognize the importance and impact of having technology and tools to combat sexual violence. Their $200,000 contribution is significant and demonstrates that support can come from anyone — whether it’s a large organization, a family office, someone with a donor-advised fund, or an individual who has been impacted, knows someone who has, or simply believes this work is essential for society. Anyone can step up and contribute to the work Callisto is doing.
One private donor shared, “I’m so happy you guys exist and continue to help people. Your mission is incredibly important. You provide a crucial service. Thank you for all that you do.” Someone else said, “I donated today to Callisto for so many reasons, but probably the biggest reason is because survivors, who are already traumatized and suffering, are often attacked and judged harshly by those who lack empathy and understanding. Having a way to connect with other survivors of the same perpetrator would go a long way in silencing the voices of the ignorant and uninformed.”
With the outpouring of support, Callisto’s board reconsidered its options and made the remarkable decision to remain open. “We realized that the work we were doing was too important to let go,” DeTomasi said. “We owed it to survivors to find a way to keep going.” Another person who donated in December shared, “I’m so happy to hear that the board voted unanimously to keep your doors open. Callisto is needed.” Each day that Callisto stays open, it is able to support survivors in need.
The Reopening: A Mission Rekindled
In December, Callisto resumed operations with renewed vigor, ready to continue its groundbreaking efforts to reduce sexual violence and repeat sexual assault. At the heart of its mission is Callisto Vault, a groundbreaking platform that uses encrypted technology to empower and support survivors by giving them a secure, confidential space to document their experiences, identify their perpetrators, and connect with legal options counselors.
“It’s about giving survivors agency,” DeTomasi said. “We don’t share their information or report to authorities. We simply provide tools to help them reclaim power and make informed decisions.”
Callisto Vault uses encrypted technology to identify serial offenders without compromising survivor privacy. Survivors can input information—such as phone numbers, email addresses or social media handles—about their perpetrators. The system continuously scans for matches with other entries, but survivors remain anonymous throughout the process.
“When a match is found, survivors aren’t immediately notified,” DeTomasi explained. “Instead, a legal options counselor steps in to review the case and reach out. Survivors are always in control of whether they want to proceed.” This approach not only safeguards privacy but also shifts the narrative from one of shame and self-blame to one of empowerment. An anonymous survivor shared, “I reported to police but the prosecutor refused to file charges. It feels weird to say that I was excited to enter my perpetrator into the Matching System. But, after accepting there would never be justice in my case, Callisto gave me hope that maybe, one day, there would be.” Callisto creates space for survivors of assault to capture the details of their assaults, in a report that is secured, and can be accessed at any point along their healing journey in ways that make the most sense to them.
The Numbers Speak Volumes
To understand Callisto’s significance, it’s essential to grasp the problem it tackles. On college campuses, a staggering 90% of sexual assaults are committed by serial perpetrators who, on average, offend six times during their college years.
“These offenders don’t just harm once; they target and exploit again and again,” explained Callisto’s CEO, Tracy DeTomasi. “If we can identify them after two assaults instead of six, we can reduce campus sexual assaults by 59%.” DeTomasi shares that in the 25 years she’s worked as a licensed clinical social worker working in gender violence violence. She wanted to become CEO “because she believes Callisto is the solution”. The number of assaults on college campuses has not changed over the years, but with Callisto there is an opportunity to shift the numbers.
Even more impactful are the stories of survivors who have used Callisto’s technology to reclaim their agency. Beyond its technological sophistication, Callisto Vault offers something equally powerful: validation. One anonymous matched survivor shared how matching with others harmed by the same perpetrator shattered her sense of isolation and transformed her perspective: “Since that original match, I’ve learned about multiple other students on my campus who were harmed by the same perpetrator. Not a single one of us knew the behavior was serial. We had all been fed the same lies – that we were being overdramatic, the behavior was a mistake, the perpetrator felt so, so terrible over what had happened, and it would never happen again. We had another trend in common. We each wanted to report, but couldn’t do it alone. Thanks to Callisto, we weren’t.” Callisto has curated a safe space for survivors to feel acknowledged, seen, heard and supported. Survivors who use the system often find solace and empowerment in discovering they are not alone.
More Than Technology: A Holistic Approach
Unique in its nature, Callisto’s impact does not stop at its technological innovations. The organization offers a suite of resources designed to support survivors and their communities:
- The Survivor’s Guide: This comprehensive resource outlines steps for accessing counseling, legal support, and Title IX protections. Survivors can explore it section by section, depending on their needs.
- The Allies Guide: Aimed at friends and loved ones of survivors, this guide offers practical advice on how to respond with empathy and support. “A simple phrase like ‘I believe you’ can make a world of difference,” DeTomasi noted.
- Social Media Outreach: Through awareness campaigns, Callisto educates the public about sexual violence and provides validation for survivors who often feel isolated.
- Campus Ambassadors: Student volunteers advocating for Callisto Vault on campuses and encouraging peers to use it.
Campus Ambassadors: Champions of Change
When Callisto recovered from its crisis, its first priorities were providing access to its platform for previous survivors and new users as well as reactivating its network of campus ambassadors—student volunteers who serve as on-the-ground advocates, spreading awareness about Callisto Vault and encouraging peers to use it. “When students hear about Callisto from someone they trust, it makes all the difference,” DeTomasi said.
“When we contacted our previous ambassadors, every single one wanted to continue,” DeTomasi said. “That kind of enthusiasm speaks volumes about the impact of our work.”
Ambassadors are essential to Callisto’s mission, particularly in reaching college students who may not think they’ll ever need such a resource. “Many students arrive at college assuming they’ll never be assaulted,” DeTomasi explained. “But the reality is stark: one in five women, one in fifteen men, and one in seven transgender or nonbinary students experience sexual violence on campus.”
This grassroots approach is critical, especially given the sobering statistics about the rate of assault across college campuses. “When students hear about Callisto from someone they trust, it makes all the difference,” DeTomasi said. Awareness about support options are key for anyone who has or might face assault in the future. Often times in society whether on a college campus or beyond individuals who face sexual violence are not sure what to do next or who to turn to. Callisto is taking to a stand to address sexual violence on college campuses and leverage technology as a tool to combat serial sexual assault.
Looking to the Future
Callisto is not stopping at college campuses. The organization has its sights set on expanding its reach to other communities and demographics. But such growth requires continued support.
“As a nonprofit, we rely on donations to keep our doors open,” DeTomasi said. “Thankfully, we’re in a much better position now, but fundraising will always be a challenge.”
Supporters have already stepped up in meaningful ways. One donor remarked, “I’m so happy to hear the board voted unanimously to keep Callisto’s doors open. Callisto is needed.” Another commented, “This organization gives survivors hope and a pathway to healing. I’m proud to support it.”
How You Can Help
Sexual violence is a societal epidemic, but it’s one we can all help combat. As DeTomasi so powerfully puts it, “At least one person in every friend group should know about Callisto. If you’re listening [or reading this article], I hope that person is you.” As a preventative measure, in the event that there was a person who experiences sexual assault on their campus, the Callisto team wants students to know that they exist and that their technology and resources can support them.
Here’s how each and every person can make a difference:
- Spread Awareness: Share Callisto’s mission with your community.
- Donate: Every contribution helps sustain Callisto’s life-saving work.
- Engage Online: Follow, like, and share their content on social media to amplify their reach.
- Be an Ally: Learn how to support survivors through Callisto’s resources for friends and loved ones.
A Vision of Empowerment
Callisto’s journey from closure to resurgence is a testament to the power of resilience, community, and innovation. By giving survivors a voice and holding serial offenders accountable, Callisto is paving the way for a safer future, using technology as an agent for change.
This organization is not only fighting to end sexual assault, it is fighting for a world where survivors feel heard, supported, and empowered, and assailants are held accountable.To learn more about the Callisto Vault, access Callisto’s resources, hear testimonies from survivors on the Callisto blog, or contribute directly to the Callisto fund, visit www.projectcallisto.org.
More About Callisto
A Visionary Beginning
Callisto was founded in 2011 by Jess Ladd to address systems-level sexual health issues through technology. Over time, the organization shifted its focus to empowering survivors of sexual assault, developing innovative tools to support them and challenge systemic failures.
The Impact of Callisto Campus
One of Callisto’s earliest innovations, Callisto Campus, supported college students by providing a platform to document and report sexual assaults digitally. For those hesitant to report, it introduced a matching escrow system, connecting survivors who named the same perpetrator before submitting reports. This groundbreaking approach led to survivors being six times more likely to report assaults and three times more likely to seek mental health support.
A New Chapter: Callisto Vault
In 2019, Callisto pivoted from working with colleges to becoming a third-party resource, serving survivors directly. This change culminated in the launch of Callisto Vault in 2022. The platform features tools like a secure Incident Log and a Matching System, allowing survivors to document assaults and connect with others impacted by the same perpetrator, without pressure to report.
Empowering Survivors Through Innovation
With Callisto Vault, under the leadership of Tracy DeTomasi, the organization has redefined how survivors engage with justice and healing. By placing control in their hands, Callisto challenges entrenched systems, providing a powerful example of how technology can drive systemic change and accountability. Today, Callisto’s tools are available to anyone with an .edu email address across the United States (US) and US territories.
About The Los Angeles Tribune Impact Organization of the Year Award.
The Impact Organization of the Year Award honors Callisto for its groundbreaking work in empowering survivors of sexual assault, restoring agency, ensuring safety, and providing unwavering support. Through its transformative approach, Callisto is reshaping the way institutions and communities confront these critical issues, pioneering a future where justice, dignity, and survivor-centered advocacy take precedence.
As part of Voices for Change—the transformative initiative spearheaded by The Los Angeles Tribune and boldly championed by CEO Moe Rock—this prestigious recognition stands alongside a distinguished array of industry honors celebrating the unwavering dedication of nonprofit organizations and visionary leaders committed to shaping a better world. In alignment with The Tribune’s pledge of over $10 million in advertising resources, these awards serve as a testament to our commitment to amplifying the voices of changemakers and empowering those who lead with purpose, impact, and an unyielding drive for progress.
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