What Help USA does

HELP USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1985 and headquartered in New York City that provides housing, emergency shelter, and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The organization operates 70 sites across the United States and serves more than 35,000 individuals and families annually through emergency shelters, supportive housing developments, homelessness prevention programs, and wraparound services including healthcare integration. HELP USA does not charge clients for its services; instead, its operating model is funded through a combination of government grants, foundation grants, corporate philanthropy, and major capital investments from financial partners such as Sun Life U.S.

HELP USA's service delivery model is direct and physical, anchored by a distributed network of 70 operational sites across the U.S. and supported by an ecosystem of strategic partners including National Equity Fund, Enterprise Community Partners, Community Healthcare Network, WestHELP, and managed-care partners such as Fidelis Care. In June 2026, HELP USA is expanding capacity with a new 200-bed women's homeless shelter in Brooklyn, backed by a $90 million co-led investment from Sun Life U.S. (facilitated by SLC Management). The organization also pursues program-specific grant funding, including a $598,726 grant from the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (March 2025) and a $500,000 grant from the Citi Foundation (September 2024), supporting expansion into opioid-related supportive services and broader program capacity.

HELP USA's go-to-market is event-driven and relationship-based, with awareness and fundraising centered on its annual HELP Heroes Night gala, which in 2026 attracted nearly 300 guests. The organization is governed by a board of directors and has 501-1,000 employees; in November 2025 it expanded its board and appointed Jeremiah Schofield as Chief Administrative Officer as part of its 40th-anniversary leadership updates. Technology does not appear to be a meaningful part of the value proposition; the company's competitive position rests on physical infrastructure, brand longevity, and a multi-stakeholder partnership network rather than proprietary software or AI capabilities.

Name

Help USA

Legal name

HELP USA

Website

https://helpusa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Help USA is a New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1985, that operates 70 sites nationwide providing housing, emergency shelter, and supportive services to more than 35,000 individuals and families experiencing homelessness each year, funded through government grants, foundation grants, and corporate philanthropy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

Keywords

• Homeless services
• Supportive housing
• Emergency shelter
• Homelessness prevention
• Social services

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Donations and Grants: HELP USA generates revenue through charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations, as well as government grants to support housing, shelter, and supportive services programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Help USA is a national nonprofit organization that operates 70 sites across the United States providing housing, emergency shelter, and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The organization serves more than 35,000 people annually through emergency shelters, supportive housing developments, homelessness prevention programs, and wraparound services, including a 200-bed women's homeless shelter in Brooklyn.

Product overview

Help USA is a national nonprofit homeless services provider that offers housing, shelter, and supportive services programs. The organization operates 70 sites across the United States and serves more than 35,000 individuals and families annually through its network of homeless shelters, housing programs, and supportive services initiatives including a 200-bed women's homeless shelter in Brooklyn.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Shelter Services Provides emergency shelter beds and immediate housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, delivered through Help USA's network of 70 sites across the United States.
• Brooklyn Women's Homeless Shelter A 200-bed women's homeless shelter located in Brooklyn that provides housing and supportive services for women experiencing homelessness, backed by a $90 million investment from Sun Life U.S.
• Supportive Housing Programs Long-term supportive housing developments that provide stable housing combined with wraparound services to help vulnerable populations maintain housing stability.
• Homelessness Prevention Programs Programs designed to prevent individuals and families from falling into homelessness through early intervention, rental assistance, and stabilization services.
• Wraparound Supportive Services Comprehensive wraparound services including healthcare integration, healthy cooking classes, and community-based programs for shelter residents and homeless populations, delivered in partnership with healthcare providers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves more than 35,000 individuals and families annually
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Equity FundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2026Recognized at HELP Heroes Night 2026 for contributions to supportive housing development. National Equity Fund's work has expanded housing access and strengthened communities.
• Enterprise Community PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2026Recognized at HELP Heroes Night 2026 for contributions to supportive housing development and community strengthening initiatives.
• Community Healthcare NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2026Recognized at HELP Heroes Night 2026 for contributions to healthcare access for shelter residents and homeless populations.
• WestHELPminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2026Recognized at HELP Heroes Night 2026 as part of HELP USA's network, contributing to homelessness prevention programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• National Equity Fund: Syndicator of low-income housing tax credit equity that supports affordable housing development; an existing HELP USA partner and comparable as a capital partner in the supportive housing value chain.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit focused on affordable housing development and community investment; already a recognized partner of HELP USA and comparable as a peer in the supportive housing ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Project Renewal: NYC nonprofit providing shelter, supportive housing, healthcare, and employment services to homeless individuals—closely overlapping HELP USA's wraparound service model in the same geography.
• Coalition for the Homeless: Direct service and advocacy nonprofit serving homeless New Yorkers, comparable in mission, geography, and target population to HELP USA.
• Bowery Residents' Committee (BRC): Large NYC homeless services nonprofit operating shelters, transitional housing, and supportive services—closely matched to HELP USA in scale, geography, and service mix.
• Breaking Ground: New York-based nonprofit operating large-scale homeless shelters and supportive housing, directly comparable to HELP USA in service model, geography, and target population.
• Housing Works: NYC-based nonprofit combining housing, healthcare, and advocacy for homeless and low-income populations; highly comparable to HELP USA in integrated services and target geography.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA: National network providing housing, shelter, and supportive services across the U.S.; comparable in mission breadth and funding model to HELP USA, though operating across many service lines beyond housing.
• The Salvation Army: National faith-based nonprofit with extensive emergency shelter and housing programs across hundreds of U.S. locations; broader mission but materially overlaps HELP USA's homeless services offerings.
• Volunteers of America: Large national nonprofit operating housing, shelters, and supportive services across hundreds of U.S. locations; similar multi-site operating model and donor/government funding mix as HELP USA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/helpusa
• Facebookfacebook.com/helpusa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/helpusa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

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 Help USA