YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County

What YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County does

YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County is a 501(c)(3) social services nonprofit founded in 1883, headquartered in Rochester, New York. It is the only agency within Monroe County providing a full continuum of housing options targeting women, spanning emergency shelter (Bittner Commons, Persimmon Place), rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and long-term affordable housing (Monica Place). Beyond housing, the organization operates specialized programs including Steppingstone Supportive Living (a recovery-focused residential program allowing women to remain with children ages 12 and under), SWIFT Community Housing (rapid rehousing for domestic violence survivors in partnership with Willow Domestic Violence Center and Legal Aid Society), Young Adult Services, and racial equity advocacy.

The operating model is built on a trauma-informed care delivery framework rather than proprietary technology, supported by staff certifications (20-Hour Homeless Provider Certificate, TINRC Instructor's Edition training, eCornell project management). Services are provided free to clients; the organization monetizes through a diversified nonprofit revenue stack: individual donations (including The Persimmon monthly giving program), government grants (HHAP, Monroe County DHS placements), corporate sponsorships (KeyBank, Kinecta FCU, Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation 2:1 match), and special event revenue, anchored by the annual Empowering Women Luncheon featuring high-profile speakers (Venus Williams 2026, Nicole Lynn 2024) with sponsorship tiers from $5,000 to $25,000.

The organization serves 1,200-1,500 individuals annually across its program lines, with 922 served through housing services, 389 through young adult services, and 750 through racial equity programming. Headcount is 11-50 employees, led by President & CEO Dr. Myra Henry. A new initiative, Equity Through Development, expands the mission into workforce development for women of color in fundraising careers. The organization has no AI/ML capabilities, no proprietary software products, and no disclosed revenue figures; its competitive position rests on regulatory monopoly status in the county, 140+ years of brand equity, and a deep referral and service-partner ecosystem.

Name

YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County

Legal name

YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County

Website

https://ywcarochester.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1883

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County is a 142-year-old nonprofit providing the only full continuum of women-focused housing in Monroe County, from emergency shelter to permanent housing, alongside recovery support, young adult services, and racial equity programs serving over 1,200 individuals annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social & Housing Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO), Affordable / Low-Income Assisted Living (Medicaid Waiver Focused) (HLADABAE)

Keywords

• Emergency housing services
• Supportive living programs
• Rapid rehousing assistance
• Racial equity advocacy
• Community outreach services

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Individual Contributions: Individual donors contribute through the organization's website donation portal, monthly giving program (The Persimmon), and direct mail campaigns. The organization emphasizes year-end giving and urgent fundraising appeals during funding crises.
2. Special Events Revenue: The annual Empowering Women Luncheon generates significant fundraising revenue through ticket sales, table sponsorships, and corporate sponsorships. 2026 event features Venus Williams as special guest with sponsorship tiers from $5,000 to $25,000.
3. Government Grants and Contracts: Funding from government programs including the Homeless Housing Assistance Program (HHAP) for emergency shelter renovations, Monroe County DHS placements, and federal childcare legislation advocacy.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsors provide financial support including direct donations (KeyBank $200,000 investment), gift card donations (Kinecta Federal Credit Union), and 2:1 matching programs (Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation up to $50,000).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County provides a full continuum of housing and supportive services for women and families experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, domestic violence, or addiction recovery. Offerings include emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, the Steppingstone Supportive Living treatment program (which allows women in recovery to remain with their children), young adult services, racial equity advocacy, and the Equity Through Development workforce program for women of color in fundraising. All direct services to clients are provided free of charge, funded through donations, grants, and special event revenue.

Product overview

YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County operates as a social services nonprofit offering a continuum of housing programs and supportive services. The organization provides emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing for women and families experiencing homelessness. Specialized programs include Steppingstone Supportive Living for women in addiction recovery (allowing children ages 12 and under to stay with their mothers), and the SWIFT Community Housing program supporting domestic violence survivors. Beyond housing, the organization provides young adult services, racial equity programming, and the Equity Through Development workforce development program for women of color in fundraising careers. Persimmon Place represents their new 12-unit family emergency shelter facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Persimmon Place: Emergency shelter renovation project at 35 Ardmore Street, Rochester, NY
• Steppingstone Supportive Living
• S.W.I.F.T. Community Housing
• Monica Place
• Bittner Commons
• Equity Through Development
• Empowering Women Luncheon
• YWROC ~ Mission Matters
• The Persimmon

Products and services

• Emergency Housing
• Rapid Rehousing
• Permanent Supportive Housing
• Steppingstone Supportive Living
• Young Adult Services
• Racial Equity Programs
• Equity Through Development
• SWIFT Community Housing

Quantifiable outcome

• 922 people served through housing services annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered significant and minor.

• Congressman Joe MorellesignificantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2024Congressman Joe Morelle joined YWCA and The Children's Agenda to announce legislation to ensure quality, affordable childcare is accessible for all working families. YWCA advocates for childcare accessibility as access to reliable childcare is crucial for families served.
• Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention CenterminorOthers · 25 September 2024Event venue for the annual Empowering Women Luncheon located at 123 East Main Street, Rochester, NY, 14604.
• His Branches Community Health CentersignificantTechnology or Integration · 2 May 2024His Branches provides Telehealth services including Primary & Pediatric Care, Mental Health Counseling, Women's Health & Prenatal Care, Case Management, and Lab Services to assist with the mental and medical health needs of individuals and families served by YWCA.
• Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 January 2024Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority provides free transportation from the transit center to the Persimmon Place Code Blue Warming Shelter throughout the winter season.
• FoodlinksignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoodlink, a Rochester-based nonprofit and member of the Feeding America network, provides food distribution through their Curbside Market. Kevin and Ashley volunteer for Foodlink's Curbside Market, welcoming residents every Thursday to address food insecurity.
• EquiCenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquiCenter donated raised beds for YWCA's community garden and provides fresh vegetables every Thursday through their Horticulture Program. Reid and Scouts BSA Troop 750 rebuilt the raised beds as an Eagle Scout project.
• Willow Domestic Violence CentersignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for the Rapid Rehousing Program (SWIFT) providing domestic violence support services to help survivors rebuild their lives and achieve their goals.
• The Legal Aid SocietysignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for the Rapid Rehousing Program (SWIFT) providing legal support to help survivors access justice and secure stable housing.
• The Children's AgendasignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Children's Agenda partners with YWCA on advocacy efforts for affordable childcare and early education, working together to create policies that prioritize children's well-being.
• Golisano Institute for Business & EntrepreneurshipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGolisano Institute provided the venue for the 2024 Equity through Development graduation ceremony.
• Mcquaid Jesuit High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent Garrett from Mcquaid Jesuit, with support from Hillyard Inc., enabled YWCA residents to attend a Rochester Red Wings baseball game at Innovation Field.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• YWCA USA: National umbrella organization for YWCAs. Comparable as a housing, racial equity, and women's empowerment nonprofit serving similar populations, though at a national rather than single-county level.
• Volunteers of America: National nonprofit providing emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and recovery housing across the U.S. Comparable population served (homeless families, women in recovery) and similar government-grant-dependent revenue model.
• Salvation Army (Rochester Area Services): Operates emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services in Rochester and nationally. Overlaps directly with YWCA's housing continuum and serves similar client populations.

Direct peers

• YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh: Another regional YWCA affiliate operating housing, racial equity, and women's empowerment programs. Directly comparable in mission, program mix, and community-based service delivery model.
• YWCA of Greater Cincinnati: Mid-size YWCA affiliate offering domestic violence services, housing, and racial equity programming. Comparable in scope of women's services and reliance on government and philanthropic funding.
• Family Promise of Greater Rochester: National-affiliated nonprofit focused on family homelessness prevention and rehousing. Directly comparable mission, similar emergency shelter and rapid rehousing service model, and overlapping referral sources.
• Sojourner House: Nonprofit providing emergency shelter, supportive housing, and domestic violence services to women and families. Comparable in program mix and trauma-informed service model.

Regional players

• Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes: Regional nonprofit providing housing assistance, case management, and supportive services in the same Rochester/Finger Lakes geography. Competes for some of the same government contracts and donor dollars.
• Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network: Local Rochester-area nonprofit providing shelter and housing stability services to families experiencing homelessness. Direct geographic peer competing for similar clients and funding streams.

Others

• His Branches Community Health Center: Rochester-based federally qualified health center that partners with YWCA to deliver telehealth primary care, mental health, and women's health services to YWCA clients. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/YWCA_Rochester
• Facebookfacebook.com/YWCArochester

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 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 YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County