St. Matthew's House

What St. Matthew's House does

St. Matthew's House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1987 in Naples, Florida, delivering integrated social services across Southwest Florida (Collier, Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties). Its mission addresses three interconnected crises — hunger, homelessness, and addiction — through a "Crisis to Contributor" pathway that moves individuals from acute need toward self-sufficiency. Core programs include Food Assistance (community kitchen, food pantry, mobile distributions, and outreach meals serving 2.1 million meals annually), Homeless Shelters (Campbell Lodge in Naples, Immokalee Friendship House, and the new Fort Myers Women and Children's Shelter, totaling 297 beds as of Fall 2024), the Justin's Place year-long faith-based 12-step residential addiction recovery program, Transitional Housing (Wolfe Apartments and Justin's Village), and Workforce Development through the Scott & Dolly McCartan Empowerment Hub. The organization also operates Jail Chaplaincy services and crisis coaching reaching approximately 85,000 touchpoints annually.

The organization's business model combines charitable contributions with a portfolio of social enterprises that cross-subsidize program costs. Revenue streams include individual donations, corporate gifts, foundation grants, and recurring donor programs (Waymakers), supplemented by operations of six thrift stores across Southwest Florida (one recognized as the most profitable thrift store in America in 2020), LuLu's Kitchen restaurant (Fresh Start Cafe), Delicious by Design catering, Port LaBelle Inn conference center and hotel, and event space rentals. Social enterprise profits are used to defray administrative costs so that donations flow directly to program services. The organization employs 251-500 paid staff, supported by a 6,000-person volunteer base, and reports an annual budget of $19 million as of 2020. The Holecek Family Foundation, the largest donor in organizational history, has been a transformational financial partner since 2010.

The organization is governed by a 2026 Board of Directors and led by President and CEO Ben Bridges. It is actively executing the Journey Together Capital Campaign to fund 104 additional transitional housing units at Justin's Village (construction starting Summer 2026) and a planned 21% expansion of recovery program capacity by 2027. The organization holds Charity Navigator Four-Star and GuideStar Platinum Transparency ratings, Best Places to Work and America's Best Workplaces recognitions for 2025, and the Best Christian Workplaces Certification. Its funding model deliberately avoids government funding, relying instead on private philanthropy and social enterprise revenue.

Name

St. Matthew's House

Legal name

St. Matthew's House

Website

https://stmatthewshouse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

St. Matthew's House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 in Naples, Florida, delivering integrated hunger, homelessness, and addiction recovery services across Southwest Florida through food assistance, shelters, Justin's Place recovery program, transitional housing, and workforce development, funded by donations and social enterprises.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services and Charitable Support

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Community Food Services (62421), Community Housing Services (62422), Other Residential Care Facilities (6239), Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (623)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Healthcare Ministries (Hospitals, Clinics, Medical Missions) (BPAGAJAH), Faith-Based / Nonprofit Assisted Living Providers (HLADABAH)

Keywords

• Homeless shelter services
• Addiction recovery programs
• Food assistance services
• Transitional housing programs
• Workforce development training

Headquarters

HQ city

Naples

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Individual donations, corporate donations, foundation grants (Holecek Family Foundation as largest donor), and community fundraising campaigns. Social enterprise profits defray administrative costs so donations reach those in need.
2. Thrift Store Operations: Six thrift stores across Southwest Florida sell donated goods. The Naples thrift store became one of the most profitable thrift stores in America according to the organization. Proceeds fund administrative costs.
3. Hospitality Enterprises: LuLu's Kitchen restaurant generates revenue to offset overhead costs. Fresh Start Cafe is open to the public for breakfast and lunch. Catered by Justin's Place participants as job training.
4. Catering Services: Delicious by Design catering company provides event catering services and serves as culinary training program for participants.
5. Port LaBelle Inn Operations: Conference center and hotel operations provide additional revenue while serving program participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

St. Matthew's House is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing integrated social services across Southwest Florida, including food assistance, emergency homeless shelters, year-long residential addiction recovery, transitional housing, workforce development, and jail chaplaincy. Its operations are sustained through charitable donations and a network of social enterprises (thrift stores, restaurant, catering company, conference center) that also serve as job training venues for program participants.

Product overview

St. Matthew's House is a nonprofit organization operating a portfolio of five integrated social service programs addressing hunger, homelessness, and addiction in Southwest Florida. The core programs include Food Assistance (community kitchen, food pantry, mobile distributions), Homeless Shelters (Campbell Lodge, Immokalee Friendship House), Justin's Place Recovery Program (year-long faith-based addiction recovery), Transitional Housing (Wolfe Apartments, Justin's Village), and Workforce Development. Supporting these programs are social enterprises including Thrift Stores, LuLu's Kitchen restaurant, Delicious by Design catering, Port LaBelle Inn, and Event Space, which generate revenue to fund the mission while providing job training for program participants. The organization follows a 'Crisis to Contributor' approach, connecting each pillar into a continuous pathway that moves individuals toward stability and independence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Justin’s Place: Southwest Florida's only year-long, faith-based 12-step recovery program addressing physical and emotional needs
• Delicious by Design
• LuLu’s Kitchen
• Justin’s Village
• Holecek Community Services Center
• Scott & Dolly McCartan Empowerment Hub
• Journey Together Capital Campaign

Products and services

• Food Assistance Program Hunger relief program serving food-insecure individuals and families in Southwest Florida through community kitchen meals, client-choice food pantry, mobile food distributions, and outreach meals.
• Homeless Shelters Emergency shelter services providing safe housing, meals, and wraparound services for men, women, and children experiencing homelessness across Campbell Lodge (Naples) and Immokalee Friendship House.
• Justin's Place Recovery Program Year-long, faith-based, residential 12-step addiction recovery program for men and women, providing counseling, case management, peer support, and work therapy.
• Transitional Housing Two-year sober-living transitional housing program at Wolfe Apartments and Justin's Village, offering affordable housing with supportive services for individuals and families exiting shelter and recovery programs.
• Workforce Development Job skills training and employment services through social enterprises and the Empowerment Hub, providing resume building, interview skills, and career development for program participants.
• Jail Chaplaincy Spiritual support and guidance program for incarcerated individuals in Collier County and Hendry County jails, providing compassionate care, counseling, and connection to community resources.
• St. Matthew's House Thrift Stores Six upscale thrift stores across Southwest Florida selling name-brand clothing, furniture, and home goods at discounted prices, with proceeds funding nonprofit programs and providing job training.
• LuLu's Kitchen Restaurant and cafe open to the public serving breakfast and lunch, staffed by Justin's Place recovery program participants, supporting the organization's mission through revenue generation.
• Delicious by Design Catering Catering company providing event catering services from intimate family gatherings to grand-scale events, also serving as culinary training program for Justin's Place participants.
• Port LaBelle Inn & Event Space Conference center, hotel, and event space rental operations providing additional revenue while serving program participants; offers versatile venues for private meetings, corporate retreats, and dinner parties.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2.1 million meals distributed annually
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Harry Chapin Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor food bank partnership supplying food for St. Matthew's House food pantry and distribution programs. Essential supplier enabling food assistance operations.
• Midwest Food Bank FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood bank partnership supplying food donations for St. Matthew's House operations and mobile distributions.
• Lake Michigan Credit UnionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate volunteer partner providing team volunteer support at food warehouse and Fort Myers Metro Thrift Store locations.
• The Greater Naples Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal business chamber partnership supporting community engagement and business connections.
• Citygate NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of churches and ministries providing spiritual support and community connections for homeless ministry.
• Collier CaresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership organization coordinating local charitable efforts and resources.

Scale indicators25 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Urban Ministries of Durham: Faith-based community services nonprofit providing food, shelter, and recovery programs in Durham, NC. Comparable as an integrated faith-based social services operator outside of St. Matthew's geography.
• City Harvest: Regional food rescue and hunger-relief nonprofit (New York) operating food pantries and mobile distributions. Comparable in food pantry/distribution model though in a different geography.
• The Midnight Mission: Faith-affiliated Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing shelter, recovery, and workforce programs. Comparable in integrated shelter, faith-based recovery, and job training, though in a different region.
• Coalition for the Homeless (Naples/Collier): Local Collier County coalition addressing homelessness, providing emergency shelter and supportive services in the same Southwest Florida geography. Most direct local competitor in the homeless services space.

Broad incumbents

• Feeding America (Harry Chapin Food Bank partner): National hunger-relief network with regional food banks. St. Matthew's House partners with Harry Chapin Food Bank as a major food supplier, making the network directly comparable in food distribution scale and operations.
• Catholic Charities USA: Large national faith-based social services network providing food, housing, and recovery programs. Comparable as a faith-based operator of integrated services for vulnerable populations.
• Salvation Army: National faith-based nonprofit offering integrated hunger, shelter, and recovery programs through a corps/community model. Comparable as a comprehensive social services provider with faith-based recovery programming.
• Habitat for Humanity: Nonprofit addressing housing insecurity through transitional and affordable housing construction. Comparable in the housing-focused social services mission, though more construction-oriented.

Direct peers

• Goodwill Industries International: Operates thrift retail stores whose proceeds fund workforce development and community programs. Comparable in the thrift-store-as-social-enterprise model, job training focus, and revenue-funded mission delivery.
• Volunteers of America: Faith-affiliated nonprofit operating housing, recovery, and workforce programs across the U.S. Comparable in providing integrated shelter, addiction recovery, and supportive housing services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC8TTuxSrcPpfDjsLgvz1kIg
• Facebookfacebook.com/StMatthewsHouse
• Instagraminstagram.com/stmatthewshouse
• Xx.com/StMatthewsHouse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stmatthewshouseswfl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 St. Matthew's House