Friends of the Family

What Friends of the Family does

Friends of the Family is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency founded in 1992 and headquartered in Waterloo, Iowa, with additional offices in Waverly and Mason City. It provides free, confidential shelter and housing services across 25 Iowa counties to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, as well as to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Its service portfolio is organized around two core pillars — Housing Services and Victim Services — and includes the Housing Focused Shelter (HFS) and Low Barrier Emergency Shelter models, the Street Outreach Program, the Safely Home (HUD Continuum of Care–funded) and Home Free (DOJ-funded) rapid re-housing and transitional programs, and the Encampment to Housed multi-agency initiative with the City of Waterloo. Wraparound offerings include 24/7 victim and housing hotlines, a Landlord Partnership Program, a structured Volunteer Program with 12+ specialized roles, and a Lived Experience Advisory Board.

The operating model is built on a Housing First, trauma-informed, low-barrier philosophy. The technology stack is deliberately minimal — Coordinated Entry / MAP Assessments integrated with the Waypoint Housing Call Center (1-833-739-0065), QGiv for donations, Bloomerang for volunteer management, and an internal VPanel — with no API, AI/ML components, or proprietary software products disclosed. Service access is multi-modal: three physical offices, a 24/7 Victim Services Hotline, street outreach, partner-agency referrals (Waypoint, Community Action, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Willis Dady, HACAP), online contact forms, and earned-media placements across six social platforms plus regional press.

The revenue model is a diversified nonprofit funding stack: individual donations through the Circle of Friends giving tiers ($100–$1,000+), in-kind and volunteer contributions, two annual fundraising events (the "Putt An End to Homelessness" golf outing and "A Night In..." benefit), and a broad public-sector grant portfolio spanning HUD Continuum of Care, DOJ, FEMA, Iowa state agencies, county boards (Bremer, Cerro Gordo), and private/community foundations (United Way chapters, Otto Schoitz Foundation, Waterloo Housing Trust Fund, Grundy County Rural Resilience Community Foundation, Emergency Food and Shelter Program, Women's Giving Circle, Toppin Family Fund). Clients receive all services at no cost; no fees, tuition, or insurance billing are involved.

Name

Friends of the Family

Legal name

Friends of the Family

Website

https://fofia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Friends of the Family is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1992 providing free shelter, housing, and victim services across 25 Iowa counties to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and individuals experiencing homelessness.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services — Housing and Victim Advocacy

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (62411), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

Keywords

• Domestic violence services
• Emergency homeless shelter
• Rapid re-housing programs
• Victim advocacy support
• Human trafficking assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Mason City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations & Circle of Friends Giving Program: Financial donations from individuals through secure online portal (qgiv), mail-in checks, and Amazon Wish List in-kind donations. Circle of Friends donors commit $100, $250, $500, $1,000+ as one-time or recurring monthly gifts.
2. Government & Foundation Grants: Grant funding from federal (FEMA, HUD Continuum of Care), state (Iowa), county (Bremer, Cerro Gordo), and private foundation sources (United Way, Otto Schoitz Foundation, Toppin Family Fund, Waterloo Housing Trust Fund, Grundy County Rural Resilience Community Foundation, Emergency Food and Shelter Program, Women's Giving Circle).
3. Fundraising Events: Annual fundraising events including the '6th Annual Putt An End to Homelessness' golf outing at Prairie Links/Prairie Lakes Golf Club and 'A Night In...' benefit at Hilton Garden Inn Cedar Falls.
4. In-Kind Donations & Volunteer Support: Donations of supplies (diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, clothing, pet needs, kitchen/bathroom supplies), gift cards, and volunteer hours contribute to program delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Friends of the Family is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free, confidential housing and victim services across 20–25 Iowa counties, with three physical offices in Waterloo (HQ), Waverly, and Mason City. The core offering combines a Housing First-based housing pipeline (emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, street outreach, and the Encampment to Housed project) with 24/7 victim advocacy and case management for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Specialized programs include the Housing Focused Shelter, Low Barrier Emergency Shelter, Safely Home (HUD Continuum of Care funded), and Home Free (U.S. DOJ funded).

Product overview

Friends of the Family is a 501(c)3 nonprofit agency (not a software company) whose overall offering is a unified, integrated portfolio of human services rather than a technology platform-plus-modules architecture. The portfolio centers on two core service lines — Housing Services and Victim Services — operating across 20–25 counties in Northeast and Northcentral Iowa, with the Waterloo, Waverly, and Mason City offices as the operational backbone. Wrapped around these two pillars are multiple specialized programs that function as modules of the same mission: the Housing Focused Shelter (one of FOF's "Three Uniques"), the Low Barrier Emergency Shelter, the Street Outreach Program, the Encampment to Housed project (a community partnership with the City of Waterloo), the Safely Home and Home Free rapid re-housing/transitional programs (for DV/HT/SA survivors), the Landlord Partnership Program, the Coordinated Entry / Waypoint Housing Call Center partnership, the Volunteer Program, the Donation/Circle of Friends fundraising program, and the Lived Experience Advisory Board. Annual fundraising events (the "Putt An End to Homelessness" golf outing and "A Night In...." gala) sustain the portfolio. All programs share the same Housing First philosophy, prioritize client choice, and feed into a single coordinated housing pipeline from outreach to permanent housing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Safely Home: A Continuum of Care funded program for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking experiencing housing instability due to victimization; provides up to 90 days in transitional housing or up to 24 months of rapid re-housing assistance.
• Home Free
• Housing Focused Shelter (HFS)
• Encampment to Housed

Products and services

• Housing Services Comprehensive housing programs for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability across 20–25 counties in Northeast and Northcentral Iowa. Built on the Housing First approach, the line provides individualized support that prioritizes client choice and drives systemic change through community partnerships, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid re-housing, and permanent supportive housing.
• Victim Services Confidential advocacy and direct support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, including 24/7 crisis line support at 319-352-0037 and safety planning. Friends of the Family is the only shelter and housing program designated to serve domestic violence survivors in the Cedar Valley.
• Housing Focused Shelter Low-barrier shelter prioritizing rapid movement of survivors of violence from unsafe living situations into safe, stable housing of their own. Within 48 hours of intake, guests meet a Housing Advocate for orientation and SMART goal-setting; success is measured by the survivor maintaining their own housing unit.
• Low Barrier Emergency Shelter Emergency shelter reserved for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, or sexual assault that does not discriminate based on sobriety, ID, criminal background, pets, personal belongings, families with children, or strict curfews. Use or possession of illegal substances and weapons are prohibited. Temporary stays transition guests toward permanent housing.
• Street Outreach Program Field-based program with two outreach specialists (Black Hawk County and North Central/Northeast Iowa) that connects with people experiencing homelessness living in cars, encampments, or on the street. Builds trust through trauma-informed care and connects clients to food stamps, community meals, food banks, SSI/SSDI paperwork, IDs, and housing readiness resources.
• Encampment to Housed Project Multi-agency project (City of Waterloo, FOF, healthcare providers, mental health, law enforcement) that moves individuals from outdoor encampments into stable homes through outreach, housing search, and ongoing support, then restores the encampment sites.
• Safely Home Program HUD Continuum of Care-funded housing program for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking experiencing housing instability due to victimization. Provides up to 90 days of transitional housing in a fully furnished unit, or up to 24 months of rapid re-housing assistance (rental, utility, or deposit). Includes resource referrals, landlord advocacy, housing search/placement, safety planning, employment connections, victim advocacy, and survivor rights guidance.
• Home Free Program U.S. Department of Justice-funded rapid re-housing program for survivors of sex or labor trafficking, offering up to 24 months of rental, utility, deposit, or relocation assistance across 14 Northeast/Northcentral Iowa counties, with legal/medical advocacy, survivor rights education, and safety planning.
• Landlord Partnership Program Program that recruits and supports rental property owners to provide units for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Guarantees regular rental payments, provides a steady flow of tenants, and includes FOF-facilitated inspections, ongoing case management, and tenant support; landlord-tenant law still applies.
• Coordinated Entry / Waypoint Housing Call Center Partnership Housing access system where Waypoint's Housing Call Center (833-739-0065) handles initial screening, problem-solving, and resource connection. Survivors of domestic violence or violent crime are securely referred to FOF for direct follow-up; non-survivors may complete the Coordinated Entry MAP Assessment via Waypoint. Placements prioritized by need via regional prioritization lists (HUD Category 1 & 4).

Quantifiable outcome

• 20 days average from homeless to housed
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship / core, core and minor.

• Waypoint Housing Call Centerflagship / coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaypoint answers housing calls for FOF and many Iowa regions. Survivors of domestic violence or other violent crime are securely referred from Waypoint to FOF staff for direct follow-up. Non-survivors may complete their Coordinated Entry assessment directly with Waypoint if eligible. This partnership helps ensure calls are answered quickly and people get connected to the right support.
• City of Waterlooflagship / coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinated response partner in the Encampment to Housed project. City staff work alongside FOF Outreach teams and emergency responders to connect with individuals in encampments, build trust, and assess needs. Cleanup and restoration of encampment sites is coordinated through the City.
• YSS (Youth Shelter Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration during PIT Count and for youth homelessness programs. YSS pulled an individual into a Rapid Re-Housing Program specifically for Youth Homelessness; FOF assisted in coordinating communication between the client and YSS staff.
• Freedom Inn His Grace / Freedom In His Grace MinistriescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity ministry partner that assists during PIT Count outreach and helps families with transportation and basic needs. Provided pickup assistance for a family transitioning to FOF shelter.
• Landlord PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLandlords partner with FOF to provide rental units for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Partners receive steady rental income, ensured regular payments, and consistent flow of tenants. FOF facilitates landlord-client connections, provides housing inspections, ongoing case management, and general client support.
• Community ActioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity partner agency providing supplemental housing and social services referrals for FOF clients.
• Salvation ArmycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity partner agency providing supplemental services and resources for FOF clients experiencing homelessness or violence.
• Catholic CharitiescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity partner providing additional resources and support services for FOF clients.
• Housing AuthoritycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal Housing Authority partner that FOF works with to help clients apply for Section 8 and other housing assistance programs.
• Prairie RidgeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity partner providing mental health and Supported Community Living services for FOF clients.
• Iowa Department of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level partner for public health coordination and support of clients experiencing homelessness or fleeing violence.
• 43 North IowaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal community organization providing additional resources and referrals for FOF clients.
• Trinkets and Togs (T&T) - WaverlyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity partner in Waverly that accepts donated items FOF cannot accept; FOF sends donors and clients there and receives vouchers for clients in exchange.
• ACES (Technology Team)coreTechnology or IntegrationExternal IT support team assisting with technology issues and infrastructure.
• Willis DadycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinated Entry partner agency where clients may be placed onto prioritization list and pulled into housing programs via regional network.
• HACAPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinated Entry partner agency for regional housing program placements.
• Iowa Victim Call CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide victim services partner providing 24/7 text-based support; victims can text 'IOWAHELP' to 20121 to access live chat features.
• Mason City Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal law enforcement partner that assists during PIT Count by identifying known locations of unsheltered individuals in Mason City.
• Northern Lights ShelterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity shelter partner providing emergency housing unit for families during diversion crisis; supports emergency shelter overflow capacity.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence: Statewide coalition that funds, trains, and advocates for Iowa's DV shelter network including FOF. Comparable as the state-level umbrella that influences funding and policy for member organizations like Friends of the Family.

Direct peers

• YSS (Youth & Shelter Services): Iowa nonprofit providing youth shelter, rapid re-housing, and family crisis services. Directly comparable as a regional Iowa peer in the housing/homelessness and victim-services space, and a named FOF Coordinated Entry partner.
• HACAP (Hawkeye Area Community Action Program): Eastern Iowa Community Action agency delivering housing assistance, energy assistance, and homeless services. Direct peer in the Iowa regional housing/homelessness services network and a named FOF partner.
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque: Regional Catholic Charities agency providing housing, family, and immigration services across Eastern Iowa. Comparable as a regional peer offering shelter/housing case management and a named FOF referral partner.
• Willis Dady Homeless Services: Cedar Rapids-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, and homelessness prevention. Direct regional peer operating the same coordinated entry pipeline as FOF in Eastern Iowa.
• Community Action of Northeast Iowa: Iowa community action nonprofit providing housing, family services, and emergency assistance. Comparable as a regional peer delivering housing and case management to low-income households in overlapping service areas.
• Salvation Army of Waterloo/Cedar Valley: Local Salvation Army branch providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and disaster services in the Cedar Valley. Direct local peer in emergency housing and a named FOF referral partner.
• Waypoint (Waypoint Services): Iowa-based housing and homeless services nonprofit that operates the Housing Call Center routing survivors to FOF. Most directly comparable as a regional peer delivering housing case management, coordinated entry, and victim services across overlapping Iowa counties.

Regional players

• YWCA of Black Hawk County: Local YWCA delivering domestic violence shelter, sexual assault services, and empowerment programming in Waterloo, Iowa. Highly comparable as a Cedar Valley DV/SA peer serving overlapping clients.
• Family Resources (Iowa): Quad Cities/Iowa-based nonprofit providing domestic violence, sexual assault, and homeless youth services. Highly comparable as a regional Iowa DV and victim-services peer, though operating in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCXdt7ieLuZOrgkSoA-bMjmw
• Facebookfacebook.com/FOTFamily
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cedar-valley-friends-of-the-family
• Instagraminstagram.com/friendsofthefamilyia
• TikToktiktok.com/@friendsofthefamilyiowa

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Friends of the Family