Sheltering Wings

What Sheltering Wings does

Sheltering Wings is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 35-2077713) founded in 2002 and headquartered in Danville, Hendricks County, Indiana. It operates an 80-bed emergency domestic violence shelter within a 37,000-square-foot facility, and is the only DV shelter in Hendricks County and the second-largest in Indiana. All services are provided free of charge to survivors, including emergency housing, 24/7 crisis helpline access, lethality assessments, life-skills programming, children's and youth services, on-site therapy, and case management. Non-shelter community advocacy services extend the organization's reach across Hendricks, Boone, Morgan, Montgomery, and Putnam counties plus west Marion County. Since services are free to clients, Sheltering Wings generates no service revenue; instead, funding is derived from individual donations (including a monthly giving society and planned giving), corporate and foundation grants, capital campaigns, in-kind gifts, and event sponsorships. The organization is supported by an extensive community ecosystem of 110+ churches, 400 businesses, 69 civic organizations, 50 foundations, 28 schools, and 17 government agencies.

The organization's underlying technology is deliberately modest and service-oriented rather than product-oriented. It relies on a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for client tracking, a 24/7 helpline infrastructure, and a standardized lethality assessment protocol that triages callers to appropriate resources. There is no proprietary software, mobile application, or external API disclosed. Distribution is executed through the physical shelter, mobile advocacy teams, a speakers bureau for prevention education, a referral partnership with Indiana 211, and transitional housing via a RealAmerica-developed 52-unit affordable apartment community in which 13 units are reserved for Sheltering Wings residents (with Cummins Behavioral Health providing on-site case management).

The current strategic agenda is anchored by a $6 million 2026 Capital Campaign ($4.2M raised to date) intended to expand shelter capacity, renovate children's service areas, and increase program workspace, with a $440,000 United Way of Central Indiana match opportunity. The organization is led by Executive Director Cassie Mecklenburg and operates with approximately 30+ staff supplemented by a substantial volunteer base, with annual operating costs stated at over $1.2 million and recognition including a Charity Navigator 4-star rating and Candid Gold Seal of Transparency.

Name

Sheltering Wings

Legal name

Sheltering Wings

Website

https://shelteringwings.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sheltering Wings is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating an 80-bed emergency domestic violence shelter in Danville, Indiana, delivering free crisis housing, life-skills programming, and community advocacy services to survivors across six Central Indiana counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic Violence Shelter and Crisis Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Safeguarding) (BPADAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Emergency Shelter, Camp Coordination & Camp Management (CCCM) (BPADADAB)

Keywords

• Domestic violence shelter
• Emergency housing services
• Crisis intervention
• Survivor support services
• Community prevention education

Headquarters

HQ city

Danville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time, recurring, and pledged monetary donations from individual supporters. Monthly giving program (Hope Monthly Giving Society). Stock gifts, QCDs (Qualified Charitable Distributions), and retirement fund gifts accepted.
2. Capital Campaign Fundraising: Major fundraising campaign targeting $6M for facility expansion and program growth. Currently at $4.2M with United Way of Central Indiana match opportunity of $440,000.
3. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Grants from foundations and corporate giving programs. Partner organizations provide financial support. Sponsorship funding for events and programs.
4. In-Kind Donations: Community donations of food, supplies, furniture, vehicles, and services help reduce operational costs. Wish list program for Amazon and Walmart registries.
5. Planned Giving: Bequests, charitable remainder trusts, and other planned giving vehicles. Donors can include Sheltering Wings in their will or as a beneficiary.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Sheltering Wings operates a domestic violence emergency shelter and provides comprehensive crisis intervention and recovery services to survivors and their children. The core offering includes 24/7 emergency housing in an 80-bed facility, a 24-hour crisis helpline with lethality assessment, community-based mobile advocacy, life skills programming, and children and youth trauma services. All services are provided free of charge to survivors across Hendricks County and surrounding Central Indiana counties.

Product overview

Sheltering Wings is a nonprofit domestic violence shelter offering a unified set of services for survivors and their children. Core offerings include Emergency Housing (80-bed facility), Community Advocacy Services (non-shelter support), Life Skills Programming, Children and Youth Services, and Prevention and Education programs. Additional programs include the Speakers Bureau/Training, Men IN Action community engagement, and Teens That Talk Youth Council. The organization operates primarily from Danville, Indiana, serving Hendricks County and Central Indiana communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Housing (Shelter) Safe emergency shelter for domestic violence survivors and their children, offering 80 beds with private rooms, locked security systems, meals, medical care connections, and 24/7 availability at the Danville, Indiana facility.
• Community Advocacy Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of clients served in emergency housing exited to safety
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, foundational, major and minor.

• RealAmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal-estate developer built 52-unit affordable apartment community using earned-income housing tax credits, allocating 13 units specifically for Sheltering Wings residents transitioning to independent living.
• Cummins Behavioral Health SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing on-site case management, life skills training, and mental health support for former shelter residents and community members at the Haven Homes affordable housing location.
• Cornerstone Christian ChurchfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteers from Brownsburg food pantry who identified need for local domestic violence shelter, initiated the organization, and raised $1.4 million to build original facility.
• 110+ ChurchesmajorOthersNetwork of church partners providing spiritual support, volunteers, donations, and community connections throughout Hendricks County and Central Indiana.
• 69 Civic OrganizationsmajorOthersCivic clubs and organizations supporting Sheltering Wings through volunteer service, donations, and community advocacy.
• 400 BusinessesmajorOthersBusiness supporters providing financial contributions, in-kind donations, volunteer hours, and workplace giving programs.
• 28 SchoolsmajorOthersEducational institution partnerships for prevention education, youth programming, and awareness building among students and staff.
• 17 Government OrganizationsmajorOthersGovernment agency partnerships providing regulatory guidance, funding support, and coordinated services for domestic violence response.
• Indiana 211minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFree state service connecting Hoosiers with health and human service resources, providing referral pathway for survivors needing Sheltering Wings services.
• Pools of FunminorOthersCurrent partner displayed on Ways to Give page
• WCCminorOthersCurrent partner displayed on Ways to Give page
• IU HealthminorOthersCurrent partner displayed on Ways to Give page
• Hendricks Regional HealthminorOthersCurrent partner displayed on Ways to Give page (separate from land donation)

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Coburn Place: Indianapolis-based nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and support services specifically for survivors of domestic violence. Direct local peer in Central Indiana serving the same survivor population with overlapping service model.
• The Julian Center: Indianapolis domestic violence shelter and supportive services provider offering emergency housing, advocacy, and community-based programs. Closest geographic peer and the largest DV shelter in Indiana, which Sheltering Wings identifies as the next-tier operator.
• YWCA of Greater Indianapolis: Regional YWCA chapter providing domestic violence services, sexual assault support, and emergency housing in Central Indiana. Comparable service portfolio and target population with overlapping geographic footprint.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: National 24/7 crisis helpline for DV survivors providing safety planning, resources, and referrals. Directly comparable to Sheltering Wings' 24/7 helpline but operates nationally and refers into local shelters like Sheltering Wings.
• SafeNest: Las Vegas-based DV organization providing emergency shelter, counseling, and prevention education. Comparable in service model (shelter + advocacy + education) and integration of prevention programming with direct services.
• Beacon of Hope Crisis Center: Indiana-based nonprofit serving domestic violence and sexual assault survivors with emergency shelter and advocacy. Comparable regional peer within Indiana offering overlapping services to similar survivor populations.

Broad incumbents

• Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence: Statewide coordinating body for DV service providers in Indiana, supporting shelters including Sheltering Wings through funding, training, and policy advocacy. Comparable mission scope and state-level positioning.
• Safe Horizon: Large New York-based nonprofit delivering domestic violence shelter, hotline, and victim assistance services. Comparable in mission, service portfolio (shelter + helpline + advocacy), and trauma-informed approach but operates at much larger scale.
• YWCA USA (national): National nonprofit federation delivering domestic violence services across more than 200 local associations. Indirect parent-level peer through local YWCA chapters; comparable mission in DV services and prevention education.

Regional players

• Turning Point of Indiana: Indiana-based nonprofit providing DV and sexual violence services in the greater Indianapolis region. Comparable regional peer offering similar shelter, advocacy, and education services to overlapping target populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/teensthattalk
• Xx.com/shelteringwings
• Facebookfacebook.com/ShelteringWings
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sheltering-wings

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 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 Sheltering Wings