ShoeHeals

What ShoeHeals does

ShoeHeals is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that distributes new shoes to individuals and families experiencing hardship, with the explicit aim of restoring confidence, self-esteem, and dignity. Founded in 2007 by Charisma Cannon after personal setbacks including job loss and illness, the organization serves children in low-income communities, mothers and families in homeless and domestic violence shelters, men and women in transitional housing, pregnant and runaway teens, and low-income adults seeking employment. Its core differentiator is the exclusive provision of new shoes (rather than used donations), allowing recipients to select preferred style, color, and brand, with quality brands such as Nike, Polo, Stacy Adams, and Reebok.

Operationally, ShoeHeals relies on a community-led distribution model: shoes are sourced via monetary donations and in-kind shoe donations, then routed through a network of partner organizations including local social service agencies, re-entry programs, homeless shelters, workforce development programs, medical agencies, and named partners such as Teen Living Programs, South Suburban PADS, and Project There. Monetary contributions are processed through Zeffy and Stripe, with a stated benchmark of $30 providing one new pair of shoes. The organization also operates a small direct-to-consumer merchandise store selling branded t-shirts (from $35) and hoodies (from $65) to raise awareness and supplemental revenue. ShoeHeals is headquartered in Chicago, IL 60617, operates with 1-10 employees, and serves the Chicagoland area. The organization is currently developing a Shoe Mobile initiative to expand mobile distribution to underserved communities, and is supported by the Good City nonprofit incubator for organizational development. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; documented funding inflows include a $4,000 Walmart grant in 2012 and a $15,000 Amazon Business contribution in 2022.

Name

ShoeHeals

Legal name

ShoeHeals, Inc.

Website

https://shoeheals.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ShoeHeals is a Chicago-based nonprofit that distributes new shoes to underserved individuals and families, including children in low-income communities, homeless and domestic violence shelter residents, transitional housing clients, and at-risk youth, via community partnerships and direct community programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Monetary Donations: ShoeHeals accepts monetary donations from individuals and corporations. A $30 donation allows the organization to provide a new pair of shoes to someone in need. Donations are processed through platforms like Zeffy and Stripe.
2. New Shoe Donations: The organization accepts donations of new shoes from individuals and partners, which are then distributed to those in need through partner organizations.
3. Merchandise Sales: ShoeHeals sells branded merchandise including t-shirts (from $35) and hoodies (from $65) through their online store to generate revenue and promote awareness.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ShoeHeals is a nonprofit charitable organization that provides new shoes to individuals and families in need, including children in low-income communities, mothers and families in homeless and domestic violence shelters, men and women in transitional housing, and pregnant and runaway teens. The organization funds shoe purchases through monetary donations (suggested at $30 per pair), accepts in-kind new shoe donations, and sells branded merchandise, distributing the shoes through partner nonprofit social service agencies in the Chicago area.

Product overview

ShoeHeals is a nonprofit charitable organization offering shoe distribution services to those in need. The core offering is a shoe distribution program that provides new shoes to disadvantaged individuals and families. Additionally, the organization operates a merchandise store selling branded apparel (t-shirts and hoodies) to raise funds for the cause. A Shoe Mobile fundraising initiative is also in development to expand mobile shoe distribution capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• If The Shoe Fits T-shirt Branded merchandise t-shirt featuring the ShoeHeals logo and messaging, available in Red, Blue, Black, and Grey with pricing starting at $35.00. Sold via ShoeHeals' online store to generate awareness and revenue for the shoe distribution mission; aimed at supporters, donors, and community members.
• If The Shoe Fits Hoodie Branded merchandise hoodie featuring the ShoeHeals logo and messaging, available in Black, Blue, Grey, and Red and in sizes XSmall through 5XL, with pricing starting at $65.00. Sold through ShoeHeals' online store to generate awareness and revenue for the shoe distribution mission; aimed at supporters, donors, and community members.
• Shoe Distribution Program Core charitable program that provides new, quality-brand shoes (Nike, Polo, Stacy Adams, Reebok, etc.) to children in low-income communities, mothers and families in homeless and domestic violence shelters, men and women in transitional housing, pregnant and runaway teens, and low-income adults seeking employment. Recipients choose their preferred style, color, and type. Shoes are funded by monetary donations (suggested $30 per pair) and in-kind shoe donations, and distributed through partner nonprofit social service agencies in the Chicagoland area.
• ShoeMobile Mobile Distribution Program Planned mobile shoe distribution initiative, currently in fundraising phase, designed to bring new shoes directly to underserved communities that are harder to reach through fixed partner agencies. Once operational, it will extend the reach of the Shoe Distribution Program beyond the existing partner-agency network in the Chicagoland area.

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

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.

• Good CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago-based organization that incubates startup nonprofits. Good City selected ShoeHeals to help develop organizational structure and become sustainable.
• Teen Living ProgramscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit providing shelter and supportive services to homeless youth. Partnered with ShoeHeals to provide new shoes to their youth clients, allowing recipients to choose shoe styles and colors.
• South Suburban PADSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Shoe and Tell gallery, participating in shoe giveaway events.
• Project ThereminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerShoeHeals partnered with Project There to provide new shoes, coats, and food to those in need.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Soles4Souls: Nonprofit that distributes new and gently-used shoes to people in need worldwide. Direct peer — same core activity (shoe distribution to underserved populations), similarly donation-funded model, but operates at significantly larger scale.
• Samartan’s Feet: Faith-based nonprofit providing new shoes and washing feet for impoverished children and adults around the world. Direct peer — same product (new shoes), same mission segment (dignity-restoring footwear distribution), operates globally.
• Shoes That Fit: Nonprofit that provides new athletic shoes to children in low-income communities through school-based partnerships. Direct peer — extremely close match: new shoes only, school/community partnerships, child-focused underserved population.
• Share Your Soles: Nonprofit collecting gently-used and new shoes and redistributing them to those in need domestically and internationally. Direct peer — same core activity of charitable shoe redistribution, though accepts used as well as new.
• OneSight: Nonprofit providing free eyeglasses and vision care to people in underserved communities. Direct peer (analogous model) — brand-aligned charitable distribution of a foundational personal item, similar recipient demographics and donation/sponsorship model.

Broad incumbents

• Bucks for Good (Heartland Alliance): Large Chicago-headquartered nonprofit providing poverty-relief services including clothing and footwear assistance. Broad incumbent — same Chicago footprint and similar target populations, but clothing/shelter scope rather than shoe specialization.
• Baby2Baby: Large-scale nonprofit providing basic necessities including clothing and shoes to children in poverty across the US. Broad incumbent — comparable children-in-poverty beneficiary focus with embedded shoe distribution, but operates at much larger national scale.
• Goodwill Industries International: Major nonprofit that sells donated goods (including shoes) and uses proceeds for workforce programs. Broad incumbent — overlaps with the underserved-populations mission but operates a retail/thrift model rather than new-shoe distribution.

Emerging players

• TOMS Shoes (now TOMS Impact): For-profit footwear brand historically known for donating a pair of shoes for each pair purchased ("One for One"). Comparable model — shoe-distribution-as-mission, now repositioned as a giving-back brand.
• Kids In Need Foundation: Nonprofit supplying clothing, shoes and school supplies to children in need across the US. Emerging/niche player — overlaps on children-in-need clothing/footwear distribution but with broader school-supplies scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ShoeHeals
• Facebookfacebook.com/ShoeHeals
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shoeheals

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 ShoeHeals