Flagstaff Shelter Services

What Flagstaff Shelter Services does

Flagstaff Shelter Services (FSS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2006 that operates the largest emergency shelter in Northern Arizona, headquartered at 4185 E. Huntington Drive in Flagstaff, Arizona. Since the October 2024 closure of Sunshine Rescue Mission, FSS is the only low-barrier emergency shelter in Coconino County, providing 24/7/365 emergency shelter and housing stability services to individuals, families, chronically homeless individuals, veterans, and medically vulnerable populations regardless of faith, mental health status, or sobriety. The organization serves more than 2,500 unduplicated individuals per year, reports an 86% housing retention rate, and places approximately two families per week into permanent housing.

The organization operates three facilities: the Huntington Shelter (capacity for 163 individuals after a $1 million 2019 second-floor expansion), The Crown (a 58-unit non-congregate shelter opened April 2022 in a former Howard Johnson Motel acquired for $6.19 million with American Rescue Plan Act State Recovery Funds), and The Lantern (a 103-unit facility opened December 2025 as the second hotel-to-housing conversion). Core programs include Emergency Shelter, Housing First, Housing as Healthcare, and Front Door (coordinated entry). On-site co-located services are delivered through a network of partner agencies including North Country HealthCare, The Guidance Center, Flagstaff Family Food Center, Native Americans for Community Action, Catholic Charities, Southwest Behavioral & Health Services, Corporation for Supportive Housing, Hope Lives, Sonora Prevention Works, and DNA People's Legal Services. No proprietary technology platforms are disclosed; FSS uses standard nonprofit web/email/social channels and the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency (2026).

Revenue is generated exclusively from charitable sources: individual donations (with Arizona Charitable Tax Credit QCO code 20067), foundation and corporate grants - most notably a $2.5 million Bezos Day 1 Families Fund grant in November 2022 (the largest private gift in organizational history) - federal and state government funding, annual fundraising events, and corporate percentage-donation programs (Amazon Smile, Target Circle). Service is free to clients. Cost economics are explicit: $10 per person per night for shelter, $5,000 per household to reach stable housing, and ~$50,000/month for overflow shelter. Leadership: Ross Schaefer (Executive Director), Lauren Lauder (Board Chair).

Name

Flagstaff Shelter Services

Legal name

Flagstaff Shelter Services

Website

https://flagshelter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Flagstaff Shelter Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the largest and only low-barrier emergency shelter in Coconino County, providing 24/7 shelter, housing case management, and pathways to permanent housing for 2,500+ individuals and families experiencing homelessness annually in Northern Arizona.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless and Emergency Shelter Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

Keywords

• Emergency shelter services
• Homeless services
• Housing first programs
• Nonprofit social services
• Rapid rehousing

Headquarters

HQ city

Flagstaff

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting shelter operations and housing programs. Eligible for Arizona Charitable Tax Credit (QCO code 20067): up to $400 for single filers, $800 for married joint filers.
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Major grants from foundations including $2.5 million Bezos Day 1 Families Fund (largest private gift in organizational history), Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, Forest Highlands Foundation, and others.
3. Government Funding: Federal and state funding including Arizona Department of Housing State Recovery Funds ($40M allocated through American Rescue Plan Act), Community Development Block Grants, and COVID-19 Emergency Solutions Grant funding.
4. Special Events and Fundraising: Annual fundraising events including Name That Tune fundraiser ($475 per team of four), Feast for Flagstaff (postponed during COVID), and 20th Anniversary Celebration ($125/attendee).
5. Corporate Donation Programs: Amazon Smile (0.5% donation on purchases), Target Circle (voting for nonprofit), and similar percentage-based donation programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Flagstaff Shelter Services provides low-barrier emergency shelter, housing-focused case management, and pathways to permanent housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Northern Arizona. The organization operates multiple facility types including traditional congregate shelter (Huntington) and non-congregate hotel-to-housing conversions (The Crown, The Lantern), serving over 2,500 unduplicated individuals annually with no preconditions related to faith, mental health, or sobriety.

Product overview

Flagstaff Shelter Services is a social services organization offering a portfolio of homeless shelter and housing programs in Northern Arizona. The organization operates multiple shelter facilities including the main Huntington congregate shelter and two non-congregate hotel-to-housing facilities (The Crown and The Lantern). Core programs include Emergency Shelter (low-barrier 24/7 shelter regardless of sobriety or mental health status), Housing First (permanent housing placement), Housing as Healthcare (integrated health services), and Front Door (coordinated entry/intake). The organization serves over 2,500 individuals annually, providing both emergency overnight shelter and pathways to permanent housing stability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Crown: Second shelter site and first hotel-to-housing project located on Route 66 with 58 units offering non-congregate shelter to families, seniors, and medically vulnerable individuals.
• The Lantern

Products and services

• Emergency Shelter Low-barrier emergency shelter providing 24/7 year-round shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness, regardless of faith, mental health, or sobriety status. Located at 4185 E. Huntington Drive, Flagstaff.
• Housing First Permanent housing program that quickly connects individuals experiencing homelessness to stable housing without preconditions, providing ongoing support services to maintain housing stability.
• Housing as Healthcare Program recognizing housing as healthcare intervention, providing medical and behavioral health services co-located with shelter to address chronic health conditions among homeless populations.
• Front Door (Coordinated Entry) Coordinated entry approach providing intake and referral services to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with appropriate resources and services throughout Flagstaff.
• The Crown FSS's first hotel-to-housing project on Route 66 - a 58-unit renovated property offering non-congregate shelter to families, seniors, and medically vulnerable individuals. Provides meals, hygiene supplies, clothing, onsite physical and behavioral health services, and housing case management.
• The Lantern FSS's second hotel-to-housing facility - a 103-unit building providing safe, individual non-congregate shelter and comprehensive support services for vulnerable adults. Each unit includes bed, bathroom, kitchenette, desk, and storage. Staffed 24/7, year-round.

Quantifiable outcome

• 86% of individuals moved into housing remain stably housed
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• North Country HealthCarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-site medical services, COVID-19 testing and vaccinations (80-85% vaccination rate achieved). Provides telehealth appointments and ongoing healthcare coordination for shelter clients.
• The Guidance CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBehavioral health services provided on-site at shelter facilities. Ongoing mental health and substance use support.
• Flagstaff Family Food CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides meals - increased daily breakfast and lunch deliveries from ~400 to 700+ per day during pandemic. Ongoing meal provision at all shelter sites.
• Native Americans for Community Action (NACA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-located services at shelter facilities. Cultural support and services for Native American clients.
• Hope LivesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-site services for shelter clients at Flagstaff location.
• Sonora Prevention WorksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-site substance abuse prevention services at shelter facilities.
• DNA - People's Legal ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-site legal services for shelter clients.
• Southwest Behavioral & Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-located services at The Crown facility providing behavioral health support.
• Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccepted into 2022 Arizona Supportive Housing Institute. CSH provides weekly trainings and resources for building stronger Permanent Supportive Housing programs. Focus on housing quality, racial equity, and partnership with health services.
• Catholic Charities of FlagstaffminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for intake and referral program to better assist those experiencing homelessness throughout Flagstaff area.
• Trinity Heights United Methodist ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOverflow shelter partnership providing additional capacity when primary facilities are at capacity. FSS operates temporary shelter at church facility.
• Flagstaff Unified School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided space for shelter operations during second floor construction in 2019.
• Faith-based partnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurches and faith organizations that hosted those experiencing homelessness during 2019 summer construction.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS): Phoenix-based emergency shelter and supportive housing provider operating the largest shelter in Maricopa County. Directly comparable to FSS in mission (low-barrier emergency shelter, Housing First, rapid rehousing) and service portfolio, though at significantly larger scale within a major metro.
• Pine Street Inn: Boston-based nonprofit operating the largest emergency shelter in New England with low-barrier intake and workforce development programs. Comparable to FSS in low-barrier philosophy, 24/7 operations, and integrated shelter-to-housing pathways, scaled to a much larger urban footprint.
• LA Family Housing: Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, interim housing, and permanent supportive housing across LA County. Directly comparable to FSS for its service portfolio (shelter, rapid rehousing, supportive housing) and use of converted/motels for non-congregate shelter.
• Heading Home: Albuquerque-based Housing First provider operating emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing in New Mexico. Closely comparable to FSS for Housing First methodology, regional scope, and involvement in the Corporation for Supportive Housing Institute pipeline.
• St. Vincent de Paul Phoenix: Arizona-based nonprofit operating multiple homeless services programs including family shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services in Phoenix. Comparable to FSS in regional scope and service mix, though operating across broader human services beyond shelter.
• Abode Services: Bay Area nonprofit providing housing and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness across multiple counties. Comparable to FSS for permanent supportive housing focus and wraparound service model, though serving a higher-cost-of-living urban market.
• Coalition for the Homeless Houston: Houston-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Comparable to FSS for emergency shelter operations and Housing First methodology in a major regional market.
• Community Bridges Inc. New Mexico-based nonprofit providing behavioral health, supportive housing, and homelessness services across multiple programs. Comparable to FSS for integrated housing-plus-behavioral-health delivery model and CSH Institute participation.

Others

• Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH): National nonprofit intermediary that provides training, technical assistance, and capital for supportive housing providers — and is itself a current FSS partner via the Arizona Supportive Housing Institute. Functionally adjacent rather than competitive; relevant for benchmarking CSH's grant pipeline.
• National Alliance to End Homelessness: Washington, DC-based advocacy and research nonprofit that shapes federal homelessness policy and funding. Not a direct operator but adjacent to FSS as the convener that influences the federal funding streams (HUD, ESG) on which FSS depends.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flagstaff-shelter-services

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors3 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Flagstaff Shelter Services