What Degage Ministries does

Dégagé Ministries is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1967 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that delivers emergency, empowerment, and engagement services to individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty. Its portfolio spans 20+ programs delivered across three colocated Grand Rapids sites, anchored by the headquarters and community center at 139 Sheldon Ave SE and the Heartside Landings complex at 129 Jefferson SE. Core services include a women's emergency shelter with capacity for up to 150 guests nightly, three daily meals in a community dining room, hygiene and wellness services, a state-ID assistance program, individualized case management, workforce development, and two transitional housing programs (Close to Home and Heartside Landings Complex Care). The organization also operates two wholly-owned social enterprises — Open Door Bakery (cookies and cupcakes sold online and at retail) and the Thrift on Div retail thrift store — which provide employment opportunities for shelter residents while generating unrestricted revenue for the ministry.

The underlying technology stack is intentionally minimal and non-proprietary: there is no commercial software product, no public API, no mobile app, and no AI/ML capability disclosed. Service delivery is operational and case-management-based, augmented by a $2 voucher micro-payment system that guests can earn through chores or that community members can purchase as a "hand-up" giving mechanism, distributed via the Harness Giving platform. The organization is funded primarily by individual donations and church/corporate partnerships, with only 11% of operating costs covered by government sources. Notable programmatic differentiators include a trauma-informed, dignity-first approach (no religious participation required for services), the embedded Michigan Secretary of State mobile ID unit partnership, and a recently announced (May 2025) joint housing initiative with Trinity Health Grand Rapids that integrates place-based mental and physical health services into transitional housing.

Operationally, Dégagé serves over 1,000 unique individuals per month and 400–500 daily, supported by approximately 50 staff plus a large volunteer and guest-worker base. It holds the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency and a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, and recently completed an $8 million facility expansion begun in December 2020. Its executive director is Thelma Ensink, supported by a director-level team covering shelter, operations, business, development, housing, and advocacy.

Name

Degage Ministries

Legal name

Dégagé Ministries

Website

https://degageministries.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dégagé Ministries is a Grand Rapids-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1967 that delivers emergency shelter, meals, hygiene, ID assistance, case management, transitional housing, and workforce development to over 1,000 individuals each month experiencing homelessness and poverty.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless and Social Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Homeless shelter services
• Emergency food services
• Workforce development programs
• Transitional housing programs
• Social services nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Grand Rapids

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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The vast majority of funding comes from individuals. Donations support all operational costs including meals, shelter, workforce development, and social enterprise businesses. One-time and monthly giving options available online.
2. Church and Corporate Partnerships: Funding received from churches and corporate partners who sponsor specific programs or general operations.
3. Government Funding: Only 11% of costs are covered by government funding. Heartside Landings is specifically a city of Grand Rapids Community Development funded program.
4. Social Enterprise - Thrift on Div: Thrift on Div is a retail thrift store run by volunteers and guests. Proceeds go directly back into the ministry, providing employment opportunities for guests in the Heartside neighborhood.
5. Social Enterprise - Open Door Bakery: Open Door Bakery sells cookies and cupcakes made by women from the shelter. 100% of profits support the Open Door Women's Center. Available online and at retail locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Dégagé Ministries delivers direct emergency, empowerment, and engagement services to individuals and women experiencing homelessness or poverty in Grand Rapids, including overnight shelter (up to 150 women), three daily meals, hygiene services, ID assistance, case management, workforce development, and transitional housing. Two wholly-owned social enterprises, Open Door Bakery and Thrift on Div, sell baked goods and thrift merchandise to generate revenue while providing employment to shelter guests.

Product overview

Dégagé Ministries operates a multi-service homeless shelter and social services organization in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The organization offers a unified portfolio of emergency, empowerment, and engagement programs across 20+ distinct service offerings. Core services include the Dining Room & Community Center (meals served 7 days/week), the Open Door Women's Emergency Shelter (accommodating up to 150 women nightly), Wellness Center (hygiene services), ID Services, Case Management/Patron Advocacy, and Workforce Development. The organization runs two social enterprise businesses—the Open Door Bakery and Thrift on Div store—that provide employment opportunities for shelter residents while generating funds. Transitional housing is offered through Close to Home and Heartside Landings Complex Care programs. Additional programs include a Voucher Program, Volunteer opportunities, and Educate & Advocate programs for community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dining Room and Community Center Provides three nutritious meals daily, seven days a week, in a community center that also operates as a warming and cooling center during extreme temperatures. Open Door Shelter guests receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Open Door Women's Center (Women's Emergency Shelter) Provides emergency overnight shelter for up to 150 women in crisis, located on the 3rd and 4th floors at 139 Sheldon Ave SE, open seven days a week from 3:00pm to 7:00am.
• Wellness Center Provides hygiene services including free private showers, affordable professional haircuts, and a Rest Center for those recovering from surgery or illness with medical approval.
• ID Services Assists individuals in obtaining state of Michigan IDs and vital records by helping track down necessary legal documents, walking through the process, and covering associated fees when needed.
• Case Management and Patron Advocacy
• Workforce Development Program
• Open Door Bakery (Social Enterprise)
• Thrift on Div (Social Enterprise)
• Close to Home (Transitional Housing)

Quantifiable outcome

• Directly assisted 81 women to achieve housing in 2022; 105 women by end of 2022
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Trinity Health Grand RapidscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Joint housing initiative for homeless adults with mental illness. The program shows early progress and Dégagé aims to triple the housing initiative. This partnership provides place-based mental and physical health services integrated with transitional housing at Heartside Landings.
• Michigan Secretary of StatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDégagé partners with the Michigan Secretary of State office, which brings their mobile unit to Heartside Landings on the last Tuesday of each month. This enables onsite ID issuance for those who have the necessary backup documentation, with hours from 10am-3pm. This partnership is crucial for helping patrons obtain state IDs required for employment and housing.
• AmazonminorOthersAmazon Wishlist allows community members to purchase needed items that ship directly to Dégagé Ministries. Most needed items include women's pajamas, towels, underwear, t-shirts, sheets, feminine products, and hygiene supplies.
• Michigan Coalition Against HomelessnessminorOthersDégagé refers community members to learn more about homelessness issues and solutions through this statewide coalition.
• National Coalition for the HomelessminorOthersDégagé refers community members to additional homelessness resources and advocacy information through this national organization.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/degagemin
• Facebookfacebook.com/DegageMinistries
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/degage-ministries/posts/?feedView=all
• Instagraminstagram.com/degageministriesofficial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Degage Ministries