The Delores Project
The Delores Project is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing 24/7 low-barrier shelter, 35-unit supportive housing, rapid rehousing, and behavioral health services for women, transgender, and nonbinary individuals experiencing homelessness, funded through donations, government contracts, and fundraising.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersDenver, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Delores Project does
The Delores Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Denver, Colorado, founded in 2000, that operates a continuum of shelter, housing, rehousing, and clinical services for women, transgender, and nonbinary individuals experiencing homelessness. Its service portfolio comprises a 24/7 low-barrier, extended-stay shelter providing meals (three meals and two snacks daily), showers, transportation, hygiene supplies, and housing-focused case management; a Rehousing and Continued Care program offering rapid rehousing navigation, rental deposit assistance, and up to one year of community-based aftercare; a 35-unit permanent Supportive Housing building (The Delores Apartments) at Arroyo Village for previously chronically homeless individuals with disabilities; and a Behavioral Health and Wellness Program launched in 2022 providing on-site crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, peer support, teletherapy, and psychiatry referrals. The organization is the only congregate shelter in Denver that affirms women, transgender, and nonbinary individuals, and reports that approximately 42% of shelter guests secure permanent housing annually, with over 1,000 people moved out of homelessness cumulatively over 25 years. The Delores Project is led by CEO Emily Wheeland, supported by 11-50 employees, 621 unique volunteers in FY 24-25, and a board overseen by Board President Nevine Nagji.
The organization's revenue model is characteristic of a mid-sized human services nonprofit, with no fees charged to guests. Funding is diversified across five streams: individual tax-deductible donations (one-time and recurring, with suggested weekly $25, bi-weekly $50, monthly $250 levels), federal and state government contracts (with $325,000 in federal funding at risk in 2026), annual fundraising events such as 'Building Belonging' and Drag Bingo, planned giving and legacy gifts (bequests, IRA QCDs, donor-advised funds, cryptocurrency), and a 'Born to Belong' merchandise store (t-shirts $25-35, hoodies $50, water bottles $35) where 100% of proceeds fund programs. The go-to-market motion is community-led: guests access services via a phone-based bed assignment system at 10am daily (303-534-5411) with a brief intake screen rather than walk-ins or referrals; donor and volunteer cultivation is supported by a multi-channel presence across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads, and YouTube, plus a bi-monthly email newsletter ('The Delores Download'), an Ambassador program, and participation in Colorado Gives Day. The organization is a member of the National Women's Shelter Network (380 shelters nationally) and engages in policy advocacy, including support for the federal Women and Children's Protection Act. Underlying technology is limited to standard nonprofit tools: a Squarespace-hosted website, QGiv donation processing, and third-party teletherapy and email platforms — there is no proprietary technology stack or AI/ML capability.
The Delores Project firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Delores Project
- Legal name
- The Delores Project
- Website
- https://thedeloresproject.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Delores Project is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing 24/7 low-barrier shelter, 35-unit supportive housing, rapid rehousing, and behavioral health services for women, transgender, and nonbinary individuals experiencing homelessness, funded through donations, government contracts, and fundraising.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Delores Project industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Homeless Shelter and Supportive Housing Services
- NAICS
- Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232)
- 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
Where The Delores Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denver
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Delores Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the organization's mission of providing shelter and housing for women, transgender, and nonbinary individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Government Contracts and Funding: Federal and state government funding through contracts that support 24/7 shelter programming and services. Organization anticipates losing $325,000 in federal funding in 2026.
- Fundraising Events: Annual fundraiser 'Building Belonging' and other events like Drag Bingo, community events to raise funds and awareness.
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including 'Born to Belong' merchandise with proceeds funding programs and services.
- Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: Bequests, beneficiary designations, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, gifts of property, Donor-Advised Funds, and cryptocurrency donations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | One-time or recurring donation |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Born to Belong merchandise |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels10 records
The Delores Project product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Delores Project operates a 24/7 low-barrier emergency shelter and provides a continuum of supportive housing and behavioral health services for women, transgender, and nonbinary individuals experiencing homelessness in Denver. Its core programs include the 24/7 Shelter, Rehousing & Continued Care (rapid rehousing plus up to one year of aftercare), the 35-unit Delores Apartments supportive housing facility, and an on-site Behavioral Health & Wellness Program. Services are provided free of charge to guests and funded through individual donations, government contracts, fundraising events, planned giving, and merchandise sales.
Product overview
The Delores Project is a nonprofit organization providing a continuum of shelter and housing services for women, transgender, and nonbinary individuals experiencing homelessness in Denver. The core service portfolio consists of a 24/7 low-barrier shelter, a Rehousing & Continued Care program for rapid rehousing and aftercare support, a 35-unit Supportive Housing facility (The Delores Apartments), and a Behavioral Health & Wellness Program offering on-site clinical services. Additionally, the organization operates a merchandise store selling 'Born to Belong' branded products, with proceeds supporting programs. Together, these services form a housing-first, trauma-informed model focused on moving guests from homelessness to stable housing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 24/7 Shelter A 24-hour low-barrier, extended-stay emergency shelter providing meals, hot showers, bus tickets, health services access, toiletries, housing-focused case management, and community for women, transgender, and nonbinary individuals experiencing homelessness in Denver. Guests access the program via a daily 10am phone-based bed assignment (303-534-5411) following a brief phone screen; no walk-ups or referrals are accepted.
- Rehousing & Continued Care A rapid rehousing and continued care program offering housing navigation, rental deposit assistance, and up to one year of community-based aftercare for guests who have transitioned into permanent housing. Wrap-around case management and continued behavioral health and life skills support are provided during the aftercare period.
- Supportive Housing (The Delores Apartments) A 35-unit supportive housing building at Arroyo Village serving previously chronically homeless individuals with physical, developmental, psychological, or substance use disorders. Includes fully furnished units, on-site 24/7 staff, case management, behavioral healthcare, life skills programming, and community engagement activities. Residents pay 30% of their income toward rent.
- Behavioral Health & Wellness Program On-site clinical services for shelter guests, housing residents, and continued care clients, including crisis intervention, peer support, medical care management, individual and group counseling, teletherapy, and psychiatry referrals. The program integrates healing and recovery across the shelter, supportive housing, and rehousing service lines.
- Born to Belong Merchandise Store Online store selling branded merchandise featuring the 'Born to Belong' design by artist Rae Senarighi. Products include t-shirts ($25-35), hoodies ($50), water bottles ($35), mugs (from $20), tote bags ($20-25), baby onesies, and posters (from $20). 100% of proceeds fund the organization's shelter, housing, and behavioral health programs.
Quantifiable outcome
- 42% of shelter guests secure permanent housing annually
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Delores Project
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Delores Project technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Delores Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- National Women's Shelter Network (NWSN)coreThe Delores Project is a member of the National Women's Shelter Network, which includes 380 women's and children's shelters across the country. The organization collaborates with NWSN on advocacy efforts, including supporting the Women and Children's Protection Act ($505 million over 5 years for homeless shelters serving women and children), and utilizes NWSN's toll-free National Help Line to connect women, children, and families to shelter and supportive resources.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Delores Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Comitis Crisis Center: Aurora/Denver-area emergency shelter and housing services nonprofit. Comparable shelter-plus-housing continuum and reliance on government contracts in the same metro.
- Urban Peak: Denver-based nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and services for youth ages 15-24 experiencing homelessness. Shares funding source mix, low-barrier housing-first philosophy, and Denver geography but serves a different age cohort.
Broad incumbents
- Covenant House: Large national network providing shelter and supportive housing for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness. Comparable continuum-of-care model at much larger scale.
- Salvation Army Denver Metro Area: Large national organization operating shelter and housing programs in Denver with diversified donations, government contracts, and merchandise/thrift revenue. Comparable funding-stream diversity at much larger scale.
- Depaul International (US operations): International homelessness charity with US operations including night-stop and supported housing programs. Comparable operating model and Housing First orientation at larger scale.
- National Women's Shelter Network member shelters (e.g., YWCA shelters, Rosie’s Place): Network of 380 women's and family shelters that share advocacy, training, and referral infrastructure with The Delores Project. Direct operational peer set as NWSN members.
Direct peers
- The Gathering Place: Day services and resource center in Denver serving women, transgender, and nonbinary individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty. Most direct operational and population peer for The Delores Project in the same geography.
- Ali Forney Center: National leader providing shelter and housing specifically for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness. Comparable inclusive-mission model across multiple sites with a programmatic portfolio similar to Delores' supportive housing approach.
- Wesley House (Pittsburgh Mercy): Nonprofit operating residential and emergency shelter for women and gender-marginalized populations. Comparable inclusive-mission shelter model.
- SafeHouse Denver: Denver nonprofit providing shelter and services specifically for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Comparable in service model (shelter + supportive housing + counseling + rehousing) and Denver footprint to The Delores Project.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Delores Project social profiles
Digital presenceThe Delores Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Delores Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
The Delores Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Delores Project M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Delores Project
What does The Delores Project do?
The Delores Project operates a 24/7 low-barrier emergency shelter and provides a continuum of supportive housing and behavioral health services for women, transgender, and nonbinary individuals experiencing homelessness in Denver. Its core programs include the 24/7 Shelter, Rehousing & Continued Care (rapid rehousing plus up to one year of aftercare), the 35-unit Delores Apartments supportive housing facility, and an on-site Behavioral Health & Wellness Program. Services are provided free of charge to guests and funded through individual donations, government contracts, fundraising events, planned giving, and merchandise sales.
Is The Delores Project a public or private company?
The Delores Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Delores Project founded?
The Delores Project was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Delores Project based?
The Delores Project is headquartered in Denver, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Delores Project make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are government Contracts and Funding, fundraising Events, merchandise Sales and planned Giving and Legacy Gifts.
Who are The Delores Project's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Comitis Crisis Center and Urban Peak. Broad incumbents are Covenant House, Salvation Army Denver Metro Area, Depaul International (US operations) and National Women's Shelter Network member shelters (e.g., YWCA shelters, Rosie’s Place). Direct peers are The Gathering Place, Ali Forney Center, Wesley House (Pittsburgh Mercy) and SafeHouse Denver.
Does The Delores Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Delores Project.
What industry is The Delores Project in?
The Delores Project's product category is Homeless Shelter and Supportive Housing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIANAC, Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAB, Housing Assistance & Homeless Services. Its NAICS code is 624221 and its SIC code is 8300.