Coalition for the Homeless

What Coalition for the Homeless does

Founded in 1981 in New York City, Coalition for the Homeless is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as both a direct service provider and an advocacy organization for homeless and at-risk individuals and families. It is the court-appointed monitor of the NYC Department of Homeless Services shelter system under the Callahan v. Carey right-to-shelter consent decree. The organization runs a portfolio of eleven programs organized into six categories: Emergency Services (Grand Central Food Program serving meals nightly on NYC streets, CARE Program), Crisis Services (Crisis Intervention serving 11,000+ individuals and families annually, Eviction Prevention, Keys Program for adults with severe mental illness, Emergency Mail Program), Housing (Coalition Houses, Bridge Building, Scattered Site Housing Program for individuals with HIV/AIDS), Job Training (First Step Job Training Program for homeless and low-income women, with 186+ classes graduated), Youth Programs (Camp Homeward Bound, the nation's first sleep-away camp for homeless children, in its 41st year at Harriman State Park; Bound for Success after-school tutoring), and Advocacy (WiFi4Homeless Campaign, Impact Litigation, Organizing and Shelter Monitoring). Service recipients receive all programs at no charge.

The organization's funding model is entirely donation-dependent, drawing revenue from individual donations via the website and grassroots outreach, corporate sponsorships from a roster that includes Max Mara, Blackstone, Barclays, Tiffany & Co., Major Food Group, UOVO, and Cravath, Swaine & Moore, foundation grants (notably approximately $2 million cumulative from the Ruth Stanton Foundation over eight years), and three recurring fundraising events: ARTWALK NY (raised nearly $1.2 million in 2025), Women Mean Business Luncheon (over $500,000 in 2026), and the Soirée (over $73,000 in 2026). The Artist Plate Project has grossed approximately $8 million over five years in support of the eleven programs. Coalition for the Homeless employs 51-100 staff, is led by Executive Director Dave Giffen, and operates from a single headquarters at 129 Fulton Street in Lower Manhattan. It helps more than 3,500 people daily and has served over 1 million homeless New Yorkers cumulatively since 1981.

Name

Coalition for the Homeless

Legal name

Coalition for the Homeless

Website

https://coalitionforthehomeless.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Coalition for the Homeless is a New York City 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1981 that provides direct services—emergency food, crisis intervention, supportive housing, job training, youth programs—and acts as court-appointed monitor of the NYC shelter system, serving over 3,500 homeless and at-risk individuals daily through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and fundraising events.

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), Community Food Services (624210)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Homeless services
• Emergency food program
• Supportive housing
• Crisis intervention
• Job training

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The Coalition relies heavily on donations from individual supporters, as evidenced by the website's prominent 'Donate' call-to-action and various fundraising events.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors like Max Mara, Blackstone, Barclays, and Tiffany & Co. provide financial and in-kind support through events such as ARTWALK NY, Women Mean Business Luncheon, and holiday drives.
3. Foundation Grants: Foundation support, such as the Ruth Stanton Foundation's approximately $2 million contribution over 8 years, provides significant funding for programs like First Step.
4. Special Events Revenue: Annual galas and events including ARTWALK NY (nearly $1.2 million), Women Mean Business Luncheon (over $500,000), and Soirée ($40,000-$73k) generate substantial fundraising revenue.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Coalition for the Homeless is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides direct social services and advocacy to homeless and at-risk individuals and families in New York City. It operates a portfolio of programs spanning emergency food distribution, crisis intervention, eviction prevention, supportive housing, job training for women, and youth programs including a residential summer camp for homeless children.

Product overview

Coalition for the Homeless is a nonprofit charitable organization (501(c)(3)) that provides direct services and advocacy to address homelessness in New York City. Rather than a unified software product, the organization offers a portfolio of social service programs organized into six main categories: Emergency Services (Grand Central Food Program, CARE Program), Crisis Services (Crisis Intervention, Eviction Prevention, Keys Program, Emergency Mail Program), Housing (Coalition Houses, Bridge Building, Scattered Site Housing Program), Job Training (First Step Job Training Program), Youth Programs (Camp Homeward Bound, Bound for Success), and Advocacy initiatives including the WiFi4Homeless Campaign. The organization served over 3,500 people daily as of 2025 and has helped over 1 million homeless New Yorkers since 1981.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• First Step Job Training Program: A job training program for homeless and low-income women providing practical skills training, career preparation, interactive workshops, and comprehensive social support. Has graduated over 186 classes.
• Camp Homeward Bound
• ARTWALK NY
• Grand Central Food Program
• Women Mean Business Luncheon
• The Soirée
• Bound for Success
• Keys Program
• WiFi4Homeless Campaign

Products and services

• Grand Central Food Program Provides hot nutritious meals to individuals living rough on the streets of New York City every night of the year.
• CARE Program Emergency services program providing support to homeless and at-risk individuals and families.
• Crisis Intervention Program Provides lifesaving services to homeless and at-risk individuals and families, offering assistance with shelter access and advocacy in the shelter system. Serves more than 11,000 homeless and at-risk individuals and families per year.
• Eviction Prevention Helps individuals and families at risk of eviction to remain stably housed.
• Keys Program Provides intensive case management to single homeless adults living with severe and persistent mental illnesses in need of supportive housing.
• Emergency Mail Program Provides mail services to homeless individuals who need a stable address for receiving correspondence and official documents.
• Coalition Houses Provides permanent housing to homeless families and single adults, offering stability and dignity through dedicated housing units.
• Bridge Building Housing program helping homeless individuals and families transition to stable permanent housing.
• Scattered Site Housing Program Provides supportive housing to individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS, revitalizing lives through permanent housing in local NYC communities with ongoing support services.
• First Step Job Training Program Offers homeless and low-income women training and support needed to find living-wage employment, combining practical skills training, career preparation, and comprehensive social support. Has graduated over 186 classes.
• Camp Homeward Bound A residential summer camp program serving homeless children living in shelters, providing a safe and supportive environment with traditional camp activities at Harriman State Park. The nation's first residential camp program for homeless children.
• Bound for Success Year-round program for school-aged children in shelters providing after-school tutoring and a seven-week summer program with field trips and activities.
• WiFi4Homeless Campaign Advocacy campaign working to guarantee internet access for shelter residents, successfully securing $20 million in state investment and passing legislation requiring temporary housing facilities to provide internet access meeting baseline standards.
• Project: Back to School Annual backpack distribution program providing nearly 7,000 backpacks and school supplies to homeless children in 60 shelters before the academic year.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served over 1 million homeless New Yorkers since 1981
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• VOCAL-NYcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2026Key partner in WiFi4Homeless Campaign coalition advocating for internet access legislation for shelter residents. Milton Perez, Leader in VOCAL-NY's Homelessness Union, participated in campaign advocacy.
• Artist Plate ProjectflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2025Artist Plate Project creates unique art plates by celebrated artists sold at ARTWALK NY. Grossed approximately $8 million over five years in support of Coalition's 11 programs. Michelle Hellman is founder and was 2025 Philanthropic Honoree.
• United Federation of Teachers (UFT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Partner hosting annual Kids Holiday Carnival at UFT building in Lower Manhattan, transforming space into winter wonderland for homeless children. Supports Holiday Toy Drive distribution.
• Ali Forney CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBTQ+ youth shelter organization recommended as resource for transgender individuals experiencing homelessness. Center provides trans-affirming drop-in shelter services and is part of Lopez settlement providing TGNC beds in NYC shelters.
• New AlternativescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource center dedicated to care and well-being of LGBTQ+ homeless youth. Hosted Coalition's Pride Month creative workshop for homeless LGBTQIA+ individuals to share stories through art and poetry.
• The CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBTQ+ community center recommended as safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing homelessness. Located at 208 West 13th Street, NYC.
• The BridgecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOrganization that employs First Step graduate Melissa Whetstone as Peer Specialist, using her lived experience of homelessness to help others in similar situations.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CAMBA: Large NYC nonprofit offering housing, homelessness prevention, workforce development, and youth services. Comparable across multiple program verticals serving low-income and homeless New Yorkers.
• Breaking Ground: One of NYC's largest providers of transitional and permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals. Directly comparable given overlapping focus on supportive housing and homelessness services in NYC.
• Bowery Residents' Committee (BRC): Major NYC nonprofit providing housing, treatment, and job training to homeless and at-risk individuals. Closely comparable given parallel program offerings across housing, crisis services, and workforce development.
• Housing Works: NYC nonprofit providing housing, healthcare, and advocacy for homeless and low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS and other challenges. Overlapping advocacy-plus-service model serving NYC homeless populations.
• Henry Street Settlement: Long-established NYC social services organization providing housing, employment, education, and arts programming on the Lower East Side. Comparable as a multi-service NYC human services nonprofit with a comparable service portfolio.
• Project Renewal: NYC-based nonprofit providing shelter, housing, healthcare, and employment services to homeless and low-income individuals. Directly comparable as a peer service organization serving the same NYC homeless population with a similar program mix.
• HELP USA: NYC-based nonprofit operating transitional and permanent supportive housing for homeless families, veterans, and individuals. Comparable in providing permanent supportive housing and wraparound services in NYC.
• Urban Resource Institute (URI): NYC social services nonprofit providing domestic violence shelter, supportive housing, and programs for vulnerable populations. Comparable in providing emergency shelter and supportive housing to vulnerable NYC residents.

Emerging players

• The Door: NYC youth services nonprofit offering housing, education, health, and career programs for young people, including those experiencing homelessness. Comparable in the youth-services segment and overlapping housing/homelessness programs for adolescents.

Broad incumbents

• Volunteers of America Greater New York: Large national-affiliated nonprofit operating housing, behavioral health, and veteran services across NYC and beyond. Comparable as a broader human services incumbent with overlapping housing and homelessness programs in NYC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NYHomeless
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Cltnfrthhmlss
• Facebookfacebook.com/nyhomeless
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/coalition-for-the-homeless-inc-/?
• Instagraminstagram.com/nyhomeless
• TikToktiktok.com/@nyhomeless

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 Coalition for the Homeless