Solid Ground

What Solid Ground does

Solid Ground is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) anti-poverty nonprofit (EIN# 23-7421892) founded in 1974 as Fremont Public Association and renamed in 2007. It serves residents of Seattle and King County, Washington, through a comprehensive portfolio of direct social services rather than a unified software product. Core offerings include HUD-certified Tenant Services, the JourneyHome Rapid Rehousing program, the North Seattle Regional Access Point for Coordinated Entry and shelter diversion, Broadview Shelter & Transitional Housing for domestic violence survivors (the only Seattle DV shelter accepting self-referral for individuals with children), a Family Shelter, and the 183-unit Sand Point Housing campus in Magnuson Park. Supplementary services include a Benefits Attorneys legal team for public benefits access, the SHIBA statewide Medicare counseling program in partnership with the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, food access programs including the Giving Garden at Marra Farm, accessible transportation, the Resource Wire newsletter, and advocacy in partnership with the Statewide Poverty Action Network. The organization operates under a Housing First, trauma-informed, and anti-racism framework formalized through its 2001 Anti-Racism Initiative.

Solid Ground is funded through three primary streams: foundation and individual donations (including a 50th Anniversary Groundswell Gala that raised close to $300,000), government grants from entities such as the City of Seattle and King County, and corporate sponsorships anchored by a 20+ year partnership with U.S. Bank. All beneficiary services are provided free of charge, and no one is turned away for inability to pay. Distribution is regional and direct: physical facilities (most notably Sand Point Housing), community workshops and webinars, partner referrals, and outreach services within King County, with the SHIBA Medicare program extending statewide.

Solid Ground is led by CEO Shalimar Gonzales and Board Chair Mary Ruffin (a former Sand Point Housing resident appointed in 2023). It is governed by a Board of Directors whose selection is influenced by a Community Accountability Council (CAC) comprising people with lived experience of poverty and homelessness. The organization employs 251–500 staff and contractors and is currently executing its Vision 2030 strategic plan, developed through 17 listening sessions with 70+ stakeholders and targeting expanded youth programming and behavioral health services. There is no parent company, equity sponsor, or venture capital involvement; ownership commentary confirms independent 501(c)(3) governance.

Name

Solid Ground

Legal name

Solid Ground

Website

https://solid-ground.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Solid Ground is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1974 that delivers free anti-poverty services across King County, Washington, including housing, food access, legal aid, Medicare counseling, and advocacy for people experiencing homelessness, poverty, and domestic violence.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services - Anti-Poverty & Homeless Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

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

Keywords

• Anti-poverty services
• Supportive housing
• Homeless services
• Tenant counseling
• Medicare counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation and Individual Donations: Charitable donations from foundations (PSE Foundation) and individual donors. The 50th Anniversary Gala generated close to $300,000 in donations. EIN# 23-7421892.
2. Government Funding: Funding from government entities including City of Seattle and King County to support housing, anti-poverty programs, and community services.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Long-term partnerships with corporations like U.S. Bank (20+ years) supporting Tenant Services, Statewide Poverty Action Network, and Sand Point Housing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Solid Ground is a Seattle-based nonprofit that delivers direct social services to people experiencing poverty and homelessness in King County, Washington. Its core offerings include affordable and supportive housing (Sand Point Housing campus with 183 units), HUD-certified tenant counseling and eviction prevention, rapid rehousing and emergency shelter programs, legal advocacy for public benefits, free Medicare counseling via SHIBA, food access programs, transportation assistance, and systems advocacy through partnerships like the Statewide Poverty Action Network.

Product overview

Solid Ground is a nonprofit anti-poverty organization offering a comprehensive suite of social services in Seattle and King County, Washington. Rather than a unified software product, it provides direct human services across housing, food access, legal aid, healthcare counseling, transportation, and advocacy. Core housing programs include Tenant Services (HUD-certified housing counseling), JourneyHome Rapid Rehousing, Regional Access Point shelter diversion, Broadview DV shelter, Family Shelter, and Sand Point Housing campus (183 units). Legal services include Benefits Attorneys for public benefits access. Healthcare programs include SHIBA Medicare counseling. Food programs include the Giving Garden at Marra Farm. Additional services include Resource Wire newsletter, transportation assistance, and advocacy partnerships. The organization operates under a Housing First philosophy with trauma-informed, anti-racism approaches.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tenant Services HUD-certified housing counseling program providing tenant resources, eviction prevention, guidance on Washington State landlord-tenant law, housing search support, and educational webinars including Rent Smart and Inquilinos Inteligentes.
• JourneyHome Rapid Rehousing Rapid rehousing and case management program for families with children experiencing homelessness in King County, providing housing search assistance and flexible funding to help families achieve housing stability.
• Regional Access Point (RAP) — Shelter Diversion North Seattle entry point to Coordinated Entry providing resource connections and diversion services to help people experiencing homelessness explore housing options without entering the shelter system.
• Broadview Shelter and Transitional Housing Emergency shelter and transitional housing for domestic violence survivors and their children using trauma-informed care, with case management, children's programs, support groups, and housing search assistance. The only DV shelter in Seattle where individuals with children can self-refer.
• Family Shelter Short-term housing in furnished apartments for families and single-parent households with children 18 and younger, offering comprehensive case management and housing search assistance.
• Sand Point Housing Permanent supportive housing and affordable housing campus in Seattle's Magnuson Park with 183 townhomes and apartments for formerly homeless families and individuals, featuring onsite support services. Includes Brettler Family Place, Sand Point Family Housing, Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney Place, and Santos Place.
• Benefits Attorneys — Legal Help Accessing Public Benefits Legal team providing information, advice, and representation for people whose state public assistance benefits (Basic Food, Apple Health, TANF, Working Connections Child Care, ABD) have been reduced, terminated, or denied. Includes administrative hearing representation and training for community service providers.
• SHIBA — Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors Volunteer Medicare counseling program providing free, unbiased, and confidential assistance helping people understand Medicare rights and options through one-on-one consultations via phone, video chat, or in-person appointments. Offered in partnership with Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
• Resource Wire Weekly email newsletter delivering current community resources, job opportunities, housing information, healthcare resources, social services, and community events for people living on low incomes.
• Giving Garden at Marra Farm Urban farming and food access program hosting student field trips and farm tours at Marra Farm in South Park, offering garden exploration for preschool to middle school students and service learning opportunities for middle and high school students. Produce is donated to local food banks and meal programs.
• Accessible Transportation Services Transportation assistance program helping people access services, employment, and community resources.
• Advocacy Systems advocacy work partnering with Statewide Poverty Action Network to advocate for policy changes addressing root causes of poverty, including work on issues like the Washington State Housing Trust Fund and Seattle Housing Levy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,500+ people housed since 1999 at Sand Point Housing
• +3 more outcomes

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

One partnership is on record.

• Statewide Poverty Action NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocacy partner organization working on poverty reduction policy at the state level. Solid Ground supports this network as a key partner in systemic change efforts, including successful advocacy for the Millionaire's Tax.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center): Seattle nonprofit operating permanent supportive housing, shelter, and behavioral health services for people experiencing homelessness. Closely aligned model combining housing operations with case management and clinical services.
• Mary's Place: Seattle-based family shelter and housing nonprofit serving families experiencing homelessness. Comparable emergency shelter, family housing, and wraparound services model.
• Compass Housing Alliance: Seattle-based nonprofit providing housing, shelter, and supportive services across King County. Directly comparable operating model — multi-site housing, shelter, and wraparound services for people experiencing homelessness and poverty.
• Catholic Community Services of Western Washington: Western Washington human services nonprofit offering housing, homelessness services, food assistance, and immigration/refugee services. Directly comparable multi-program anti-poverty portfolio in the same region.
• YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish: Regional YWCA operating domestic violence shelters, housing, and wraparound services. Closely comparable to Solid Ground's Broadview DV shelter and family housing programs in the Seattle/King County area.
• Plymouth Housing: Seattle nonprofit providing permanent supportive housing and resident services for people exiting homelessness. Comparable housing-first operating model with on-site supportive services in King County.
• Lifelong: Seattle-based nonprofit integrating housing, health, and nutrition services for people living with chronic illness or experiencing homelessness. Comparable integrated housing-plus-health model.
• Seattle's Union Gospel Mission: Seattle faith-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, meals, addiction recovery, and housing services. Comparable direct-service delivery to people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Seattle.
• Hopelink: King County nonprofit providing housing, food, emergency financial assistance, and supportive services to low-income residents. Comparable service mix and geographic footprint.

Broad incumbents

• King County Housing Authority: Public housing authority administering Section 8 vouchers and subsidized housing across King County. Overlaps with Solid Ground on permanent supportive housing (Santos Place uses Housing Choice Vouchers) but operates at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SolidGroundWA
• Facebookfacebook.com/SolidGroundWA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solid-ground
• Instagraminstagram.com/solid_ground_wa
• Xx.com/SolidGround

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Solid Ground