The Heat and Warmth Fund
The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 that provides utility bill and home repair assistance to low-income Michigan households, distributing $8.6M to 11,000+ households last year through 39 agency partners and mobile events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersDetroit, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Heat and Warmth Fund does
The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1985 and headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. It provides utility bill payment assistance for heat, electricity, and water to vulnerable low-income Michigan households, including the elderly, children, disabled individuals, unemployed/underemployed workers, and veterans facing energy crises. The organization also operates the MI Neighborhood 2.0 home repair program, funded by MSHDA, serving residents of Pontiac, MI. Approximately 70% of households served include children, seniors, or veterans, and over 80% of every dollar donated goes directly to families in need.
THAW distributes assistance through three primary channels: a network of 39 agency partners across Michigan, annual mobile processing events in underserved areas, and a digital application portal hosted on Salesforce. Eligible households apply through the portal, agency partners, or mobile events; applications are currently paused due to demand exceeding available funding. The organization also markets its mission through media appearances on FOX 2 Detroit and American Black Journal on PBS, and fundraising events such as the annual Swing for THAW golf outing.
As a nonprofit, THAW's revenue model is donations and contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Since inception, THAW has distributed $255 million to over 335,000 Michigan households. In the most recent year, THAW distributed more than $8.6 million to over 11,000 households. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and led by CEO Katrina McCree and Executive Board Chair Tanya Hill. THAW addresses a structurally large addressable market: 40% of Michigan households (1.54 million) struggle to afford basic energy needs.
The Heat and Warmth Fund firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Heat and Warmth Fund
- Legal name
- The Heat and Warmth Fund
- Website
- https://thawfund.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 that provides utility bill and home repair assistance to low-income Michigan households, distributing $8.6M to 11,000+ households last year through 39 agency partners and mobile events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Heat and Warmth Fund industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Utility Assistance Services
- NAICS
- Community Housing Services (62422), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)
- SIC
- Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Housing Rehabilitation, Weatherization & Home Repair Grant/Loan Programs (FSALAKAJ)
Keywords
Where The Heat and Warmth Fund is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Detroit
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Heat and Warmth Fund business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: THAW operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded primarily through charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Over 80% of every dollar donated goes directly to families in need of utility assistance.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
The Heat and Warmth Fund product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides direct financial assistance to vulnerable Michigan residents for heat, electricity, and water utility bills. The organization distributes aid through a network of 39 agency partners and annual mobile processing events, and also operates the MI Neighborhood 2.0 home repair program funded by MSHDA to help homeowners maintain stable housing.
Product overview
The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) is a non-profit organization that operates as a utility assistance program rather than a technology product company. THAW provides direct financial assistance and support services to Michigan residents struggling with energy and water bills. The organization does not offer a software product, platform, or technology solution to external customers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Heat Bill Payment Assistance
- Electricity Bill Payment Assistance
- Water Bill Payment Assistance
- MI Neighborhood 2.0 Home Repair Program
- Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
Quantifiable outcome
- $8.6 million distributed to 11,000+ households last year
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The Heat and Warmth Fund
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
The Heat and Warmth Fund technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Heat and Warmth Fund partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- MSHDA (Michigan State Housing Development Authority)coreMSHDA funds THAW's MI Neighborhood 2.0 home repair program, part of the Statewide Housing Plan helping families maintain stability in their homes. THAW assists residents in Pontiac, MI (Woodward Estates) with home repairs.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Heat and Warmth Fund competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Dollar Energy Fund: Dollar Energy Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides utility bill payment assistance to low-income households across multiple states. It directly parallels THAW's mission, distribution model, and beneficiary profile, making it the closest comparable organization.
- Michigan Community Action Agency Association: Michigan's statewide association of Community Action Agencies that administer LIHEAP, weatherization, and utility assistance programs. These agencies often operate as THAW's own agency partners and are the most direct operational peers.
- Energy CENTS Coalition: A nonprofit coalition focused on expanding energy affordability programs for low-income households through utility regulation advocacy and direct assistance. Highly comparable mission of stabilizing energy access for vulnerable populations.
Broad incumbents
- United Way for Southeastern Michigan: Regional United Way affiliate that funds and operates social services across Southeast Michigan including utility and housing assistance. Broader scope than THAW but shares the same beneficiary base and donor ecosystem.
- ComEd CARE Program: ComEd (Exelon subsidiary) operates the CARE program providing bill payment assistance to low-income Illinois customers. Utility-operated program with the same target beneficiary and mission, though funded via ratepayer mechanisms rather than philanthropic donations.
- Entergy (Power to Care program): Entergy and other investor-owned utilities operate their own customer-funded energy assistance programs (e.g., Power to Care, SHARP). These are broad incumbents whose programs overlap with THAW's bill-payment mission but are funded via ratepayer charges rather than donations.
- The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army runs energy assistance programs (including HeatShare) alongside a much broader portfolio of social services. It overlaps with THAW in utility bill assistance but is a broad incumbent serving many missions.
Others
- National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA): NEADA represents state LIHEAP directors and advocates for federal energy assistance policy. Adjacent to THAW's mission as the policy and funding umbrella under which THAW and its agency partners operate.
- Michigan 2-1-1: Michigan 2-1-1 is the state's social services referral hub, explicitly referenced on THAW's website as the alternative resource when THAW cannot accept new applications. A complementary ecosystem participant, not a competitor.
Regional players
- HeatShare (Salvation Army Northern Division): Minnesota-based energy assistance program operated by The Salvation Army, providing heating bill payment assistance to households in need. Same direct-assistance model but serving a different regional geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Heat and Warmth Fund social profiles
Digital presenceThe Heat and Warmth Fund financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Heat and Warmth Fund leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
The Heat and Warmth Fund funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Heat and Warmth Fund 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 Heat and Warmth Fund
What does The Heat and Warmth Fund do?
The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides direct financial assistance to vulnerable Michigan residents for heat, electricity, and water utility bills. The organization distributes aid through a network of 39 agency partners and annual mobile processing events, and also operates the MI Neighborhood 2.0 home repair program funded by MSHDA to help homeowners maintain stable housing.
Is The Heat and Warmth Fund a public or private company?
The Heat and Warmth Fund is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Heat and Warmth Fund founded?
The Heat and Warmth Fund was founded in 1985. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Heat and Warmth Fund based?
The Heat and Warmth Fund is headquartered in Detroit, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Heat and Warmth Fund make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Contributions.
Who are The Heat and Warmth Fund's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Dollar Energy Fund, Michigan Community Action Agency Association and Energy CENTS Coalition. Broad incumbents are United Way for Southeastern Michigan, ComEd CARE Program, Entergy (Power to Care program) and The Salvation Army. Others are National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) and Michigan 2-1-1. HeatShare (Salvation Army Northern Division) is listed as a regional player.
Does The Heat and Warmth Fund have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Heat and Warmth Fund.
What industry is The Heat and Warmth Fund in?
The Heat and Warmth Fund's product category is Utility Assistance Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSALAKAJ, Housing Rehabilitation, Weatherization & Home Repair Grant/Loan Programs. Its NAICS code is 62422 and its SIC code is 7340.