People Serving People-Center

What People Serving People-Center does

People Serving People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 614 South 3rd Street in Minneapolis, Minnesota, operating since 1982 as Minnesota's largest family homeless shelter system. The organization serves families experiencing homelessness and housing instability in Hennepin County through a portfolio of integrated programs: two shelter facilities (a 99-room Downtown Shelter in an 11-floor building and a 16-room St. Anne's Place in North Minneapolis, the latter added in May 2024), ten permanent supportive housing apartments, two early childhood education centers (4-Star Parent Aware Rated and NECPA-accredited), and wrap-around services including Family Advocacy, Families for Finance, a Family Homelessness Prevention Program launched in 2020, Youth Engagement, on-site medical and mental health clinics, a Technology Resource Center, an Advocacy and Systems Change function, and a Lived Experience + Advocacy Fellowship. In 2025 it sheltered and supported approximately 410 families (1,461 individuals), served 145,840 meals, and reported a 95% non-return-to-shelter rate within one year. Technology is limited to off-the-shelf tools: the Brightwheel app for early-learning parent communication and a 15-computer Technology Resource Center for guest use.

The organization employs 101–250 staff, led by CEO Hoang Murphy (since October 2023), and is governed by an independent board. Revenue is generated from four streams: individual donations, corporate partnerships (notably Cummins Inc., a 20+ year partner, and Four Seasons Minneapolis since May 2025), government grants and contracts from Hennepin County along with state and federal sources routed through the county's Coordinated Entry referral system, and Early Learning Center tuition with child-care assistance and scholarships. Shelter services are provided free of charge to families referred through Hennepin County Coordinated Entry; the Early Learning Center is open to the broader community. Marketing and fundraising run through digital channels (website, email newsletter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn), earned media coverage (WCCO, MPR News, Star Tribune, Axios, CBS), community events, and podcast appearances by the CEO. Recent operational moves include a 2025 compensation restructuring to a $25/hour minimum, multi-site capital renovations, and a November 2025 website redesign.

Name

People Serving People-Center

Legal name

People Serving People Inc.

Website

https://peopleservingpeople.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

People Serving People is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit founded in 1982 that operates Minnesota's largest family homeless shelter system, providing emergency shelter, early childhood education, housing stabilization, and support services to families experiencing homelessness in Hennepin County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Family Homeless Shelter and Social Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

Keywords

• Family homeless shelter
• Emergency housing services
• Early childhood education
• Housing stabilization
• Homelessness prevention programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Monetary gifts from individuals supporting families experiencing homelessness
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate donations and volunteer support from partners like Cummins Inc. (20+ years) and Four Seasons Minneapolis
3. Government Grants and Contracts: Funding from Hennepin County, state, and federal sources including Coordinated Entry program referrals and homeless prevention funding
4. Early Learning Center Tuition: Tuition payments from families using childcare services; child care assistance and scholarships available

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

People Serving People operates Minnesota's largest family homeless shelter system, providing emergency shelter, meals, housing stabilization, early childhood education, financial literacy, and wrap-around advocacy services to families experiencing homelessness in Hennepin County. Services are delivered at two shelter facilities (Downtown Shelter with 99 rooms and St. Anne's Place with 16 rooms), 10 permanent supportive apartments, and two early learning centers, all supported by a trauma-informed, family-centered model.

Product overview

People Serving People is a nonprofit organization providing emergency shelter and comprehensive services for families experiencing homelessness in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The organization operates a unified portfolio of programs including two family shelter facilities (Downtown Shelter with 99 rooms and St. Anne's Place with 16 rooms), 10 permanent supportive housing apartments, two early childhood education centers (Early Learning Center and Downtown Early Childhood Development Program), and multiple support services including Family Advocacy, Families for Finance, Family Engagement, Youth Engagement, and Family Homeless Prevention programs. Additional services include on-site medical and mental health clinics, a Technology Resource Center, and advocacy/systems change initiatives. The organization serves families experiencing housing instability through shelter, early childhood education, housing stabilization, and systems change advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Downtown Shelter Minnesota's largest family homeless shelter located in Downtown Minneapolis, comprising 11 floors with 99 private shelter rooms, early childhood classrooms, program space, and administrative offices for families experiencing homelessness.
• St. Anne's Place Shelter A 16-room family emergency shelter in North Minneapolis for women or non-binary-led families and their children, offering on-site programs and services in a close-knit, home-like environment.
• Permanent Supportive Housing Units 10 two-bedroom apartments providing long-term affordable housing and wrap-around support services to families who have experienced long-term homelessness or have a disability.
• Family Advocacy Program Case management service supporting families on their path from shelter to housing through goal setting, building support systems, and resource connection.
• Families for Finance Program Financial empowerment program combining financial literacy, cultural awareness, and financial healing to support family economic stability.
• Family Engagement Program Whole-family focused events, activities, and partnerships providing stress relief, community building, and meaning making for families living in the shelter.
• Youth Engagement Program Program for school-aged children and teens fostering learning, well-being, and community connection through activities including an after-school program.
• Family Homeless Prevention Program Voluntary program providing one-on-one flexible financial assistance and case management to keep families in housing and prevent homelessness or re-experiencing homelessness.
• Early Learning Center (Main Site) Licensed 4-Star Parent Aware-Rated early childhood education center open to the community, serving children ages 6 weeks through Pre-K, with one of only 11 Strong Beginnings designations in Hennepin County.
• Downtown Early Childhood Development Program NECPA-accredited early childhood education program located at the Downtown shelter serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years with developmentally-appropriate curriculum.
• Technology Resource Center Computer lab featuring 15 desktop computers with advocate support for job searches, resume creation, job applications, and homework assistance for school-age children.
• Head-to-Toe Program Program providing complimentary toiletries including deodorant, toothpaste, hair care products, seasonally appropriate clothing, and winter weather gear to shelter guests.
• On-site Medical Clinic Clinic operated by Hennepin County Healthcare for the Homeless offering free basic care including health screenings, physicals, vaccinations, and additional services for shelter guests.
• On-site Mental Health Services Therapeutic drop-in counseling services provided by Hennepin County Mental Health Center on-site at the Downtown Shelter every Tuesday afternoon.
• Advocacy and Systems Change Program Systems change initiative pursuing public policy advocacy, coalition building, and the Lived Experience + Advocacy Fellowship program to address root causes of family homelessness.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of families served did not return to shelter within one year
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered notable, core and minor.

• Four Seasons MinneapolisnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Partnership began May 2025 with staff volunteering monthly to serve breakfast to families, donating school supplies, collecting toys for holiday gifts, running family events like Holiday Gift Shop and Halloween celebration, and providing conference room space for strategic leadership events.
• Cummins, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner20+ year partnership since 2005 supporting children and education. Projects include kitchen upgrades, rebuilding doorways after 2024 attack, redesigning front desk, installing cubbies for Early Learning Center, and installing playground.
• Hennepin County Healthcare for the HomelesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates on-site medical clinic at Downtown Shelter providing free basic care including health screenings, physicals, vaccinations, and more for guests of both shelters and supportive housing.
• Hennepin County Mental Health CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-site therapeutic drop-in counseling services every Tuesday afternoon at Downtown Shelter for guests (parents and children) since May 2025 in response to family feedback about mental health needs.
• Minneapolis Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides transportation to and from school for school-age guests, staffs office on-site at Downtown Shelter, and supports approximately 125 school-age children staying in shelters each day (2025).
• Hennepin County LibrarynotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing library services and resources to shelter families.
• Greater Twin Cities United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting families experiencing homelessness.
• Bryn Mawr Presbyterian ChurchnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner providing special meals for shelter guests monthly and hosting Santa Night at St. Anne's Place for many years. Also sponsors families with holiday gifts when they move into permanent housing.
• Boys & Girls ClubnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting youth programming and services.
• MacPhail Center for MusicnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing music education and enrichment programs.
• PICA (Parents In Community Action, Inc.)notableStrategic or Co-development PartnerHead Start partner providing early childhood services.
• Northern Clay CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing arts programming.
• The Birthday Party ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing birthday celebrations for children in shelter.
• First Covenant ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHouses the Early Learning Center Main Site at 643 Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mary's Place: Seattle-based family homeless shelter operating multiple shelter locations with comprehensive wrap-around services including early learning, housing navigation, and employment support — closely comparable operating model to People Serving People.
• Simpson Housing Services: Minneapolis-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive housing for adults and families experiencing homelessness, operating in the same Hennepin County service area with directly comparable programming.
• Family Gateway: Dallas-based nonprofit providing shelter, housing stabilization, and case management specifically for families experiencing homelessness — directly comparable mission and family-focused service model.
• Hearth Connection: Minnesota statewide nonprofit focused on ending long-term homelessness through supportive housing and service coordination — directly comparable target population and housing-stabilization mission.
• Cornerstone: Minneapolis-area nonprofit providing emergency shelter and services for families and individuals, including domestic violence and family homelessness services — overlapping family-shelter mission within the same Hennepin County footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis: Large Twin Cities social services organization operating housing, shelter, food, and family services across multiple programs — overlapping in shelter and family supports but operating as a much broader portfolio than PSP.
• Salvation Army Northern USA Command: National nonprofit providing emergency shelter, housing, and family services including a presence in Minneapolis — overlapping in family shelter offerings but as part of a much broader global social services portfolio.

Regional players

• Avenues for Homeless Youth: Minneapolis-based nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and services for youth and young families experiencing homelessness — comparable family/youth homelessness mission in the same regional market, with a more youth-focused niche.

Others

• National Alliance to End Homelessness: Washington DC-based policy, research, and advocacy organization working on family and overall homelessness — adjacent to PSP's Advocacy & Systems Change work and a key federal policy influencer rather than a direct service peer.
• Avivo: Minneapolis-based nonprofit providing workforce development, employment services, and behavioral health — overlaps with PSP's Pre-Employment Services and financial empowerment programs and is staffed by former PSP Controller Alain Kpela's prior employer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/PeopleServingPeopleMPLS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/643347
• Instagraminstagram.com/peopleservingpeople
• Xx.com/P_S_P

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 People Serving People-Center