Volunteers of America MI

What Volunteers of America MI does

Volunteers of America Michigan (VOA Michigan / Volunteers of America of Michigan Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit human-services organization founded in 1896 and headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, with 251-500 employees. It delivers wraparound services to three primary populations: veterans (described as the largest private provider of veteran services in the state), low-income seniors aged 62+, and families in need, plus a secondary segment of persons with disabilities. Service delivery spans 11 housing facilities for seniors, families, and individuals; veteran services across 19 Michigan counties including transitional housing, food security, employment training, case management, and the SERV suicide-prevention program; and seven MI Thrift retail stores whose proceeds subsidize social programs. The organization also runs Health2Home medical respite/recuperative care, Operation Backpack (school supplies), and Adopt-A-Family holiday giving.

VOA Michigan's business model is donation- and grant-dependent rather than commercial: revenue streams include individual cash giving (one-time, GEM monthly, and major gifts), vehicle and real-estate donations resold for program revenue, proceeds from seven thrift stores and a new WhatNot live-selling channel, corporate sponsorships, and government grants through MSHDA, the VA Health Care System, LIHTC, and HOME funding. Pricing is non-commercial — thrift goods are sold at 25-75% discounts and services are not priced. Distribution runs through the physical thrift-store and housing portfolio, online donations via voami.org, a free furniture and vehicle pickup service, and direct service delivery through housing facilities and veteran outreach programs. The organization is an independently operating affiliate of the national Volunteers of America network, governed by a board drawn from major Michigan employers (U.S. Bancorp, GM, Huntington Bank, The Henry Ford, Related Companies), and holds CARF accreditation and GuideStar Platinum transparency status.

The current strategic posture is dominated by a $30-31M permanent supportive housing development (The Booth Community, groundbreaking April 2026, delivery Spring 2027), the 2024 launch of Health2Home clinical respite, a new thrift store in Marshall, and a WhatNot online thrift channel launched in 2026. Technology is conventional (WordPress/Cloudflare/Google Analytics/FundraiseUp); there is no proprietary software product, AI/ML capability, or external API. Reported 2025 impact metrics include 8,700+ individuals served, 1,690+ veterans, 2,800 Operation Backpack recipients, 37,600 veteran meals, and 5.5M thrift items diverted from landfill.

Name

Volunteers of America MI

Legal name

Volunteers of America of Michigan Inc.

Website

https://voami.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1896

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Volunteers of America Michigan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1896 that delivers veteran services, affordable housing for seniors and families, thrift-store-funded social programs, and medical respite/recuperative care to underserved residents across Michigan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human Services Nonprofit

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Food Services (624210)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterans & Military Family Benefits Administration (BPAIAKAI)

Keywords

• Veteran housing services
• Affordable senior housing
• Thrift retail operations
• Community social services
• Homeless support programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Southfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Thrift Store Sales: Revenue generated from the sale of donated goods at 7 thrift store locations across Michigan. Proceeds directly support social service programs for veterans, seniors, and families.
2. Individual Donations: Monetary donations from individuals through online giving, monthly giving programs (GEM), one-time gifts, and general fund donations.
3. Vehicle Donations: Accepts donated vehicles (cars, trucks, RVs, boats, motorcycles) which are sold with proceeds funding programs.
4. Property Donations: Accepts donated real estate (single-family homes, apartment buildings, commercial properties) which are sold with proceeds supporting programs.
5. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship revenue from corporate partners at various levels (Captain Supporter, Sergeant Supporter, Corporal Sponsor, Volunteer Sponsor) supporting specific programs and general operations.
6. Government Grants: Funding from government sources including MSHDA (Michigan State Housing Development Authority), VA Health Care System, and other public funding for housing development and veteran services.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Volunteers of America Michigan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit human services organization that delivers housing, food security, employment training, mental health, and case management programs to veterans, seniors, families, and individuals in need across Michigan. It operates a network of 11 affordable housing facilities and 7 nonprofit thrift stores whose proceeds directly subsidize its social programs, while also accepting vehicle, property, and monetary donations.

Product overview

Volunteers of America Michigan (VOA Michigan) is a nonprofit human services organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs serving veterans, seniors, families, and individuals in need across Michigan. Core services include Veteran Services (transitional housing, employment training, food security, suicide prevention), Affordable Housing (11 properties serving seniors and families), and Thrift Stores (7 locations funding programs). Key programs include Health2Home (medical respite care), Operation Backpack (school supplies), Adopt-A-Family (holiday assistance), and The Booth Community (permanent supportive housing development). The organization also accepts vehicle and property donations, offers monthly giving through the GEM program, and provides volunteer opportunities. Founded in 1896, VOA Michigan is CARF accredited and part of the national Volunteers of America network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MI Thrift: Thrift store brand for Volunteers of America Michigan, with locations across Michigan including Burton, Corunna, Lansing, Marshall, Saginaw, and Westland.
• Health2Home
• Operation Backpack
• Adopt-a-Family
• SERV
• GEMS

Products and services

• Veteran Services Comprehensive services for veterans across Michigan including transitional housing, food assistance, case management, employment training, supportive services for veteran families, homeless veterans reintegration, and suicide prevention/referral. Programs reach 1,690+ veterans annually across 19 counties.
• Affordable Housing Affordable housing properties across Michigan serving seniors (62+), individuals, families, and persons with disabilities. Includes 11 housing facilities with amenities such as cable-ready units, community rooms, 24-hour emergency maintenance, and resident activities.
• VOA Michigan Thrift Stores (MI Thrift) Seven nonprofit thrift stores across Michigan (Burton, Corunna, Lansing South, Lansing West, Saginaw, Westland, Marshall) selling donated clothing, household items, furniture, linens, books, shoes, jewelry, and sporting goods. Proceeds support VOA Michigan social service programs.
• Health2Home Medical recuperative care program providing interim/transitional housing for unhoused individuals after medical events. Includes 24/7 bed access, three meals daily, medical and mental health wellness checks, case management, and housing placement support.
• Operation Backpack Annual campaign providing new backpacks and school supplies to children in need across Michigan, helping students start school with confidence. Includes supply drives, volunteer opportunities, sponsorship options, and large-scale distribution events such as Backpacks 4 You at the Detroit Zoo.
• Adopt-A-Family Holiday season program connecting donors with families in need, providing gifts and creating holiday experiences for families, children, veterans, and seniors.
• Vehicle Donation Program Program accepting car, truck, RV, boat, and motorcycle donations. Provides free pickup and handles all paperwork, with proceeds supporting VOA Michigan programs.
• GEM Monthly Giving Program Monthly giving program enabling donors to provide consistent support through recurring donations at various giving levels (Opal, Emerald, Sapphire, Diamond).
• Volunteer Program Opportunities for individuals and groups to volunteer with VOA Michigan, including serving meals, sorting thrift donations, stuffing backpacks, and group projects for campus beautification.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8,700+ individuals served by core programs in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• HumanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumana is VOA Michigan's first partner for the Health2Home medical respite program referrals. The partnership provides healthcare coordination for unhoused individuals after medical events.
• Metro Food RescuecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetro Food Rescue provides fresh fruits and vegetables twice monthly to residents at Sumby Senior Living, addressing food access barriers for seniors.
• Department of Veteran Affairs – VA Health Care SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVA Health Care System partners with VOA Michigan for veteran services, including the Detroit Veteran Housing Program and various supportive services for veterans.
• Fusco, Shaffer and PappascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm providing design services for The Booth Community development.
• O'Brien ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction partner building The Booth Community development project.
• Ethos Development PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for The Booth Community permanent supportive housing project.
• Pat Milliken FordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with VOA Michigan to provide a fully refurbished vehicle to veteran Toni Gordon through the National Auto Body Council's Recycled Rides program.
• AllstatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with VOA Michigan for vehicle donation to U.S. Army veteran Toni Gordon through Recycled Rides program.
• National Auto Body Council - Recycled RidescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational program that coordinated vehicle donation and refurbishment for veteran Toni Gordon in partnership with VOA Michigan and corporate sponsors.
• The Detroit ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Backpacks 4 You event at the Detroit Zoo, where 901 children received backpacks along with Zoo tickets, haircuts, and books.
• The Molina FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated books included in Operation Backpack distributions to students.
• Douglas J SaloncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided haircut vouchers for children at Backpacks 4 You event at the Detroit Zoo.
• Grandmont Rosedale Development CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner engaged in planning for The Booth Community development.
• Grandmont Community AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner engaged in planning for The Booth Community development.
• Schoolcraft Improvement AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner engaged in planning for The Booth Community development.
• Crary/St. Mary's Block ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner engaged in planning for The Booth Community development.
• City of Detroit District 1 OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity government partner engaged in community outreach and planning for The Booth Community development.
• Detroit Continuum of CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for The Booth Community housing, ensuring units go to those with greatest need through Detroit's Coordinated Assessment Model.

Scale indicators21 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Swords to Plowshares: California-based veteran services nonprofit providing housing, case management, and employment support. Comparable veteran-services model and program mix, but operates outside Michigan.

Direct peers

• Disabled American Veterans (DAV): National nonprofit focused exclusively on veteran services including housing, transportation, and benefits navigation. Directly comparable on the core veteran services mission and government funding channels.
• The Salvation Army: Operates Michigan-wide social service programs including housing, food, veteran support, and thrift retail. Closest direct competitor for donor dollars, volunteer engagement, and government contracts in the same geography.
• Catholic Charities of Michigan: Provides housing, food assistance, refugee resettlement, and senior services across Michigan. Comparable scope of wraparound social services and reliance on donations and government grants.
• Habitat for Humanity Michigan: Statewide affordable housing developer and service provider for low-income families. Direct comparable on the affordable housing development side, including use of MSHDA and federal funding channels.
• American Red Cross – Michigan Region: Provides emergency shelter, food, and disaster relief services across Michigan. Comparable on emergency relief and shelter services, especially for veterans and families in crisis.
• Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit: Michigan-based nonprofit operating thrift retail stores whose proceeds fund workforce development, housing, and community programs. Highly comparable social enterprise model and funding approach.
• United Way for Southeastern Michigan: Funds and coordinates a network of human services nonprofits in Michigan, including veteran and senior programs. Comparable fundraising platform and donor base in the same region.

Emerging players

• Easterseals Michigan: Michigan-based nonprofit serving people with disabilities through housing, employment, and community programs. Partial overlap with VOA Michigan's disability housing segment and similar nonprofit funding model.

Broad incumbents

• Volunteers of America (National): National parent network of 30+ affiliates providing the same veteran, senior, and family services. Directly comparable as the umbrella organization under which VOA Michigan operates and from which it derives brand and programmatic standards.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/voami
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@volunteersofamericamichigan
• Facebookfacebook.com/voami
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/volunteers-of-america-michigan
• Instagraminstagram.com/volunteersofamericamichigan

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Volunteers of America MI