What Entryway does

Entryway (previously Shelters to Shutters, now operating as Entryway Talent) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit workforce development organization founded in 2014 by multifamily real estate CEO Chris Finlay and headquartered in Vienna, Virginia. The organization addresses the interconnected problem of unemployment and housing instability by providing career training, employment placement, and housing support to individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, placing them into entry-level roles at multifamily housing companies (leasing consultants, maintenance technicians, groundskeepers, porters, property management support). Participants receive an average wage of $19.55 per hour upon hire, a 248% increase over prior earnings, with average job retention of 13.1 months.

The business model is donation- and sponsorship-funded: Entryway charges no fees to participants and generates revenue through individual donations (via its give.entrywaytalent.org portal), corporate sponsorships (CORT, Huntington Bank, Journal Capital, OneApp, Walker Dunlop, Greystar, RangeWater, and others), and event fundraising (Topgolf tournaments, the Entryway to Excellence Gala). The organization operates through 11 regional markets — Arizona, Atlanta, Central Florida, Central Texas, Columbus, Denver, Houston, Nashville, North Carolina, North Texas, and South Carolina — each led by a local Executive Director and supported by a market advisory board composed of multifamily industry executives. The distribution model is relationship-driven, relying on industry events (including the Apartmentalize trade show), referral partnerships with shelters and social service organizations, and education partners (Valencia College, Seminole State College) for participant sourcing.

Entryway is not a technology company; its underlying platform is in-person training, employer matching, and post-placement support delivered through local staff. The organization has received third-party validation through Candid (GuideStar) Platinum Transparency status and a three-star Charity Navigator rating. Leadership includes President & CEO David Williams, Founder Chris Finlay, and a national team including a Director of Development (Renee Rivard) and market-level Executive Directors. There are no funding rounds, equity investors, or acquisition history; the organization is governed as an independent nonprofit (Tax ID 47-1004312).

Name

Entryway

Legal name

Entryway

Website

https://entrywaytalent.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Entryway is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 that provides career training, employment placement, and housing support to individuals experiencing homelessness, placing them into entry-level roles at multifamily housing companies across 11 US markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Educational Services (611), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dislocated Worker & Rapid Response / Reemployment Programs (EDAAAOAF), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Multifamily industry training
• Housing insecurity employment
• Nonprofit career placement
• Apartment industry staffing

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Entryway accepts donations from individuals through its website donation portal (give.entrywaytalent.org), with options for one-time and recurring donations. Arizona residents can receive dollar-for-dollar state tax credits for donations up to $506 (single) or $1,009 (married filing jointly).
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors (CORT, Huntington Bank, Journal Capital, OneApp, Walker Dunlop, and others) provide financial support at various levels. Sponsorship includes branding visibility on the Entryway website and at market events.
3. Event Fundraising: Entryway hosts fundraising events including Topgolf tournaments in multiple markets (Atlanta, Arizona, Central Texas). These events generate sponsorship revenue and individual donations while raising community awareness.
4. Volunteer Support: Volunteers provide professional services including resume writing, interview coaching, mentoring, photography, videography, administration, PR, and marketing. While not revenue-generating, volunteer contributions reduce operational costs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Entryway delivers a Workforce Development Training Program that provides career training, employment placement, and housing support to individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, preparing them for entry-level roles such as leasing consultants, maintenance technicians, groundskeepers, porters, and property management support within the multifamily housing industry. The program is offered at no cost to participants, funded through donations and corporate sponsorships, and includes post-placement coaching to support retention.

Product overview

Entryway operates as a single, unified nonprofit workforce development program focused on the multifamily housing industry. The organization provides career training, employment placement, and housing support services to individuals facing housing insecurity. The core offering is the Workforce Development Training Program, which upskills participants for multifamily industry roles. Entryway operates across 11 markets nationally (Arizona, Atlanta, Central Florida, Central Texas, Columbus, Denver, Houston, Nashville, North Carolina, North Texas, and South Carolina), with local advisory boards and executive directors managing regional program delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Workforce Development Training Program A comprehensive workforce training program that prepares individuals experiencing housing insecurity for entry-level careers in the multifamily housing industry, including roles such as leasing consultants, maintenance technicians, groundskeepers, porters, and property management support. Includes career training, employment placement with partner companies, housing stabilization support, transportation assistance, uniforms and certifications, and post-placement coaching to support retention.

Quantifiable outcome

• Participants increase their hourly wage by 248% when hired through the program, receiving an average wage of $19.55 per hour.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.

• CORTmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFurniture rental company and corporate sponsor of Entryway. Listed as a Corporate Sponsor on entrywaytalent.org, providing visibility and likely in-kind support for participant housing setup.
• Huntington BankmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional bank and corporate sponsor. Listed as a Corporate Sponsor providing financial support and community engagement.
• Journal CapitalmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerReal estate investment firm and corporate sponsor. Listed as a Corporate Sponsor supporting Entryway's mission.
• OneApp (OneApp Rentals)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerRenters insurance/guaranty company and corporate sponsor. Also sponsors specific events like the New Orleans breakfast at Apartmentalize trade show.
• Walker DunlopmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommercial real estate finance firm and corporate sponsor. Has representatives on local advisory boards including Central Texas.
• GreystarmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of the largest multifamily property management companies globally. Listed as a market sponsor (Central Texas) and has employees on advisory boards. Hires Entryway graduates.
• CORT FurnitureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFurniture rental company that provides furniture for participant apartments, helping graduates establish stable homes.
• American BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarket sponsor for Central Texas, supporting Entryway's local operations and fundraising events.
• LDG DevelopmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReal estate developer with representation on Central Texas advisory board. Contributes to market-level strategy and employer partnerships.
• First Citizens BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional bank with representation on Central Texas advisory board.
• Grace HillminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProperty management training and software company with CEO on Central Texas advisory board.
• Real FloorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFlooring supplier for multifamily housing. Market sponsor for Central Texas and Tampa.
• TX Texas Disposal SystemsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWaste management company. Market sponsor for Central Texas.
• Viking RoofingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRoofing contractor. Market sponsor for Central Texas.
• Waste ConnectionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWaste management company. Market sponsor for Central Texas.
• Uplevel Leasing (Business Observations)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLeasing training program that Entryway participants attend as part of their career development (e.g., Chandra completed Uplevel Leasing training).
• RangeWater ResidentialmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerProperty management company listed as sponsor and employer partner in Central Florida and Atlanta markets.
• TD BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarket sponsor for Central Florida.
• UKGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHR/payroll software company. Market sponsor for Central Florida.
• Lloyd JonesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReal estate investment firm. Market sponsor for Central Florida and nationally.
• Valencia CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution referral partner in Central Florida, helping connect students and community members to Entryway's program.
• Seminole State CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution referral partner in Central Florida through Seminole Commits program.
• Referring Social Service OrganizationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of shelters, recovery programs, schools, and social service organizations that refer qualified participants to Entryway's program. Includes organizations like Rescue Outreach Mission, Metropolitan Ministries, Salvation Army, United Way Suncoast, and others.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/entrywaytalent
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@entrywaytalent
• Facebookfacebook.com/entrywaytalent
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/entrywaytalent
• Instagraminstagram.com/entrywaytalent

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Entryway