GAP Ministries

What GAP Ministries does

GAP Ministries is a Tucson, Arizona-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 86-0999503) founded in 1999 by Greg and Pam Ayers, operating an integrated portfolio of social services across Southern Arizona and Pima County. Its core programs include SPLASH family-style foster group homes on a 5-acre Campus of Hope, foster parent licensing and adoption support, a 20,000-square-foot Community Warehouse with two discount grocery markets (05 Market and 12 Market), a GAP Kitchen producing meals and catering, the Career Plus workforce development program in three tracks (Culinary Arts, Warehouse Logistics, and Retail Management), Treasures & More resale store, and the Miracle Center transitional housing partnership providing case management and life development services. The organization states that 89 cents of every donated dollar goes directly to programs.

The underlying operating model combines donated and earned revenue streams. Fundraising is sourced from individual donations and monthly VIP giving, Arizona dollar-for-dollar tax credits (QFCO #10020 and QCO #20124), planned giving via an Everence partnership (Donor Advised Funds, QCDs, CGAs, CRTs, appreciated stock, and bequests), capital campaigns, and grants from partners including the City of Tucson. Earned revenue comes from the discount grocery markets, Treasures & More resale (including an eBay storefront), GAP Kitchen catering and institutional meal contracts (Title 1 schools, daycares, seniors via Eleanor Towne Community Center), and Amazon Wish List fulfillment. Distribution relies on physical locations, church partnerships (10 congregations), 50 weekly non-profit partner organizations that use the warehouse, and a largely volunteer-powered food distribution operation.

In 2025 GAP Ministries reported 179 children cared for, 17 adoptions, 43 licensed foster families, 2,283 parenting time sessions, 96,000 warehouse shoppers, $8.7 million in food and products distributed, 91,102 meals served, 36 Career Plus graduates, and 53 support service recipients. The organization has no proprietary technology platform; its technology footprint is limited to a website, donor CRM, social channels, basic retail point-of-sale at the markets, and standard nonprofit transparency listings such as GuideStar Platinum Seal status.

Name

GAP Ministries

Legal name

GAP Ministries

Website

https://gapmin.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

GAP Ministries is a Tucson-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing integrated foster care, food distribution, workforce training, and meal programs to vulnerable children, food-insecure families, and unemployed adults across Southern Arizona.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services and Community Assistance

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Food Services (62421), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cash & Voucher Assistance (CVA) and Emergency Livelihood Support (BPAGAAAJ), Transition Services (Secondary to Postsecondary/Employment, Life Skills) (EDAJAKAG), Transition & School-Readiness Support for Special Needs Children (HSAAAIAO)

Keywords

• Foster care services
• Community food distribution
• Workforce development training
• Nonprofit social services
• Meal preparation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tucson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations & Charitable Contributions: GAP Ministries raises funds primarily through individual donations via its website, mail, and monthly giving programs. 89 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to programs helping children and individuals in need.
2. Arizona Tax Credit Donations: Arizona taxpayers can receive dollar-for-dollar state tax credits by donating to GAP Ministries as a Qualified Foster Care Charitable Organization (QFCO #10020) or to Miracle Center as a Qualified Charitable Organization (QCO #20124), effectively redirecting state tax dollars at no additional cost.
3. Planned Giving & Estate Gifts: GAP Ministries accepts planned giving instruments including donor advised funds (DAF), appreciated stock, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) from IRAs, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, charitable bequests, and life insurance, partnered with Everence.
4. Resale Store Revenue (Treasures & More): Treasures & More resale store sells donated gently-used clothing, housewares, and furniture. Proceeds support Miracle Center and GAP Ministries programs. The store also operates an eBay online storefront.
5. Catering Revenue: GAP Kitchen offers catering for events of any size, with all proceeds funding the Training Program and meals for those in need. Catering clients include local churches and organizations.
6. Discount Grocery Sales (05 Market & 12 Market): The 05 Market and 12 Market sell discounted groceries and pantry staples. Proceeds from these markets go back into the program to feed more local families in need. Both markets accept cash, credit cards, Apple Pay, and EBT.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels11 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

GAP Ministries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers an integrated portfolio of social services in Southern Arizona: family-style foster care through SPLASH group homes, foster parent licensing and support, free and discounted food distribution via its 20,000-square-foot Community Warehouse and 05/12 Market discount grocery stores, meal preparation and catering via GAP Kitchen, and free workforce development training through Career Plus. The organization serves children, families, and individuals experiencing poverty, abuse, neglect, food insecurity, and unemployment. Revenue is generated primarily through charitable donations, Arizona state tax credit contributions, resale store sales, catering, and discount grocery transactions.

Product overview

GAP Ministries is a social services nonprofit offering a coordinated portfolio of programs addressing foster care, food insecurity, workforce development, and transitional housing. The core offerings include: SPLASH Houses (family-style foster group homes), the 05 Market and Community Warehouse (free and discounted groceries), GAP Kitchen and Catering (meals and culinary training), Career Plus (workforce development with three tracks: Culinary Arts, Warehouse Logistics, and Retail Management), Foster Care licensing and support, Treasures & More/12 Market (resale store and discount grocery), Family Restoration (parenting time services for reunification), and the partner program Miracle Center (transitional housing and life skills). These programs are designed to work interdependently — the Kitchen provides meals while training culinary students, the Warehouse supplies food to both the markets and Kitchen, Career Plus students train within Kitchen and Warehouse operations, foster families receive support and children are placed in SPLASH homes, and Treasures & More funds the Miracle Center. Together they form a holistic approach to breaking cycles of poverty and abuse.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SPLASH Houses (Foster Care) Family-style group foster care homes for children and teens who have been removed from unsafe environments due to abuse, neglect, or trauma. Each home is operated by a house parent couple and serves up to 10 children. SPLASH has served over 4,400 children since 1999, with 179 children in care and 17 adoptions facilitated in 2025.
• Community Warehouse and 05 Market A 20,000-square-foot facility providing free food distribution (no ID or forms required) and a discount grocery store selling pantry staples, produce, meats, and dairy at steeply discounted prices. Accepts cash, credit cards, Apple Pay, and EBT. The warehouse runs almost entirely on volunteers and serves as the warehouse logistics training site for Career Plus.
• Treasures & More Resale Store and 12 Market Curated resale store selling gently used clothing, housewares, furniture, and vintage items, combined with the 12 Market discount grocery store. Operates an eBay online storefront and serves as the training environment for the Retail Management track of Career Plus. Proceeds support Miracle Center and GAP Ministries programs.
• GAP Kitchen and Catering Community kitchen providing meals to foster children, Title 1 schools, homebound seniors, and families in crisis through NSLP partnerships and mobile meal delivery. Also offers full-service catering for weddings, fundraisers, corporate events, and team-building experiences, led by Tucson Iron Chef Champion John Hohn. All catering proceeds fund GAP Kitchen programs and Career Plus culinary training.
• Career Plus Workforce Development Free workforce development program offering three 8-week training tracks (Culinary Arts, Warehouse Logistics, and Management/Retail) with industry certifications (ServeSafe, forklift, OSHA, NRF), life skills, mentoring, case management, and job placement support. 36 graduates completed in 2025 with placements at Tucson restaurants, resorts, and logistics companies.
• Foster Care Licensing and Support Foster parent licensing program using the NTDC five-week, 30-hour virtual curriculum, plus ongoing support including quarterly events, monthly support groups, court/IEP/CFT meeting assistance, and 24/7 crisis support. Coordinates with Arizona Department of Child Safety (AZDCS) and Office of Licensing and Regulation (OLR). 43 licensed foster families supported in 2025.
• Miracle Center Partnership Program Affiliated partner program providing transitional housing, case management, counseling, character development, and wrap-around life skills support to men and women overcoming addiction, homelessness, and difficult life situations. Operates as a separate nonprofit (QCO #20124) that partnered with GAP Ministries in 2022 to deliver Career Plus job training and life development services.
• Family Restoration (Parenting Time) Court-ordered parenting time services hosted at GAP's Family Center on the Campus of Hope, providing supervised, comfortable visit spaces for biological parents to reconnect with their children in foster care. 2,283 parenting time sessions were facilitated in 2025, supporting family reunification and breaking generational cycles of abuse and neglect.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96,000 annual shoppers served at Community Warehouse
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• OCJKidsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOCJKids trains and certifies volunteers to work with children in GAP's SPLASH group foster homes. Due to strict state requirements, OCJKids provides the necessary vetting and training for volunteers who wish to work directly with foster children.
• Title 1 School Districts and DaycarescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAP Kitchen partners with Title 1 school districts, low-income daycares, and preschools to provide nutritious meals through NSLP and summer feeding programs. GAP helps partners understand eligibility, compliance, and menu planning for free and reduced-price meal programs.
• Eleanor Towne Community CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAP Kitchen partners with Eleanor Towne Community Center to serve nutritious meals to seniors three days per week, addressing a gap created when Pima County recreation centers lost funding for senior meals. The partnership was supported by nearly $90,000 in community donations.
• Pima CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAP Kitchen serves homebound seniors and participates in county-wide food distribution networks. GAP Kitchen responded to Pima County recreation center funding cuts for senior meals, stepping in to fill the gap with community-supported meal programs.
• The Girls Estate SaleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAP Ministries works with The Girls Estate Sale to source high-quality pieces for Treasures & More resale store, ensuring a curated, enjoyable shopping experience that generates maximum revenue for GAP programs.
• Church Partners (10 congregations)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGAP Ministries partners with 10 Tucson-area churches for foster care recruitment, job training referrals, food drives, volunteer groups, and general mission support: Ascension Lutheran Church, Casas Church, Cortaro Vista Community Church, Faith Community Church, Manantial De Amor, New Life Bible Fellowship, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Revelation Church, St. Marks United Methodist Church, and The Gathering.
• AZDCS (Arizona Department of Child Safety)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAP Ministries works with Arizona Office of Licensing and Regulation (OLR) and AZDCS to facilitate foster care licensing, support medically fragile foster homes, manage adoptions, and coordinate with the broader Arizona child welfare system.
• GuideStarminorOthersGAP Ministries is listed on GuideStar (Candid), demonstrating transparency and accountability as a registered nonprofit. GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency indicates the organization meets standards for nonprofit reporting.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona: The largest regional food bank serving Tucson and Southern Arizona. Directly comparable to GAP's Community Warehouse and 05/12 Market food distribution operations, serving overlapping food-insecure populations across the same geography.
• Interfaith Community Services (ICS): Tucson-based faith-rooted nonprofit offering food assistance, housing support, and social services. Comparable integrated service model, donor base, and beneficiary segments to GAP Ministries in the same Southern Arizona market.
• Primavera Foundation: Tucson nonprofit providing workforce development, housing, and self-sufficiency programs for people experiencing poverty and homelessness. Directly comparable to GAP's Career Plus training and Miracle Center transitional support.
• Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona: Faith-based social services organization in Tucson serving families, refugees, and individuals in need. Comparable faith-driven service delivery model, multi-program structure, and donor cultivation approach to GAP Ministries.
• Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC): Arizona-based nonprofit providing integrated social services including workforce development, housing, and youth/family programs. Comparable multi-service integrated model operating in overlapping Arizona geographies.
• Arizona's Children Association: Statewide Arizona nonprofit focused on child welfare, foster care, adoption, and family preservation. Directly comparable to GAP's SPLASH foster homes, foster licensing, and family restoration programs.
• Bethany Christian Services: Faith-based nonprofit specializing in foster care, adoption, and family services across multiple U.S. states. Directly comparable to GAP's SPLASH foster homes, foster licensing, and family restoration programming.

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona: Established nonprofit operating workforce training programs and a network of retail/resale stores that fund mission services. Highly comparable to GAP's Career Plus + Treasures & More model at greater scale.
• Salvation Army Tucson: National faith-based organization with a Tucson presence delivering integrated social services (food, housing, family support). Comparable multi-program integrated model and faith-driven donor base.
• Salvation Army (National): Largest direct-service nonprofit in the U.S., operating integrated social services including food, housing, family, and rehabilitation programs. Comparable to GAP's integrated ecosystem at national scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/gapministriestucson
• Facebookfacebook.com/gapministries
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gap-ministries
• Instagraminstagram.com/gapministries
• Xx.com/gapministries1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 GAP Ministries