What Deborah's Place does

Deborah's Place is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1985 in Chicago, Illinois, operating as the largest provider of permanent supportive housing in the city exclusively for unaccompanied women experiencing homelessness. The organization delivers a continuum of evidence-based housing and support services, including three owned permanent supportive housing properties (Rebecca Johnson Apartments, 90 units; Patty Crowley Apartments, 39 units; Conservatory Apartments, 34 units, opened May 2024 and Passive House certified), a 10-bed 120-day interim housing program (Teresa's), a 15-bed Safe Haven for women with severe mental illness (Dolores'), and a scattered-site community-based housing program with over 200 units across Chicago. In March 2026, it added the Audrey Thomas Permanent Housing Program, contributing 30 additional scattered-site apartments. Support services comprise comprehensive case management, on-site mini-health clinics, Learning Centers for employment/education, and alumnae services for participants who have transitioned out.

The operating model is built on four interlocking evidence-based practices—Housing First, Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed Care, and Motivational Interviewing—delivered through 24/7 staffing at owned properties. In FY25 the organization served 688 women, of whom 81% had been chronically homeless and 92% maintained stable housing; annual retention rates of 94–95% are reported as a longer-run benchmark. Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropic channels: individual donations (online, Venmo, text-to-give), corporate sponsorships, legacy/planned giving, a $1,200 Sponsor-a-Bed program, vehicle donations, an annual Opening Doors gala (raising $90K–$141K per event), social-impact partnerships such as Kind Traveler/Arlo Chicago, and government grants and contracts including Chicago Housing Authority vouchers and Impact Grants Chicago awards. The organization reports that 83% of every donated dollar flows to program expenses.

Go-to-market is community-led, relying on donor relationships, volunteer recruitment, board development, corporate partnerships, and event-driven fundraising. Access to housing is gated through Chicago's Coordinated Entry System and the Chicago Housing Authority waitlist. The leadership team is long-tenured: CEO Kathy Booton-Wilson (in role since February 2023, with the organization since 1987), COO Tiffany Isom, and CFO Maureen McGowan Milner anchor an executive group most of whom were promoted internally.

Name

Deborah's Place

Legal name

Deborah's Place

Website

https://deborahsplace.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Deborah's Place is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 and the city's largest provider of permanent supportive housing exclusively for unaccompanied women experiencing homelessness, operating 200+ housing units and serving 688 women in FY25 with a 92% housing retention rate.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Supportive Housing Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Other Residential Care Facilities (623990), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Other Residential Care Facilities (6239)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Residential Mental Health Treatment Centers (HLAFACAC), Senior & Transitional Monthly Housing (THAMAFAJ)

Keywords

• Supportive housing services
• Permanent housing programs
• Homeless services nonprofit
• Social services nonprofit
• Women's housing support

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through the website, mail, Venmo, and text message giving programs. The organization emphasizes that 83 cents of every dollar goes directly to program expenses.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor events like Opening Doors and provide in-kind donations such as furniture, volunteer time, and venue access.
3. Car Donations: Vehicle donations through partnership with Donate for Charity, providing tax deductions for donors while generating revenue for programs.
4. Planned Giving/Legacy Gifts: Bequests, appreciated securities, life insurance policies, real estate, retirement plan assets, and personal property donations provide long-term funding sustainability.
5. Bed Sponsorship: Donors can sponsor a bed in Teresa's Interim Housing for $1,200, providing sanctuary, safety, and a launchpad for women in need with naming recognition for one year.
6. Hotel Partnership (Kind Traveler): Through partnership with Kind Traveler and Arlo Chicago, $0.50 per guest per night is donated to Deborah's Place when travelers stay at Arlo Chicago.
7. Government Grants and Contracts: Funding from federal, state, and local government sources including Chicago Housing Authority vouchers, All Chicago partnerships, and Impact Grants Chicago awards.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

Deborah's Place is a nonprofit social services organization that operates permanent supportive housing, interim housing, and a Safe Haven program exclusively for unaccompanied women experiencing homelessness in Chicago, complemented by scattered-site community-based housing and wraparound case management, health, education, and alumnae services. All housing and services are provided free to participants, and the organization maintains 24/7 on-site staffing across its permanent housing portfolio of more than 200 units.

Product overview

Deborah's Place is a nonprofit social services organization providing a continuum of supportive housing programs and services exclusively for unaccompanied women experiencing homelessness in Chicago. The organization operates a multi-site housing portfolio including permanent supportive housing (Rebecca Johnson Apartments with 90 units, Patty Crowley Apartments with 39 units, Conservatory Apartments with 34 units), interim/transitional housing (Teresa's Interim Housing, 10-bed 120-day program), and a Safe Haven (Dolores' Safe Haven, 15 beds for women with severe mental illness). These are complemented by scattered-site community-based housing and the newly launched Audrey Thomas Permanent Housing Program with 30 additional apartments. Support services include comprehensive case management, health services, employment and education services through Learning Centers, and alumnae services. The organization also operates fundraising programs including car donations, bed sponsorship, and social impact partnerships such as the Kind Traveler hotel program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rebecca Johnson Apartments

Quantifiable outcome

• 92% of residents maintained stable housing (FY25)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Kind TravelerminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Social impact travel platform where a portion of stays at partner hotels (Arlo Chicago) is donated to Deborah's Place. Since January 2026, partnership has raised $10,846 for the organization.
• Arlo ChicagominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Hotel partner with Kind Traveler program. Donates $0.50 per guest per night to Deborah's Place, enabling travelers to support the mission during their stays.
• Bob's Discount FurnitureminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2024Donated 34 mattresses for the Conservatory Apartments, ensuring each new resident had a comfortable place to rest. Also sent employee volunteers to help furnish apartments.
• BMOminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Leading sponsor of the Opening Doors 2023 fundraising event at Garfield Park Conservatory.
• Alliant Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Employees volunteered for International Women's Day 2023, leading a creative vision board activity with residents.
• The Movement GuildminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Hosted all-levels yoga class with brunch raising close to $1,000 for Deborah's Place programs.
• Sofitel Chicago Magnificent MileminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023'Women in Winemaking' event featured women-owned wines with portion of ticket sales donated to Deborah's Place.
• HinesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Invited Deborah's Place to table at International Women's Day Market at River Point building. CEO and Development Director attended Hines IWD celebration.
• Cresset CapitalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Held silent auction event to raise money for Deborah's Place.
• Sinai ChicagominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Ob/Gyn residents volunteered time to talk to residents about cervical cancer screening as part of health services education.
• Interfaith Housing Development CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2022Partnership on the Conservatory Apartments development in West Humboldt Park. Deborah's Place provides supportive housing services to 34 women residing at the property. This was the first large-scale Passive House certified affordable housing project in Chicago.
• All ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021Partnership on the Expedited Housing Initiative to rapidly re-house women during the pandemic. Deborah's Place housed over 100 women through this partnership and received All Chicago's Outstanding Partnership Award in October 2021.
• Chicago Housing AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides 'Moving On' vouchers allowing women who no longer need intensive on-site services to move to more independent living. In 2021, 58 women were approved for these vouchers. CHA also provides housing application systems.
• Private Landlords (Scattered-Site Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeborah's Place partners with private landlords across Chicago to provide housing to women coming directly from street or shelter. Deborah's Place provides ongoing case management while women live in private market apartments.
• Heartland Alliance HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth services partnership providing healthcare coordination and referrals for residents.
• VNA FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership begun in 2018 examining efficacy of various approaches to permanent supportive housing. Deborah's Place was one of six Chicago PSH groups participating. White paper of initial findings published in 2022.
• Real Estate Finance ForumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional group whose volunteers helped furnish and prepare the Conservatory Apartments for new residents.
• Scale/Heartland AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo partner listed on website as working with like-minded organizations throughout Chicagoland.
• Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo partner listed on website as working with like-minded organizations throughout Chicagoland.
• University of Illinois HospitalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo partner listed on website as working with like-minded organizations throughout Chicagoland.
• One NorthsidemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo partner listed on website as working with like-minded organizations throughout Chicagoland.
• Illinois PartnersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo partner listed on website as working with like-minded organizations throughout Chicagoland.
• Coffey Bros MovingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable giving partner providing moving services for residents.
• AIDS Foundation of ChicagomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo partner listed on website as working with like-minded organizations throughout Chicagoland.
• Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (CDFSS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo partner listed on website as working with like-minded organizations throughout Chicagoland.
• Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust FundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo partner listed on website as working with like-minded organizations throughout Chicagoland.
• Chicago Housing Authority (CHA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo partner listed on website as working with like-minded organizations throughout Chicagoland.
• CSH (Corporation for Supportive Housing)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo partner listed on website as working with like-minded organizations throughout Chicagoland.
• Donate for CharityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCar donation program partner enabling donors to support Deborah's Place by donating vehicles (running or not), receiving tax deductions while funding programs.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• The Night Ministry: Chicago-based nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and youth services for people experiencing homelessness. Comparable Chicago geography and outreach-based engagement for hard-to-serve populations.
• Connections for the Homeless: Evanston/northern Chicago-suburb nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and case management for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Comparable services with overlapping case-management methodology in the broader Chicago region.
• Housing Forward: Formerly known as PADS, Housing Forward operates emergency shelter, interim housing, and supportive housing across western Cook County suburbs. Comparable continuum-of-care housing model in the greater Chicago region.

Others

• Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH): National nonprofit intermediary and funder that advances supportive housing policy and finances PSH providers — including Deborah's Place as a partner. Comparable as ecosystem participant and capital/technical assistance provider.
• All Chicago: Chicago's collaborative for ending homelessness, coordinating the city's Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry System. Functions as Deborah's Place's primary referral pipeline and grant partner, making it a direct ecosystem comparable.

Direct peers

• Apna Ghar: Chicago-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services for immigrant women and children survivors of domestic violence. Comparable women-focused housing model in the same Chicago market.
• A Safe Haven: Chicago-based nonprofit providing supportive housing and workforce development for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Comparable as a Chicago supportive housing operator serving similar high-acuity populations.
• Sarah's Circle: Chicago-based nonprofit providing housing and supportive services exclusively for women experiencing homelessness. Highly comparable in target population (unaccompanied women), service model (supportive housing + case management), and Chicago geography.
• Thresholds: Chicago-based nonprofit providing housing, healthcare, and employment services for people with mental health and substance use needs. Overlapping model of supportive housing combined with clinical services for high-acuity populations.

Broad incumbents

• Heartland Alliance: Major Chicago-based anti-poverty and human rights organization operating housing, healthcare, and social services across broader populations. Comparable as a strategic partner and adjacent operator in Chicago's supportive housing ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=2bLQpH-Re80
• Facebookfacebook.com/deborahsplacechicago
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deborah's-place
• Instagraminstagram.com/debsplacechi
• Xx.com/debsplacechi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Deborah's Place