Bridges of Hope

What Bridges of Hope does

Bridges of Hope is a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, founded in 2002 and operating a portfolio of interconnected social services and social-enterprise programs across the Brainerd Lakes Area and Crow Wing County. Its core service offerings are Resource Connection Services (a single point of entry that has assisted 5,000+ households in accessing community resources during short-term crises), Operation Sandwich (a food security program that served 70,940 lunches in 2025 to children during school breaks), and The Bridge on 7th (a year-round low-barrier overnight shelter serving 165+ unhoused adults 18+). These are supported by Common Goods, a thrift retail social enterprise operating three storefronts in Baxter, Crosslake, and Crosby that monetizes donated goods, plus a textile recycling partnership with Salem West that diverts 400,000+ pounds of textile waste annually from local landfills.

The organization runs on an explicitly volunteer- and partnership-driven operating model. The technology footprint is minimal and commodity-based — PayPal for online donations (selected for lowest processing fees), Bloomerang for volunteer management across Operation Sandwich, The Bridge on 7th, and special events, and Google Forms / Microsoft Forms for client intake and distribution registration — with no proprietary platform, AI/ML capabilities, or mobile application. Distribution spans one main office, one shelter, three thrift stores, six Operation Sandwich pickup sites, and digital/online donation channels. The leadership team is led by Executive Director Jana Shogren, supported by Directors of Finance/HR/Operations, Programs, and Retail, plus dedicated shelter, store, and marketing managers.

The revenue model is a hybrid of philanthropy and earned income: individual and corporate donations (including planned legacy giving), Common Goods thrift store sales, textile recycling revenue via the Salem West partnership, and corporate sponsorships structured in tiered programs (Full Plate, Lunch Pal, Snack Time Hero, Bag Partner) for Operation Sandwich, with services delivered free of charge to end beneficiaries. Strategic positioning is faith-based (anchored in Christ's love while serving all community members), concentrated geographically in northern Minnesota, and dependent on a broad ecosystem of corporate, county, law-enforcement, church, and individual stakeholders.

Name

Bridges of Hope

Legal name

Bridges of Hope

Website

https://bridgesofhopemn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bridges of Hope is a 501c3 nonprofit in Brainerd, Minnesota that delivers crisis-resource navigation, food security, and overnight shelter services across the Brainerd Lakes Area, funded by donations, a three-store thrift retail operation, textile recycling, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Food Services (624210), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Homeless shelter programs
• Food security programs
• Thrift store retail
• Nonprofit resource connection

Headquarters

HQ city

Brainerd

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: Monetary donations from individuals and businesses, including planned legacy giving through wills and estate planning.
2. Common Goods Thrift Store Sales: Revenue generated from sale of donated clothing, accessories, furniture, and home goods at three retail locations. Proceeds support Bridges of Hope programs.
3. Textile Recycling: Partnership with Salem West to collect and sell unsellable textiles. Recyclable materials are sold to create additional revenue for both organizations.
4. Operation Sandwich Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships and partnerships for the food security program, including Full Plate, Lunch Pal, Snack Time Hero, and Bag Partner levels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bridges of Hope is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that operates a portfolio of community programs in the Brainerd Lakes Area, including Resource Connection Services for crisis support, Operation Sandwich for child food security, The Bridge on 7th overnight shelter for unhoused adults, Common Goods Thrift Stores as a self-funding social enterprise, and a Textile Recycling Program in partnership with Salem West.

Product overview

Bridges of Hope is a 501c3 nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected social services and social enterprise programs. The core services include Resource Connection Services (a single point of entry for families in crisis), Operation Sandwich (food security program for children), and The Bridge on 7th (overnight shelter for unhoused adults). These are supported by Common Goods Thrift Stores (a social enterprise with three locations) and a Textile Recycling Program. The organization serves the Brainerd Lakes Area in Minnesota, linking families to support and resources through community partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Common Goods: Trendy thrift stores selling clothing, fashion accessories, home furnishings, and furniture; supports the ongoing work of Bridges of Hope
• Operation Sandwich
• The Bridge on 7th

Products and services

• Resource Connection Services A single point of entry program for individuals and families in Crow Wing County and surrounding communities experiencing a short-term challenge or crisis, providing access to resources needed to regain stability. Delivered by phone and online Request Assistance form via Resource Specialists, Monday-Thursday 8am-4:30pm and Friday 8am-2pm. Has assisted over 5,000 households since inception.
• Operation Sandwich A grassroots food security program providing weekly grocery bags with five days of lunch supplies to children during school breaks and summer break. Distributed across six pickup locations (Brainerd, Crosslake, Jenkins, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, Pine River); served 70,940 lunches in 2025 and over 500 households each summer.
• The Bridge on 7th Overnight Shelter A low-barrier overnight shelter providing safe sleeping accommodations for unhoused individuals 18 years and older in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Open year-round, 7 days a week, 9pm-8am, with walk-ins accepted 9-11pm and no signup required. Has provided nights of safe sleep to 165+ individuals.
• Common Goods Thrift Stores Trendy thrift stores selling donated clothing, accessories, home furnishings, and furniture at affordable prices, with three retail locations in Baxter, Crosslake, and Crosby, Minnesota. Proceeds support Bridges of Hope programs. All sales are final except for a 7-day store credit allowed on electronics only with original receipt.
• Textile Recycling Program A textile recycling program operated in collaboration with Salem West through Common Goods thrift stores, collecting unsellable textiles and diverting 400,000+ pounds of textile waste from local landfills annually. Recyclable materials are sold to create additional revenue for both organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5,000 households assisted through Resource Connection Services
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Integration4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Salem WestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTextile recycling partnership operating in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Through Common Goods thrift stores and Salem West's Mustard Seed thrift store, they collectively recycle and divert 400,000+ pounds of textile waste from local landfills annually. Recyclable textiles are sold to create additional revenue for both organizations.
• Lutheran Social ServicesminorOthersProvides access to the Lutheran Social Services Vice Savings Calculator as part of Resource Connection Services financial tools available to clients.
• Stearns BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFull Plate Partner for Operation Sandwich 2026, providing funding to support food security for children during school breaks.
• Cuyuna Regional Medical CentercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLunch Pal Partner for Operation Sandwich 2026, supporting the grassroots program providing consistent food security for kids.
• First Western BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLunch Pal Partner for Operation Sandwich 2026, contributing to summer food security programs for children.
• Super One FoodscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBag Partner for Operation Sandwich 2026, supporting the distribution of lunch and snack kits to families.
• Cosmetic and Family DentistrycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSnack Time Hero Partner for Operation Sandwich 2026, supporting food security initiatives.
• Holiday on Mill AvenuecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLunch Pal Partner with locations in Crosslake and Baxter for Operation Sandwich 2026.
• Mosquito SquadminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFull Plate Partner for Operation Sandwich 2026, supporting summer food programs.
• Light Up the Dam - CrosslakeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFull Plate Partner for Operation Sandwich 2026.
• HeritageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLunch Pal Partner for Operation Sandwich 2026.
• Law EnforcementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting The Bridge on 7th overnight shelter operations for unhoused individuals in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
• Crow Wing CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty-level partnership supporting shelter operations and homeless services in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
• Church PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity church partners collaborating to provide shelter services and support for homeless adults.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is a direct multi-program nonprofit peer operating shelter, food, and thrift store services under an integrated faith-rooted mission. It is significantly larger and operates nationally, but its service portfolio (overnight shelter, food programs, family services, thrift) closely mirrors Bridges of Hope's bundle.
• Second Harvest Heartland: Second Harvest Heartland is one of the largest food bank nonprofits in Minnesota, addressing child hunger and food insecurity. It is a broad incumbent peer to Bridges of Hope's Operation Sandwich food security program and a likely upstream supplier/distribution partner for similar initiatives.
• Goodwill Industries International: Goodwill is the dominant thrift-store-based social enterprise nonprofit, using retail proceeds to fund workforce and community programs. It is a broad incumbent peer to Bridges of Hope's Common Goods thrift store social-enterprise model and similar mission-funding structure.

Direct peers

• Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota: Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota is a direct peer delivering housing, food, and family stability services across the state and is already a partner of Bridges of Hope (Vice Savings Calculator integration). It competes for the same regional donor, volunteer, and government funding pools.
• Habitat for Humanity Minnesota: Habitat for Humanity is a peer nonprofit focused on housing and community stability for low-income families, funded by donations, ReStore retail operations, and volunteers. Its ReStore model is a direct analog to Bridges of Hope's Common Goods thrift model.
• Bridging (Bloomington, MN): Bridging is a Minnesota-based nonprofit that collects and distributes furniture and household goods to families transitioning out of homelessness and crisis. It is a direct peer to the Common Goods thrift operation and to the household-stabilization mission Bridges of Hope addresses through Resource Connection Services.

Regional players

• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Duluth: Catholic Charities of Duluth is a regional peer offering shelter, food, and family services across Northern Minnesota. Its geography overlaps with Bridges of Hope's Brainerd Lakes service area and its service bundle (shelter + basic needs) is closely comparable.
• Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless: Open Your Heart is a Minnesota statewide nonprofit focused on hunger and homelessness. It operates in the same donor/foundation ecosystem as Bridges of Hope and funds similar shelter and food security programs across the region.
• Dorothy Day Center: Dorothy Day Center is a Minnesota-based nonprofit providing shelter, food, and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness. It is a direct operational analog to The Bridge on 7th overnight shelter and a competing destination for regional homeless-services funding.
• United Way of Crow Wing County: United Way of Crow Wing County is a regional peer operating in the same service area, funding and convening social service programs. It competes for the same local donor dollars and corporate sponsorships that Bridges of Hope relies on.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bridgesofhopemn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bridges-of-hope-brainerd-mn
• Instagraminstagram.com/bridgesofhopemn
• Xx.com/BridgesofMn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Bridges of Hope