Contact Ministries

What Contact Ministries does

Contact Ministries is a faith-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit social service organization headquartered at 1100 E. Adams St., Springfield, Illinois, founded in 1978 by five Springfield churches (First United Methodist, Westminster Presbyterian, First Congregational, First Christian, and Christ Episcopal). It serves homeless single women, women with children, families in poverty, and seniors over 55 in the greater Springfield area through an integrated suite of free services. The core offerings are an Emergency Shelter open 365 days/year from 5:00pm to 8:00am and a Transitional Shelter that delivers a structured 6-month program with required life-skills classes, weekly case management, and post-exit support for at least 12 months. Supporting programs include walk-in case management and community resource referrals, the Basement Boutique free clothing and household-items store (which also functions as a job-training site for shelter residents), personal development and job-preparation classes, cold-weather assistance, and seasonal holiday programs (Thanksgiving baskets, Big Christmas Giveaway serving up to 500 families, Adopt-A-Family).

The organization operates a single physical facility with no proprietary technology platform, mobile app, or API; service delivery is human-intensive and supported by conventional channels (phone, walk-in, email, Facebook, Instagram). Its operational architecture is a collection of co-located program modules — emergency shelter, transitional shelter, case management, boutique, classes — that collectively address a client journey from crisis intervention through long-term self-sufficiency.

The revenue model is entirely donation-based: financial gifts (credit card, PayPal, Venmo, check, cash, stock), in-kind donated goods, and contributed services from a network of 17+ partner churches, healthcare systems (Memorial Health, St. John's Hospital), corporate donors (Isringhausen, Levi Ray & Shoupe, BCBS Blue Impact), local banks, and community foundations including United Way of Central Illinois and the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln. No fees are charged to clients. GTM/marketing is community-based via church referrals, word-of-mouth, social media, and annual fundraising events (Prom Fundraiser, Golf Outing).

Name

Contact Ministries

Legal name

Contact Ministries

Website

https://contactministries.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Contact Ministries is a faith-based 501(c)(3) non-profit in Springfield, IL, founded in 1978, providing free emergency and transitional shelter, food, clothing, case management, and life-skills programs to homeless women, women with children, and families in need.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless and Social Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Religious Organizations (8131), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

Keywords

• Homeless shelter services
• Transitional housing programs
• Emergency shelter services
• Social service assistance
• Case management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Springfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Financial Donations: The organization accepts financial gifts through credit card, PayPal, Venmo, check, cash, stock transfer, or stock certificate. Donations support the agency's mission of serving vulnerable individuals and families in need.
2. Donated Items: The organization accepts donated clothing, household items, bedding, hygiene items, and small appliances which are distributed through the Basement Boutique free of charge to clients.
3. Community Support: Relies on community partnerships, church support, corporate donors, and volunteers to sustain operations and service delivery.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Contact Ministries is a non-profit, faith-based social service organization that provides free emergency and transitional shelter, food, clothing, financial assistance, case management, and life skills training to homeless single women, women with children, and families in the greater Springfield, Illinois community. Its core offerings include an Emergency Shelter open 365 days per year and a six-month Transitional Shelter program, supported by Walk-In Services, the Basement Boutique free clothing store, and holiday assistance programs.

Product overview

Contact Ministries is a faith-based, non-profit social service organization offering an integrated suite of homeless shelter and supportive services for women and women with children in Springfield, IL. The core offerings consist of two shelter programs: the Emergency Shelter (short-term overnight crisis shelter open 365 days) and the Transitional Shelter (6-month long-term program with required life skills training). These are supported by Walk-In Services providing case management and referrals, the Basement Boutique free clothing store (which also provides job training), Personal Development Classes, Job Preparation Services, and seasonal Holiday Assistance Programs. The organization operates as a unified social services provider rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture—each service component (shelters, boutique, classes, case management) functions as a distinct program area that collectively addresses the journey from crisis intervention through long-term self-sufficiency for clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Shelter Short-term crisis shelter providing safe overnight accommodation, dinner, shower, and laundry facilities for single women and women with children (boys up to age 17), open 365 days a year from 5:00pm to 8:00am.
• Transitional Shelter Six-month long-term shelter program for women with children (boys to age 12) offering required life skills classes, weekly case management with goal setting, mental health counseling, and supportive services aimed at long-term self-sufficiency.
• Walk-In Services Case management and assistance navigating community resources, including prescription medication assistance for seniors over 55 when funds are available, available Monday-Thursday 9:00am-3:00pm by appointment.
• Basement Boutique On-site free clothing and household items store operated by shelter residents and volunteers, providing job training skills and dignified shopping experience. Open Wednesdays for women's shopping days (9:30am-12:00pm, first 12 shoppers).
• Supportive Services / Forever Family Program Ongoing support program for program graduates, including priority services for at least one year post-exit, Thanksgiving giveaway participation, and Christmas Adopt-A-Family program enrollment.
• Holiday Assistance Programs Seasonal programs including Thanksgiving Giveaway (50+ baskets with turkey, sides, pie) and Big Christmas Giveaway (serving up to 500 families including 100 seniors with ham, sides, hats, gloves), plus Adopt-A-Family for shelter residents and recent graduates.
• Cold Weather Assistance Distribution of new and lightly used winter coats, hats, gloves, and warm socks to community members in need during cold weather months.
• Case Management Assessment-based service where clients meet with case managers to develop personalized restoration plans, with referrals to outside agencies for mental health/crisis management, job training, housing, medical, and legal resources.
• Meal Donation Program Community meal donation program serving approximately 30 adults and 20 children daily, with meal drop-off at facility between 4:30pm and 5:30pm. Accepts home-cooked or catered meals via Meal Train coordination.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• United Way of Central IllinoiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContact Ministries is a member of United Way of Central Illinois, working together to address needs of local citizens including mental health, homelessness, and poverty through coordinated social service delivery.
• Springfield area Continuum of CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Springfield area Continuum of Care, a collaborative network working to address homelessness and provide comprehensive services to vulnerable populations.
• Memorial HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing services to shelter residents and community members in need.
• St. John's HospitalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing medical services and behavioral health support to clients.
• Illinois Department of Human ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner providing referrals and access to state benefits and services for clients.
• Westminster Presbyterian ChurchcoreOthersOne of five founding churches from 1978. Ongoing church partner providing spiritual support, volunteers, and community connections.
• First United Methodist ChurchcoreOthersOne of five founding churches from 1978. Continuing church partnership supporting ministry activities.
• First Congregational ChurchcoreOthersOne of five founding churches from 1978.
• First Christian ChurchcoreOthersOne of five founding churches from 1978.
• Christ EpiscopalcoreOthersOne of five founding churches from 1978.
• Cherry Hills ChurchmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity partner for Christmas Adopt-A-Family program and ongoing volunteer support.
• Temple B'rith SholommajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing Thanksgiving baskets to families in need alongside Contact Ministries.
• Lawrence Education CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing tutoring and educational services for school-aged children in shelter.
• Springfield Urban LeagueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployment and educational resource partner helping residents gain self-sufficiency.
• Mental Health Centers of IllinoisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health counseling referrals for shelter residents.
• Memorial Behavioral Health Center of SpringfieldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBehavioral health services referrals for residents.
• Bank of SpringfieldminorOthersFinancial institution partner supporting organization and potentially offering financial services to clients.
• United Community BankminorOthersFinancial institution partner.
• Hickory Point BankminorOthersFinancial institution partner.
• Community Foundation for the Land of LincolnminorOthersCommunity foundation providing grant funding support.
• IsringhausenminorOthersCommercial donor supporting Contact Ministries programs.
• Sexton Landscape ConceptsminorOthersCommercial donor providing landscaping services or support.
• Levi, Ray & ShoupeminorOthersCommercial donor supporting organization.
• BCBS Blue ImpactminorOthersBlue Cross Blue Shield corporate impact program supporting community services.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Family Promise: National nonprofit network mobilizing faith-based congregations to shelter and rehouse families with children experiencing homelessness. Highly comparable mission and church-partnership-based model, though Family Promise's signature model is rotating congregation-based shelter rather than fixed-site facilities.
• YWCA USA: Federated nonprofit operating local affiliates providing emergency shelter, domestic violence services, and supportive housing specifically for women and women with children. Directly comparable client demographic and service model, with local YWCA affiliates performing similar shelter and case management functions.
• Union Rescue Mission: Faith-based homeless services organization operating emergency shelters, transitional housing, and recovery programs in multiple U.S. cities. Closely comparable faith-based emergency and transitional shelter model, though typically serving a broader demographic including men.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA: National faith-based social services network operating emergency shelters, food pantries, case management, and refugee/homeless services. Comparable mission and service mix, with affiliated diocesan agencies providing local shelter operations similar to Contact Ministries.
• Salvation Army Central Territorial Headquarters: Global faith-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, food programs, and case management. Operates a similar continuum of services for homeless populations including women and families, but at vastly greater scale and geographic reach than Contact Ministries.
• Volunteers of America: Faith-affiliated nonprofit operating emergency shelters, transitional housing, and supportive services across the U.S. Directly comparable service model — emergency and transitional housing for vulnerable populations including women and families — with greater scale and contracted revenue mix.

Others

• United Way of Central Illinois: Regional umbrella funder of which Contact Ministries is a member agency. Indirectly comparable as both a funder and coordinator of the regional social service ecosystem; shapes funding flows and Continuum of Care alignment that affect Contact Ministries' operating environment.

Regional players

• Hope Center Springfield: Faith-based Springfield nonprofit providing emergency shelter, food, and supportive services to homeless individuals. Operates in the same local market and is also United Way of Central Illinois affiliated, providing direct overlap in donor pool and referral network.
• Springfield Urban League: Springfield affiliate of the National Urban League providing housing counseling, employment services, and emergency assistance to low-income residents. Listed by Contact Ministries as a referral partner but also competes for similar grant funding and serves overlapping client populations.
• Catholic Charities of Springfield Illinois: Local Catholic Charities affiliate operating in the same Springfield, IL market, providing emergency assistance, food pantry, housing support, and case management to low-income individuals and families. Direct regional competitor for donor dollars and overlapping client base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/contactministries2018
• Instagraminstagram.com/contactministries

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 Contact Ministries