Urban Ministries

What Urban Ministries does

Urban Ministries of Wake County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1981 and headquartered at 1390 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC, with an additional operations site at 3603 Bastion Lane. The organization directly serves Wake County residents through three integrated program lines: a Food Pantry providing weekly curbside grocery pickup to food-insecure households, the Helen Wright Center for Women operating a 24/7 low-barrier shelter serving approximately 73 women daily using a Housing First model, and the Open Door Clinic and Pharmacy delivering primary care, behavioral health, and 35,000 prescriptions annually to uninsured adults. Supplemental programs include on-site Community Gardens producing 10,000 lbs of produce annually, a coordinated Volunteer Program engaging nearly 1,000 volunteers per year, and the 1981 Legacy Circle monthly sustainer giving program.

The organization runs no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is built on conventional nonprofit infrastructure (Salsa Labs for email, Bloomerang for donations, Webflow-hosted website) and on physical facilities plus a coordinated referral intake via Wake County's Coordinated Entry system. Cross-program partnerships with Duke Health, UNC Health, WakeMed, the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC, United Way of the Greater Triangle, and Wake Smiles extend clinical and food supply capacity beyond what staff alone could deliver.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable contributions and grants: individual donations including monthly sustainers, government contracts from Wake County, the City of Raleigh, NC DHHS, and the Office of Rural Health, plus corporate and private foundation grants (Nationwide Foundation, A.J. Fletcher Foundation, Leon Levine Foundation, Gilead Sciences, Coastal Credit Union, Fifth Third Bank) and in-kind donations. All services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries; suggested unit donation amounts (e.g., $90 for three weeks of food for a family, $260 for one week of shelter, $360 for 46 prescriptions) function as fundraising framing rather than pricing. Annual beneficiary reach exceeds 55,000 individuals including approximately 30,000 children.

Name

Urban Ministries

Legal name

Urban Ministries of Wake County

Website

https://urbanmin.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Urban Ministries of Wake County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Raleigh, NC that provides free food, shelter, and primary healthcare to Wake County residents experiencing poverty through a food pantry, the Helen Wright Center women's shelter, and the Open Door Clinic.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human & Social Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Food Services (624210), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Food pantry assistance
• Emergency shelter services
• Free healthcare clinic
• Homelessness support programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization relies on individual charitable contributions from community members, including monthly sustainer programs ($45/month highlighted), one-time donations, and legacy circle planned giving. Donors can contribute via the website, mail, or in-person.
2. Government Grants and Contracts: Urban Ministries receives funding from government sources including Wake County, City of Raleigh, NC Department of Health and Human Services, and the Office of Rural Health to support food pantry, shelter, and clinic operations.
3. Corporate and Foundation Grants: The organization receives support from corporate foundations and private foundations including Nationwide Foundation, A.J. Fletcher Foundation, Leon Levine Foundation, and others for specific programs and general operations.
4. In-Kind Donations: Food drives, meal train donations, and Amazon wishlist contributions provide in-kind support for pantry operations and shelter meals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Urban Ministries of Wake County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides integrated direct services to address hunger, health, and homelessness in Wake County. It operates three core programs: a weekly curbside Food Pantry distributing nutritious groceries, the Open Door Clinic and Pharmacy delivering free primary care to uninsured adults, and the Helen Wright Center providing emergency shelter and transitional housing for women experiencing homelessness.

Product overview

Urban Ministries of Wake County operates as a direct-service nonprofit organization providing food, shelter, and healthcare to Wake County residents in need. The organization offers a coordinated portfolio of six core service programs: a Food Pantry for weekly grocery distribution, the Helen Wright Center for Women providing emergency and transitional shelter, the Open Door Clinic and Pharmacy delivering primary healthcare to uninsured adults, Community Gardens producing fresh produce, a Volunteer Program coordinating community involvement, and the 1981 Legacy Circle monthly giving program. These services work together to address interconnected needs of food insecurity, homelessness, and lack of healthcare access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Food Pantry
• Helen Wright Center for Women (Shelter)
• Open Door Clinic and Pharmacy
• Community Gardens
• Volunteer Program
• 1981 Legacy Circle (Monthly Sustainer Giving)

Quantifiable outcome

• 55,000+ people provided nutritious groceries annually including approximately 30,000 children
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Carolina Hurricanes FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual collaboration on Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway event. The Carolina Hurricanes Foundation and Fan Club members volunteer alongside UMWC staff to distribute turkeys and non-perishable items to families experiencing food insecurity. Event takes place in November with expanded food pantry hours during the holiday season.
• Wake County GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing funding and support for food pantry, shelter, and clinic operations. UMWC participates in Wake County's Coordinated Entry system for shelter referrals.
• City of RaleighcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partner providing funding and community support for UMWC's service programs serving Raleigh residents.
• NC Department of Health and Human ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government agency providing funding and oversight for health and human services programs that align with UMWC's clinic and pharmacy services.
• Office of Rural Health (NC DHHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports healthcare access initiatives for underserved populations, aligning with UMWC's Open Door Clinic services for uninsured adults.
• Food Bank of Central & Eastern North CarolinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional food bank partnership providing food supplies and resources for UMWC's food pantry operations.
• Food Shuttle (Inter-Faith Food Shuttle)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood rescue and distribution organization working to alleviate hunger in the greater Raleigh area through food recovery and distribution programs.
• United Way of the Greater TrianglecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit federation supporting health and human service programs in the Triangle region through fundraising and community partnerships.
• Duke HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system partnership supporting clinic operations and healthcare access for uninsured patients served by UMWC.
• UNC HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system partnership providing medical expertise and resources for the Open Door Clinic and its patients.
• UNC Chapel Hill School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic medical partnership supporting clinic operations through medical education and volunteer healthcare providers.
• UNC Chapel Hill Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent-run free clinic organization providing volunteer healthcare services and support for underserved populations.
• WakeMedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal health system partnership supporting healthcare access and referral services for UMWC clinic patients.
• Wake SmilescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing on-site dental services for clinic patients. Integrative care model where Wake Smiles shares vital health information with UMWC for comprehensive patient care.
• Right CareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare services partnership supporting patient care and access initiatives at the Open Door Clinic.
• Direct ReliefcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical supply organization providing medications and healthcare products for UMWC's pharmacy serving uninsured patients.
• WalgreensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmacy partnership supporting medication access and pharmacy services for clinic patients.
• Break Through Physical TherapyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhysical therapy services partnership supporting rehabilitation and wellness services for clinic patients.
• Prevent Blindness North CarolinaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEye health organization partnership supporting vision care services for uninsured patients.
• UCB BiosciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmaceutical company that conducted employee food drive with UMWC, providing $9,060 in donations.
• FIGS of Wake CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare apparel company partnership supporting healthcare workers and clinic staff.
• LoveOverload Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit that provided 60 winter coats to Helen Wright Center residents along with holiday meal donations and essential cold-weather gear.
• NC State Caldwell FellowsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity student organization providing volunteer support and community service through the Caldwell Fellows program.
• Faith-Based PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local churches including Hayes Barton Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church of Raleigh, North Raleigh United Methodist, White Memorial Presbyterian, Christ Church in Raleigh, and Edenton Street United Methodist for volunteer support, donations, and community outreach.
• UNC REX Healthcare / REX Mobile MammographycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMobile mammography partnership bringing breast cancer screenings directly to female clinic patients. Eliminates transportation and financial barriers to preventive care through periodic visits with state-of-the-art mobile unit.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina: Regional food bank partner and direct comparable — both distribute food to food-insecure populations across overlapping North Carolina counties, with UMWC operating as a partner agency. Comparable scale, mission, and funding model.
• Salvation Army of Wake County: National faith-based nonprofit with Wake County operations providing emergency shelter, food, and utility assistance — directly comparable integrated services targeting overlapping low-income populations.
• Inter-Faith Food Shuttle: Direct peer in Wake County hunger relief — operates food rescue, mobile pantries, and community gardens targeting the same food-insecure population UMWC serves. Comparable service mix and Triangle footprint.
• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh: Faith-based social services provider operating across eastern NC with food, housing, and immigrant services — directly comparable multi-program nonprofit model serving similar populations with similar funding mix.
• Triangle Family Services: Wake County nonprofit providing mental health, housing, and family stability services — overlapping target population and case-management approach with UMWC's shelter and clinic programs.
• Haven House Services: Wake County nonprofit providing shelter and services for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness — comparable shelter-based service model and geographic footprint, but focused on a younger demographic than UMWC.

Regional players

• Durham Rescue Mission: Adjacent Triangle-region shelter and food services nonprofit operating in Durham County — comparable integrated shelter, food, and recovery programs serving homeless populations, but in neighboring geography rather than Wake County.
• Meals on Wheels of Wake County: Wake County nonprofit providing home-delivered meals to seniors and food-insecure adults — comparable mission and funding model (donations + grants) targeting food insecurity in the same geographic market.

Emerging players

• NC MedAssist: NC statewide nonprofit pharmacy providing free prescription medications to uninsured and underinsured residents — directly comparable to UMWC's Open Door Clinic pharmacy and overlapping patient population across the state.
• UNC Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC): Student-run free clinic in Chapel Hill providing healthcare to underserved populations — comparable free-clinic service model serving uninsured adults, partnered with UMWC, but operating in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UMofWakeCounty
• Facebookfacebook.com/UMofWC

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Urban Ministries