What Franciscan Outreach does

Franciscan Outreach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1963 in Chicago, Illinois, that delivers services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Its core offerings include emergency shelter, daily meal programs, case management, the Supportive Place for Arrival, Recovery and Care (SPARC) program, specialized services delivered through community partners, and a Rapid Re-Housing initiative. With 11-50 employees and a network of more than 30 community partners, the organization reports serving over 3,500 individuals annually across four or more physical shelter sites, including a new 120-bed facility under development in Little Village.

The organization participates in Chicago's Coordinated Entry System and holds the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency awarded in 2025. Its operating model integrates emergency overnight services with longer-term housing placement, with SPARC providing a 24/7 access point acquired in December 2024. Programs are delivered through a distributed physical footprint spanning multiple Chicago neighborhoods, with administrative operations recently consolidated at 1101 W Adams in 2023.

Revenue is generated through a mix of government grants from agencies including the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), supplemented by individual donations, corporate partnerships, and structured giving programs such as Sponsor-a-Bed at $500 per year and Welcome Home Kits at $350. The organization has previously divested real estate, including the Wicker Park building in 2018, to recycle capital into programmatic expansion.

Name

Franciscan Outreach

Legal name

Franciscan Outreach

Website

https://franoutreach.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Franciscan Outreach is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1963 that operates emergency shelters, daily meals, case management, SPARC, and Rapid Re-Housing services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless and Social Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Homeless services
• Emergency shelter
• Case management
• Rapid re-housing
• Community support

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute funds through online donation portals, recurring gifts, stock donations, and planned giving vehicles such as bequests and trusts.
2. Government Grants and Contracts: Funding from City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care Program, Illinois Department of Public Health, and other government sources to operate shelters and programs.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners provide employer matching gifts, surplus food (e.g., United Center, Rush), and in-kind donations of goods.
4. Program Revenue: Revenue from bed sponsorship programs ($500/year per bed) and Welcome Home Kit funding ($350 per kit) that support specific services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Franciscan Outreach provides direct homeless services to men and women in Chicago through six interconnected programs: daily meals, overnight shelter at three locations, case management, SPARC (24/7 centralized access point), specialized medical/mental health services through partner agencies, and the Rapid Re-Housing Program. All services are delivered free of charge to guests and supported by donations, grants, and corporate partnerships.

Product overview

Franciscan Outreach operates as a system of support providing homeless services in Chicago. The organization offers five interconnected programs: Healthy Meals (daily meals served at shelters), Safe Shelter (three overnight shelters across the city), Case Management (assessment and referral services), SPARC (24/7 centralized shelter access point serving up to 200 daily), Specialized Services (medical, mental health, and substance use disorder support through community partners), and Rapid Re-Housing (evidence-based program to quickly exit homelessness into permanent housing). All services are designed to empower guests to gain stability and transition into permanent housing while being treated with dignity and respect.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Healthy Meals Provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner to shelter guests and community members experiencing hunger and homelessness at Franciscan Outreach's shelter locations in Chicago. Food is sourced through partnerships with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Rush University Medical Center (Rush Surplus Food Program), Starbucks, and the United Center and Levy.
• Safe Shelter Operates overnight shelters throughout Chicago providing emergency shelter, warm beds, three daily meals, case management, support groups, health care, shower facilities, mail services, clothing, and personal items to men and women experiencing homelessness.
• Case Management Provides compassionate care and individualized support to men and women who are marginalized and homeless through initial assessments, guidance, help with identification documents, Social Security benefits, veterans' benefits, public aid resources, health services, substance use disorder treatment, legal aid, job training, employment, immigration services, and housing programs.
• SPARC (Shelter Placement and Resource Connection) A 24/7 centralized access point that streamlines access to Chicago's shelter system and provides immediate support to adults experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness. Serves up to 200 individuals daily with shelter placement, diversion and outmigration services, transportation assistance, and access to essential basic needs including meals, showers, and temporary overnight accommodations.
• Specialized Services Through collaborations with community partner agencies, provides specialized services including medical assistance, mental health counseling, substance use disorder treatment, veteran services, and spiritual services at service sites in East Garfield Park, North Lawndale, and Pilsen. Partners include Lawndale Christian Health Center, Bobby E. Wright Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center, Renaissance Social Services, Family Guidance Centers, Thresholds, The Night Ministry, Haymarket Center, Legal Council for Health Justice, Inspiration Corporation, A Safe Haven, Veterans Association, and the Ignatian Spirituality Project.
• Rapid Re-Housing Program (RRH) Evidence-based, custom-tailored program for individuals to quickly exit homelessness and regain stability in permanent housing. Has low barriers to entry without preconditions such as employment, income, clean criminal record, or sobriety requirements. Includes identifying housing, providing rental and move-in assistance, and supportive case management.
• Welcome Home Kits Provides essential household items (approximately $350 per kit) to guests transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing. Sponsored by donors and fulfilled via Amazon Wish Lists for contactless delivery.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,500+ individuals served annually across 4 shelters
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Greater Chicago Food DepositorycoreOthersFood bank serving 700+ agencies in Cook County. Long-standing partner providing regular food deliveries that allow Franciscan Outreach to prepare daily meals for shelter guests at three locations.
• Rush University Medical CentercoreOthersRCSIP operates weekly free medical clinic at Harrison St shelter staffed by medical and nursing students. Rush Surplus Food Program delivers surplus food from hospital kitchens.
• Lawndale Christian Health CentercoreOthersOperates on-site health clinic at Franciscan Outreach. Provides medical assistance, HIV testing, dental services, life skills training, and conflict resolution support. Partnered on infection control grant.
• The Night MinistryminorOthersChicago-based organization providing housing, healthcare, outreach, spiritual care, and social services. Provides HIV testing for Franciscan Outreach guests.
• Bobby E. Wright Comprehensive Behavioral Health CentercoreOthersProvides holistic, evidence-based mental health care, addictions treatment, and developmental disability services. Partners with FO to provide guests with mental health and substance use disorder counseling.
• Renaissance Social ServicescoreOthersMental health counseling and support services for Franciscan Outreach guests.
• Family Guidance CenterscoreOthersSubstance use disorder counseling and treatment services for Franciscan Outreach guests.
• Haymarket CenterminorOthersProvides comprehensive behavioral health services including substance use disorder treatment, HIV, and Hepatitis C education programs to guests.
• ThresholdscoreOthersHealthcare, housing, and hope for persons with mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Provides mental health counseling services for FO guests.
• Legal Council for Health JusticecoreOthersProvides personalized legal services for people with disabilities or illness. Provides guests with legal assistance for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
• Inspiration CorporationminorOthersHelps people affected by homelessness and poverty improve their lives through social services, employment training, and housing. Provides job training for Food Handler Certification.
• A Safe HavenminorOthersSocial enterprise providing comprehensive approach to poverty and homelessness. Provides job training and placement services for FO guests, specializing in individuals with criminal backgrounds.
• The United Center and LevyminorOthersHome of Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks. Partners with FO to provide surplus food from events and games to Franciscan Outreach shelters.
• StarbucksminorOthersProvides regular food deliveries to Franciscan Outreach shelters.
• Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS)coreOthersCity of Chicago department funding network of community-based shelters. FO is a delegate agency receiving crucial funding to operate shelters and programs.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)coreOthersContinuum of Care Program promotes community-wide commitment to ending homelessness through funding for nonprofit providers and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families.
• Chicago Coalition for the HomelessminorOthersAdvocates for public policies that curb homelessness. FO works with CCH on Bring Chicago Home campaign and attends advocacy meetings.
• Franciscan Province of the Sacred HeartcoreOthersLong-standing supporter and founding organization. Franciscan friars engage in ministry through FO. Friars serve on Board of Directors and as staff/volunteers. Generous financial supporter.
• Ignatian Spirituality ProjectminorOthersProvides spiritual services to Franciscan Outreach guests.
• Veterans AssociationminorOthersProvides veteran services for Franciscan Outreach guests.
• Corporation for Supportive HousingminorOthersCollaborates with FO on supportive housing initiatives.
• All Chicago Making Homelessness HistoryminorOthersCollaborative organization working to end homelessness in Chicago.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago: Largest private social services provider in the Chicago region, operating emergency shelters, housing programs, and case management across the same continuum as Franciscan Outreach but at substantially greater scale and with a broader service portfolio.
• Salvation Army Chicago Metropolitan Division: Major Chicago shelter and social services operator within a global faith-based nonprofit network, providing overnight shelter, meals, and case management — overlapping mission with Franciscan Outreach (which itself sits within the Franciscan Catholic tradition) but with broader geographic reach and a wider service menu.

Direct peers

• Renaissance Social Services: Chicago-based nonprofit providing mental health counseling and supportive services — listed as a partner of Franciscan Outreach and operating overlapping programs in the same geographic service area for vulnerable Chicago residents.
• Inspiration Corporation: Chicago nonprofit helping people affected by homelessness and poverty through social services, employment training, and housing — listed as a partner providing Food Handler Certification job training to Franciscan Outreach guests, indicating overlapping rehousing and workforce development missions in the same geography.
• The Night Ministry: Chicago-based nonprofit providing housing, healthcare outreach, spiritual care, and social services to people experiencing homelessness and poverty — explicitly listed as a partner of Franciscan Outreach for HIV testing and outreach, demonstrating near-identical service mix and geography.
• A Safe Haven: Chicago social enterprise providing housing, job training, and wraparound services for people experiencing homelessness and poverty, including those with criminal backgrounds — listed as a partner of Franciscan Outreach for job training and placement, indicating directly comparable shelter-plus-workforce model.
• Thresholds: Large Chicago nonprofit providing healthcare, housing, and hope for persons with mental illnesses and substance use disorders — listed as a mental health counseling partner, operating in the same geographic market with overlapping supportive housing and case management services.
• Haymarket Center: Chicago-based comprehensive behavioral health and substance use disorder provider listed as a partner delivering behavioral health, HIV, and Hepatitis C services to Franciscan Outreach's guests — same geography and partially overlapping service lines.

Emerging players

• Chicago Coalition for the Homeless: Chicago advocacy organization working on public policy to address homelessness, and a listed partner of Franciscan Outreach on the Bring Chicago Home campaign — operates in the same mission space but focuses on systemic advocacy rather than direct service delivery.

Others

• Greater Chicago Food Depository: Chicago-area food bank serving 700+ agencies including Franciscan Outreach; not a peer in service delivery but a key enabling infrastructure partner for the meal programs that anchor Franciscan Outreach's shelter operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/franoutreach
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgc2R0V7uUdea7jtGW6urfQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/franoutreach
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/franoutreach
• Instagraminstagram.com/franciscan_outreach

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Franciscan Outreach