Interfaith Works
Interfaith Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 in Montgomery County, MD, that provides emergency shelter, supportive housing, food and clothing assistance, vocational training, and emergency financial aid to over 35,000 low-income residents annually.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersRockville, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Interfaith Works does
Interfaith Works (IW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services organization founded in 1972 as the Community Ministry of Montgomery County (CMMC) by Rev. Lincoln “Lon” Dring, headquartered at 981 Rollins Avenue in Rockville, MD. IW operates an integrated continuum of programs for low-income Montgomery County residents, including four emergency shelters (Progress Place, Crabbs Branch, Taft Court, and the New Leaf 30-bed low-barrier shelter), three Shared Supportive Housing sites (Lon's House, Becky's House, Priscilla's House) plus 21 units of permanent supportive housing at Progress Place, an Essential Needs Center combining a food pantry (2M+ pounds of food provided to date) and clothing center, a Connections emergency rental/utility assistance program, and a Vocational Services Program that served 230+ clients and placed 71 in paid training in a recent year. The co-located Progress Place model — shelter, drop-in services, and 21 units of permanent supportive housing under one roof — is described as the only such configuration on the East Coast, modeled on Denver’s Stout Street program.
The organization serves over 35,000 Montgomery County residents annually with the help of 7,000+ volunteers and 51-100 employees, and all client services are delivered free of charge. Funding is a diversified mix of government grants (HUD, Maryland Department of Health HERC grant, Montgomery County DHHS/SEPH), legislative bond appropriations (notably a $350,000 bond co-sponsored by Sen. Kagan and Del. Solomon), county economic development grants (a $40,000 REDI MOVE grant), corporate matching and in-kind contributions (Curbio 1:1 Giving Tuesday match up to $30,000, DoubleTree Hotel in-kind gifts, 18+ local business sponsors), faith community and individual donations, and special-event fundraising (the annual Park Potomac Ice Cream Social for Charity has contributed 19,000+ backpacks over 15 years).
IW's technology footprint is intentionally lightweight and human-services-oriented: a Squarespace-hosted website with donation and event flows, an iSolvedHire applicant tracking system, Eventbrite event registration, Amazon Wish List for in-kind fulfillment, Microsoft Teams for internal collaboration, and a Candid (GuideStar) Platinum Transparency widget. The organization pursues policy advocacy in parallel with direct services — an annual Annapolis Day, county-level budget testimony, and a stated risk of over $1 million in federal funding exposure from proposed HUD cuts — and is governed by a volunteer Board chaired by Frank White, with new CEO Lauren Puryear (appointed May 2026) succeeding Courtney Hall.
Interfaith Works firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Interfaith Works
- Legal name
- Interfaith Works
- Website
- https://iworksmc.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Interfaith Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 in Montgomery County, MD, that provides emergency shelter, supportive housing, food and clothing assistance, vocational training, and emergency financial aid to over 35,000 low-income residents annually.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Interfaith Works industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Homelessness and Housing Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Social Assistance (624)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Financial Assistance & Benefits Navigation Services (BPAGAEAK)
Keywords
Where Interfaith Works is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rockville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices12 records
Markets served
Interfaith Works business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual and faith community donations: Charitable contributions from individual donors, faith-based organizations, and community members solicited through the IW website, monthly newsletters, and seasonal campaigns such as 'Taking Steps Together,' 'Magical Giving Season,' and 'Share the Magic of Giving.'
- Government grants (federal, state, county): Funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Maryland Department of Health Community Health Resources Commission (Health Equity Resource Communities/HERC grant), and Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services and Services to End and Prevent Homelessness (SEPH). Federal funding exposure cited at over $1 million in potential cuts.
- Corporate matching gifts and corporate partnerships: Corporate giving programs including a 1:1 Giving Tuesday match from Curbio up to $30,000 and ongoing corporate support (e.g., the Park Potomac Ice Cream Social sponsors, more than 18 local business sponsors).
- Government appropriations and bond funding: Legislative bond and grant funding for capital and operating needs, including a $350,000 legislative bond sponsored by MD State Senator Cheryl Kagan and MD State Delegate Jared Solomon for the Rollins Avenue office move, and a $40,000 Rockville Economic Development Inc. (REDI) MOVE grant.
- Special event fundraising (Ice Cream Social, Pride events, Back to School): Annual and one-time fundraising events such as the Park Potomac Ice Cream Social for Charity (16 years running, contributing 19,000+ backpacks over 15 years), Pride in the Plaza, Rockville Pride, and Back to School campaigns that raised $60,000+ in 2023.
- In-kind donations of goods and services: In-kind contributions of clothing, food, household goods, professional services, and emergency response support (e.g., DoubleTree Hotel donated 800+ items, ServPro provided cleanup, local restaurants provided daily meals during the Crabbs Branch fire response).
- Foundations and grantmaking partners: Foundation support including the Marriott Foundation, Greater Washington Community Foundation (partner on Faith & Philanthropy Forum), and the Maryland Department of Health Community Health Resources Commission.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Client services: free to Montgomery County residents in need |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Donor giving: campaign-based with matching opportunities |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
Interfaith Works product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Interfaith Works operates a continuum of free, in-person human services for low-income Montgomery County, MD residents, including a network of emergency shelters, permanent and shared supportive housing, the Essential Needs Center (food pantry and clothing center), the Connections emergency financial/utility assistance program, and the Vocational Services Program offering job training, computer lab access, and paid training stipends. All services are delivered at no charge to clients and are funded by donations, government grants, and corporate partners.
Product overview
Interfaith Works (IW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services organization — not a software product — that operates a portfolio of integrated human-services programs rather than a single unified product. Its offerings are organized as programs/modules clustered under four core service areas: Emergency Shelters (including the IW Women's Centers at Crabbs Branch and Taft Court, IW Shelter at Progress Place, the New Leaf adult shelter, and an overflow shelter), Supportive Housing (a Community Supportive Housing / CSH program plus three shared supportive housing sites — Becky's House, Priscilla's House, and Lon's House — the latter opening June 15, 2023), Essential Needs (Clothing Center, Food Pantry, and the Connections emergency rental/utility assistance program, co-located with the "Prepare to Impress" professional clothing store), and Vocational Services (VSP, including job placement, paid trainings, computer lab, and a seamstress class) — with cross-cutting Faith and Community Partnerships and advocacy programming such as Annapolis Day. All programs are coordinated from IW's main office at 981 Rollins Avenue, 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD 20852, and served over 35,000 Montgomery County residents annually in FY2023.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Emergency Shelters
- Supportive Housing Permanent supportive housing programs that provide stable housing and 24-hour care to vulnerable residents, including the IW Residences (21 units at Progress Place) and the three shared supportive housing sites: Becky's House, Priscilla's House, and Lon's House (serving eight senior men with disabilities). Operated in partnership with HUD and the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.
- Essential Needs Center (Clothing Center + Food Pantry) Combined service center providing free food, clothing, home goods, and the co-located 'Prepare to Impress' professional clothing store for VSP clients. The IW Food Pantry has provided over 2 million pounds of food to date, with 21,000+ annual client visits. Free to Montgomery County residents.
- Connections Program Emergency financial and utility assistance program providing rental and utility help to families and individuals at risk of eviction, helping 150-175 families stay in their homes during a recent campaign. Free to qualifying Montgomery County residents.
- Vocational Services Program (VSP) Employment-readiness program offering resume building, mock interviews, an onsite computer lab, a seamstress class, ESOL, and a Paid Training Program that pays a $15/hr stipend to remove financial barriers to upskilling. Served 230+ clients and enrolled 71 clients in paid training.
- Drop-In Center at Progress Place Day services facility at Progress Place in Silver Spring offering showers, laundry, case management, computer lab access, and therapeutic/recreational activities for people experiencing homelessness, serving approximately 100 people daily. Free to clients.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 35,000 Montgomery County residents served annually
- +12 more outcomes
Companies that use Interfaith Works
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Interfaith Works technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature5 records
Interfaith Works partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship funder/operating partner, strategic forum partner, core county operating partner, core long-term corporate partner, mid-tier in-kind donor, flagship community partner, programmatic partner, local non-profit partner, emergency response partner, government operating partner, key local advocate, key government champion, co-located service partner / co-grantee, co-located service partner, model partner, faith community partner, coalition partner, event host partner, historical / spin-out partner, affordable housing partner and distribution partner.
- Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Servicesflagship funder/operating partnerRecognized for making the Lon's House opening possible and a long-standing funder of IW's emergency shelters, supportive housing, and overflow shelter operations. Supports just-in-time funding for the four emergency shelters.
- Greater Washington Community Foundationstrategic forum partnerCo-hosted the 1st Annual Faith and Philanthropy Forum (Feb 27, 2024) examining rights to a living wage, housing, education, health care, clean environment and food in Montgomery County as part of the Faith and Community Partnerships Community Service Awards Brunch. CEO Courtney Hall recognized by the Foundation as one of a group of Black leaders pushing for economic justice.
- Montgomery County Services to End and Prevent Homelessness (SEPH)core county operating partnerCoordinated housing placements, transportation, and emergency response during the July 4, 2024 Crabbs Branch fire. SEPH also facilitates collaboration with the Red Cross and just-in-time funding for IW's four emergency shelters. Co-led relocation of residents to a safe offsite shelter location.
- Curbiocore long-term corporate partnerLong-term partner that has renovated one of IW's homes. Committed to matching all Giving Tuesday donations 1:1 up to a total of $30,000 during the 'Taking Steps Together Today' campaign.
- DoubleTree Hotel (Silver Spring)mid-tier in-kind donorDonated over 800 items — sheets, comforters, mini toiletries, pillows, and wall art — to IW's Faith and Community Partnerships team to benefit clients across all programs and beautify IW spaces.
- Park Potomac community (Bruce and Margo Fonoroff)flagship community partnerHosted the annual Ice Cream Social for Charity for 15 years, contributing more than 19,000 backpacks to the IW Back to School campaign. Handed hosting off to Potomac Lifestyle magazine after their retirement.
- Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery Countyprogrammatic partnerPartnered to deliver a business development workshop to graduates of IW's Vocational Services Program six-week Seamstress Class, taught by a former IW client, through Chesapeake Tech Solutions.
- Towels for Tearslocal non-profit partnerLocal non-profit that partnered with the National Council of Negro Women – Montgomery County to provide 'move-out kits' (bedding, towels, kitchen utensils, toiletries) to every client moving out of IW Women's Centers into permanent housing.
- ServPro of Rockvilleemergency response partnerPerformed initial cleanup of the IW Women's Center at Crabbs Branch following the July 4, 2024 electrical fire, enabling 30+ displaced clients to return to a safe shelter.
- American Red Crossemergency response partnerProvided cots, bedding, and three days of meals immediately after the July 4, 2024 Crabbs Branch fire, coordinated by SEPH.
- Montgomery County Department of General Servicesgovernment operating partnerWorked to ensure all damage from the July 4, 2024 electrical fire at the Crabbs Branch Women's Center was repaired and the structure was safe for clients to return to.
- City of Rockville Mayor Monique Ashtonkey local advocateConnected IW to Rockville Economic Development Inc. (REDI). Joined targeted advocacy effort to keep the Twinbrook/Rockville food pantry open after IW was not selected in the County procurement process, helping ensure continued service. Participated in tours of Progress Place.
- Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrichkey government championParticipated in the Lon's House opening on June 15, 2023, publicly honoring the legacy of Rev. Lon Dring and supporting affordable housing initiatives.
- Pathways to Housing DCco-located service partner / co-granteePartnered with IW and Kelly Collaborative Medicine on the multi-year Health Equity Resource Communities (HERC) grant from the Maryland Department of Health. Also a peer partner for community safety outreach.
- Bethesda Caresco-located service partnerPeer partner for community safety outreach following a violent attack on four individuals sleeping outside at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring.
- Stout Street program (Denver)model partnerDenver-based program that the Progress Place co-located service model is modeled after.
- Converted Heart CME Church (Pastor Darryl A. Burton)faith community partnerHosts 'Transformational Tuesday' at the IW Drop-In Center at Progress Place, providing free haircuts, snacks and beverages to clients every other Tuesday. Pastor Burton's congregation has distributed nearly 4,000 pairs of socks to those in need and 300-400 lbs. of food weekly. Has provided over 100 free haircuts to date.
- St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (Rockville)faith community partnerPatricia Badolato led the church's volunteer group for 22 years, organizing monthly dinners for IW's women's shelter. Group continues under new leadership.
- Islamic Center of Marylandfaith community partnerProvided the venue for the May 6, 2023 Faith Community Volunteer Resource Fair, in collaboration with the Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships and 30+ local organizations.
- Montgomery County Office of Community Partnershipsgovernment operating partnerCo-hosted the May 6, 2023 Faith Community Volunteer Resource Fair with Interfaith Works and 30+ local organizations, including opportunities to earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours.
- CHEER (Long Branch coalition)coalition partnerLong Branch coalition of community partners led by CHEER that was selected as a grantee for Governor Moore's ENOUGH (Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments and Households) Initiative aimed at fighting the root causes of childhood poverty. Interfaith Works is part of the coalition.
- Potomac Lifestyle magazineevent host partnerStepped up to host the 16th annual Park Potomac Ice Cream Social for Charity after Bruce and Margo Fonoroff's 15-year run ended, ensuring the tradition continues.
- Manna Food Centerhistorical / spin-out partnerOriginally grew out of a food voucher program started by IW founder Rev. Lon Dring, now a separate Gaithersburg-based organization. Converted Heart CME Church distributes 300-400 lbs. of food weekly from Manna Food Center.
- Habitat for Humanityaffordable housing partnerIW founder Rev. Lon Dring was among the early adopters of Habitat for Humanity and guided rezoning, financing, development, and support of affordable projects throughout the Washington D.C. area for years. The Dring's Reach affordable housing project in Silver Spring is named in his honor.
- Guatemalan Consulatedistribution partnerPartnered with IW to distribute hundreds of backpacks to their clients during the August 2024 Back to School campaign. Located as next-door neighbors to the IW Rollins Avenue office.
Scale indicators26 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Interfaith Works competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Manna Food Center: Gaithersburg, MD-based food assistance nonprofit that historically spun out of IW founder Rev. Lon Dring's food voucher program. Closely comparable in food-pantry mission and Montgomery County service area.
- N Street Village: Washington, DC-based nonprofit offering emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, vocational services, and wellness programs specifically for women experiencing homelessness — comparable to IW Women's Centers.
- Miriam's Kitchen: DC-based nonprofit providing meals, case management, and housing programs for individuals experiencing homelessness — directly comparable target population and service mix in the DC metro region.
- Bethesda Cares: Montgomery County-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, case management, and homelessness prevention services. Explicitly named as a peer partner of Interfaith Works for community safety outreach in Silver Spring.
- So Others Might Eat (SOME): DC-based comprehensive homelessness services organization operating emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, vocational training, and healthcare for individuals experiencing homelessness — closely mirrors IW's integrated service model.
- National Center for Children and Families (NCCF): Bethesda, MD-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services for families and children experiencing homelessness in Montgomery County — directly comparable services and geography.
- Pathways to Housing DC: DC-based Housing First provider of permanent supportive housing for individuals with mental health conditions. Named as a co-grantee with IW on the Maryland Department of Health HERC grant — direct operational peer.
- Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland: Affordable housing nonprofit active in Montgomery County and the DC metro, supported historically by IW founder Rev. Lon Dring. Comparable mission overlap in addressing housing instability for low-income residents.
Broad incumbents
- The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command: National faith-rooted nonprofit operating emergency shelter, transitional housing, food programs, and social services across the DC metro region. Comparable in faith-community DNA and integrated services but operates at much larger national scale.
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington: Large regional social services nonprofit operating emergency shelters, supportive housing, food pantries, and immigration/legal services across the DC metro. Overlaps with IW's service categories but at significantly larger scale and broader scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Interfaith Works social profiles
Digital presenceInterfaith Works compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Interfaith Works financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Interfaith Works leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Interfaith Works funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
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Interfaith Works M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Interfaith Works
What does Interfaith Works do?
Interfaith Works operates a continuum of free, in-person human services for low-income Montgomery County, MD residents, including a network of emergency shelters, permanent and shared supportive housing, the Essential Needs Center (food pantry and clothing center), the Connections emergency financial/utility assistance program, and the Vocational Services Program offering job training, computer lab access, and paid training stipends. All services are delivered at no charge to clients and are funded by donations, government grants, and corporate partners.
Is Interfaith Works a public or private company?
Interfaith Works is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Interfaith Works founded?
Interfaith Works was founded in 1972. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Interfaith Works based?
Interfaith Works is headquartered in Rockville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Interfaith Works make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Individual and faith community donations are the primary driver. The others are government grants (federal, state, county), corporate matching gifts and corporate partnerships, government appropriations and bond funding, special event fundraising (Ice Cream Social, Pride events, Back to School), in-kind donations of goods and services and foundations and grantmaking partners.
Who are Interfaith Works's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Manna Food Center, N Street Village, Miriam's Kitchen, Bethesda Cares, So Others Might Eat (SOME), National Center for Children and Families (NCCF), Pathways to Housing DC and Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland. Broad incumbents are The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington.
Does Interfaith Works have an API?
No public API is recorded for Interfaith Works.
What industry is Interfaith Works in?
Interfaith Works's product category is Homelessness and Housing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAK, Financial Assistance & Benefits Navigation Services. Its NAICS code is 624120 and its SIC code is 8300.