Saint Francis Center

What Saint Francis Center does

Saint Francis Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) social services organization founded in 1986 and headquartered in Redwood City, California. It serves low-income individuals and families in the North Fair Oaks and Redwood City communities of San Mateo County through a no-fee, integrated service model spanning basic needs, housing, education, and youth services. The organization is faith-based, rooted in the Sisters of Notre Dame, and operates alongside a sizable volunteer workforce of approximately 200 active volunteers.

Its service portfolio includes a Food Pantry distributing hundreds of thousands of pounds of food annually, a Clothing Closet, Shower and Laundry facilities, Community Gardens, a Holiday Toy Program, Immigration Resources, and a Parent Empowerment Program. Housing is the largest single operational footprint: Saint Francis Center owns and operates 268 affordable housing units and housed 886 individuals in 2024. Education services are delivered through Holy Family School (a K-8 program with 28 students) and the Siena Youth Center, an after-school program serving 270 youth. A Magical Bridge Pocket Park and a 40-unit modular housing development estimated at $20 million are in flight for 2026, the organization's 40th anniversary.

The revenue model is donation-dependent, with 97% of online contributions processed via PayPal and the remainder from checks and in-kind goods; no fees are charged to clients. Major donors include the Sobrato Family Foundation, Connie Lurie, Ned Spieker, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, and the Schmidt Family Foundation. The organization is in a generational leadership transition, with Kate Young having succeeded Sister Christina Heltsley — who led Saint Francis Center for approximately 23 years — as Executive Director.

Name

Saint Francis Center

Legal name

St. Francis Center

Website

https://stfrancisrwc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Saint Francis Center is a Redwood City, California nonprofit founded in 1986 that provides food, clothing, 268 units of affordable housing, K-8 education, and youth services to low-income families in North Fair Oaks and Redwood City at no cost to clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Educational Services (611), Community Food Services (624210), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB), Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB), After-School Academic Support Programs (Centers & Clubs) (EDAJALAM)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Affordable housing programs
• Food pantry services
• Youth development programs
• Adult education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Redwood City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: The organization raises funds through individual donations, corporate giving, and PayPal online donations. They receive 97% of donations through PayPal and 100% of check donations. The center is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, making all donations tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.
2. Goods Donations: The center accepts gently used clothing, food items, and household goods from donors, which are then redistributed to clients in need at no cost.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Saint Francis Center is a community social services nonprofit providing direct, free services to low-income families and individuals in the North Fair Oaks neighborhood of Redwood City. Its core offerings include food distribution (31,479 bags / 377,748 lbs annually), affordable housing (268 units across 14+ buildings housing nearly 1,000 individuals), K-8 education at Holy Family School, and after-school programming at Siena Youth Center for youth ages 10-17. The organization also operates a clothing closet, shower and laundry facility, community gardens, immigration support services, and a holiday toy program—all delivered at no cost to clients.

Product overview

Saint Francis Center is a community social services organization (not a technology product company) offering a portfolio of integrated support programs for low-income families in North Fair Oaks and Redwood City, California. The organization operates as a unified service hub combining education (Holy Family School K-8 microschool, Parent Empowerment Program), youth development (Siena Youth Center after-school program), affordable housing (268 units across multiple properties), and essential services (Food Pantry, Clothing Closet, Shower & Laundry, Community Gardens). Programs are coordinated to provide comprehensive support—from emergency food and clothing to long-term housing and education—guided by the motto 'compassion, not judgment.'

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Holy Family School: K-8 microschool with transformational education for students and families
• Siena Youth Center
• Affordable Housing Program
• Food Pantry
• Clothing Closet
• Parent Empowerment Program
• Immigration Resources
• Shower & Laundry Facility
• Community Gardens
• Holiday Toy Program
• Sister Christina Legacy Fund

Products and services

• Holy Family School
• Siena Youth Center
• Affordable Housing Program
• Food Pantry
• Clothing Closet
• Community Gardens
• Shower & Laundry Facility
• Holiday Toy Program
• Immigration Resources
• Parent Empowerment Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 886 individuals housed in 268 homes with 31 new families in 2024
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Magical Bridge FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership to create the Magical Bridge Pocket Park - a 5,500-square-foot inclusive park on Buckingham Avenue for children and families of all abilities. The foundation designs universally accessible playgrounds and this project marks their first on privately owned land in a small space.
• Prodesse Property GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional property management company ensuring quality housing and long-term stability for residents. Manages all 268 affordable housing units across 14+ apartment buildings including St. Leo's, St. Clare's, Esperanza, Veritas, Caritas, and La Casita Apartments.
• UndocuSupport InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition focused on alleviating fear and assisting undocumented and mixed-status families in accessing essential services including housing, food assistance, medical care, immigration services, education, and mental health support.
• County of San Mateo Office of Community Affairs Immigrant ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides comprehensive guide to immigration resources including Know Your Rights information, legal assistance, Rapid Response Hotline, and Pathway to Citizenship classes.
• Immigration Institute of the Bay AreacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides immigration legal services and support to undocumented community members through the UndocuSupport Initiative partnership.
• Community Alliance to Revitalize Our NeighborhoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in the UndocuSupport Initiative working to support North Fair Oaks community.
• Faith in Action Bay AreaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in the UndocuSupport Initiative providing community support services.
• North Fair Oaks Youth InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth empowerment initiative where youth learn to use their voice and leadership to advocate for their needs and create change in San Mateo County.
• Whole Health for Youth InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration of four community-based organizations helping Siena Youth Center provide mental health and wellness services to youth and their families.
• Healthy Cities TutoringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership connecting Siena Youth Center youth with one-on-one tutors who offer individualized academic support and mentoring.
• Rebuilding Together PeninsulacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit bringing volunteer teams to renovate and improve facilities. Volunteers from Wilson Sonsini painted Lily's Bilingual Family Daycare on National Rebuilding Day.
• Box.comminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer team from Box.com helped clean and varnish the Casa de Sobrato patio.
• Trinity Presbyterian ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the most dedicated partners, uplifting youth at Siena Youth Center, ensuring families have food and gifts during holidays, and answering the call to serve year-round.
• W.L. Butler ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneral contractor for St. Francis Center construction and renovation projects, led by CEO Bill Butler.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• LifeMoves: Silicon Valley nonprofit delivering shelter, housing, and supportive services for families and individuals experiencing homelessness in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. Comparable service mix and geographic footprint.
• Samaritan House: San Mateo County-based nonprofit providing food, housing, immigration, and social services to low-income residents. Directly comparable as a comprehensive safety-net provider in the same county.
• St. Anthony's Foundation: San Francisco comprehensive social services nonprofit combining free meals, clothing, medical care, and social work. Strong analogous integrated service model under a faith-based identity.
• Glide Foundation: San Francisco nonprofit providing meals, housing, healthcare, and comprehensive support to low-income residents. Comparable integrated, dignity-first community services model.
• Abode Services: Bay Area housing and homelessness services nonprofit offering supportive housing, rental assistance, and rapid rehousing. Comparable housing-first service orientation.
• Peninsula Family Service: San Mateo County-based nonprofit providing youth and family programs, senior services, immigration support, and food assistance. Comparable multi-service safety-net mission.
• Stanford Settlement: Santa Clara County-based community services nonprofit providing youth programs, adult education, food assistance, and immigration services. Closely mirrors SFC's integrated community-center model.
• Catholic Charities of San Mateo County: Faith-rooted nonprofit serving low-income and immigrant families across San Mateo County with case management, food, housing, and immigration legal services. Directly comparable program portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• MidPen Housing: Large Bay Area affordable housing developer and operator managing thousands of multifamily units for low-income residents. Comparable affordable housing asset base and geographic region.
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Silicon Valley: Regional food bank distributing tens of millions of pounds of food annually across Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Comparable food-distribution activities, much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@stfranciscenterofredwood
• Facebookfacebook.com/StFrancisCenterRWC
• Instagraminstagram.com/stfranciscenterrwc/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/st-francis-center-of-redwood-city

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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 Saint Francis Center