Chum

What Chum does

Chum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1973 in Duluth, Minnesota, originally established by a coalition of 10 churches in the Central Hillside neighborhood. It operates a coordinated continuum of human-services programs serving more than 8,000 low-income, homeless, hungry, isolated, and otherwise marginalized community members each year across the Duluth metropolitan area. Headcount is reported at 51-100 employees, with all services provided at no cost to beneficiaries and no proprietary technology disclosed beyond a standard website and basic program operations.

The organization's core service portfolio spans emergency shelter and a 24/7 drop-in center (showers, food, hygiene supplies, basic medical referrals, housing application assistance), housing placement and case management, a food shelf with a Chum2GO delivery program, and street outreach that connects unsheltered individuals to healthcare and housing. Specialized programs include St. Francis Apartments (low-income senior housing on Housing First, Harm Reduction, and Trauma-informed principles), Steve O'Neil Apartments (family housing with coaching and advocacy), a Winter Warming Center (October-May), and a Safe Bay vehicle-sleeping program (May-October). A 2025-27 Expansion Project will grow the main shelter facility from 9,770 to 23,780 square feet and from 80 to 168 beds.

Chum is funded through grants, donations, congregational support from a 40+ member faith network, and community fundraising (notably the annual Rhubarb Festival). It has no app, no API, no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, and no parent company. The organization is currently executing a multi-year capital expansion, launching a HUB Team outreach program in September 2025 and a Community Clean-Up Program in 2026, and operating under a three-way Pathway Forward collaboration with Damiano and Union Gospel Mission to coordinate and de-duplicate homeless services in Duluth.

Name

Chum

Legal name

Chum

Website

https://chumduluth.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Chum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Duluth, MN, founded in 1973 by local churches, that provides emergency shelter, transitional and permanent supportive housing, food assistance, and street outreach to 8,000+ low-income and homeless community members annually at no cost.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless and social services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Food Services (62421), Community Housing Services (62422), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Emergency Shelter, Camp Coordination & Camp Management (CCCM) (BPADADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL), Independent Living with Supportive Services (Light ADL/IADL Support) (HLADAAAE)

Keywords

• Homeless shelter services
• Emergency food assistance
• Housing case management
• Street outreach services
• Supportive housing programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Duluth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Chum provides a continuum of free emergency, transitional, and supportive social services to individuals and families in Duluth, MN. Core offerings include 24/7 emergency shelter with a drop-in center, housing placement and case management, street outreach, and a food shelf with delivery. Permanent supportive housing is provided through St. Francis Apartments (seniors) and Steve O'Neil Apartments (families), supported by seasonal programs (Winter Warming Center and Safe Bay).

Product overview

Chum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a coordinated continuum of social services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, hunger, and poverty in Duluth, MN. The organization's core service portfolio includes emergency shelter and drop-in center services, housing placement assistance, street outreach, and a food shelf with delivery capabilities. Specialized housing programs include St. Francis Apartments for seniors and Steve O'Neil Apartments for families, both operating on Housing First, Harm Reduction, and Trauma-informed principles. Seasonal services include a Winter Warming Center (October-May) and Safe Bay for vehicle residents (May-October). Chum also operates the Rhubarb Festival as an annual fundraising event. A major expansion project (2025-2027) will increase shelter capacity from 80 to 168 beds. The Pathway Forward initiative represents a collaborative effort with Damiano and Union Gospel Mission to streamline homeless services across Duluth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rhubarb Festival: An annual festival organized by Chum featuring rhubarb-themed refreshments, bake sales, live music, and entertainment to raise funds and community engagement.
• Stepping On Up

Products and services

• Emergency Shelter and Drop-in Center 24/7 emergency shelter providing basic needs (showers, food, hygiene supplies, hot beverages), staff assistance with housing applications, public benefits, service connections, and basic medical care, plus overnight accommodations for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Duluth, MN.
• Housing Services Housing placement and case management service that assists individuals and families in finding and maintaining stable housing through case management, advocacy, and connection to housing resources.
• Street Outreach Mobile outreach service connecting with people living outside in places not meant for human habitation, building trust and helping individuals access healthcare, services, and eventually housing.
• Food Shelf Food assistance and distribution program providing groceries to community members experiencing food insecurity in Duluth, MN, including a delivery component (Chum2GO) for those unable to visit in person.
• Winter Warming Center Seasonal emergency warming shelter providing overnight refuge from October to May for individuals banned from traditional shelter or preferring alternative accommodations.
• Safe Bay Seasonal safe-parking program from May to October that offers a secure place to sleep for people living out of their vehicles in Duluth.
• St. Francis Apartments Permanent low-income supportive housing with on-site programming and staff support for seniors transitioning out of long-term or recurrent homelessness, guided by Housing First, Harm Reduction, and Trauma-informed philosophies.
• Steve O'Neil Apartments Low-income permanent supportive housing for families transitioning out of homelessness, providing housing, family-focused programming, coaching, and advocacy services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,791 people sheltered in 2024 (25% increase from 2023)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and feature.

• Johnson Wilson ConstructorscoreOthers · 1 January 2023Duluth-based general contractor selected for the 2025-27 expansion and renovation project. Managing construction of new shelter facility including two-story addition and interior renovations.
• Architecture AdvantagecoreOthersDuluth architectural firm that designed the new expanded shelter building.
• Minardi Construction ManagementcoreOthersContracted as Chum's owner representative, overseeing the expansion construction work on Chum's behalf.
• DamianocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pathway Forward initiative with Chum and Union Gospel Mission. Damiano is absorbing Chum's current drop-in and overnight shelter on their third floor during construction. Collaboration aims to streamline services and eliminate duplication.
• Union Gospel Mission (UGM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pathway Forward initiative. UGM will construct a new Mission Engagement Center and Housing project. Together with Chum and Damiano, ensuring a clear path to stable housing for those experiencing homelessness.
• SuperOne (MINERS)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFeature sponsor of Rhubarb Festival, collecting rhubarb donations at their West Duluth location (5300 Bristol Street) starting June 1st for the festival.
• North Shore BankfeatureGTM or Marketing PartnerFeature sponsor of Rhubarb Festival supporting Chum's fundraising efforts.
• Asbury United Methodist ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember congregation and community partner. Church designated as shelter location during severe weather at Rhubarb Festival. Key partner in faith-based network of 40+ congregations.
• Vikre DistillerysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRhubarb Happy Hour event on June 23rd from 4-6pm, with portion of proceeds going to Chum.
• Sheraton Duluth HotelsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerHosting Rhubarb Treats Kickoff and dinner specials during festival period. Portion/all proceeds from these events go to Chum.
• Sara's Table Chester Creek CafesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOffering rhubarb appetizer and drink during the month of June with portion/all proceeds going to Chum.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities: Faith-based nonprofit offering shelter, meals, addiction recovery, and housing services to those experiencing homelessness. Co-partner with Chum in the Pathway Forward initiative and overlapping operating model.
• Damiano Center: Duluth-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, meals, and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Direct local peer and explicit partner in the Pathway Forward initiative alongside Chum and Union Gospel Mission.

Broad incumbents

• Volunteers of America Minnesota: National nonprofit with a strong Minnesota presence delivering supportive housing, shelter, food, and recovery services. Directly comparable to Chum's Housing First and supportive housing model.
• Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis: Large regional nonprofit providing housing, shelter, food, and social services across Minnesota. Overlaps with Chum's housing placement, food shelf, and emergency assistance programs at significantly larger scale.
• Feeding America: National hunger-relief organization that supplies food to local food banks and pantries, including those operated by partners like Chum. Comparable mission focus on food insecurity, though operating at vastly larger scale as an upstream supplier.
• Salvation Army Northern Division: National faith-based nonprofit offering emergency shelter, food, housing, and outreach services. Provides comparable service lines to Chum (shelter, food, housing) but at much greater scale across multiple states.

Regional players

• People Serving People: Minneapolis-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, housing, and family services for families experiencing homelessness. Comparable target demographic (families with children) and service mix to Chum's Steve O'Neil Apartments work.
• Simpson Housing Services: Minneapolis-based nonprofit providing shelter, transitional housing, and supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness. Directly comparable housing-first service model and shelter-to-housing continuum.
• Loaves & Fishes Minnesota: Minnesota-based nonprofit operating community meal programs and food shelves, including in Duluth. Comparable to Chum's Food Shelf and congregational outreach functions with a regional (statewide) footprint.

Emerging players

• Habitat for Humanity International: Global nonprofit building affordable housing and providing housing-related services. Adjacent to Chum's housing services and permanent supportive housing programs, but focused on homeownership rather than emergency shelter.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/chumduluth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chumduluth

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Chum