What Project Homeless Connect does

Project Homeless Connect (PHC) is a 501(c)(3) social services nonprofit founded in 2004 by then-Mayor of San Francisco Gavin Newsom with the mission of connecting San Franciscans experiencing homelessness with the care they need to move forward. The organization is headquartered at 1031 Franklin Street in San Francisco and is fiscally sponsored by Community Initiatives (Tax ID #94-3255070), which provides administrative and financial infrastructure. PHC delivers services exclusively within San Francisco through a multi-channel model that combines large expo-style Community Days of Service (held at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium), daily Every Day Connect drop-in services, the mobile CareVan outreach unit, and a phone-and-email Resource Line. Core programming is organized into three branded sub-programs: Community Days of Service (the flagship expo event bringing 60+ service providers together), Every Day Connect (3-4 days/week of drop-in and off-site support), and Core Senses (vision, dental, denture, and hearing healthcare delivered through academic and clinical partners such as UCSF, University of the Pacific Dental School, and the Hearing and Speech Center of Northern California).

PHC's technology footprint is minimal: the organization operates a standard WordPress-based website with Google Analytics and uses Constant Contact for email newsletters; it has no proprietary platform, mobile app, or developer APIs. The business model is grantmaking and donor-supported rather than revenue-generating: all services are provided free of charge to participants, and PHC is funded entirely through individual donations, corporate sponsorships (Dolby, Google.org, SF-Marin Food Bank), and in-kind contributions (hygiene items, sleeping bags, backpacks, electronics). Sponsorship tiers map donation amounts to specific service outcomes (e.g., $1,000 funds oral care and a set of dentures, $500 sponsors a week of drop-in programs, $100 covers two pairs of prescription glasses, $50 covers five DMV IDs, $25 provides a meal and basic-needs kit). Corporate volunteer groups account for 60% of large-event volunteers, and the model is recognized as a best practice that has been replicated in over 250 cities and 4 countries.

The organization serves a vulnerable San Francisco population: per FY 2018/19 reporting, 92% of participants successfully received a necessary service, 94% would recommend PHC, and 76% received a service they could not otherwise easily access. The participant base is roughly 45% currently homeless and 47% at risk of homelessness, with an average age of 53, 16% identifying as LGBTQIA, and 8% identifying as veterans. Leadership transitioned through Kara Zordel (founder-era CEO), Meghan Freebeck (Acting CEO from 2017), and Pamela Grayson-Holmon (Executive Director from May 2021). PHC remains a single-jurisdiction, community-led organization with strong brand recognition, a deep service-provider and volunteer ecosystem, and no external equity or debt funding.

Name

Project Homeless Connect

Legal name

Project Homeless Connect

Website

https://projecthomelessconnect.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Project Homeless Connect is a San Francisco nonprofit founded in 2004 that connects people experiencing or at risk of homelessness to healthcare, identification, housing, and basic-needs services through large Community Days of Service events, daily drop-in programs, and a mobile CareVan, supported by 93+ service providers and 40,000+ lifetime volunteers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless Services Coordination

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Food Services (624210)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO)

Keywords

• Homeless services coordination
• Social services nonprofit
• Community resource navigation
• Drop-in service programs
• Human services programs

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Project Homeless Connect receives donations from individuals to support programs and services. Donations help individuals experiencing homelessness receive services and care regardless of income or housing status.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor events and specific service areas including Café (free lunch for participants), medical, and dental service areas. Many companies also match employee donations and volunteer hours.
3. In-Kind Donations: The organization accepts in-kind donations including hygiene items, backpacks, socks, sleeping bags, and electronics which are distributed during outreach and drop-in services.
4. Event Sponsorship: Project Homeless Connect events are funded through corporate sponsorships at various levels, with recognition provided to sponsors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Project Homeless Connect connects San Franciscans experiencing or at risk of homelessness with essential services through three primary channels: large expo-style Community Days of Service events bringing 60+ service providers together, the Every Day Connect daily drop-in program, and the Core Senses healthcare program covering vision, dental, and hearing services. All services are delivered free of charge to participants, funded entirely through private donations and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

Project Homeless Connect is a social services nonprofit organization (not a technology company) that operates multiple programs to connect San Franciscans experiencing homelessness with essential services. The core offerings include Community Days of Service (large expo-style events bringing together 60+ service providers), Every Day Connect (daily drop-in services), and Core Senses (Vision, Dental, Hearing, and Denture healthcare programs). Additional services include identification support, mail services, hygiene and basic needs distribution, and an in-kind donations program. The organization is fiscally sponsored by Community Initiatives and is funded entirely through private donations and corporate partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Every Day Connect: Daily drop-in and off-site services providing direct services, connections, and resources to people 3-4 days a week. Service Coordinators work with Participants to identify barriers and connect to services.
• Community Days of Service
• Core Senses

Products and services

• Community Days of Service Large expo-style one-day events held at venues such as Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, bringing together 60+ service providers under one roof to deliver services including DMV ID cards, dental, medical, mental health, and employment resources to people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco.
• Every Day Connect Daily drop-in and off-site services providing direct connections and resources to participants 3-4 days per week, with Service Coordinators helping identify barriers to housing and employment, connecting to mental health and substance abuse programs, and providing basic needs.
• Core Senses Healthcare program comprising Vision (prescription glasses, reading glasses, adjustments, repairs), Dental (basic dental treatment), Denture (full dentures through lottery), and Hearing (screenings and hearing aids) components delivered through partnerships with UCSF, University of the Pacific Dental School, Tom Waddell, Studio Dental, Bayview Clinic, and the Hearing and Speech Center of Northern California.
• Drop-In Services Regularly scheduled on-site services at 1031 Franklin Street providing mail services, HandUp redemptions, hygiene kits, basic needs items, employment support, troubleshooting, and housing resources, available Tuesdays 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM.
• In-Kind Donations Program Accepts and distributes donated items including hygiene products (travel-size soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush/toothpaste), backpacks, new sleeping bags, new socks, portable phone chargers, laptops, tablets, and phones to participants.
• Corporate Engagement Program Corporate partnership program where companies sponsor events, engage employees in volunteer opportunities (corporate groups represent 60% of volunteers at large events), and participate in corporate matching programs.
• Donation Program Financial donation program supporting all PHC programs and Community Days of Service. Suggestion tiers include $1000 for oral care and dentures, $500 for a week of Drop-In programs, $100 for two pairs of prescription glasses, $50 for five DMV IDs, and $25 for a healthy meal and basic needs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92% of Participants reported successfully receiving a necessary service, basic need, or had a challenge solved
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Community InitiativescoreOthersProject Homeless Connect is a fiscally sponsored project of Community Initiatives, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Community Initiatives provides administrative support, financial oversight, and organizational infrastructure. Tax ID #94-3255070. 990 Financials available through Guidestar.
• University of the Pacific Dental School (UoP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Denture Program providing full dentures to eligible participants. The program is run through a lottery system. UoP screens participants for dental treatment and partials.
• Native American Health CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Denture Program, screening participants for partials and dental services.
• University of California San Francisco (UCSF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in both the Denture Program and Dental Program. Provides basic dental treatment, dental screenings, and denture services.
• City Smiles PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for denture services, bringing participants to obtain complete dentures at events like CDA Cares San Mateo.
• Hearing and Speech Center of Northern CaliforniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing hearing healthcare services. Offers hearing screenings during Community Day of Service events and monthly office screenings. Provides hearing aids, batteries, support and follow-up care for those with hearing loss. Health Insurance is not required.
• Tom Waddell Health CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Dental Program providing basic dental treatment services.
• Studio DentalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Dental Program providing basic dental treatment, including cleanings and other dental services.
• Bayview Clinic – Marin City Health & Wellness CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Dental Program providing basic dental treatment services.
• GlidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvider partner offering rapid HIV & Hepatitis C testing, Narcan distribution, DMV ID vouchers, COVID-19 testing appointments, and takeaway food bags during Modified Drop-In Service Days.
• Hayes Valley BakeworksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner providing a lunch program for the Drop-In Program, delivering meals to be distributed to people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic.
• CDA Cares / San Francisco Dental AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvent partnership providing denture services at CDA Cares San Mateo event, where volunteer dentists and health professionals provide free dental care including complete dentures.
• LavaMaeˣcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for mobile shower services and pop-up care villages. Teamed up with PHC to host 'Day of Dignity' events providing showers, meals, and hygiene services.
• HandUpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing point redemption system allowing participants to redeem points for various resources including food, transportation, clothing, and rent assistance.
• Re-PlatminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood redistribution organization that bridges the gap between extra food at corporate offices and nonprofits that can distribute food to those in need.
• The Street StoreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing clothing distribution services at pop-up care events.
• Dolby LaboratoriescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner hosting annual PHC Breakfast Gala events, providing volunteer hours, and supporting the PHC CareVan campaign. Dolby Cares program includes STEAM education and community needs initiatives. Dolby's legal team also provides pro bono services.
• Google.orgminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor of 2016 PHC Breakfast Gala. Google teams have assembled hygiene kits for PHC participants.
• SF-Marin Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerService provider partner offering food resources. Received PHC Connector Award in 2016 for outstanding service.
• Womack Salon AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing no-cost haircuts to individuals with a PHC voucher through their salon academy.

Scale indicators22 records

Recent moves7 records

Others

• Community Initiatives: Community Initiatives is the 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor that houses Project Homeless Connect. While not a direct service competitor, CI provides administrative and financial infrastructure to a portfolio of ~40+ fiscally sponsored projects, several of which also serve homelessness and social-services populations in the Bay Area.

Direct peers

• Glide: Glide is a San Francisco-based nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness and poverty through daily meals, housing, and social services. PHC and Glide are documented service partners (Glide provides HIV/HCV testing, Narcan, ID vouchers at PHC drop-in days), making them both direct peers in the SF homelessness-services ecosystem and active collaborators.
• SF-Marin Food Bank: SF-Marin Food Bank is a regional food bank distributing food to a network of pantries and partners across SF and Marin. PHC documents SF-Marin Food Bank as both a service provider partner and a Connector Award recipient (2016), and both organizations address food insecurity among low-income and homeless populations.
• St. Anthony's Foundation: St. Anthony's is a long-standing San Francisco nonprofit providing a full continuum of services — dining room, free clothing, medical care, social services, and workforce development — to people in need. Both organizations operate multi-service one-stop delivery models for SF's low-income and homeless populations.
• Hamilton Families: Hamilton Families is a San Francisco nonprofit focused on sheltering, housing, and supporting families experiencing homelessness. As a peer serving the same target population with overlapping service categories (housing, case management, basic needs), Hamilton Families competes and partners with PHC in the SF family-homelessness space.
• LavaMaeˣ: LavaMaeˣ is a nonprofit that provides mobile showers, hygiene, and dignity services to people experiencing homelessness, including pop-up care villages. PHC explicitly partners with LavaMaeˣ on Day of Dignity events, and both organizations share the mobile-services delivery model for SF's unhoused population.
• Larkin Street Youth Services: Larkin Street provides housing, education, employment, and health services to young people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco. Both organizations serve the SF unhoused community with multi-service models and overlap on housing navigation and basic-needs distribution.
• Raphael House: Raphael House is a San Francisco nonprofit supporting families experiencing homelessness through shelter, housing, and case management. It serves the same client segments as PHC and operates within the same SF service-provider network.
• Catholic Charities CYO (San Francisco): Catholic Charities CYO operates a network of homelessness, immigration, and family-services programs across the Bay Area. Both organizations deliver multi-service support (shelter, case management, basic needs) to vulnerable SF populations and overlap operationally with PHC's service-provider ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Simply the Basics: Simply the Basics is a Bay Area nonprofit providing hygiene products and basic needs to people experiencing homelessness. PHC's former Acting CEO Meghan Freebeck founded Simply the Basics, and the two organizations have overlapping missions and operational adjacency in the SF basic-needs space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights1 record

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/phcsf
• Facebookfacebook.com/PHCSF
• Instagraminstagram.com/phcsf/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/project-homeless-connect-sf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Project Homeless Connect