The Other Ones Foundation

What The Other Ones Foundation does

The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2017 in Austin, Texas, that delivers an integrated portfolio of programs serving individuals experiencing homelessness. Its service stack combines low-barrier emergency shelter (Esperanza Community, a sanctioned encampment operating 200 non-congregate units and scaling to 325 units), low-barrier paid workforce participation (Workforce First), a rapid-exit family reunification diversion program (Going Home), a vocational skills training center operated in partnership with Austin Community College and Workforce Solutions Capital Area (John Paul DeJoria Vocational Skills Center, opened November 2024), a mobile hygiene operation (>25,000 showers delivered), and a junk-removal social enterprise (Magnolia Services) that employs program participants. In 2025, the organization reports 619 unduplicated clients served, 183 people moved into stable housing, $642,000 in wages paid to homeless workers, and over 434,000 lbs of environmental debris removed from Austin green spaces.

TOOF's revenue model is that of a grant- and contract-funded nonprofit with an emerging earned-income arm. Operating revenue is sourced from private and corporate foundation grants, in-kind contributions (including Amazon Wishlist), government contracts with the City of Austin, Travis County, Texas Department of Transportation, and Texas Department of Community Affairs, individual giving through sponsorship tiers ($1,000–$10,000), and service revenue from the Magnolia Services social enterprise. An EveryAction-powered online donation platform and high-profile earned media (KXAN, KVUE, KUT, Texas Standard, Austin Chronicle, Community Impact) support fundraising. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Chris Turnley (EVP, United Federal Credit Union) and was led through August 2025 by Executive Director Elizabeth Baker, LCSW-S.

The organization's competitive position is rooted in its ecosystem of multi-sector partners (faith-based, higher education, healthcare, municipal, county, state, and private philanthropy), a self-governing resident Leadership Committee at Esperanza, and a deeply integrated 'shelter plus work plus case management' continuum rather than a single program. Multiple centralized Austin locations support direct service delivery, while TOOF Podcast, Photovoice, Kinship Magazine, and the Nonprofit Success Guide build brand and donor pipeline. There is no proprietary technology platform; operations rely on standard case-management and operational systems.

Name

The Other Ones Foundation

Legal name

The Other Ones Foundation Inc.

Website

https://toofound.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Other Ones Foundation is an Austin, Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers low-barrier shelter, workforce development, vocational training, and supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness. It operates the Esperanza Community sanctioned encampment alongside Workforce First, Going Home, Magnolia Services, and mobile hygiene programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

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), Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Financial Assistance & Benefits Navigation Services (BPAGAEAK), Workforce & Job-Seeker Services (Community-Based) (EDAAAFAM)

Keywords

• Homeless shelter services
• Workforce development programs
• Supportive housing services
• Nonprofit social services
• Vocational skills training

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Corporate and Foundation Grants: The organization receives grants from private foundations and corporate giving programs listed in its partner network.
2. In-Kind Donations: TOOF accepts in-kind donations of essential items (hygiene products, clothing, food) and Amazon Wishlist contributions for distribution to clients.
3. Sponsorship Programs: TOOF offers sponsorship tiers for Esperanza Community supporters including Welcome In Team ($1,000), Work Force First @ Esperanza ($5,000), and Dignified Shelter Unit ($10,000 annual).
4. Program Fees (Government Contracts): TOOF operates government-funded programs including shelter operations and workforce development, likely funded through public contracts and allocations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Other Ones Foundation delivers low-barrier emergency shelter, same-day-pay workforce opportunities, vocational skills training, and housing navigation services to individuals experiencing homelessness in Austin, Texas. Its primary delivery platform is the Esperanza Community shelter complex, complemented by Workforce First mobile work crews, the Going Home reunification program, the John Paul DeJoria Vocational Skills Center, the Magnolia Services social enterprise, and the Mobile Hygiene Clinic. All client-facing services are provided at no cost and funded by donations, grants, government contracts, and earned income.

Product overview

The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF) is an Austin-based nonprofit offering a portfolio of interconnected programs designed to end homelessness through shelter, workforce development, and housing pathways. The core offerings include: Esperanza Community (non-congregate shelter complex with 200 units), Workforce First (low-barrier work program), Going Home (family reunification), Vocational Skills Training (John Paul DeJoria Skills Center offering HVAC, automotive, welding trades), Magnolia Services (social enterprise for junk removal), and Mobile Hygiene Clinic. These programs work together to provide immediate humanitarian relief alongside long-term solutions—shelter paired with employment, training, case management, and housing navigation—to help individuals transition from homelessness to stability and independence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Workforce First Low-barrier alternative work program providing unhoused individuals with same-day-pay employment opportunities, transportation, lunch, case management, and supportive banking services to help them save money and transition to stable housing.
• Esperanza Community Non-congregate emergency shelter complex in Austin, TX providing individual locking units, hygiene facilities, and a community center, plus holistic supportive services including on-site work opportunities, vocational development, substance use support, case management, housing navigation, and 24-hour crisis management, governed in part by a resident-elected Leadership Committee.
• Going Home Transportation and reunification program that reconnects individuals experiencing homelessness with loved ones or support networks in other locations, using a rapid-exit diversion model with one-time transportation expenses and case-managed follow-up at one week, one month, and three months post-diversion.
• Magnolia Services Junk removal and light demolition social enterprise employing people currently and formerly experiencing homelessness, providing dignified wages, soft skills training, paid trade training, OSHA and HAZWOPER certifications, and career placement assistance, with revenue supporting TOOF homeless service programs.
• John Paul DeJoria Vocational Skills Training Program Vocational training program offering hands-on professional and trades instruction in HVAC, automotive repair, welding, plumbing, and carpentry, developed in partnership with Austin Community College District and Workforce Solutions Capital Area, providing soft skills development, industry certifications, and direct pathways to employment.
• Mobile Hygiene Clinic Mobile hygiene service delivering showers, toiletries, and lunches to people experiencing homelessness across multiple Austin locations via shower trailers, launched in response to COVID-19 and grown into a permanent hygiene access program.
• Barrier Busting and Stay-Housed Cleaning Initiative Program designed to remove barriers to housing stability for TOOF clients, including a Stay-Housed Cleaning Initiative; per TOOF, program funds have been exhausted.

Quantifiable outcome

• 619 unduplicated clients served in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Austin Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Educational partner providing vocational training programs including HVAC, automotive repair, and other skilled trades at the John Paul DeJoria Vocational Skills Center.
• Workforce Solutions Capital AreacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Workforce development partner collaborating on vocational training and employment placement services for program participants.
• Austin Travis County EMScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Public safety partner providing emergency medical services coordination at Esperanza Community.
• City of AustincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Municipal government partner providing funding, permits, and coordination for homeless services and shelter operations.
• Travis CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017County government partner providing funding and support for homeless services and housing programs.
• Texas Department of TransportationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017State agency partner that established TOOF as site operators for the Esperanza Community location in August 2020 and developed infrastructure.
• CommUnityCarecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Healthcare partner providing on-site medical services at Esperanza Community.
• Integral CarecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Mental health services partner providing behavioral health support for Esperanza Community residents.
• Free Lunch ATXcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Food service partner providing daily meals to Esperanza Community residents.
• Mobile Loaves and FishesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Homeless services nonprofit partner providing food and support services.
• Mission AccomplishedminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Partner providing laundry services twice weekly at Esperanza Community.
• Dell Medical SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Medical education partner providing healthcare services and training at Esperanza Community.
• University of TexasminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Higher education partner providing research support and student involvement.
• Texas State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Higher education partner providing student engagement and research support.
• Grace At The GreenlightcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Homelessness service organization based in New Orleans, LA that partnered with TOOF to launch the Going Home Program in October 2021.
• Antone's Famous Po' BoysminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Restaurant partner that has delivered hundreds of sandwiches to Esperanza Community every Tuesday since August 2020.
• Downtown Austin Community CourtminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Justice system partner providing alternative sentencing and support services.
• C.D. Doyle ClinicminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Healthcare partner providing volunteer medical services.
• Foundation CommunitiesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Affordable housing nonprofit partner.
• Communities for RecoveryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Recovery services partner providing substance use support.
• findhelp filmsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Media production partner collaborating on documentary storytelling about Esperanza Community.
• Austin Oaks ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Faith-based partner providing volunteer support and resources.
• First Baptist Church of AustinminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Faith-based partner providing volunteer support and resources.
• First United Methodist ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Faith-based partner providing volunteer support and resources.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DignityMoves: California-based nonprofit developing interim non-congregate shelter communities with on-site services, directly comparable to TOOF's Esperanza Community shelter-plus-services model.
• Haven for Hope: San Antonio's transformational campus combining shelter, workforce development, behavioral health, and housing navigation under one roof — a near-twin of TOOF's integrated service architecture at a larger scale.
• Mobile Loaves & Fishes: Austin-based nonprofit operating Community First! Village, a master-planned tiny-home community providing affordable housing to people coming out of chronic homelessness. Closest geographic and operational peer to TOOF's Esperanza model.
• Father Joe's Villages: San Diego nonprofit running a comprehensive continuum of shelter, housing, workforce, and child development services for people experiencing homelessness. Comparable to TOOF in integrating housing plus employment pathways.
• Chrysalis: Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing workforce development, job placement, and transitional employment for people experiencing homelessness — directly comparable to TOOF's Workforce First and Magnolia Services programs.
• Foundation Communities: Austin-based nonprofit providing affordable housing, supportive services, and financial coaching for low-income individuals and families. Local peer offering housing-stabilization services similar to TOOF's case management.
• St. Francis Center: Denver nonprofit offering day services, shelter, workforce development, and housing navigation for people experiencing homelessness — comparable integrated service model with day-shelter emphasis similar to TOOF.
• PATH (People Assisting the Homeless): Los Angeles nonprofit providing street outreach, interim housing, permanent supportive housing, and employment services — a multi-site integrated homeless-services peer with similar program mix to TOOF.

Regional players

• Caritas of Austin (ECHO): Austin-area housing-focused nonprofit (now part of ECHO) providing case management, shelter, and re-housing services. Local peer addressing the same unhoused population in Austin but with a less workforce-intensive model.

Broad incumbents

• Denver Rescue Mission: Long-established Denver faith-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, meals, recovery, and workforce programs at scale — comparable broader-scope incumbent offering overlapping services across the same continuum TOOF operates in.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/toofound
• Facebookfacebook.com/toofound

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 The Other Ones Foundation