The Simple Way
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersPhiladelphia, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
The Simple Way firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Simple Way
- Legal name
- The Simple Way
- Website
- https://thesimpleway.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Simple Way industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Social Services
- NAICS
- Community Food Services (62421), Community Food Services (624210), Educational Services (611)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB)
Keywords
Where The Simple Way is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Philadelphia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Simple Way business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization operates as a 501c3 nonprofit funded primarily through donations from supporters around the world. They accept one-time and monthly donations through their website. The organization is listed with GuideStar Platinum Transparency Seal and Charity Navigator.
- The Simple Store: Online retail store selling merchandise that generates income to support organizational sustainability. Proceeds support jobs and sustainability in Kensington.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free services for community members - food distribution, community fridge, support services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Simple Way product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Simple Way is a 501c3 nonprofit community development organization operating in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. It provides free food distribution through a community fridge and food choice pantry, college scholarships through the Simple Way Scholars program in partnership with Eastern University, resource connection support services, neighborhood celebrations, and merchandise sales via The Simple Store to fund operations and create local jobs.
Product overview
The Simple Way operates as a community nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on neighborhood development in Kensington, Philadelphia. The core offerings include food security services (Food Choice Pantry and Community Fridge), educational support through the Simple Way Scholars scholarship program in partnership with Eastern University, and community building via Neighborhood Celebrations and Open Houses. The organization also operates The Simple Store as a social enterprise for financial sustainability. Support Services connect neighbors to external resources for housing, legal aid, addiction recovery, and emergency assistance. All programs work together to cultivate community belonging and individual flourishing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Simple Way Scholars: A scholarship program in partnership with Eastern University supporting young people from the community to attend and excel in college.
- The Simple Store
Products and services
- Food Choice Pantry
Quantifiable outcome
- 279,390 pounds of food distributed to 14,516 people in 2021
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Simple Way
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Simple Way technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Simple Way partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Eastern UniversitycoreLong-standing partnership providing annual scholarships for students from the neighborhood through the Simple Way Scholars program. Eastern University offers undergraduate and graduate programs and is affiliated with American Baptist Churches USA.
- Esperanza Health CentercoreAffordable, quality, bilingual primary health care and support services provider in North Philadelphia. Collaborates on community health initiatives and has partnered on construction of a community health center at Phoenix Park.
- New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC)coreCommunity development organization focused on the New Kensington neighborhood. Collaborates on neighborhood improvement, housing, and community initiatives.
- Circle of HopeminorA church in Philadelphia and South Jersey focused on exploring and expressing God's love. Related through Circle Thrift partnership.
- Christian Community Development Association (CCDA)coreNational network of Christian organizations working in community development. The Simple Way participates in this broader movement.
- Esperanza CollegeminorChristian college program dedicated to Hispanic and local communities, part of Eastern University system.
- New Jerusalem Recovery HouseminorNon-denominational spiritual community focused on nonviolence, simplicity, and cooperative living for those in addiction recovery.
- New Sanctuary Movement of PhiladelphiaminorInterfaith, multicultural immigrant justice movement organizing to end injustices against immigrants.
- Timoteo Flag FootballminorMentoring program empowering men to mentor youth through athletics, spiritual formation, and partnerships with local churches.
- Nurturing Communities NetworkminorNetwork supporting nurturing communities in their mission.
- Schools for ConversionminorOrganization related to Christian community development and education.
- Common ChangeminorOrganization supporting community-based change initiatives.
- Red Letter ChristiansminorMovement of Christians who take seriously the words of Jesus in the Gospels.
- Poor People's CampaignminorNational campaign organized around a moral agenda based on interlocking injustices.
- Christian Legal Clinics of PhiladelphiaminorProvides free legal consultations and pro-bono referrals to clients in neighborhood, offering legal care with spiritual care.
- PhilabundanceminorRegional food bank providing food donations to The Simple Way for distribution to neighbors.
- Circle ThriftminorPartnership between Circle of Hope church and Mennonite Central Committee. Proceeds support local and global neighbors.
- RAW ToolscoreOrganization that turns guns into garden tools through blacksmithing. The Simple Way has partnered to create symbolic and practical garden tools from weapons.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Simple Way competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Food Trust: A Philadelphia-based nonprofit addressing food access, nutrition education, and healthy food retail. Comparable in focus on food security solutions in the same city, with strong funder and policy networks.
- Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia: Faith-affiliated community development organization working in Philadelphia on affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization. Comparable faith-rooted, place-based nonprofit model serving low-income residents.
- New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC): A direct neighbor and named partner of The Simple Way, NKCDC focuses on affordable housing, community development, and resident services in the same Kensington neighborhood, making it the closest peer in geography and mission.
- Philabundance: Greater Philadelphia's regional food bank and a named food donation partner of The Simple Way. Operates community food distribution at scale across the same metropolitan area, with overlapping beneficiary populations.
- Project HOME: A Philadelphia nonprofit combating homelessness and poverty through housing, education, and health services. Direct peer in faith-rooted community development serving North Philadelphia, with overlapping donor and partner networks.
- Esperanza Health Center: A federally qualified health center in North Philadelphia and named partner of The Simple Way, including on the Phoenix Park community health center. Comparable place-based nonprofit serving low-income Kensington-area residents.
- Broad Street Ministry: A Philadelphia nonprofit providing meals, mail services, ID assistance, and social-work support to neighbors experiencing poverty and homelessness, with radical hospitality philosophy closely aligned to The Simple Way's values.
- SHARE Food Program: A Philadelphia-area food distribution nonprofit providing discounted grocery packages to families; comparable in food-security mission and regional footprint to The Simple Way's distribution work.
Broad incumbents
- Christian Community Development Association (CCDA): A national network of Christian organizations engaged in community development, of which The Simple Way is an active participant. Comparable faith-rooted community development philosophy at a broader, multi-member scale.
Emerging players
- Sharing Excess: A Philadelphia-born food rescue nonprofit that redistributes surplus food to community partners, comparable in food-security mission and use of community fridge-adjacent models, though younger and more logistics-platform oriented.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Simple Way social profiles
Digital presenceThe Simple Way compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
The Simple Way financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Simple Way leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
The Simple Way funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Simple Way M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Simple Way
What does The Simple Way do?
The Simple Way is a 501c3 nonprofit community development organization operating in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. It provides free food distribution through a community fridge and food choice pantry, college scholarships through the Simple Way Scholars program in partnership with Eastern University, resource connection support services, neighborhood celebrations, and merchandise sales via The Simple Store to fund operations and create local jobs.
Is The Simple Way a public or private company?
The Simple Way is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Simple Way founded?
The Simple Way was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Simple Way based?
The Simple Way is headquartered in Philadelphia, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Simple Way make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are the Simple Store.
Who are The Simple Way's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Food Trust, Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC), Philabundance, Project HOME, Esperanza Health Center, Broad Street Ministry and SHARE Food Program. Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) is listed as a broad incumbent. Sharing Excess is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Simple Way have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Simple Way.
What industry is The Simple Way in?
The Simple Way's product category is Community Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAC, Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts), with a secondary code of EDAAAFAB, Community Center Education Programs. Its NAICS code is 62421.