Sacred Heart Mission

What Sacred Heart Mission does

Sacred Heart Mission Inc. is an independent, Australia-domiciled non-profit charity headquartered at 87 Grey Street, St Kilda, Melbourne, established in 1982 and operating with 251–500 staff and a substantial volunteer base contributing nearly 85,000 hours annually. The organisation delivers a continuum of care for people experiencing homelessness and deep disadvantage, anchored on a trauma-informed, person-centred service methodology rather than a proprietary software product. Its service portfolio spans the Dining Hall (free community meals with up to 400 daily servings and 96,977 meals served in the last year), the Women's House engagement hub, crisis accommodation (Homefront, 11 places; Bethlehem Community, 10 places), and long-term housing programs including Homes First, the Rooming House Plus Program in a heritage Robin Boyd-designed building, and the Journey to Social Inclusion (J2SI) three-year intensive support program — the latter producing documented outcomes of 89% sustained housing, 56% reduction in emergency health presentations and 99% reduction in rough sleeping among participants. Support and wellbeing services (Resource Room, Wellness Place, Pastoral and Spiritual Care, Early Intervention Psychosocial Support Response via Alfred Health) and aged care services (Sacred Heart Community residence and Sacred Heart Local in-home support) round out a deliberately full-spectrum model.

The business model is hybrid: approximately 50% of funding comes from local, state and federal government sources (including a $45 million four-year Victorian Government commitment scaling J2SI through a consortium with Uniting Vic/Tas, VincentCare Victoria, the Salvation Army and Aboriginal Housing Victoria) and the remaining ~50% is generated through 14 op shops across Melbourne suburbs, an online op shop (shmonlineopshop.org), individual donations, corporate partnerships and Gifts in Wills (in partnership with Safewill). Reported unit economics include a 3:1 fundraising ROI (for every A$1 spent, A$3 raised), A$150 per night for crisis accommodation at Homefront and A$1,982 per day to operate Women's House. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer at the point of service delivery, with distribution augmented by the op-shop retail network, online donation platform, the Heartbeat monthly newsletter, the Dine With Heart annual campaign and strategic partnerships with Alfred Health, Safewill, National Indigenous Culinary Institute and others. The customer base is structurally dual: beneficiaries (people experiencing homelessness, women and gender-diverse people fleeing violence, older people experiencing disadvantage and the broader community seeking meals) and funders (government, individual donors, corporate partners and legacy givers). Leadership is headed by CEO Hang Vo, supported by program managers, a fundraising relationships team and a board with multi-year tenure; the CEO is also elected President of the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) since March 2023.

Name

Sacred Heart Mission

Legal name

Sacred Heart Mission Inc.

Website

https://sacredheartmission.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Sacred Heart Mission is an independent Melbourne-based non-profit (founded 1982) delivering a trauma-informed continuum of care — meals, crisis accommodation, housing programs including the evidence-based J2SI, women's and aged care services — to people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage, funded roughly half by government and half via 14 op shops and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Kilda South

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Sacred Heart Mission receives approximately 50% of funding from local, state, and federal government sources. This supports core service delivery including accommodation, meals programs, and support services.
2. Op Shop Operations: 14 op shops across Melbourne sell donated goods to raise funds for programs. Revenue is reinvested into homelessness services. The organization also accepts donated goods and offers free collection services.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, monthly giving programs, corporate partnerships, and events like Dine With Heart campaign. The organization runs annual fundraising campaigns including tax appeals and regular donation drives.
4. Gifts in Wills: Legacy giving program where supporters include Sacred Heart Mission in their Wills. Partnership with Safewill offers free Will writing services to supporters.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sacred Heart Mission is an independent not-for-profit that delivers a continuum of care for people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage in Melbourne. Its core offerings include free community meals at the Dining Hall, crisis and therapeutic accommodation (Women's House, Homefront, Bethlehem Community), long-term housing programs (J2SI, Homes First, Rooming House Plus), aged care and in-home support, and wellbeing and psychosocial support services, all funded by a mix of government grants and community fundraising including 14 op shops.

Product overview

Sacred Heart Mission operates as a not-for-profit homelessness services organization providing a comprehensive suite of interconnected programs. The organization offers emergency and crisis services including the Dining Hall (meals program), Women's services (Women's House engagement hub, Homefront crisis accommodation, Bethlehem Community therapeutic housing), and housing support programs (Homes First, Journey to Social Inclusion J2SI, Rooming House Plus Program). Support and wellbeing services include The Wellness Place, Pastoral and Spiritual Care, Resource Room, and Early Intervention Psychosocial Support Response. Aged care services are provided through Sacred Heart Community and Sacred Heart Local Aged Care. The organization funds its operations through 14 Op Shops across Melbourne, an online op shop, and various fundraising campaigns including the annual Dine With Heart initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dining Hall Free community meals service in St Kilda providing breakfast and lunch, serving as a gateway to additional support services and the first point of contact for many people experiencing homelessness.
• Women's House Engagement hub for people identifying as female or gender diverse experiencing or at risk of homelessness, offering 1:1 support with Pathways Workers, showers, laundry facilities, and meals.
• Homefront (Women's Crisis Accommodation) Crisis accommodation service for up to 11 women and gender-diverse individuals for up to 6 weeks, with case management support focused on barriers to accessing long-term housing.
• Bethlehem Community Therapeutic support and accommodation program for 10 people identifying as female or gender diverse for up to 2 years, with support workers and case managers focusing on life skills and independence.
• Homes First Program Housing program providing rapid access to housing and intensive support for people experiencing chronic homelessness.
• Journey to Social Inclusion (J2SI) Three-year intensive program aimed at ending chronic homelessness through rapid access to housing and comprehensive support addressing housing, health, independence, social participation, and economic participation outcomes.
• Rooming House Plus Program (RHPP) Community rooming house providing long-term accommodation in heritage-listed premises designed by architect Robin Boyd, with onsite art studio and community development support.
• Sacred Heart Community (Aged Care) Supported accommodation service for seniors experiencing disadvantage, providing housing and support services.
• Sacred Heart Local Aged Care Services In-home support services for aged care clients, providing assistance with daily living activities.
• The Wellness Place Wellbeing and support service providing health and wellness programs for clients.
• Pastoral and Spiritual Care Spiritual support services including assistance with funeral arrangements for deceased residents, ensuring dignified end-of-life care.
• Resource Room Confidential safe space providing crisis support, information, and referrals to medical, housing, financial, and specialist support services; helps navigate administrative and bureaucratic challenges.
• Early Intervention Psychosocial Support Response (EIPSR) Partnership with Alfred Health providing 12-month holistic psychosocial support for clients of Alfred Mental and Addiction Health, focusing on mental health management and social participation.
• Op Shops Retail stores across Melbourne (14 locations) selling donated clothing, furniture, books, and household items to raise funds for Sacred Heart Mission programs. Includes online op shop and free collection service.
• Online Op Shop E-commerce platform offering 24/7 access to designer fashion, antiques, collectibles, and other donated goods.

Quantifiable outcome

• 89% of J2SI participants sustained housing
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SafewillminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 March 2025Partnership offering free online Will writing services to supporters from 17-31 March 2025, enabling supporters to include gifts to Sacred Heart Mission in their Wills with legal review included.
• Alejandro Saravia / Farmer's DaughtersminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Dine With Heart Ambassador and Executive Chef who created the Duke Of Hearts burger and promotes the Dining Hall through various culinary events and collaborations.
• Fancy FilmsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2007Pro-bono photography, filming, and editing services for annual reports and events. Partnership arrangement developed since 2007, contributing to B-Corp certification and long-term supporter relationship.
• Alfred HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between Sacred Heart Mission and Alfred Mental and Addiction Health to deliver the Early Intervention Psychosocial Support Response (EIPSR) program. The 12-month program provides outreach-based, recovery-focused services including assessment, psychosocial support, and service coordination for Alfred Health clients experiencing mental health and addiction challenges.
• Uniting Vic/TascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner working with Sacred Heart Mission to deliver the Journey to Social Inclusion (J2SI) program across Victoria. The Victorian Government invested $45 million over four years to expand J2SI through this consortium approach.
• VincentCare VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner working with Sacred Heart Mission to deliver J2SI program across Victoria, bringing complementary expertise and reach to the homelessness sector.
• The Salvation ArmycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner working with Sacred Heart Mission to deliver J2SI program across Victoria, expanding evidence-based homelessness intervention statewide.
• Aboriginal Housing VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner contributing to J2SI expansion and implementation of Victoria's Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework, Mana-na woorn-tyeen maar-takoort.
• Community Housing LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides funding and manages the Rooming House Plus Program building, including recent heritage mural installation funded by City of Port Phillip and Community Housing Limited.
• National Indigenous Culinary Institute (NICI)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration for Indigenous cooking classes held at the Dining Hall as part of Dine With Heart campaign, featuring Indigenous chefs Sam May and Krystie Sabitino.
• Royal StacksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant partnership creating the Duke Of Hearts burger for National Burger Day, with $2 from each burger sold donated to the Dining Hall.
• Market LaneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoffee roaster partnership providing coffee making and appreciation classes as part of Dine With Heart campaign events.
• Respect VictoriaminorOthersCEO Hang Vo serves as a director on the Respect Victoria board, contributing to family violence prevention and respect agenda.
• Australian Multicultural CouncilminorOthersCEO Hang Vo serves as a member, supporting multicultural community engagement and inclusion agenda.
• Victorian Pride CentreminorOthersCEO Hang Vo previously served as director for four years, including two years as chair, supporting LGBTQ+ community infrastructure.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Frontyard Youth Services (Melbourne City Mission): Specialized youth homelessness service run by Melbourne City Mission. Comparable in target demographic (youth at risk) and Melbourne-based service delivery model.

Direct peers

• VincentCare Victoria: Faith-based homelessness and aged care provider in Victoria. Already a J2SI consortium partner with Sacred Heart Mission; directly comparable in service mix and target population.
• Anglicare Victoria: Faith-based community services organization providing family services, homelessness support, and housing programs across Victoria. Comparable in faith affiliation, service breadth, and target population.
• Uniting Vic.Tas: Faith-based community services organization across Victoria and Tasmania providing homelessness, housing, and family services. J2SI consortium partner; directly comparable in service offerings and mission alignment.
• Launch Housing: Major Melbourne homelessness and housing services nonprofit operating crisis accommodation, transitional housing, and support programs. Comparable in target population, geographic focus, and continuum-of-care service model.
• Melbourne City Mission: Melbourne-based nonprofit providing homelessness, community, and youth services. Most directly comparable peer given identical geography, overlapping target populations, and comparable scale of operations.
• St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria: Faith-based nonprofit providing homelessness support, crisis accommodation, and material aid, supported by an extensive op shop retail network across Victoria. Closely comparable in op shop fundraising model and faith-based homelessness services.
• Salvation Army Crisis Services (Salvos): Salvation Army's emergency relief and homelessness programs serving similar populations. Comparable in service type, faith-based approach, and Melbourne footprint.

Broad incumbents

• The Salvation Army Australia: National faith-based organization providing homelessness services, crisis accommodation, and community support. Operates at significantly larger scale; J2SI consortium partner but with much broader portfolio beyond homelessness.
• Mission Australia: National nonprofit providing homelessness, housing, youth, and employment services across Australia. Comparable in homelessness service delivery and target populations, though operating at much larger national scale.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ScdHrtMission
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SacredHeartMission
• Facebookfacebook.com/sacredheartmission
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sacred-heart-mission
• Instagraminstagram.com/sacredheartmission

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Sacred Heart Mission