YWCA Cass Clay

What YWCA Cass Clay does

YWCA Cass Clay is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, operating the largest emergency shelter for women and children in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. Founded in the early 1900s and affiliated with YWCA USA under a shared mission to eliminate racism and empower women, the organization serves survivors of domestic violence and individuals and families experiencing homelessness across Cass and Clay counties and the broader Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area. Under CEO Erin Prochnow, who has led the organization since 2008, the supportive housing program has expanded more than fourfold and organizational assets have grown fivefold. The organization runs an emergency shelter delivering 25,252 days of shelter to 1,349 individuals in 2025 (with 86% from Cass and Clay counties and 91% being survivors of domestic violence) and a supportive housing portfolio that housed 329 individuals for 90,101 to 91,101 days across 97 apartment units, including the Lantern Light residence (opened November 2023 from a $8.3M renovation of the former Sacred Heart Convent with endowment fully funded in 2025), Grace Garden in West Fargo (opened 2019), and Cove Lane (12 newly remodeled units opened August 2024).

The program architecture follows a continuum-of-care model: 24-hour emergency shelter with a 45-day program length, supportive housing (residents pay up to 30% of income toward rent), and an on-site supportive services layer covering Children's Services (on-site childcare, 623 children served in 2025 and 99% school-age re-enrollment within three days of arrival), Health Services (1,829 RN sessions and 24 on-site clinic days in 2025), Education and Employment Services (240 classes, 1,002 attendees in 2025), and Advocacy (6,133 one-on-one sessions in 2025). Health Services is credited with averting 256 ER visits and 11 ambulance transports in 2025. There is no proprietary technology platform; operations rely on standard nonprofit management systems for donor relations, client tracking, and program delivery, with public-facing assets on a Squarespace-hosted website.

YWCA Cass Clay is funded through a diversified revenue model that combines individual donations, corporate and foundation grants (Alex Stern Family Foundation, Otto Bremer Trust, Offutt Family Foundation, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines), federal and state government funding (HUD Continuum of Care, North Dakota Housing Finance Agency grants, Fargo Housing and Redevelopment Authority housing vouchers), and signature event fundraising including Women of the Year (53rd annual in 2026, 800+ attendees), Cherries for Charity (40+ years with Hornbacher's raising over $528K cumulatively), Chocolate for Change (concluded in 2025 after 42 years), and Giving Hearts Day. Planned giving programs (endowments, bequests, IRA QCDs, stock donations, life insurance beneficiaries) provide longer-term sustainable funding. All client services are provided free of charge. Key partners include Sanford Health, SCHEELS, Gate City Bank, Hornbacher's, Sammons Financial, Microsoft (RACE exhibit co-sponsor), and the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center as a co-beneficiary of Cherries for Charity. Recognitions include Platinum Seal of Transparency (Candid/GuideStar), Four-Star Charity Navigator rating, and United Way Cass Clay Verified Impact Partner designation, all sustained through 2026.

Name

YWCA Cass Clay

Legal name

YWCA Cass Clay

Website

https://ywcacassclay.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

YWCA Cass Clay is a Fargo, North Dakota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the largest emergency shelter and a 97-unit supportive housing portfolio serving women and children escaping domestic violence and homelessness across North Dakota and northwest Minnesota.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Emergency Shelter and Supportive Housing Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC)

Keywords

• Emergency shelter services
• Supportive housing services
• Domestic violence assistance
• Homeless services nonprofit
• Community social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Fargo

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct charitable contributions from individuals supporting the mission of eliminating racism and empowering women through safety, shelter, and supportive services for women and children.
2. Corporate/Foundation Grants: Funding from foundations and corporations including Alex Stern Family Foundation, Otto Bremer Trust, Offutt Family Foundation, and various corporate partners for housing development and operational support.
3. Government Funding: Federal and state government grants including HUD Continuum of Care funding ($3M+ to North Dakota), ND Housing Finance Agency grants, and housing vouchers from Fargo Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
4. Event Fundraising: Revenue from signature events including Women of the Year, Chocolate for Change, Cherries for Charity, and Giving Hearts Day participation.
5. Planned Giving: Endowments, bequests through wills, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, stock donations, and life insurance beneficiaries providing long-term sustainable funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

YWCA Cass Clay operates the largest 24-hour emergency shelter for women and children in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota, providing food, clothing, hygiene supplies, and safety for those escaping domestic violence and homelessness on a typical 45-day stay (with possible extensions). The organization also operates approximately 97 units of long-term supportive housing across multiple properties in Fargo and West Fargo, combined with on-site supportive services including childcare, registered-nurse health sessions, education and employment classes, transportation assistance, and individual advocacy.

Product overview

YWCA Cass Clay is a nonprofit organization offering a suite of programs and services centered on two core offerings: Emergency Shelter and Supportive Housing. The Emergency Shelter provides 24-hour safety, food, clothing, and stability for women and children escaping domestic violence and homelessness, operating a 45-day program. Supportive Housing provides approximately 97 units of long-term affordable housing across multiple locations (including Grace Garden in West Fargo and Lantern Light in Fargo), with on-site supportive services. These core programs are supported by an ecosystem of ancillary services including Children's Services (on-site childcare), Health Services (registered nurse sessions and clinic days), Education and Employment Services (classes and career support), and Advocacy Services (case management addressing transportation, housing, and basic needs). The organization also operates Racial Justice programming (the Racial Justice Challenge and RACE: Are We So Different? exhibit) and hosts signature fundraising events including Women of the Year, Cherries for Charity, Giving Hearts Day, and Chocolate for Change.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• YWCA Emergency Shelter 24-hour emergency shelter at 3000 S University Drive, Fargo, providing food, clothing, hygiene supplies, and safety for women and children escaping violence or homelessness. Operates a 45-day program with possible extensions; 1,349 individuals were sheltered for 25,252 days in 2025, with 91% of residents being survivors of domestic violence.
• YWCA Supportive Housing Safe, affordable long-term housing across approximately 97 apartment units at Grace Garden (West Fargo), Lantern Light (Fargo, opened November 2023), Cove Lane (Fargo, opened 2024), and other properties. Residents pay up to 30% of income toward rent and receive on-site supportive services including advocacy, health services, education, employment support, and childcare. 329 individuals were housed for 91,101 days in 2025, with 88% being survivors of domestic violence.
• Children's Services On-site childcare and developmental support for children living at YWCA Emergency Shelter and Housing. Operating from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at no cost to families on a scholarship basis. 623 children participated in 2025, with 99% of school-age children re-enrolled in school within three days of arriving at shelter.
• Health Services On-site registered nurse health sessions and clinic days for shelter and housing residents. In 2025, 1,829 one-on-one RN health sessions and 24 on-site clinic days helped avert 256 ER visits and 11 ambulance transports.
• Education and Employment Services Classes and one-on-one support helping women gain job readiness, career growth, resume building, and interview preparation. 240 classes were offered with 1,002 women in attendance during 2025.
• Advocacy Services One-on-one advocacy sessions addressing transportation, housing, basic needs, and other barriers faced by shelter and housing residents. 6,133 one-on-one advocacy sessions were conducted in 2025.
• Racial Justice Challenge Free online learning community (formerly known as the 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge) delivering daily challenge activities via a mobile app and website covering topics related to equity and social justice, including Bodies & Identity, Financial Empowerment, Domestic Violence, and Transportation.
• RACE: Are We So Different? Exhibit A mini-exhibition hosted at YWCA's Administrative Offices in collaboration with the Science Museum of Minnesota, with presenting sponsors Microsoft and Sanford Health. The exhibit focuses on the history of race and its consequences, accompanied by circle dialogue facilitation trained by the YWCA Racial Justice Committee.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% of individuals sheltered were survivors of domestic violence
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Gate City BankcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 February 2025Recognized with YWCA Friend Award for continued investment in mission. Employee volunteers paint, organize, cook, wrap gifts, and volunteer at events. Gate City Bank is represented on YWCA Board, event committees, and finance and programs committees.
• Sanford HealthflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the annual Women of the Year event. Sanford Health has been a long-standing supporter of YWCA's mission to empower women and eliminate racism, providing significant event sponsorship and recognition as 2024 Leader in Women's Empowerment Award recipient.
• SCHEELSflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of YWCA Chocolate for Change event. SCHEELS has also sponsored the Nano Nagle sculpture at Lantern Light and playground equipment at shelter facilities.
• Hornbacher'sflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-standing partner hosting the annual Cherries for Charity event. For over 40 years, Hornbacher's has hosted this fundraiser donating 25 cents per pound of cherries sold to YWCA and Rape and Abuse Crisis Center. Total raised exceeds $528,000.
• Fargo Housing and Redevelopment AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides 10-year $1.8 million commitment of housing vouchers for Lantern Light residence, guaranteeing rental assistance stability for supportive housing residents.
• Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin MaryflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSold the former Sacred Heart Convent to YWCA for Lantern Light development. Long history of partnership including previous apartment leasing to YWCA since 2006 and collaborative naming honoring founder Nano Nagle.
• MicrosoftminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the RACE: Are We So Different? exhibition along with Sanford Health.
• Sammons Financial GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing parking lot resurfacing at Emergency Shelter. CEO Tammi Jo Barta serves as immediate past president of YWCA Board.
• Eide BaillyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCPA and business advisory firm listed as community partner supporting YWCA's mission.
• Delta by Marriott (Fargo)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for YWCA Women of the Year and Chocolate for Change events at their Fargo location.
• Savers Thrift StorecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner accepting donated items not on YWCA's needs list. Savers provides critical financial support to YWCA for items donated to their store.
• MinnKota PawsminorOthersCommunity resource that can help shelter residents with pet needs including emergency support animals with doctor's note.
• Rape and Abuse Crisis Center (RACC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-beneficiary of Cherries for Charity event with Hornbacher's. Both organizations serve survivors of domestic violence and collaborate on community awareness initiatives.
• Furniture MissionminorOthersCommunity partner helping furnish new apartments and homes for families moving into supportive housing through furniture donations.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• YWCA Minneapolis: Affiliate YWCA serving the Minneapolis metro with emergency shelter, supportive housing, and empowerment services for women and children escaping violence. Most directly comparable peer given shared YWCA brand, similar service continuum (emergency shelter + supportive housing + advocacy), and overlapping funding sources.
• Rape and Abuse Crisis Center (RACC) of Fargo-Moorhead: Co-beneficiary with YWCA Cass Clay on the Cherries for Charity event; provides direct DV/sexual assault services in the same Fargo-Moorhead geography. Closest local peer in mission, population served, and donor/funding ecosystem.
• YWCA St. Paul: Minnesota-based YWCA affiliate offering housing, racial justice, and women's empowerment programs under the same national YWCA USA umbrella. Operates a near-identical service mix (shelter, housing, advocacy) and competes for overlapping state/foundation funding pools.

Others

• National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV): National advocacy and capacity-building organization for state and local DV coalitions. Indirectly comparable as the umbrella policy/funding intermediary whose federal advocacy shapes the CoC and FVPSA funding streams YWCA Cass Clay depends on.
• Fargo Housing and Redevelopment Authority: Public housing authority that provides the Section 8/Housing Choice Vouchers and project-based rental assistance that flow to YWCA Cass Clay residents (e.g., the 10-year $1.8M Lantern Light commitment). Strategic upstream partner/funder rather than direct competitor.
• Beyond Shelter Inc. Named partner on the Lantern Light development project; supportive housing developer/consultant for DV and homelessness service agencies. Comparable as a specialized housing development partner operating in the same funding and programmatic ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities North Dakota: Multi-program social services agency serving North Dakota and northwest Minnesota with housing, refugee services, and case management. Overlaps with YWCA Cass Clay in supportive housing and homelessness services, drawing on similar federal/state funding pools.
• The Salvation Army Northern Dakota Division: National social services organization providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and case management in Fargo and across North Dakota. Operates overlapping shelter/housing services with broader geographic reach.

Emerging players

• Domestic Violence Housing First (DVHF) Network / Sacred Hoops: National initiative promoting trauma-informed, housing-first models for DV survivors that align with YWCA Cass Clay's shelter-to-housing continuum. Conceptually comparable as a model peer whose framework YWCA Cass Clay's supportive housing program operationalizes.

Regional players

• YWCA Bismarck: North Dakota-based YWCA affiliate providing domestic violence shelter, sexual assault services, and housing support. Most direct in-state peer competing for the same ND Housing Finance Agency grants and HUD CoC dollars within North Dakota.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ywcacassclay
• Instagraminstagram.com/ywcacassclay.org
• Xx.com/ywcacassclay
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ywcacassclay

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about YWCA Cass Clay