What Sunshine Place does

Sunshine Place is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community resource hub headquartered in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, that delivers wraparound social services to individuals and families facing food insecurity, housing instability, and related hardship in Sun Prairie, eastern Dane County, northeastern Dane County, and the Marshall area. The organization was founded in 2001 and opened its doors in 2007 as a single point of access combining a food pantry with The Red Barn program; it merged with the Sun Prairie Food Pantry (now Sunshine Pantry) on January 1, 2023, consolidating food assistance operations under its administrative structure. Operations span two physical locations — 18 Rickel Road (Sunshine Pantry, lobby resource center, home delivery dispatch) and Sunshine Plaza at 1632 W. Main Street (KiDs Closet, Sunshine Supper distribution, Housing Navigation, and onsite partner agencies) — augmented by a mobile food pantry van, school-based satellite pantries in all Sun Prairie Community Schools, and a home delivery program.

The service portfolio is organized into four pillars: Food (Sunshine Pantry serving ~1,400 families/month, Food for Kids with 18,398 food bags in 2025, Sunshine Supper serving 24,008 warm meals, Good Neighbor Markets, home delivery), Child Outreach (KiDs Closet for 681 youth, Beds for Kids delivering 146 beds, Stuff the Bus distributing 2,000 backpacks annually, Spirit of Giving serving 596 families/1,555 children in 2025), Housing Services (477 housing assistance instances, 275 early childhood case management clients, emergency utility assistance), and Community Supports & Learning (Sunshine Legal Clinic serving 113 patrons, ESL classes with 480+ participants, and co-located partner agencies). The organization co-locates 8+ partner agencies including Centro (Dane County), Joining Forces for Families, RISE Early Childhood Initiative, Dane County Public Health, Tenant Resource Center, Community Action Coalition, First Care Clinic, Operation Fresh Start, and the Latino Academy of Workforce Development, creating a one-stop integrated service model. Core technology infrastructure is limited to standard nonprofit tools: NeonCRM for donation processing, Google Forms for home delivery orders, and basic social media presence; no proprietary technology or AI capabilities are disclosed.

The business model is donations-and-grants-funded: the organization describes itself as 'nearly 100% community-supported,' deriving revenue from individual financial donations (including stock, donor-advised funds, IRA QCDs, bequests, and life insurance beneficiary designations), foundation grants (United Way of Dane County, Henry J. Predolin Foundation), corporate sponsorships (Bank of Sun Prairie as primary Thanksgiving Basket sponsor), in-kind donations (food from Second Harvest, Costco, Kwik Trip, Pick N Save, Woodman's; clothing and personal care items), and fundraising events (Purse Bingo, Sunshine Celebration, S.O.S. Food Fight competition). All services are provided free of charge to community members. The organization employs 13 paid staff, leverages an average of 447 volunteers per month, is governed by an Executive Director (Ann Maastricht) and a Board of Directors, and holds the Candid Platinum transparency seal and Charity Navigator Four-Star rating (EIN: 20-5398498).

Name

Sunshine Place

Legal name

Sunshine Place Inc.

Website

https://sunshineplace.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sunshine Place is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community resource hub in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, providing free food assistance, housing navigation, child outreach, legal services, and ESL classes to families and individuals facing hardship in eastern Dane County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sun Prairie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Financial Donations & Grants: As a nearly 100% community-supported organization, Sunshine Place relies primarily on financial donations and grants from individuals, businesses, and foundations. The organization uses charitable giving platforms (NeonCRM) for one-time and recurring donations, and also accepts stock donations, donor-advised fund contributions, IRA qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), bequests, and life insurance beneficiary designations. EIN: 20-5398498.
2. In-Kind Donations: Community members donate food, clothing, bedding, and personal care items which are distributed through the organization's programs. Food is also sourced through food recovery partnerships with local retailers, Second Harvest, and wholesale distributors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sunshine Place is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs a one-stop community resource hub providing free food assistance (full-choice pantry, Food for Kids, weekly community meals), housing navigation and emergency utility assistance, child outreach (clothing, beds, backpacks, holiday gifts), a volunteer-attorney legal clinic, and ESL classes, delivered at two physical locations in Sun Prairie, WI plus mobile and school-based distribution channels.

Product overview

Sunshine Place is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating as a one-stop community resource hub in Sun Prairie, WI. The organization offers a unified portfolio of social service programs rather than a technology product platform. Core programs include Sunshine Pantry (food assistance), Food for Kids, Sunshine Supper (community meals), Housing Support Services, Child Outreach programs (KiDs Closet, Beds for Kids, Stuff the Bus, Spirit of Giving), and Sunshine Legal Clinic. The organization also hosts onsite partner agencies including Centro, Joining Forces for Families, RISE Early Childhood Initiative, Tenant Resource Center, and Public Health Madison & Dane County. The integrated service model allows families to access multiple support services in a single location.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sunshine Pantry: Full-choice food pantry offering a variety of food and self-care products, including diapers and period supplies. Open six days per week.
• KiDs Closet
• Sunshine Supper
• Stuff the Bus
• Spirit of Giving
• Sunshine Legal Clinic
• Housing Navigation

Products and services

• Sunshine Pantry A full-choice food pantry serving approximately 1,400 families monthly with fresh produce, dairy, meat, bread, personal care items, diapers, and period products. Clients can visit every 14 days at the 18 Rickel Road location, open six days per week.
• Food for Kids Community-based food programs for children including satellite pantries at all Sun Prairie Community Schools, Fun Friday snack bag distribution in four low-income communities, summer lunch distribution three days per week, and Break Bags for school holidays. Distributed 18,398 food bags for kids in 2025.
• Sunshine Supper A free weekly community meal served every Monday from 5 PM to 6 PM at 1632 W. Main St., Sun Prairie, provided by rotating civic organizations, churches, and community groups with drive-through or walk-up options. 24,008 warm meals served in 2025.
• Beds for Kids Program delivering new twin-sized beds and bedding to school-aged children in Sun Prairie and Marshall areas who lack a proper sleeping space. Requires referral from a school social worker or Joining Forces for Families. 146 beds delivered in 2025.
• KiDs Closet Free clothing resource for children and youth in Sun Prairie and Marshall School Districts. Referred families select clothing in private 30-minute appointments. Served 681 youth in 2025.
• Spirit of Giving Holiday gift assistance program matching families in need with community sponsors during the December holiday season. Families register November 1–15, and sponsors purchase approximately $50 per child in gifts. Served 596 families and 1,555 children in 2025.
• Stuff the Bus Annual program providing backpacks and school supplies to Sun Prairie students in need. Distributes 2,000 backpacks annually to elementary and middle/high school students with age-appropriate supplies.
• Sunshine Legal Clinic Free over-the-phone legal consultation service providing up to 30-minute virtual appointments for legal matters including child support, family law, tenant rights, consumer protection, unemployment compensation, and wills/estate planning. Volunteer attorneys provide consultations. Served 113 legal patrons in 2025.
• Housing Support Services Housing navigation services assisting Sun Prairie and Marshall area residents experiencing housing instability, plus emergency utility assistance to prevent disconnection. Services provided through housing case management and partner agencies. Delivered 477 instances of housing assistance in 2025.
• Community Learning Classes ESL classes for beginners with drop-in attendance, plus various training and learning opportunities hosted by community partners (Latino Academy of Workforce Development, Centro Hispano, Madison College). Over 480 instances of ESL class participation.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Centro (Dane County)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentro serves the Latino community, offering bilingual programs and services. At Sunshine Place, Centro provides onsite services at Sunshine Plaza (Unit 150), assisting Spanish-speaking community members with employment, housing, food, clothes, and school support. Centro serves an average of 2,500+ families and 6,000+ individuals annually through its bilingual programs. Onsite hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Joining Forces for Families (JFF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDane County Department of Human Services program that connects Sun Prairie neighbors with needed resources through creative problem solving, advocacy, and resource connection. Community-based, voluntary program housed at Sunshine Place (Unit 150). Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Referrals to Joining Forces for Families are accepted for Beds for Kids program.
• RISE Early Childhood Initiative (ECI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRISE ECI helps pregnant women and families with children ages 0–4 reach goals for family stability, wellness, child development, and family relationships. Located at 1632 W. Main St., Unit 180, Sun Prairie. ECI provides parenting education, connects families to housing, childcare, jobs, and other resources. Partner agency co-located at Sunshine Place.
• Dane County Public Health (PHMDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic Health Madison & Dane County provides a Community-based Public Health Nurse (CBPHN) at Sunshine Place to connect neighbors with referrals and information for PHMDC services. Available Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4 p.m. (walk-ins welcome, appointments recommended).
• Tenant Resource Center (TRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTRC is a nonprofit advocating for housing justice and thriving communities. Offers housing counseling, eviction prevention, housing mediation, outreach, and education. Regular drop-in office hours at Sunshine Place (Unit 170) with bilingual staff on Monday and Thursday. Mission of advocating for housing justice.
• Second Harvest Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary food sourcing partner for Sunshine Pantry and summer lunch programs. Provides generous supply of fresh vegetables, herbs, and more for Good Neighbor Markets. Food recovery partnership helps reduce food waste while feeding the community.
• Community Action Coalition (CAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAC provides services at Sunshine Place including one of the largest senior box distributions in Dane County (for adults 60+ meeting income requirements). Also provides housing consultation, housing case management, and supportive services for veterans and families. Available Mon 1–4 p.m., Wed 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
• First Care ClinicsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree healthcare for women, providing pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, testing and treatment, and occasional PAP clinics via mobile clinic. At Sunshine Place every other Thursday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. by appointment. Addresses healthcare access gaps for uninsured/underinsured women.
• Operation Fresh Start (CareerScape)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides CareerScape Counseling for young adults aged 18–24, assisting with career exploration, employment preparation, and next steps. Available Tuesdays 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. at Sunshine Place.
• Latino Academy of Workforce DevelopmentsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffers bilingual, culturally competent adult education programming including workforce development and GED classes that help Latinos gain knowledge for better employment opportunities.
• Sun Prairie Community SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to stock satellite food pantries at all Sun Prairie Community Schools. School district nutrition department communicates Spirit of Giving and Stuff the Bus programs to eligible families. Site coordinators facilitate school-based food access.
• CostcosecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood donation and food recovery partner helping keep pantry shelves stocked with a variety of food items.
• Kwik TripsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood donation partner contributing food items to Sunshine Pantry through food recovery efforts.
• Pick N SavesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrocery store partner contributing food donations to support pantry operations.
• Woodman'ssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrocery store partner contributing food donations to support pantry operations.
• Culver's of Sun PrairieminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipates in S.O.S. Food Fight donation drive (June–July). Offers complimentary custard/cone/duck to donors who bring 3+ food items. Two locations (Main St. and Oxford Place) serve as collection points.
• Heins ContractingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating business in S.O.S. Food Fight competition, collecting non-perishable food and personal care donations at their Madison location.
• Milwaukee ToolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating business in S.O.S. Food Fight competition. Drop-off location at 450 Progress Way and 2875 Innovation Way, Sun Prairie. Supporter of summer meal programs.
• One Community BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating business in S.O.S. Food Fight competition. Drop-off location at 2580 Ironwood Dr., Sun Prairie.
• Prairie Kids ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating business in S.O.S. Food Fight competition. Drop-off location at 352 Wilburn Road, Sun Prairie.
• Prairie PawzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating business in S.O.S. Food Fight competition. Drop-off location at 2448 Brooks Dr., Sun Prairie.
• Pro-Active EngineeringminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating business in S.O.S. Food Fight competition. Drop-off location at 350 Business Park Dr., Sun Prairie.
• QBE Insurance / DMB Community BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint team participating in S.O.S. Food Fight competition, partnering with several local businesses to support food donations.
• Royle PrintingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating business in S.O.S. Food Fight competition. Drop-off location at 745 South Bird St., Sun Prairie, M–F 9AM–5PM.
• Sunny NutritionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating business in S.O.S. Food Fight competition. Drop-off location at 515 West Main St., Sun Prairie.
• Sun Prairie UtilitiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating business in S.O.S. Food Fight competition. Drop-off location at 510 Linnerud Dr., Sun Prairie.
• The Insurance Center (Alera Group)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating business in S.O.S. Food Fight competition. Drop-off location at 5900 Monona Drive, Suite 205, Monona.
• Independent Pharmacy CooperativeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating business in S.O.S. Food Fight competition. Drop-off location at 1550 Columbus St., Sun Prairie.
• Prairie Music & ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonates weekly craft kits for summer lunch recipients at Sunshine Place.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Hunger Task Force: Milwaukee-based anti-hunger organization focused on food distribution and healthy food access; comparable in mission and food-pantry model but serving a different metro geography.

Direct peers

• YWCA Madison: Community-services nonprofit serving Dane County with housing, child outreach, and family support programming; comparable multiservice model and overlapping client population with Sunshine Place.
• Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin: Onsite partner providing senior boxes, housing case management, and veteran/family services from Sunshine Place; directly comparable as a peer delivering social assistance programs in the same service area.
• Catholic Charities of Madison: Regional Catholic Charities affiliate providing food, housing, immigration, and family services across Dane County; directly comparable in mission, service mix, and client base to Sunshine Place.
• Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin: Primary food sourcing partner of Sunshine Pantry and itself a large-scale hunger-relief organization; comparable as a food-distribution peer in the same regional food system.
• The Salvation Army of Dane County: Operates a comparable multiservice community support model in Dane County including food assistance, housing navigation, and emergency relief, making it a direct peer in delivering wraparound social services to the same regional population.
• The Road Home Dane County: Madison-area nonprofit focused on homelessness prevention, housing navigation, and emergency shelter; comparable as a peer delivering housing stability services in the same Dane County market where Sunshine Place also operates housing navigation.

Broad incumbents

• Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin: Regional Feeding America affiliate operating food bank and hunger-relief programs across eastern Wisconsin; comparable as a larger incumbent in the same food-distribution category Sunshine Place operates in.
• Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin: Larger multiservice nonprofit serving Dane County with workforce development, retail, and social services; comparable as a regional hub for wraparound community support but operates across a broader portfolio than Sunshine Place's niche focus.
• United Way of Dane County: Core community partner and ongoing funder of Sunshine Place; comparable as a broader community-impact umbrella organization that both funds and coordinates local social services in the same geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9CX0NxCUbO6kcR8NOnehfQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/SunshinePlaceSP
• Instagraminstagram.com/sunshineplacesp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sunshine-place-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Sunshine Place