Refuge of Hope

What Refuge of Hope does

Refuge of Hope is a faith-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) Christian rescue mission headquartered in Canton, Ohio, founded in 2000 and operating for 25 years as of 2025. The organization delivers an integrated portfolio of direct services to homeless and low-income residents of Stark County, including the only men's emergency shelter of its kind in the county, hot meals served nine times per week, an Urban Ark Food Pantry serving up to 525 residents monthly, warming centers, a clothing ministry, free medical and dental care through clinical partnerships, and a housing coordination function. A new Women's Shelter is under construction (groundbreaking September 2025) and is scheduled to open Fall 2026, with new Laundry & Showers facilities launching in late 2026 to extend services beyond shelter residents. The core technology stack is minimal — the organization uses DonorPerfect for donation processing, a WordPress website, and standard social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) — with no proprietary technology systems.

The organization's revenue model is entirely donation-driven. Funding comes from individual donors (including monthly 'Partners of Hope' recurring gifts), business and church partnerships, corporate matching programs, foundation grants, planned giving (charitable IRA rollovers, stock gifts, charitable lead trusts, wills), and annual fundraising events such as the Spring Banquet, Run to Jesus 5K, and Thanks + Giving = Hope Gala. All services are provided free of charge to recipients. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven: church liaison partnerships, volunteer programs, and community events generate both donations and beneficiary referrals, with social media and email newsletters supporting mid-funnel engagement.

The management team of approximately 28 staff is led by CEO Scott Schnyders and includes specialized roles (Chaplain, Housing Coordinator, Shelter Director, CPA Director of Finance, CFRM-certified Director of Development) reflecting a stable, mission-aligned organization. Strategic partners include LifeCare Community Health Center (medical clinic), HWS Best Health Counseling (mental health), Dr. Keefe DDS (dental), Akron/Canton Food Bank (food supply), Urban Ark Canton (food distribution), and Fred Olivieri Construction Company (Women's Shelter contractor). Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed; the organization publishes Annual Report Cards on its website but no specific dollar amounts are available in the source material.

Name

Refuge of Hope

Legal name

Refuge of Hope

Website

https://refugeofhope.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Refuge of Hope is a 25-year-old faith-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) Christian rescue mission in Canton, Ohio, providing meals, shelter, clothing, medical care, and food pantry services to homeless and low-income residents of Stark County. It operates the only men's shelter of its kind in the county and is expanding to add a women's shelter in Fall 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless and Social Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Food Services (624210)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Emergency shelter services
• Community meal programs
• Homeless services
• Faith-based nonprofit
• Humanitarian aid

Headquarters

HQ city

Canton

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization relies heavily on individual donors who contribute through online portals, mail-in checks, and monthly Partners of Hope recurring gifts to support ongoing operations.
2. Corporate and Church Partnerships: Business sponsorships and church mission giving provide funding, event sponsorships, and volunteer groups. Companies can match employee contributions and serve as event sponsors.
3. Foundation Grants: Foundations provide grant funding for specific programs and general operations. The organization maintains relationships with foundation partners for ongoing support.
4. Planned Giving: Charitable IRA rollovers, stock gifts, charitable lead trusts, wills, and insurance gifts offer donors tax-advantaged ways to support the mission.
5. Special Events: Annual fundraising events including Spring Banquet, Run to Jesus 5K, Thanks + Giving = Hope Gala, and community celebrations generate both revenue and community engagement.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Refuge of Hope is a faith-based nonprofit Christian rescue mission providing free meals, emergency shelter, clothing, medical care, and supportive services to homeless and food-insecure residents of Stark County, Ohio. It operates the only men's shelter of its kind in the county, runs hot meals six days a week, a food pantry serving up to 525 residents monthly, warming centers, and a clothing ministry, with a women's shelter opening in Fall 2026.

Product overview

Refuge of Hope is a faith-based nonprofit 501c3 Christian rescue mission providing a coordinated portfolio of humanitarian services in Stark County, Ohio. The organization operates a network of interconnected services including men's shelter (the only men's shelter of its kind in the county), a forthcoming women's shelter (opening Fall 2026), warming centers for cold-weather emergencies, and meal programs offering free hot meals six days a week. Related services include the Urban Ark Food Pantry (serving up to 525 residents monthly), a clothing ministry with a retail-style shopping experience, onsite medical care through healthcare partnerships, and laundry/shower facilities (opening late 2026). All services are provided at no cost to recipients and are designed to meet physical, emotional, and spiritual needs while supporting transition to independence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Men's Shelter Emergency shelter and transition-to-independence support for homeless men, providing hot showers, meals, clothing, and counseling in a dormitory-style setting. This is the only men's shelter of its kind in Stark County.
• Women's Shelter Safe, sober support center for homeless women providing meals, showers, laundry services, and Christ-centered encouragement at no cost. Opening Fall 2026.
• Warming Centers Emergency warming facilities providing warmth, water, and food for those in need during cold weather. Includes both overnight and daytime locations across Stark County.
• Hot Meals Free, nutritious meals served 6 days a week in a family-style setting. Lunch served Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; dinner served Monday through Friday.
• Urban Ark Food Pantry Grocery and clothing distribution serving up to 525 Canton-area residents each month free of charge. Food is purchased from Akron/Canton Food Bank and distributed at 215 Orchard Ave. NE.
• Clothing Ministry Free clothing and hygiene items shopping experience at the Community Care Center, providing shoes, clothes, accessories, hygiene products, blankets, and linens for adults and children.
• Medical Care Onsite clinical healthcare services through LifeCare Community Health Center partnerships, providing care for uninsured and underinsured individuals, including dental care and mental health support.
• Laundry & Showers No-cost laundry and shower access for individuals and families in need, opening late 2026. Showers open to all regardless of shelter stay; staff washes and dries laundry loads.

Quantifiable outcome

• Meals served 9 times per week to men, women, and children
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Liberty HealthShareminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 November 2025Collaboration providing $25,000 in grants to five local charities in Stark County to combat hunger, including a campaign to deliver over 100,000 meals to struggling families.
• Fred Olivieri Construction CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2025General contractor for the Women's Shelter construction project opening Fall 2026. The partnership enables expansion of services to include laundry, showers, and shelter for women facing homelessness.
• LifeCare Community Health CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLifeCare Community Health Center operates a medical clinic with two exam rooms at Refuge of Hope's Community Care Center every Friday, providing healthcare for uninsured and underinsured individuals. They also help connect patients to benefits and affordable care programs.
• HWS Best Health CounselingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health counseling services provided on-site to shelter residents, offering support for individuals dealing with addiction, trauma, and other mental health challenges.
• Dr. Keefe, DDScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer dentist providing dental care services to shelter residents who otherwise would not have access to dental treatment.
• Akron/Canton Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood bank supplies food purchased at reduced cost for the Urban Ark food pantry which serves up to 525 Canton-area residents monthly with free groceries.
• Urban Ark CantoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer organization that serves up to 525 Canton-area residents each month, purchasing food from Akron/Canton Food Bank and distributing free groceries and clothing. Also provides Sunday hot meals.
• Stark County CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of church partners providing mission giving, volunteer groups, transportation for shelter residents to attend church services, Bible studies, prayer partners, and community referrals.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• St. Vincent de Paul Society of Canton: Faith-based nonprofit providing emergency assistance, food, clothing, and shelter services in the Canton/Stark County area. Directly comparable in faith-based identity, free direct-service model, and overlapping beneficiary segments.
• Akron/Canton Regional Foodbank: Regional food bank distributing food to partner pantries including the Urban Ark food pantry operated by Refuge of Hope. Comparable in mission to address food insecurity in the same Northeast Ohio service region and serves as both supplier and sector peer.
• Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana: Multi-state nonprofit operating emergency shelters, supportive housing, food programs, and reentry services across Ohio. Comparable as a faith-informed social services operator with similar shelter-plus-services model and donor-supported funding.
• Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio: Regional Goodwill affiliate operating workforce development, job training, and community-based programs across northeast and east-central Ohio. Comparable in serving low-income populations with multi-service offerings and faith-aligned community partnerships.
• The Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland & Northeast Ohio: Faith-based nonprofit operating emergency shelters, meal programs, and social services across Ohio. Most directly comparable to Refuge of Hope in mission, service mix (shelter + meals + clothing + case management), faith-based identity, and donor-funded operating model.
• Catholic Charities Diocese of Youngstown: Regional Catholic Charities affiliate providing emergency assistance, food programs, housing support, and social services in northeastern Ohio including Stark County. Comparable as a faith-based social services nonprofit serving overlapping geographies and beneficiary populations.
• Family Promise of Greater Cleveland: Faith-based nonprofit addressing family homelessness through shelter, meals, and case management in northeast Ohio. Comparable in faith-based identity, volunteer-driven shelter model, and community-host partnership approach.

Regional players

• ICAN Housing: Ohio-based supportive housing and homeless services nonprofit serving similar populations. Comparable in mission (housing stability, supportive services) though operating at a different geographic scale within the broader Ohio homeless-services ecosystem.
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Stark County: Local Habitat affiliate addressing housing insecurity in Stark County. Comparable regional peer in the housing/homelessness services space, though focused on affordable home building rather than emergency shelter.

Others

• United Way of Greater Stark County: Local United Way affiliate that funds and convenes many of the same nonprofits operating in Stark County. Comparable as a community-resource ecosystem player and potential funding channel rather than a direct service competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@refugeofhopeministries7405
• Facebookfacebook.com/refugeofhopeministries
• Instagraminstagram.com/refugeofhopeministries

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Refuge of Hope