EUMA (Erie United Methodist Alliance)

What EUMA (Erie United Methodist Alliance) does

EUMA (Erie United Methodist Alliance) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1888 and headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania, that operates a portfolio of homelessness intervention and housing programs across Northwest Pennsylvania. The organization serves homeless individuals and families, homeless veterans, and youth aging out of foster care through a continuum-of-care model spanning emergency shelter (The Refuge, a 34-bed facility), transitional housing (Liberty House, a 10-bed veteran-specific program in partnership with the VA and HUD since 2001), Rapid Re-Housing (the largest in Erie County), 32 units of permanent supportive housing, a winter seasonal overflow shelter (Our Neighbors' Place), and a youth independent-living program (Journey Home). Following a 2017 leadership decision to adopt the Housing First methodology, EUMA reorganized its transitional housing stock into permanent housing and scaled rapid re-housing operations.

The organization's business model is funded through three primary streams: individual and corporate donations (including the Heart To Heart monthly giving program, Erie Gives/Crawford Gives annual events, and a 30th annual golf tournament), federal government grants and contracts from HUD and the Veterans Administration, and revenue from the Rainbow Connection Thrift Store social enterprise (operating since 1985 at 1516 Buffalo Road, which also provides free clothing and household items to clients via a Voucher Assistance Program serving 45+ local agencies). In 2023, EUMA served 2,517 individuals, provided 5,836 winter bed nights through Our Neighbors' Place, and reported a 94% rate of veterans exiting Liberty House into permanent housing. The organization extended services into Crawford County in recent years and relocated to an expanded headquarters at 9th and Liberty Streets in Erie in April 2023 to accommodate a growing team.

Name

EUMA (Erie United Methodist Alliance)

Legal name

Erie United Methodist Alliance

Website

https://euma-erie.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1888

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EUMA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1888 in Erie, Pennsylvania, that operates a continuum of homelessness intervention programs — emergency shelter, veteran transitional housing, rapid re-housing, and permanent supportive housing — serving homeless individuals, families, veterans, and transition-age youth across Northwest Pennsylvania.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless and Housing Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIANAC

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Housing, Urban Planning & Community Development

SECONDARYBPAGAEAB

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYBPAGALAC

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Enterprises & Impact Organizations

Keywords

• Homeless shelter services
• Emergency housing assistance
• Rapid rehousing programs
• Permanent supportive housing
• Transitional housing veterans

Headquarters

HQ city

Erie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: EUMA relies heavily on individual donors, corporate sponsors, and church congregations for operational funding. The organization runs corporate sponsorship programs and monthly giving (Heart To Heart).
2. Government Grants and Contracts: Funding from HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) and Veterans Administration for veteran housing programs. Partnership with local government for shelter operations.
3. Thrift Store Revenue: Rainbow Connection Thrift Store at 1516 Buffalo Road generates revenue while providing clothing and household items to clients at no cost through Voucher Assistance Program.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

EUMA (Erie United Methodist Alliance) is a nonprofit organization that provides a continuum of homelessness services in Northwest Pennsylvania. Its offerings include emergency shelter for families (The Refuge), transitional housing for veterans (Liberty House), the largest Rapid Re-Housing program in Erie County, 32 units of permanent supportive housing, seasonal winter shelter (Our Neighbors' Place), youth independent living (Journey Home), and a thrift store providing free clothing and household items to clients in need.

Product overview

EUMA (Erie United Methodist Alliance) is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of homeless shelter and housing programs in Northwest Pennsylvania. The core offerings include emergency shelter (The Refuge), transitional housing for veterans (Liberty House), rapid re-housing assistance, permanent supportive housing units, and seasonal winter shelter (Our Neighbors' Place). The organization also operates a youth independent living program (Journey Home) and a social enterprise thrift store (Rainbow Connection). The portfolio follows a Housing First methodology adopted in 2017, focusing on making homelessness rare, brief, and one-time.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Refuge Emergency shelter for families with children experiencing homelessness. A 34-bed facility serving families in crisis who need safe temporary accommodation and supportive services.
• Liberty House 10-bed transitional housing program specifically for homeless Veterans, operated in partnership with the Veterans Administration and HUD. Provides veteran-specific housing with VA benefits coordination and trauma-informed care.
• Rapid Re-Housing The largest Rapid Re-Housing program in Erie County, helping homeless individuals and families find, pay for, and stay permanently housed through housing search assistance, rental subsidies, and ongoing case management support.
• Our Neighbors' Place Seasonal Shelter Winter seasonal shelter serving as Erie County's shelter of last resort, providing adults with a warm, safe place to sleep during Erie's winter season, welcoming all individuals regardless of condition.
• Permanent Housing 32 units of preserved and rehabilitated safe, affordable, and supportive permanent housing in The City of Erie, occupied by individuals at risk of homelessness or who have experienced a housing crisis.
• Journey Home Program providing youth aging out of foster care with independent and supportive living apartments, operated in partnership with Family Services of NW PA and Bethesda Lutheran Services. Includes life skills development support.
• Rainbow Connection Thrift Store Thrift store providing clothing, household items, furniture, and small appliances to neighbors in need at no cost through the Voucher Assistance Program for EUMA clients and individuals referred from 45+ community organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% of Veterans transitioned to permanent housing after staying at Liberty House transitional shelter
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

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

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017HUD partnership supporting EUMA's Housing First methodology adoption and largest Rapid Re-Housing program in Erie County. Provides federal funding for housing placement and stabilization services.
• Veterans Administration (VA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001EUMA partnered with the Veterans Administration and HUD to open Liberty House, a 10-bed transitional housing program specifically for homeless Veterans in Erie County. This partnership enables veteran-specific housing services with VA benefits coordination.
• Family Services of NW PAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEUMA partnered with Family Services of NW PA and Bethesda Lutheran Services to launch Journey Home program providing youth aging out of foster care with independent and supportive living apartments.
• Bethesda Lutheran ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint partnership with Family Services of NW PA for Journey Home program providing supportive housing for youth aging out of foster care.
• Our Neighbors' Place (ONP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2018, EUMA welcomed local church coordinators of Our Neighbors' Place (ONP) Seasonal Shelter as part of the EUMA family of ministries. ONP is Erie County's shelter of last resort providing winter shelter for adults regardless of how they show up.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• National Alliance to End Homelessness: National policy and advocacy organization that shapes federal homelessness funding priorities, including Housing First policy. Relevant ecosystem participant that influences EUMA's funding environment.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (HUD-VASH program): Federal partner that funds veteran-specific transitional and permanent housing. Included as the funder partner most central to EUMA's Liberty House program and veteran re-housing outcomes.
• United Way of Erie County: Regional nonprofit and key donor/funder for many Erie-area social service agencies. Listed as an adjacent ecosystem participant that channels funding to EUMA and peer organizations.

Direct peers

• Community Shelter Board (Columbus, OH): Mid-sized nonprofit coordinating emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, and permanent supportive housing using Housing First methodology. Comparable operating model and funding mix (donations, government grants, United Way).
• Compass Housing Alliance: Nonprofit operating emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing with case management services. Comparable integrated Housing First continuum and funding mix.
• Bethesda Lutheran Services: Faith-affiliated nonprofit providing youth and family services including foster care and supportive housing. Direct partner with EUMA on the Journey Home program for youth aging out of foster care.
• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Erie: Faith-based nonprofit operating housing, emergency assistance, and social services in the same Erie region. Comparable faith-based service model and donor-driven funding structure.
• Family Services of NW PA: Direct regional peer and Journey Home program partner. Family Services of NW PA delivers social services, mental health, and family support programs in the same Northwest Pennsylvania footprint, serving overlapping at-risk populations.
• Salvation Army of Erie: Faith-based nonprofit operating emergency shelter, transitional housing, and rapid re-housing in Erie. Directly comparable as a multi-program homeless services provider funded through donations and government grants.
• Volunteers of America (Erie): National faith-affiliated nonprofit providing emergency shelter, veteran housing (HUD-VASH partnerships), and supportive housing in multiple regions including Pennsylvania. Comparable continuum-of-care model and federal funding profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkb4_xupO4OGpmQhvmn1V9A/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/euma.erie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/erie-united-methodist-alliance
• Instagraminstagram.com/euma_erie

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about EUMA (Erie United Methodist Alliance)