Homeward Alliance

What Homeward Alliance does

Homeward Alliance is a Fort Collins, Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2008 (originally as Homeless Gear) that operates a continuum of programs for individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Northern Colorado. The organization serves approximately 5,000 people annually through a portfolio that includes direct service programs (Resource Navigation, Family Services, WAGEES Re-Entry, EARN Employment Services, Housing Services, Mason Place case management), mobile/outreach programs (Mobile Laundry, Bike Repair), and a Distribution/Gear Room program. Its flagship operation is the Murphy Center for Hope, a co-located service hub at 242 Conifer Street in Fort Collins where 20 independent partner agencies deliver over 40 services to nearly 3,000 people per year. The organization also operates partnered services including the SummitStone Clinic at the Murphy Center (integrated medical/behavioral health including MAT, launched March 2024).

Homeward Alliance's underlying technology layers regional systems coordination atop traditional direct service delivery. As the HMIS lead agency for the Northern Colorado Continuum of Care (NoCO CoC) covering Larimer and Weld counties, it manages client-level data infrastructure, agency partnership agreements, and technical support for the regional homeless response system. The organization uses the Unite Us cross-sector referral platform, the Coordinated Entry System (CAHPS), Bloomerang for volunteer management, QGIV for donations, and SignUpGenius/InitLive for volunteer scheduling. A Systems Strategy and Support Services arm (launched 2019) provides technical assistance (strategic planning, data management, policy development) to other nonprofits. The organization received the State of Colorado Transformational Homeless Response (THR) grant in 2023 to lead the Larimer County homelessness strategic plan.

Revenue is derived from a diversified non-profit funding mix: individual and corporate donations (tax-deductible, 501(c)(3), Tax ID #27-4641606), in-kind product donations, stock gifts processed through Merrill Lynch, special events (UnGala-Xy annual fundraiser targeting $150,000 in 2026), government grants (THR, NoCO CoC Collaborative Applicant designation), and volunteer labor contributions. All services are provided free of charge to clients. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Mary Lynn Jones and led by Executive Director David Rout (in role since 2014). It holds Charity Navigator, BBB Accredited Charity, and Candid Gold Seal of Transparency certifications, and has won regional awards including the Governor's Outstanding Nonprofit of the Year (2015).

Name

Homeward Alliance

Legal name

Homeward Alliance

Website

https://homewardalliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homelessness Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Homeless services
• Housing case management
• Emergency basic needs
• Re-entry support services
• Nonprofit social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Collins

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: Homeward Alliance receives cash donations from individuals and corporations. The organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit (Tax ID #27-4641606). Donations are tax-deductible, and Colorado residents making eligible donations of $100 or more may qualify for a 25% state income tax credit.
2. Product Donations: Accepts in-kind donations of gear, clothing, food, hygiene items, and outerwear to distribute to clients through the Gear Room and Family Resource Connection.
3. Stock Donations: Processes gifts of stock through Merrill Lynch for donors who prefer to contribute appreciated securities.
4. Special Events Fundraising: Annual UnGala-Xy event serves as the organization's largest fundraiser, with a goal of $150,000 in 2026. Additional events include sponsorship opportunities and community fundraising campaigns.
5. Government Grants: Homeward Alliance received State of Colorado Transformational Homeless Response (THR) grant in 2023 to lead development of strategic plan for Larimer County. Also serves as Collaborative Applicant and Data Lead for NoCO CoC, receiving associated funding.
6. Volunteer Services: Volunteers support various programs including front desk operations, food pantry, mail sorting, laundry, gear room, bike repair, mobile laundry, and administrative functions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Homeward Alliance operates a continuum of programs and initiatives for families, adults, and seniors facing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness in Northern Colorado. Core offerings include basic needs services (day shelter, showers, laundry, mail, food pantry), Housing First case management, resource navigation, employment services, re-entry support for justice-involved individuals, and family services. The Murphy Center for Hope serves as a collaborative hub where 20 partner agencies deliver more than 40 services under one roof.

Product overview

Homeward Alliance is a Colorado-based nonprofit organization operating a continuum of programs and initiatives for families, adults, and seniors facing homelessness. The organization functions as a platform-plus-modules architecture with the Murphy Center for Hope as its central hub—a collaborative facility where 20 partner agencies offer over 40 services to approximately 3,000 people annually. The product portfolio includes: core service programs (Resource Navigation, Family Services, WAGEES Re-Entry, EARN Employment Services, Housing Services, HMIS, Distribution); specialized mobile/outreach programs (Bike Repair, Mobile Laundry); partner-integrated healthcare (SummitStone Clinic at the Murphy Center); and technical assistance services (Systems Strategy and Support Services, Workforce Solutions). The organization also provides case management at Mason Place permanent supportive housing. Together, these programs aim to make homelessness rare, short-lived, and non-recurring in northern Colorado.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Murphy Center for Hope: A collaborative initiative of Homeward Alliance serving as a one-stop resource center for people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in Larimer County, with 20 independent agencies offering over 40 services.

Products and services

• Murphy Center for Hope A collaborative resource center serving as the hub of services for people who face homelessness or housing instability in Larimer County. One location in which 20 organizations offer more than 40 services to nearly 3,000 people each year. Provides core human services including day shelter, showers, laundry, mail, computers, and phones.
• Resource Navigation Professional multi-layered resource navigation services helping meet employment/income, health and other needs of people experiencing homelessness. Services include shelter diversion, ID attainment, employment support, public benefit enrollment, housing needs assessments, and coordinated entry assessments.
• Family Services Housing-focused support to help families escape homelessness and prevent recurrence. Includes Family Housing Navigation and Family Resources (Food and Child/Teen Clothing Closet, Quarterly Family Resource Fairs).
• WAGEES Re-Entry Program Work and Gain Education and Employment Skills program serving individuals exiting the criminal justice system. Provides wrap-around support including case management, employment preparation, identification acquisition, transportation assistance, rental assistance, and family reunification.
• EARN Employment Services Employment program empowering job seekers experiencing homelessness or near homeless to find and maintain employment. Offers one-on-one employment support, career closet, resume building, employer connections, and partnerships with businesses.
• Bike Repair Program Mobile bike repair shop traveling to neighborhoods, shelters, and locations throughout Larimer County from April-October. Repairs and maintains bicycles to ensure safe, reliable transportation for adults and children experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. Repairs over 300 bikes annually.
• Mobile Laundry Free, mobile laundry services for families and individuals in Loveland and Fort Collins. Truck equipped with six sets of washers and dryers provides laundry drop-off and pickup service to break down barriers to success for low-income families and adults experiencing homelessness.
• Housing Services Housing First solutions including case management, housing navigation, and supportive housing practices. Programs include Mason Place case management and Housing Navigation for voucher holders. Transition participants from chronic homelessness to permanent, stable housing.
• HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) Homeward Alliance serves as the HMIS lead agency for the Northern Colorado Continuum of Care. Staff responsible for implementing partnership agreements with participating HMIS agencies in Larimer and Weld counties, managing the system, and providing technical support and training.
• Distribution Program Provides critical supplies and gear to individuals and families through the Gear Room at Murphy Center, Family Resource Connection, and distribution events throughout Northern Colorado. Includes clothing, hygiene items, and essential outerwear.
• SummitStone Clinic at the Murphy Center Medical clinic operated by SummitStone Health Partners at the Murphy Center offering integrated care including initial screenings, assessments, treatment planning, care coordination, medication evaluations, medication management, bridge care, and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
• Workforce Solutions Alternative talent pipeline connecting employers with job seekers impacted by housing instability, justice involvement, or systemic barriers. Provides job-ready pre-screened candidates, retention support, guidance on federal tax credits (WOTC), Federal Bonding Program, and Fair Chance Hiring Matrix development.
• Systems Strategy and Support Services Technical services using frontline knowledge to help other nonprofits grow their impact. Includes strategic planning, data management, policy development, and technical assistance to build better ways to evaluate programs, use technology, and coordinate services across Northern Colorado.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 3,000 people served annually at Murphy Center
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

47 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Community Foundation of Northern ColoradocoreOthers · 1 January 2018Manages the Murphy Center Endowment Fund established in January 2018 with $60,000 opening deposit. Community Foundation administers over 470 charitable funds and approximately $200 million in assets.
• Alianza NORCOcoreOthersPartner agency providing services to the Latino/a community in Northern Colorado.
• Alternatives to ViolencecoreOthersPartner agency providing violence prevention and support services.
• Behavioral Health GroupcoreOthersPartner agency providing behavioral health and recovery services.
• CARE HousingcoreOthersPartner agency providing affordable housing services.
• Catholic CharitiescoreOthersPartner agency providing social services including housing, refugee services, and community support in Larimer County.
• Colorado Division of Vocational RehabilitationsupportingOthersState agency partner providing vocational rehabilitation and employment services.
• Colorado Legal ServicescoreOthersPartner agency providing legal aid services.
• Crossroads SafehousecoreOthersPartner agency providing emergency safe housing, advocacy, legal assistance, rapid rehousing and crisis intervention for domestic violence victims.
• CSU Social Work InternssupportingOthersColorado State University Social Work department provides BSW and MSW student interns who support service delivery.
• Disabled Resource ServicescoreOthersPartner agency providing case management, independent living skills, peer support, employment assistance, advocacy, and housing assistance for people with disabilities.
• DOC ParolesupportingOthersColorado Department of Corrections parole services partner for re-entry programming.
• Family Housing NetworkcoreOthersPartner agency providing housing and family services.
• Fuerza LatinasupportingOthersPartner agency serving the Latino/a community.
• Food Bank of Larimer CountycoreOthersPartner agency providing food assistance and resources.
• Fort Collins Rescue MissioncoreOthersPartner agency providing overnight shelter. Lottery for beds held at Murphy Center.
• Front Range ClinicsupportingOthersHealthcare partner providing services.
• Health District of Northern Larimer CountycoreOthersPartner agency providing health services including immunizations, blood pressure screenings, and dental clinic access.
• Housing CatalystcoreOthersPartner agency providing affordable housing. Homeward Alliance provides case management at Housing Catalyst's Mason Place property.
• Inclusive Health CollaborativesupportingOthersPartner initiative at CSU promoting inclusive health services.
• ISAACsupportingOthersCommunity partner organization.
• Larimer County (Multiple Departments)coreOthersPartner including Office on Aging, Department of Health and Environment, Probation, Community Corrections, Jail, Department of Human Services, Bridges program, AIIM Program, Wellness Court, CJA Competency Services.
• Matthews HousesupportingOthersPartner agency serving children, youth, and families.
• Mountain West Sober LivingsupportingOthersPartner agency providing sober living services.
• Municipal CourtsupportingOthersPartner providing court services and support.
• Neighbor to NeighborcoreOthersPartner agency providing rent/utility assistance, housing resources, and community support in Fort Collins and Loveland.
• UCHealth NorthsupportingOthersPartner including Medicaid Accountable Care Collaborative, Family Medicine Center, Emergency Department, Crisis Assessment Center, and Social Work services.
• Northern Colorado Health NetworkcoreOthersPartner agency providing HIV/HEP C testing and case management services. Testing available 4th Thursday monthly.
• North Range Behavioral HealthsupportingOthersPartner agency providing behavioral health services.
• Outreach Fort CollinssupportingOthersPartner providing street outreach services.
• Poudre Fire AuthoritysupportingOthersEmergency services partner.
• Poudre School District (McKinney-Vento)supportingOthersPartner providing services for students experiencing homelessness under McKinney-Vento Act.
• Salud Family Health CentersupportingOthersPartner providing healthcare services.
• Street Dog CoalitionsupportingOthersPartner providing free veterinary care for pets of homeless individuals. Services available Tuesdays 2PM-3PM.
• SummitStone Health PartnerscoreOthersKey partner operating SummitStone Clinic at the Murphy Center, providing integrated care including medical, mental health, and MAT services. Also provides PATH program for individuals with mental illness.
• The Arc of Larimer CountysupportingOthersPartner agency serving people with developmental disabilities.
• The Family Center/La FamiliasupportingOthersPartner agency serving families with children.
• UCHealthsupportingOthersHealthcare system partner providing services.
• Veterans Administration (VA)coreOthersPartner providing veteran services including Cheyenne VA Medical Center Homeless Program with walk-in hours at Murphy Center.
• Volunteers of America (VOA)coreOthersPartner providing SSVF (Supportive Services for Veterans Families) program at Murphy Center.
• Yarrow CollectivesupportingOthersPartner providing Risk Less Live More group offering acudetox services weekly at Murphy Center.
• Northern Colorado Continuum of Care (NoCO CoC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomeward Alliance serves as Collaborative Applicant and Data Lead for NoCO CoC, which unites Larimer and Weld counties to align strategies, share resources, and advocate for housing and support services.
• United Way of Larimer CountysupportingOthersCommunity partner in homelessness response efforts.
• Unite UssupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology platform for cross-sector referrals connecting individuals with social services.
• JG Research and Evaluation LLCsupportingOthersConsultant contracted to guide development of strategic plan for Larimer County homelessness response.
• Omni InstitutesupportingOthersConsultant contracted to guide development of strategic plan for Larimer County homelessness response.
• 4 PAWS Pet PantrysupportingOthersPartner providing pet food and supplies for families facing economic hardship, with distribution at Murphy Center.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Family Promise: National nonprofit network with local affiliates delivering shelter, housing prevention, and stabilization services for families experiencing homelessness. Comparable in family-focused homelessness programming but operating at national scale rather than a single regional hub.
• The Salvation Army (Intermountain Division): National faith-based organization operating emergency shelter, transitional housing, and basic-needs programs across Colorado and the broader Intermountain region. Broad incumbent offering overlapping capabilities but as part of a much wider portfolio.

Direct peers

• Colorado Coalition for the Homeless: Denver-based nonprofit operating integrated housing, health, and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness. Highly comparable to Homeward Alliance in offering a continuum of direct services combined with systems advocacy across a Colorado region.
• Catholic Charities of Denver: Regional Catholic Charities affiliate providing shelter, housing, and social services in Colorado. Direct peer to Homeward Alliance in offering co-located, multi-agency service models including case management and basic-needs assistance.
• Urban Peak: Denver-based nonprofit serving youth and young adults experiencing homelessness or at risk, with shelter, housing, and case management. Comparable service-delivery approach with a more narrowly defined beneficiary cohort than Homeward Alliance.
• Volunteers of America Colorado: Statewide VOA affiliate delivering supportive services for veterans, families, and people experiencing homelessness, including SSVF programming. Operates similar Housing First, case management, and re-entry programs as Homeward Alliance.
• Denver Rescue Mission: Long-running Denver nonprofit providing emergency shelter, meals, transitional housing, and recovery programs. Comparable to Homeward Alliance's integrated emergency-services and housing-navigation model.
• Neighbor to Neighbor: Fort Collins-based nonprofit providing rent/utility assistance and housing stabilization resources in Larimer County. Partner agency of Homeward Alliance at the Murphy Center with directly comparable service offerings to its housing navigation programs.

Others

• National Alliance to End Homelessness: National advocacy and policy organization focused on preventing and ending homelessness. Adjacent to Homeward Alliance through shared systems-level work, Continuum of Care infrastructure, and federal policy advocacy rather than direct service.
• Community Solutions: National nonprofit running the Built for Zero initiative that helps communities achieve functional zero homelessness through data-driven, coordinated entry. Highly comparable systems-strategy role to Homeward Alliance's HMIS and CoC leadership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/homewardco
• Facebookfacebook.com/homewardalliance
• Instagraminstagram.com/homeward_alliance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/homeward-alliance

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Homeward Alliance