Central Furniture Rescue

What Central Furniture Rescue does

Central Furniture Rescue (CFR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2019 and headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The organization collects donated furniture and household items from the community and redistributes them at no cost to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness into permanent housing. Over time it has expanded its eligible client base to include domestic violence survivors, youth aging out of foster care, formerly incarcerated individuals, refugees and immigrants, and disaster victims.

CFR's operating model is community-led and volunteer-driven, with clients referred through a network of more than 30 partner organizations (including Waypoint, Willis Dady, HACAP, Catholic Worker House, Salvation Army, Goodwill of the Heartland, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Corrections). Donations are accepted via drop-off at the 2275 16th Ave SW warehouse, free volunteer pickup, or a paid full-service pickup tier launched in partnership with KJ Haul Away in May 2026, which routes a portion of fees back to CFR. The organization funds operations through monetary donations (with tiered designated-giving options from $10 to $300), corporate sponsorships, grants, and the Furnishing the Future annual fundraiser. Since founding, CFR has served 4,000+ households and 10,000+ individuals (nearly half children) and diverted 1,500+ tons of reusable items from local landfills.

The organization was historically 100% volunteer-run under founder and Executive Director Susan Johnston, but in 2025–2026 it professionalized its leadership by hiring Rachel Cohen as CEO and Kellie Houser-Stessman (formerly Region Director at Casey's General Stores overseeing a $900M revenue region, plus executive tenures at Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Michaels) as its first COO, ahead of Johnston's planned leadership transition at end of 2026. CFR has no proprietary technology platform — its infrastructure consists of warehouse operations, volunteer logistics, a WordPress website, email, and Facebook — making it a logistics-and-relationships nonprofit rather than a software-enabled organization.

Name

Central Furniture Rescue

Legal name

Central Furniture Rescue

Website

https://centralfurniturerescue.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Central Furniture Rescue is a Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that collects donated furniture and household items and redistributes them free of charge to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness, domestic violence, foster care, incarceration, and disaster situations in Eastern Iowa, via a network of 30+ partner agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Furniture Bank Services

NAICS

Other Community Housing Services (624229), Materials Recovery Facilities (562920)

SIC

Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Donation, Resale & Disposal Coordination (HSAFAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Donation, Consignment & Resale Coordination (HSAFAFAG), Donation Pickup & Reuse Hauling (HSAKALAI)

Keywords

• Furniture bank services
• Household item donation
• Homeless transition support
• Furniture reuse nonprofit
• Community referral services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cedar Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Monetary Donations: The organization accepts monetary donations from individuals and organizations to fund operations, warehouse costs, and purchase household items that clients need. Donations are tax-deductible as the organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
2. Furniture and Household Item Donations: Community members donate gently used furniture and household items which are then redistributed to clients at no cost. Overstock or high-value items may be sold to support the mission.
3. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for events, vehicle logo placement, and designated donations fund specific needs (kitchen kits, bedding, furniture packages).
4. KJ Haul Away Partnership: A portion of fees from KJ Haul Away's paid furniture removal service comes back to CFR to support operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Central Furniture Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that collects donated furniture and household items from the community and redistributes them at no cost to individuals and families transitioning from homelessness, domestic violence, foster care, incarceration, refugee resettlement, and other crisis situations in Eastern Iowa. The organization operates a warehouse, runs volunteer-powered pickup and delivery logistics, and accepts monetary donations, furniture donations, and corporate sponsorships to fund its mission of keeping reusable items out of landfills while furnishing homes for people in need.

Product overview

Central Furniture Rescue is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of integrated services centered on furniture donation and redistribution. The core program collects donated furniture and household items, which are then provided at no cost to individuals and families transitioning from homelessness. The organization operates through multiple service channels: a furniture and household item donation program accepting drop-offs and two pickup options (KJ Haul Away paid service and CFR volunteer pickup); monetary donation acceptance; individual and group volunteer opportunities for operational support; corporate and event sponsorship programs with vehicle branding and designated giving options; and the annual Furnishing the Future fundraiser event. All services are designed to support the organization's mission of turning places to live into homes while diverting usable items from landfills.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Furniture Pickup Services Two pickup options for furniture donors: KJ Haul Away (paid full-service removal taking all items with faster scheduling) and CFR Volunteer Pickup (free donation with ~2 week scheduling). Suitable items are redistributed to clients; unusable items are recycled or responsibly disposed.
• Sponsorship Programs Corporate and organizational sponsorship packages including event sponsorships (Cookies & Cocoa, Furnishing the Future, Trivia Nights), vehicle and logo placements on delivery trucks and trailers, and designated giving for specific household needs such as kitchen kits, bedding, and furniture packages.
• Furnishing the Future Annual Event Annual ticketed fundraiser event ($50/ticket) featuring food, drinks, community connection, client stories, live music, upcycled shopping corner, and sponsor recognition, held at Knapp Creek Event Center in Walford, IA.
• Designated Monetary Giving Program Tax-deductible monetary donation program with preset designated giving tiers: $10 buys three bed pillows, $30 buys basic kitchen items, $50 buys a tank of gas, $100 sponsors a household, plus thematic packages (Prepare & Serve a Meal $50, Ability to Bathe $25, Good Night's Sleep $120, A Place to Relax $300).

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,000+ households served since founding in 2019
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WaypointcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaypoint provides emergency shelter, housing assistance, case management, and homelessness diversion services. Their partnership with CFR is vital to housing stability as CFR furnishes homes for Waypoint clients transitioning from homelessness.
• Willis DadycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWillis Dady provides shelter and prevention services to the homeless and near-homeless. Their clients are referred to CFR for furniture assistance when moving into permanent housing.
• HACAPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHACAP is a community action agency serving 9 counties in Eastern Iowa, serving families living with barriers of poverty. Refers clients in need of furniture assistance.
• Catholic Worker HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian community dedicated to helping the poor. Partners with CFR to provide furniture to those they serve.
• Linn County Child & Youth DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides comprehensive services to at-risk and low-income children, youth and families. Refers families in need to CFR.
• Abbe HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional nonprofit providing mental health and aging services. May refer clients needing furniture assistance.
• Friends of the FamilyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides safe shelter, confidential services, and housing assistance to individuals in crisis due to homelessness, domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
• Four OaksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelps children and families through innovative care that brings the child, family and community together.
• Tanager PlaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides mental health tools and support for children facing challenges. May refer families to CFR.
• RiseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelps guide newly released incarcerated persons toward a bright future by connecting participants with resources post-release.
• Foundation 2minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit committed to positive youth development, suicide prevention, and stronger families. May refer youth to CFR.
• Jane BoydminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnhances academic, emotional, and social wellbeing of children and families. May refer families to CFR.
• Department of Corrections - 6th Judicial DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCovers six county area in Iowa; refers formerly incarcerated individuals to CFR for furniture assistance.
• Eastern Iowa Health CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederally Qualified Health Center providing quality, comprehensive care. May refer patients in need to CFR.
• U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes and honors America's veterans. May refer veterans in need of furniture to CFR.
• Iowa Total CareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManaged Care Organization delivering quality healthcare in Iowa. May refer members in need to CFR.
• Area Substance Abuse Council (ASAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides behavioral health services to reduce impact of substance use disorders. May refer clients to CFR.
• Family Promise of Linn CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKeeps families together and provides supportive, home-like environment. May refer families to CFR.
• Mission of HopeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChrist-centered ministry offering physical, emotional, and spiritual support to those in need.
• Catherine McAuley CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffers educational and supportive services for immigrants, refugees, and women in crisis.
• Salvation ArmyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides faith, hope and help to people in the Cedar Rapids region. May refer clients to CFR.
• Goodwill of the HeartlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvances social and economic wellbeing of people who experience barriers to independence.
• Families Helping FamiliesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRaises awareness and provides access to basic need items for children in foster care throughout Iowa.
• Cedar Rapids Linn County Solid Waste AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts collection containers for CFR and helps divert usable furniture from the landfill through their shared mission to reduce waste.
• KJ Haul AwaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPaid full-service furniture removal partner. Takes all items (not just those CFR accepts), schedules faster, and a portion of fees comes back to CFR to support operations.
• FreeStore (Des Moines)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDes Moines furniture bank that mentored CFR and sent truckloads of furniture to help Cedar Rapids derecho victims.
• Lutheran Church of Hope (Des Moines)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSent four semi-trucks with 900+ pieces of furniture to help Cedar Rapids families after the 2020 derecho.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity ReStores: Affiliated retail reuse outlets operated by local Habitat affiliates across the U.S. that sell donated furniture and home goods to fund affordable housing. Comparable to CFR in furniture donation intake and household-goods redistribution, but commercially oriented (priced resale) rather than free-to-client gifting.
• The Salvation Army Family Stores: National thrift/furniture donation and redistribution network with a presence in Cedar Rapids that CFR explicitly partners with. Uses donated furniture to support social-service programming, overlapping with CFR on intake logistics and furniture-poverty relief.

Regional players

• St. Vincent de Paul (Cedar Rapids): Local Catholic-affiliated social services organization that provides household furnishings and furniture assistance to families in need; Scott Zogg (CFR Treasurer) also serves on CFR's affiliated Cedar Rapids Society of St. Vincent de Paul board, indicating direct overlap.
• Goodwill of the Heartland: Regional Goodwill affiliate operating in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City corridor that accepts furniture and household donations and employs a social-mission workforce. Listed as a CFR partner organization and a directly comparable in-region donation-and-redistribution operator.
• Lutheran Church of Hope (Des Moines): Des Moines church that mobilized four semi-truck loads of furniture to support CFR after the 2020 derecho, demonstrating parallel furniture-relief capacity in Iowa. Comparable as a faith-based emergency household-goods response network.

Direct peers

• Furniture Bank Association: National membership network of furniture banks across North America that aggregate donated furniture and household goods for families transitioning out of homelessness, domestic violence, and other crises — the category-level peer that defines CFR's operating model.
• FreeStore (Des Moines Furniture Bank): Iowa-based furniture bank explicitly cited in CFR's data as a mentor organization that sent truckloads of furniture to help after the 2020 derecho. Operates the same donated-furniture-redistribution-to-families model in a neighboring Iowa market, making it the most directly comparable peer.

Others

• United Way of East Central Iowa: Regional umbrella funder and social-services coordinator operating in CFR's service area. Comparable as a community-impact funding and referral intermediary, though not a direct furniture-program peer.
• Dress for Success (global affiliates): Global nonprofit that provides professional clothing and development tools to women re-entering the workforce — a non-furniture, non-housing peer, but thematically adjacent in addressing the material needs of individuals transitioning out of crisis (homelessness, incarceration, domestic violence).
• Amvets National Service Foundation: National veterans-services nonprofit that accepts furniture and household donations and supports veterans in need — overlapping with CFR on the veteran-client segment and on furniture donation intake logistics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/centralfurniturerescue
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/central-furniture-rescue

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Central Furniture Rescue