Saving Grace Ministries

What Saving Grace Ministries does

Saving Grace Ministries (SGM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1999 and headquartered in Buffalo, New York, that provides a continuum of faith-based housing and reentry services for homeless adult males in Western New York. The organization operates Grace House, the only NYS Certified Emergency Shelter serving males in Erie County, a 34-bed, 24/7-staffed facility that operates at near 100% occupancy and serves approximately 250 men nightly. Beyond emergency shelter, SGM runs a tiered housing portfolio including Aftercare Housing (transitional, 6-12 month stays), Lodging House I and II (affordable housing with varying levels of independence), and Patriot Heights (affordable housing with veteran rental preference). Supporting services include case management, life skills training (since 2007), basic needs provision (meals, clothing, work attire), and Firehouse Church for spiritual support. No proprietary technology platform supports the service delivery model.

SGM's business model is built on government contracts and charitable donations rather than client fees. Contracted revenue streams include Erie County Department of Social Services referrals and funding, the City of Buffalo's HUD Emergency Solutions Grant program (held continuously since 2003), NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance contracts for the Supportive Housing Program and Solutions to End Homelessness Program (since 2006), and Erie County Department of Mental Health enhancement grants administered with NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services for reentry case management. All client referrals must flow through Erie County DSS via the 211 system and Homeless Housing Unit, with incarcerated individuals referred through DOCCS and community-based parolees via Field Parole Officers. The organization supplements government funding through donations, an Amazon Wishlist for in-kind goods, and corporate/community partnerships (Churches of WNY, Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, Feedmore of WNY, Endeavor Behavioral Health). Outcomes reported include 72% of shelter guests transitioning to permanent housing, 50% achieving employment, 73% discharged with a successful housing plan, and 75% connected to mental health services, with 450+ adults supported in 2023.

The organization is led by Founder and CEO Rev. Terry King, with a small staff of 1-10 employees supported by a Board of Directors. SGM holds Signature Member status in the Erie County Reentry Task Force and serves exclusively within Western New York, with no geographic expansion plans disclosed.

Name

Saving Grace Ministries

Legal name

Saving Grace Ministries, INC.

Website

https://sgmworld.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Saving Grace Ministries is a Buffalo-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1999 that operates the only NYS Certified Emergency Shelter for males in Erie County, providing emergency shelter, transitional and affordable housing, case management, and reentry services for homeless adult men in Western New York.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless Shelter and Housing Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

Keywords

• Homeless emergency shelter
• Transitional housing services
• Faith-based nonprofit
• Reentry housing programs
• Affordable housing services

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts: SGM receives contract funding from multiple government agencies including Erie County DSS (emergency shelter), City of Buffalo HUD Emergency Solutions Grant (since 2003), NYS OTDA supportive housing programs (since 2006), and Erie County Dept of Mental Health/DCJ enhancement grants for reentry case management.
2. Donations: The organization accepts one-time, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual donations from the public. Donations can also be made through their Amazon Wishlist for in-kind contributions of supplies like blankets, towels, toiletries, clothing, and linens.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Saving Grace Ministries operates a continuum of housing services for homeless adult males and reentry clients in Western New York, anchored by Grace House, a NYS Certified Emergency Shelter with 34 beds, 24/7 staffing, meals, and case management. The portfolio extends to Aftercare Housing (transitional, 6–12 months), Lodging House I and II (affordable housing with varying independence levels), Patriot Heights (veteran-preference apartments), and supportive services including life skills training, case management, basic needs provision, and Firehouse Church spiritual support. All services are provided free of charge to clients who access them through government agency referrals.

Product overview

Saving Grace Ministries operates a multi-tiered housing services portfolio centered on its "Grace House" NYS Certified Emergency Shelter, the only such shelter serving males in all of Erie County. The organization provides a continuum of care including Aftercare Housing (transitional support), Lodging House I and II (affordable housing with varying levels of independence), and Patriot Heights (affordable housing with veteran preference). Supporting services include Case Management, Life Skills Training, Basic Needs (food, clothing, shelter), and Firehouse Church for spiritual support. All services are designed to guide homeless individuals from crisis through transitional housing toward independent living.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Grace House (NYS Certified Emergency Shelter) NYS Certified Emergency Shelter serving males in all of Erie County with 34 beds, 24/7 staffing, meals, clean clothes, personal care items, and bedding. Functions as the first stop for new clients referred through Erie County DSS, the 211 system, the Homeless Housing Unit, NYS DOCCS, and Field Parole Officers. Nearly 72% of shelter guests transition to permanent housing with support. Most stays last around 90 days.
• Aftercare Housing Transitional housing program for SGM clients stepping out of shelter care into ongoing supportive housing, with an average length of stay of approximately 6-12 months. Provides ongoing case management for guests facing extra challenges such as mental health needs or court-ordered supervision.
• Lodging House I Affordable housing property offering more independence to SGM clients. Residents are often gainfully employed and may be one step away from completely independent living.
• Lodging House II Affordable housing apartment building managed by SGM without case management oversight from SGM employees, providing fully independent affordable housing for tenants transitioning out of the SGM support system.
• Patriot Heights Affordable housing apartments operated by SGM with rental preference for Veterans (open to all qualifying tenants). Provides veteran-affordable housing as part of SGM's step-down housing continuum.

Quantifiable outcome

• 72% of shelter guests transition to permanent housing with support
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Erie County Department of Social ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSGM is a contract partner to Erie County DSS providing housing to DSS-referred clients at multiple properties. DSS referrals are the primary pathway for individuals to access Grace House emergency shelter services.
• Erie County Reentry Task ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSGM is a Signature Member of the Erie County Reentry Task Force, a collaboration of service providers, housing providers, government and private agencies working together to improve services for individuals re-entering society. SGM works with the ECRETF Housing sub-committee to create housing opportunities for ex-offenders.
• NYS Division of Criminal Justice ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSGM received a contract through Erie County Dept of Mental Health in conjunction with DCJS to provide housing case management to identified special needs reentry clients. Funding provides an additional case manager for client engagement.
• City of Buffalo / HUD Emergency Solutions GrantcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSGM has been a contractor under City of Buffalo's Emergency Solutions Grant program since 2003, receiving funding for emergency shelter services to homeless adult males. Serves over 600 clients per year under ESG program.
• NYS Office of Temporary and Disability AssistancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSGM has been a contract partner to NYS OTDA since 2006, operating Supportive Housing Program (SHP) for homeless adults with life skills training, food, clothing, and employment assistance, and Solutions to End Homelessness Program (STEHP) for housing location and aftercare follow-up.
• Churches of WNYmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith community partnerships supporting SGM's mission through volunteer engagement, donations, and spiritual support services including Firehouse Church located in SGM's office building.
• Buffalo BillsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNFL team partnership providing community support and engagement for SGM's homeless services programs.
• Buffalo SabresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHL team partnership providing community support and engagement for SGM's homeless services programs.
• Elim Bible InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational/faith institution partnership supporting SGM's faith-driven mission and services.
• Endeavor Behavioral Health ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBehavioral health services partnership providing mental health and addiction recovery support for SGM clients.
• Erie County Dept of Mental HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment mental health agency partnership providing funding and coordination for mental health services for SGM clients.
• Feedmore of WNYmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood bank partnership providing food resources for SGM clients including warm, home-cooked meals.
• US Dept of Housing & Urban DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal housing agency providing Emergency Solutions Grant funding through City of Buffalo for SGM's emergency shelter operations.
• Brinkman-Bailey Block ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal community organization partnership supporting neighborhood engagement and SGM services.
• Councilmember Bryan BollmanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partnership supporting SGM's mission and services in the community.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• BestSelf Behavioral Health: Large Western New York behavioral health provider offering mental health, addiction recovery, and community-based services. Comparable to SGM as a key referral partner for mental health linkage (75% of SGM clients are connected to mental health services), serving overlapping populations in the same Buffalo/Erie County ecosystem.
• Coalition for the Homeless of Western New York: Regional advocacy and systems-coordination nonprofit addressing homelessness across Buffalo and Erie County. Comparable to SGM as a Western New York homelessness-focused organization; functions more as an umbrella/convener than a direct service provider but operates in the same funding and policy ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Buffalo City Mission: Long-standing faith-based emergency shelter and recovery services organization serving homeless individuals in the Buffalo/Niagara region. Directly comparable to SGM as a nonprofit emergency shelter operator in the same Western New York market with overlapping referral and government contract ecosystems.
• Matt Urban Hope Center: Buffalo-based nonprofit providing housing, case management, and supportive services to homeless and low-income individuals, including reentry population. Directly comparable to SGM as a Western New York nonprofit emergency and supportive housing provider serving similar populations with similar government contract funding.
• St. Vincent de Paul Society of Buffalo: Faith-based nonprofit providing emergency assistance, housing support, and food services to people in need across Western New York. Comparable to SGM as a faith-driven nonprofit operating emergency and supportive housing services with similar donation and volunteer-driven revenue model.
• Compass House: Western New York nonprofit providing emergency shelter and supportive services for runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth and young adults. Comparable to SGM as a regional emergency shelter operator receiving Erie County/government referrals, though focused on youth rather than adult males.

Broad incumbents

• Salvation Army of Buffalo: Faith-based national nonprofit with a Buffalo chapter operating emergency shelter, transitional housing, addiction recovery, and food programs. Comparable to SGM as a faith-driven nonprofit emergency shelter provider with government contracts, donations, and a similar male-focused and reentry-serving model, but at much greater scale and scope.
• Catholic Charities of Buffalo: Large multi-service nonprofit operating housing, emergency services, case management, and reentry programs across Western New York. Comparable to SGM in funding sources (government contracts, donations) and target population (homeless, reentry, low-income), but at significantly larger scale and broader service scope.
• Volunteers of America Western New York: Regional arm of a national nonprofit providing supportive housing, veteran services, and reentry programs in Western New York. Comparable to SGM in veteran and reentry housing focus, government contract reliance, and case management model, with the backing of a much larger national organization.

Emerging players

• Western New York Veterans Housing Coalition: Coalition focused on affordable and supportive housing specifically for veterans in the Western New York region. Comparable to SGM's Patriot Heights program as a regional veteran-housing specialist operating in the same service area with overlapping veteran-population focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWNKKTKL3JP4ZsEGp4PxiMw

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Saving Grace Ministries