Williamsburg House of Mercy

What Williamsburg House of Mercy does

Williamsburg House of Mercy (WHOM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1979 and headquartered at 10 Harrison Avenue in Williamsburg, Virginia. It provides a unified, centralized portfolio of human services to neighbors in Greater Williamsburg, organized around five core programs: Food Security (drive-thru food pantry, 24/7 food lockers hosted at Sentara Williamsburg, weekly home delivery for mobility-challenged clients, and mobile pop-up pantries in Upper James City, New Kent, and Charles City counties); Harbor Day Shelter (the only day shelter in Greater Williamsburg, offering meals, showers, hygiene facilities, computers, and case-management referrals); HOPE Pregnancy Center (free, confidential pregnancy testing, counseling, ultrasound referrals, maternity supplies, and parenting support); Outreach (utility and eviction assistance, rapid rehousing referrals, and seasonal programs); and Community Kitchen (daily hot meals served weekdays under a pavilion). The organization has no proprietary technology platform and does not develop AI/ML systems; service delivery is direct and human-powered.

WHOM serves food-insecure individuals and families, people experiencing homelessness, pregnant women and new families, ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) at risk of housing instability, and families in seasonal crisis across a tri-county service area where over 18,400 residents have been identified as food insecure. The organization is led by Executive Director Liz Buckley (appointed December 2023) and governed by a Board of Directors. Revenue is generated entirely through donations (individual giving, including the Advocates of Mercy recurring program), foundation and corporate grants (The Fricano Foundation, Williamsburg Community Foundation, Williamsburg Health Foundation), a dedicated Williamsburg Community Foundation Endowment Fund (minimum $10,000 contribution), in-kind donations of food and supplies, and fundraising events including an annual gala (the 2024 inaugural gala raised $94,536.75). There is no fee-for-service pricing; all client services are free. Administrative costs are reported at approximately 5% of revenue, enabled by donated space, utilities, and phone service from Saint Bede Catholic Church, which materially lowers the operating cost base and maximizes the share of donor dollars flowing into programming. The organization maintains Charity Navigator registration, a 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, and consecutive annual impact reports (FY23-24 and FY24-25), and partners with the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, multiple Catholic parishes, the Knights of Columbus, and a broad coalition of local churches and civic organizations.

Name

Williamsburg House of Mercy

Legal name

Williamsburg House of Mercy

Website

https://williamsburghouseofmercy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Williamsburg House of Mercy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Williamsburg, Virginia that provides free food assistance, day shelter, pregnancy support, and crisis-intervention services to food-insecure, homeless, and at-risk residents across Greater Williamsburg.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social and Human Services Nonprofit

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Food assistance services
• Homeless day shelter
• Pregnancy support services
• Community crisis outreach
• Social services nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Williamsburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization relies heavily on individual donations from the community, with online giving options available through their website and a dedicated Advocates of Mercy recurring giving program.
2. Endowment Fund: The Williamsburg Community Foundation Endowment Fund for WHOM accepts contributions of $10,000 minimum, held in perpetuity with standard distribution formula for annual funding.
3. In-Kind Donations: The organization receives donated food, supplies, and services. Space, utilities, and phone service are donated by Saint Bede Catholic Church, keeping administrative costs extremely low at 5%.
4. Foundation and Grant Funding: Support from private foundations including The Fricano Foundation and Williamsburg Community Foundation for specific programs like Harbor Day Shelter.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Williamsburg House of Mercy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free, integrated human services to neighbors in need across Greater Williamsburg. Its core offerings include a drive-thru and mobile food pantry serving 300 families per week, the only day shelter in Greater Williamsburg (Harbor Day Shelter), free pregnancy counseling and material support (HOPE Pregnancy Center), utility and eviction crisis intervention (Outreach), and a daily Community Kitchen serving hot meals. All services are delivered at no cost to clients from a central campus and via multiple distribution channels.

Product overview

Williamsburg House of Mercy is a charitable nonprofit organization providing a unified pathway of services to neighbors in Greater Williamsburg facing food insecurity, homelessness, and pregnancy-related challenges. Their service portfolio consists of five integrated programs: Food Security Services (drive-thru pantry, food lockers, home delivery, and mobile markets), Harbor Day Shelter (daytime refuge for homeless individuals), HOPE Pregnancy Center (free pregnancy support and resources), Outreach Services (utility/eviction assistance, seasonal programs), and Community Kitchen (daily hot meals). All services are delivered from their central location at 10 Harrison Avenue, providing wraparound support to reduce transportation barriers for clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Harbor Day Shelter: The only day shelter in Greater Williamsburg, providing safe respite for those experiencing homelessness with hot meals, showers, and basic needs.
• HOPE Pregnancy Center
• Community Kitchen
• Drive-Thru Food Pantry

Products and services

• Food Security Services Free food assistance program delivering drive-thru pantry distributions, USDA distributions, 24/7 food lockers at Sentara Williamsburg Emergency Room, weekly home delivery for mobility-challenged neighbors, and mobile pop-up markets serving Upper James City, New Kent, and Charles City Counties. Serves an average of 300 families every week.
• Harbor Day Shelter The only day shelter in Greater Williamsburg, providing daytime respite for individuals experiencing homelessness. Offers hot meals, showers, hygiene facilities, telephones, computers, mail service, laundry cards, and WATA bus passes. Accompanies individuals and families from experiencing homelessness to lasting stability and self-sufficiency.
• HOPE Pregnancy Center

Quantifiable outcome

• 300 families served weekly through food pantry
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• United Way of the Virginia PeninsulacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a proud partner on the WHOM website. United Way supports regional nonprofit initiatives and community impact programs.
• Virginia Peninsula FoodbankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore food mission partner providing food sourcing support for the regional food distribution network.
• Charity NavigatorcoreOthersWHOM is registered with Charity Navigator (EIN: 475347792) and displays their rating, providing transparency and accountability verification for donors.
• St. Olaf Catholic ChurchsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutreach Mission Partner providing support for utility assistance, eviction prevention, and crisis intervention services.
• Williamsburg Rotary FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutreach Mission Partner supporting community stability programs.
• Catholic Diocese of Richmond: Fuel & HungersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutreach Mission Partner addressing fuel and hunger needs in the community.
• St. Bede Catholic ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides donated space, utilities, and phone service to WHOM, enabling extremely low 5% administrative costs. Also listed as Outreach Mission Partner.
• Williamsburg Community ChapelsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutreach Mission Partner supporting community stability initiatives.
• Grove Christian Outreach CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutreach Mission Partner and co-host of Christmas Marketplace event, combining resources to serve families in need.
• Williamsburg United Methodist ChurchsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutreach Mission Partner supporting community stability programs.
• Salvation ArmysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutreach Mission Partner providing additional crisis support resources.
• KelRae Farm & Food HubsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood Mission Partner supporting local food sourcing for the food security program.
• Rotary Club of Colonial WilliamsburgsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood Mission Partner supporting food security initiatives.
• St. Bede Catholic Church (HOPE)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOPE Pregnancy Mission Partner supporting pregnancy services.
• Catholic Diocese of Richmond: Respect LifesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOPE Pregnancy Mission Partner supporting pregnancy center services.
• Knights of Columbus - St. OlafsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOPE Pregnancy Mission Partner supporting pregnancy services.
• Knights of Columbus - St. BedesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOPE Pregnancy Mission Partner supporting pregnancy services.
• Williamsburg Community Chapel (HOPE)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOPE Pregnancy Mission Partner supporting pregnancy services.
• Ladies of VirginiasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOPE Pregnancy Mission Partner supporting pregnancy services.
• Williamsburg Presbyterian ChurchsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutreach Mission Partner supporting community stability programs.
• Bruton ParishsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutreach Mission Partner supporting community stability programs.
• King of Glory Lutheran ChurchsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutreach Mission Partner supporting community stability programs.
• Smith MemorialminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutreach Mission Partner supporting community stability programs.
• Westgate FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutreach Mission Partner supporting community stability programs.
• 1693 AlliancesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with William & Mary-related collective for NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) initiatives supporting WHOM through community fundraising.
• Sentara WilliamsburgsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosting 24/7 food lockers outside their Emergency Room location, improving food access for community members.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Salvation Army: A global faith-based social services nonprofit providing shelter, food assistance, utility/rental support, and crisis intervention — overlapping with WHOM's outreach and emergency services but at national scale with a much broader service portfolio.
• Feeding America: The national network of foodbanks — WHOM participates indirectly through the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, and Feeding America's food-security mission is highly comparable to WHOM's largest program line.
• Catholic Charities USA: The national Catholic social services network operating food pantries, housing programs, and pregnancy support — directly comparable to WHOM's faith-rooted multi-program service model but operating across hundreds of diocesan agencies.
• Habitat for Humanity: A national housing-focused nonprofit addressing homelessness and housing instability — overlapping with WHOM's rapid rehousing, eviction prevention, and Harbor Day Shelter missions, though focused on home construction/ownership pathways.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): A national community development nonprofit financing housing and social services — overlapping with WHOM's rapid rehousing and outreach programming at a more institutional/capital-deployment level.

Regional players

• Goodwill of Greater Williamsburg: A regional workforce and community services nonprofit in the same service area — comparable in operating community-facing programs for vulnerable populations in Greater Williamsburg.
• Grove Christian Outreach Center: A faith-based Williamsburg-area outreach partner and co-host of WHOM's Christmas Marketplace — operating adjacent community-services programming (food, clothing, holiday support) in the same Greater Williamsburg geography.

Direct peers

• Virginia Peninsula Foodbank: A regional foodbank and direct WHOM food mission partner serving the same Hampton Roads / Virginia Peninsula geography with food sourcing and distribution — comparable in food-security mission and overlapping service area.
• United Way of the Virginia Peninsula: A regional funder and convener for community-impact nonprofits across the Peninsula — explicitly partnered with WHOM and operating a similar role in coordinating social services investment in the same service geography.
• Union Mission Ministries: A faith-based nonprofit serving homeless and at-risk populations in coastal Virginia with shelter, meals, and recovery programs — directly comparable to WHOM's Harbor Day Shelter and outreach service model in a regional Virginia context.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/WilliamsburgHouseOfMercy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/williamsburg-house-of-mercy
• Instagraminstagram.com/williamsburghouseofmercy
• Xx.com/bemercywhom

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Williamsburg House of Mercy