What Belknap House does

Belknap House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Laconia, New Hampshire, operating the only family-centered shelter in Belknap County. Founded in 2014 as a seasonal cold-weather shelter, the organization has transitioned to a 24/7 year-round operation providing safe housing for up to 19 individuals across six bedrooms, supplemented by educational programming (cooking classes, budgeting resources, early learning enrichment, employment support) and customized case management aimed at family self-sufficiency. In December 2023, Belknap House expanded its continuum of care with the acquisition of Belknap House II, a duplex in Laconia that functions as transitional housing for residents progressing toward independent living. Intake is exclusively via referrals from the 12 Belknap County welfare offices.

The organization is staffed by a small team (1-10 employees) supplemented by a large volunteer corps that contributed approximately 2,581 hours in 2025 across childcare, application assistance, painting, van driving, and yard work. Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropic channels — individual donations (including a monthly sustainer program), corporate sponsorships (Nucar, Melcher & Prescott Insurance, Jersey Mike's, Mills Industries, and others), foundation grants (including the 2023 NH Women's Foundation She Change Award of $10,000), and recurring fundraising events such as the 12th Annual Golf Tournament, Annual Online Auction, Plant Sale, NH Gives, and brewery fundraisers. Marketing and community engagement are conducted through the Squarespace-hosted website, Facebook, and community storytelling.

As a private nonprofit, Belknap House has no parent company, no venture backing, and no public shareholders; it is governed by a board of directors and led by Executive Director Shawna Zechman following the transition from former Executive Director Paula Ferenc. Service revenue is not collected — shelter, case management, and educational programming are provided at no cost to referred families. The organization's growth strategy centers on deepening its regional monopoly through expanded programming (transitional housing, educational curriculum) and broader donor and volunteer networks rather than geographic expansion beyond Belknap County.

Name

Belknap House

Legal name

Belknap House

Website

https://belknaphouse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Belknap House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the only family-centered shelter in Belknap County, New Hampshire, providing 24/7 emergency housing for up to 19 individuals plus case management, educational programming, and transitional housing, funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, grants, and fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Family Shelter Services

NAICS

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

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Family shelter services
• Homeless shelter services
• Case management services
• Transitional housing programs
• Nonprofit social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Laconia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Belknap House accepts one-time, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual donations from individual donors. They have a monthly giving program for sustainer donors.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsors provide financial and in-kind support through annual golf tournament sponsorships and ongoing partnerships with companies like Nucar, Melcher & Prescott Insurance, Jersey Mike's Subs, and Mills Industries.
3. Foundation Grants: Belknap House receives grants from foundations such as the New Hampshire Women's Foundation She Change Award ($10,000 in 2023).
4. Fundraising Events: Annual events include a 12th Annual Golf Tournament, Annual Online Auction (75+ items), Plant Sale during Gilford Old Home Day, NH Gives two-day fundraiser, and Twin Barns Brewing fundraiser.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Belknap House operates a 24/7 family-centered shelter with a 19-person capacity in Laconia, New Hampshire, providing safe housing, customized case management, and educational programming for homeless families with children in Belknap County. The organization expanded in December 2023 with Belknap House II, a duplex providing transitional housing for residents progressing toward independence. All services are provided at no cost to residents, who access the shelter exclusively through welfare office referrals.

Product overview

Belknap House operates as a single unified service offering - a family-centered shelter providing safe housing, educational programming, and customized case management for homeless families in Belknap County, NH. The shelter has a 19-person capacity and operates 24/7 with staff available around the clock. The organization expanded in December 2023 with Belknap House II, a duplex serving as transitional housing for residents progressing toward independence. Supporting services include volunteer coordination, annual fundraising events (golf tournament, online auction), and a monthly giving program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Belknap House Shelter Services Core shelter service providing safe housing for homeless families with children in Belknap County, New Hampshire. Operates as a 24/7 facility with staff available around the clock, offering shelter to up to 19 individuals with each family having its own room. Features include shared living room, kitchen, pantry, children's playroom, outdoor space with playground, and a book nook.
• Belknap House II Transitional housing property (duplex) in Laconia serving as the next step on the path to independence for residents transitioning from the main shelter. Allows residents freedom to practice independent living skills in a real-world setting.
• Case Management Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Served families with 19-person capacity in a family-centered shelter environment
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NucarcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNucar Family of Dealerships is a corporate partner that supports Belknap House through generous contributions and continued partnership, helping maintain family stability and keep families together.
• Melcher & Prescott InsurancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing generous contributions and continued partnership to support Belknap House's mission of providing shelter and resources for homeless families.
• Jersey Mike's SubscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Belknap House through generous contributions and partnership to help maintain family stability.
• Mills IndustriescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing support for Belknap House's mission to keep families together and maintain family stability.
• Franklin Savings BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGolf tournament sponsor for Belknap House's annual fundraising event.
• Waterline IndustriesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for Belknap House events and programs.
• Lake Life RealtyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting Belknap House's mission.
• Center Mount LebanonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor from Lakes Region Masons supporting Belknap House.
• Cross AgencyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor with location in Laconia, New Hampshire supporting Belknap House.
• NCO LawminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing legal industry support for Belknap House.
• OCC/OPecheeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting Belknap House through community partnership.
• New Hampshire Women's FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAwarded Belknap House the 2023 She Change Award with a $10,000 grant at the annual Women Building Community Luncheon. Provided platform for Executive Director to address luncheon about organization's work.
• Gilford Community ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for Belknap House's 6th Annual Plant Sale during Gilford Old Home Day.
• Laconia Country ClubcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for Belknap House's 12th Annual Golf Tournament fundraiser on September 14, 2026.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Family Promise: National nonprofit network that mobilizes communities to address family homelessness through shelter, prevention, and stabilization programs. Direct peer because Family Promise affiliates operate family shelters with case management, mirroring Belknap House's core service model for homeless families with children.

Regional players

• Families in Transition: Manchester, NH-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, housing, and supportive services for families and individuals experiencing homelessness in New Hampshire. Direct service peer operating in the same state with comparable family-focused shelter and case management programming.
• Catholic Charities New Hampshire: New Hampshire affiliate of Catholic Charities USA providing emergency services including shelter, food assistance, housing counseling, and case management across the state. Comparable as a regional nonprofit delivering family shelter and housing-related social services in the same geography.
• Waypoint NH: New Hampshire-based human services organization (formerly Child and Family Services) providing housing, family support, and community-based services. Overlaps with Belknap House on family housing and case management services across the same regional geography.
• Harbor Homes: Nashua, NH-based nonprofit providing housing and supportive services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Operates emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and case management — overlapping substantially with Belknap House's service model in the same state.
• The Front Door Agency: Nashua, NH-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, housing, and stabilization services specifically for families with children experiencing homelessness. Direct service peer operating the same family-shelter model as Belknap House, though in a different New Hampshire community.

Others

• New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness: Statewide advocacy and coordinating body for homeless service providers in New Hampshire. Not a direct operator of shelter, but functions as the ecosystem coordinator and policy voice for organizations like Belknap House, making it a thematically relevant peer in the same service network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/belknaphouse
• Xx.com/BelknapHouse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/belknap-house-nh

Compliance1 record

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 Belknap House