We Fortify

What We Fortify does

We Fortify is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) non-profit land development and human services organization that builds programmed tiny-home villages and support services aimed at breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty for young adults ages 18-25. The organization operates through two divisions: Elevate Villages, which provides safe, dignified, fully furnished tiny homes paired with on-site trauma-responsive therapy, a 22-course Life Skills University curriculum, and career placement pathways; and Noble Villages, which provides affordable housing for public service professionals (teachers, police, firefighters, nurses) and is intended to generate income that cross-subsidizes Elevate Villages programming. The flagship community, Working Fusion at Mill Street in Colorado Springs, comprises 18 tiny homes plus shared community gathering space, an event deck, and raised-bed gardens, and has been delivering on-site therapy since April 2022.

The model is funded through individual and institutional donations, impact investments from a coalition of foundations and corporate partners (including Gates Foundation, Lyda Hill Philanthropies, El Pomar Foundation, Daniels Foundation, Dakota Foundation, CHFA, Colorado Springs Health Foundation, and the City of Colorado Springs), Colorado Enterprise Zone Tax Credits (up to 25% for cash gifts), and a planned cross-subsidy from Noble Villages. Residents are referred through a dense network of 25+ care, education, government, and workforce partners across the Pikes Peak region, including CASA of the Pikes Peak Region, El Paso County DHS, school districts, Pikes Peak State College, and Springs Rescue Mission. The organization reports differentiated operating metrics versus industry standards: a 1-9 staff-to-resident ratio (vs. 1-30 industry standard), weekly one-on-one goal meetings (vs. 30-45 day cycles), more than 170 hours of on-site therapy since April 2022, and more than 50% of residents enrolled in school.

The organization is privately held, non-profit, and operates at a small scale (1-10 employees) with a single operational village. Its structural innovation is the dual-village cross-subsidy model, which is designed to move the mission toward financial sustainability by tying revenue from public-service professional housing to funding for youth homelessness programming. Growth and replication depend on scaling both the Elevate Villages footprint and the Noble Villages revenue base, as well as continued philanthropic momentum.

Name

We Fortify

Legal name

We Fortify

Website

https://workingfusion.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

We Fortify is a Colorado Springs 501(c)(3) non-profit that builds programmed tiny-home villages combining housing, trauma-responsive therapy, life skills education, and career placement for young adults ages 18-25 experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with a cross-subsidy model from housing public service professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Homeless, Foster Care & Highly Mobile Youth Education Services (EDAJAEAG)

Keywords

• Affordable housing services
• Tiny home communities
• Homeless youth support
• Life skills education
• Trauma-responsive therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Colorado Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropic Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, We Fortify relies heavily on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Donations are collected through the We Fortify website with a specific drop-down to designate contributions to Working Fusion.
2. Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Incentives: Colorado residents making qualifying gifts to We Fortify are eligible for a tax credit of up to 25% against state income tax for outright cash gifts, or 12.5% for approved work in-kind donations. This incentivizes donations to support the organization's mission.
3. Noble Villages Cross-Subsidy: Noble Villages generate modest income that helps support key programming for Elevate Villages. This cross-subsidy model moves the mission toward financial sustainability by having the Noble Villages (housing for public service professionals) help fund Elevate Villages (housing for young adults in poverty).

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

We Fortify develops and operates programmed tiny home villages and support services for young adults (ages 18-25) experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Through its Elevate Villages division it provides safe dignified housing, on-site trauma-responsive therapy, life skills education, and living-wage career placement; through Noble Villages it offers affordable housing to public service professionals, with rental income cross-subsidizing Elevate Villages programming. Its flagship community, Working Fusion at Mill Street, contains 18 fully furnished tiny homes plus shared community spaces in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Product overview

We Fortify is a non-profit land development and human services company operating two divisions: Elevate Villages and Noble Villages. Elevate Villages provides programmed communities offering safe dignified housing, trauma-responsive therapies, Life Skills University curriculum, and career placement to young adults ages 18-25. Noble Villages provides affordable housing for public service professionals to generate income supporting Elevate Villages. The flagship community, Working Fusion at Mill Street, features 18 tiny homes with shared community spaces and gardens. Additional programs include Resident Mentor, Village Support, and Event Volunteer programs that engage community volunteers in supporting residents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Elevate Villages: Programmed communities that elevate young adults out of poverty into economic and emotional stability through safe housing, trauma-responsive therapies, life skills education, and career placement.
• Noble Villages

Products and services

• Elevate Villages Programmed communities that provide safe dignified housing within small supportive communities, individualized trauma-responsive therapies, life skills education, and living wage career placement to elevate young adults (ages 18-25) out of poverty into economic and emotional stability.
• Noble Villages Dignified and affordable housing communities supporting public service professionals such as teachers, police, firefighters, and nurses, generating modest income that supports Elevate Villages programming and contributes to mission sustainability.
• Working Fusion at Mill Street The first We Fortify Elevate Village — a neighborhood community with 18 fully furnished tiny homes, community gathering space, community event deck, and shared raised bed gardens that fortifies motivated young adults (ages 18-25) to create lives of purpose and sustainable independence through housing, support services, and peer community.
• Life Skills University A 22-course comprehensive life skills curriculum covering Financial Literacy, Communication, Nutrition, Auto Education, Healthy Relationships, Professional Development, Time Management, Health/Safety, Household Management, Goal Setting, Community Involvement, and Healthy Hobbies, developed with industry experts and reinforced with volunteer follow-up to ensure competency.
• Trauma-Responsive Therapy Services On-site mental health care provided at no cost to residents, including consistent weekly visits with the same trauma-informed therapist, access to community and healing through group therapy, and coordinated resident therapy sessions. Removes transportation burden by delivering care on-site.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 170 hours of on-site resident therapy coordinated and financially supported since April 2022
• +3 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• CASA of the Pikes Peak RegioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCare referral partner providing advocacy and support for foster youth who may benefit from the Working Fusion village program.
• Community Prep SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational referral partner helping connect young adults to the Working Fusion program and supporting resident education goals.
• CS Fire Department Homeless Outreach ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst responder outreach partner referring homeless individuals to the village program.
• Dale House ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth services organization providing referrals and potentially supportive employment programming.
• District 11, 14, 2, 20 (School Districts)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal school district partners supporting resident education including high school completion, GED programs, and college courses.
• Division of Youth ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency providing referrals for young adults exiting the youth justice system.
• El Paso County DHScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty human services department providing referrals for young adults in need of housing and support services.
• Fostering Hope FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation supporting foster youth and families, providing referrals to the Working Fusion program.
• Goal High SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlternative high school providing educational pathways for residents working toward graduation.
• Homeward Pikes PeakcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinuum of Care organization coordinating homeless services in the Pikes Peak region.
• Mission Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare provider offering medical services for residents.
• Mount Carmel Veteran CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeteran services organization providing support for veteran residents.
• Partners in HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing organization providing supportive housing expertise and referrals.
• Pikes Peak State CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education partner supporting residents pursuing college courses and vocational training.
• Springs Rescue MissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomeless services organization providing referrals and support for individuals experiencing homelessness.
• The PlacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth homelessness services organization providing referrals to the Working Fusion program.
• Career BoostcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCareer development partner providing training and employment support for residents.
• Careers in Construction ColoradocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction industry workforce partner providing trade school opportunities and career pathways for residents.
• Pikes Peak Workforce CentercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWorkforce development center providing job training, career counseling, and employment connections for residents.
• Pikes Peak Business & Education AlliancecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBusiness-education partnership connecting residents with career development and employment opportunities.
• Community WorkscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWorkforce development organization providing employment support and training for residents.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Covenant House: National nonprofit providing housing and supportive services to young people experiencing homelessness and trafficking. Comparable mission and youth-focused housing model, but operates at much larger national scale via traditional shelter and transitional housing.
• Family Promise: National non-profit addressing family homelessness through shelter, prevention, and stabilization programs across a network of affiliates. Comparable in using a community-based, supportive housing model but focused on families with children rather than young adults.

Others

• Pallet: Manufacturer of panelized, rapidly deployable shelter units used by communities to build non-congregate and tiny-home villages for people experiencing homelessness. Adjacent enabling supplier whose products are used by organizations with similar missions.

Direct peers

• Community First! Village (Mobile Loaves & Fishes): A master-planned community of tiny homes, RV pads, and micro-enterprise spaces in Austin, Texas serving people coming out of chronic homelessness. Highly comparable programmed-village model with on-site amenities, community building, and wraparound services.
• DignityMoves: Builds modular interim and supportive housing communities for people experiencing homelessness in California, including service-rich villages with on-site case management. Closely comparable model of dignified, programmed tiny-home villages for unhoused adults.
• Larkin Street Youth Services: San Francisco-based nonprofit providing housing, education, and workforce programs for homeless and at-risk youth ages 12–24. Comparable target demographic and combined housing-plus-services approach, though using traditional shelters rather than tiny-home villages.
• The Other Side Village: Salt Lake City tiny-home village designed as a permanent supportive housing community for individuals transitioning out of homelessness, with on-site services and supportive community. Comparable model of small-village supportive housing for formerly homeless adults.

Emerging players

• Hope on Mission: Emerging nonprofit building dignified tiny-home communities for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Comparably small-scale, programmatically rich housing model at an earlier stage of replication.

Regional players

• Partners in Housing: Colorado Springs nonprofit providing supportive housing and services to people experiencing homelessness. Comparable geography and supportive housing model, and operates as a referral partner to We Fortify.
• Springs Rescue Mission: Colorado Springs-based homeless services organization that is itself a referral partner of We Fortify. Comparable mission of serving unhoused populations in the Pikes Peak region but operating traditional shelter and recovery programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/workingfusion
• Instagraminstagram.com/workingfusion
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wefortify

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 We Fortify