Soft Landing Missoula

What Soft Landing Missoula does

Soft Landing Missoula is a community-based nonprofit organization headquartered in Missoula, Montana, founded in 2015 by Mary Poole and fellow community members to provide long-term integration support for refugee and immigrant families arriving in the region. The organization fills the gap after the initial 90-day resettlement period handled by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) Missoula, offering ongoing programming in youth education and leadership, adult and family support, a culinary program called United We Eat, and a community resource center at its 2925 Palmer St. Suite A location. It serves refugee and immigrant families — including arrivals through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (initial Congolese cohort in 2016) and Afghan Humanitarian Parole (2021) — and has cumulatively served 500+ individuals from 30 countries as of 2025.

The organization operates with no proprietary technology platform. Its "core technology" is the relational and physical infrastructure built around the Community Center, the Stories of Home multimedia storytelling project, and a 50+ partner ecosystem that includes schools (Missoula County Public Schools, University of Montana), faith communities (St. Paul Lutheran Church, Missoula Alliance Church), recreation providers (Missoula Strikers FC, Girls on Shred, Missoula Ski Education Foundation), and food/agriculture partners (Garden City Harvest, Missoula Food Bank, Little Twigs Childcare). All client-facing services are delivered free of charge.

The business model is a nonprofit funding model: revenue is generated through individual and corporate donations (collected via a GiveLively-powered donation page), foundation and government grants, and in-kind contributions from the partner network. The organization is structured as a fiscally sponsored project under Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs (SEE Inc.), a 501(c)(3) public charity. There are no user fees, no products sold, and no revenue dependence on refugee clients. Operations are supported by 11-50 paid staff, 214 volunteers contributing 6,528 hours annually, and a network of strategic partners that provide free or subsidized space, programming, and supplies.

Name

Soft Landing Missoula

Legal name

Soft Landing Missoula

Website

https://softlandingmissoula.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Soft Landing Missoula is a Missoula, Montana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2015 that provides long-term integration support — youth programs, adult/family services, and the United We Eat culinary program — to refugee and immigrant families beyond the initial 90-day resettlement period.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Refugee and Immigrant Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (624110), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI), Refugee & Migrant Integration Enterprises (Livelihoods, Services) (BPAGALAN), Newcomer & Refugee Student Support Programs (EDAJAGAH), Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ)

Keywords

• Refugee resettlement services
• Immigrant integration support
• Community based nonprofit
• Youth mentorship programs
• Cultural community building

Headquarters

HQ city

Missoula

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Soft Landing Missoula is funded primarily through donations from individuals, businesses, and community members. The organization conducts regular fundraising campaigns and accepts contributions through their website via GiveLively platform.
2. Grants: The organization receives grant funding from various foundations and government sources to support specific programs and operational costs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Soft Landing Missoula provides free, long-term integration support to refugee and immigrant families in Missoula, Montana, through four core programs: Adult & Family Support at the Community Resource Center, a Youth Program with academic mentorship and the GIRLS! leadership cohort, the United We Eat culinary program featuring refugee and immigrant chefs, and the Stories of Home multimedia storytelling project. Services are delivered in person at the Community Center and through a network of 50+ community partners, with funding coming from donations and grants.

Product overview

Soft Landing Missoula is a community-based nonprofit organization providing support services for refugee and immigrant families. It is not a technology product company and does not offer software products, platforms, or modules. Its services include youth programs, adult and family support, a culinary program called United We Eat, community outreach, educational programs, and cultural events. All offerings are direct service programs, not technology products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• United We Eat: Culinary program featuring refugee and immigrant chefs preparing and serving meals
• Stories of Home
• GIRLS! (Girls Immigrant and Refugee Leadership Squad)

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 500+ refugees and immigrants from 30 countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• International Rescue Committee (IRC) MissoulacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Missoula's designated resettlement agency and primary referral partner. IRC handles initial 90-day resettlement; Soft Landing provides long-term support beyond this period. Co-sponsorship program partnerships allow community groups to welcome refugees together. IRC staff of 25-30 serves growing refugee population.
• Garden City HarvestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year partnership providing community garden plots for refugee families. Extended to Tower Gardens farming plots (nearly half acre) and River Road Farm CSA program serving approximately 25 refugee families with fresh organic produce. Supports agricultural traditions and food security for Congolese and other refugee gardeners.
• Missoula County Public Schools (MCPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to bolster English Language Learning (ELL) services in schools. Soft Landing provides volunteer support for ELL programs and runs youth academic mentorship programming in coordination with district schools.
• St. Paul Lutheran ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free space for Soft Landing's after-school tutoring program that serves over 70 children. Church 'snack ladies' support student nutrition during tutoring sessions.
• University of MontanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple partnerships: Davidson Honors College (AmeriCorps campus partner, volunteer connections, program spaces); Office for Student Success and Franke Global Leadership Initiative (funding College Coach position); Office for Global Engagement; student support services. Approximately 14 refugee students receiving academic mentorship with support for 4 more in 2025.
• Missoula Parks and RecreationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner facilitating accessible enrollment for refugee families in summer camps. Currently piloting after-school program with GIRLS! youth leadership group, providing transportation and staff support for weekly activities.
• Missoula Strikers FCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth soccer organization providing free program participation for refugee families. In 2023, partnered to create dedicated refugee youth team with 13 students participating in spring season. Soft Landing provides volunteer support for transportation and family communication.
• The Roxy TheatersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonates annex space twice yearly for movie showings with refugee youth. Events include cultural films and provide opportunities for practicing skills in public spaces. Partnership for Pakistani Dinner & a Show event during Month of Welcome.
• The Clay StudiosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free pottery classes for refugee and immigrant youth, sparking creativity and cultural pride among young participants.
• Here Montana and Freestone Climbing GymsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree rock climbing opportunities teaching kids confidence and teamwork. Here Montana provides programming; Freestone offers gym access for refugee youth.
• Girls on ShredsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNear four-year partnership introducing middle and high school refugee girls to snowboarding, fostering adventure and camaraderie.
• Missoula Ski Education Foundation (MSEF)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird year of collaboration providing ski days, passes, mentor family matching, fundraising, and meal coordination for high school refugee students.
• Women+ Hockey Association of Missoula (WHAM!)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteers provide ice skating instruction for annual ice skating tradition now in fourth year, with support from Missoula Alliance Church for transportation.
• Missoula Alliance Church (MAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides funding and transportation for ice skating outings, summer Splash Montana days, and use of Welcome House space for High School Girls Leadership Council.
• Little Twigs ChildcaresupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) distribution site serving approximately 25 refugee families. Also employs and serves many refugee and immigrant families, fostering cultural exchange in food preparation.
• Bridge Pizza, Big Dipper, Sweet Peaks Ice CreamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood donors providing treats for youth programming and special events throughout the year.
• The Missoula Food BanksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood donation partner supporting refugee family nutrition and food security.
• SpectrUM Discovery AreasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrings mobile STEM programming to Soft Landing office, sparking curiosity and creativity among youth visiting the Community Center.
• Earth Within GirlssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeads empowering workshops on self-discovery and personal health for young women in the GIRLS! program, creating safe spaces for identity exploration and friendship building.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• RefugeeOne: RefugeeOne is a community-based refugee resettlement and integration nonprofit in Chicago, providing resettlement, employment, youth, and community services. Closest direct peer in mission and program structure to Soft Landing Missoula.
• International Institute of New England (IINE): IINE provides refugee resettlement, workforce development, and integration services in New England. Direct peer in scale and program mix to Soft Landing Missoula.
• Refugee Services of Texas: Refugee Services of Texas provides resettlement, case management, employment, and youth services across multiple Texas cities. Direct peer in community-based refugee services model.
• Arrive Ministries: Arrive Ministries is a Twin Cities-based refugee resettlement and integration nonprofit. Comparable to Soft Landing in community-based mission, program mix, and mid-sized city focus.
• International Institute of Buffalo: International Institute of Buffalo provides refugee resettlement, case management, and integration services. Comparable in size, mission, and community-based model to Soft Landing Missoula.

Broad incumbents

• World Relief: World Relief is a national refugee resettlement and immigration services organization with multiple local offices. Comparable in mission and structure to Soft Landing at a larger scale.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC): IRC is the federally designated resettlement agency that refers clients to Soft Landing Missoula and operates globally. It is a broad incumbent in refugee resettlement and serves as Soft Landing's primary referral pipeline.
• Bethany Christian Services: Bethany provides refugee and immigrant services nationally, including resettlement, family support, and youth programming. Direct mission overlap with Soft Landing's community-based integration model.
• Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS): LIRS is a national refugee resettlement and immigration services network. Comparable mission to Soft Landing at a significantly larger scale.
• Catholic Charities USA: Catholic Charities operates refugee resettlement and integration services through a national network of diocesan agencies, overlapping with Soft Landing's mission of community-based integration support across multiple U.S. cities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/softlandingmissoula
• Instagraminstagram.com/softlandingmissoula
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/soft-landing-missoula

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 Soft Landing Missoula