The Shepherd's Staff

What The Shepherd's Staff does

The Shepherd's Staff is a 501(c)(3) nondenominational Christian nonprofit outreach and support center founded in 1991 in Westminster, Maryland, providing free crisis assistance to residents of Carroll County. Its service portfolio spans direct-aid programs including Emergency Financial Assistance (medical, housing, utilities, transportation, and job-related expenses, accounting for over 60% of outreach spending), the Blessings Closet (non-food household essentials for ~1,931 households annually), Back to School (1,836 students supplied), Call for Coats, Clothing Distribution, Food & Fellowship (Shepherd's Table soup kitchen and holiday meals), Holiday Programs (1,427 Christmas stockings, 1,042 Easter baskets, Sacks for Seniors), Rex the Piggy Bank prescription assistance, and Comfort & Caring hospitality services. The organization operates from a temporary main office at 75 John Street in Westminster plus two satellite locations in Eldersburg (Blessings Closet only at Wesley Freedom UMC) and New Windsor (St. Paul), and distributes services through partner venues including Westminster UMC, St. John Catholic Church, and Dutterer Family Park.

The business model is 100% donor-funded: the organization receives no federal, state, or county funding, instead drawing on individual and corporate financial donations, in-kind gifts, planned giving, and a recurring calendar of signature fundraising events (Summer Splash Bingo, Empty Bowls, Festival of Trees, Thanksgiving Dinner, 4th of July Cookout, annual yard sales). It is currently running a $3 million 'Welcome Home' capital campaign to construct a new permanent facility (the Love House) to expand capacity. Operations are lean, with approximately 7 staff supported by a 16-person board and a large volunteer base, and the organization claims 88 cents of every donated dollar goes directly to programs. In 2025 alone, the organization served 8,309 neighbors and 3,191 households. Marketing and donor engagement run through Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, a quarterly email newsletter, Amazon Wishlists, and local radio/press partnerships.

Name

The Shepherd's Staff

Legal name

The Shepherd's Staff

Website

https://shepstaff.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Shepherd's Staff is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 providing free crisis assistance — food, clothing, financial aid, and holiday programs — to Carroll County, Maryland residents in need, funded 100% through donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Westminster

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Program Services (Emergency Financial Assistance accounts for over 60% of outreach spending), Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The Shepherd's Staff is 100% donor funded with no federal, state, or county funding. Receives financial donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations through online donations, checks, payroll giving, and planned giving.
2. In-Kind Donations: Accepts donations of food, clothing, personal care items, school supplies, and other goods that are distributed to those in need.
3. Fundraising Events: Hosts signature fundraising events including Summer Splash Bingo ($30/ticket), Empty Bowls ($35/person), Festival of Trees silent auction, and annual yard sales.
4. Capital Campaign: $3 million capital campaign for new building (Love House) with donation amounts up to $1,000 online and naming opportunities above $1,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Shepherd's Staff is a nondenominational Christian nonprofit that provides free crisis assistance to Carroll County, Maryland residents. Its core offerings include emergency financial assistance, food and fellowship programs (soup kitchen, holiday meals), Blessings Closet (non-food household essentials), Back to School supplies, clothing distribution, Call for Coats winter outerwear, holiday programs (Christmas stockings, Easter baskets, Sacks for Seniors), and Rex the Piggy Bank prescription assistance. All services are provided at no cost to recipients and the organization is 100% donor funded.

Product overview

The Shepherd's Staff is a nondenominational Christian nonprofit outreach center providing crisis assistance to Carroll County, Maryland residents. The organization operates a portfolio of direct-service programs including the Blessings Closet (household essentials), Emergency Financial Assistance, Food & Fellowship (soup kitchen and holiday meals), Back to School supplies, Call for Coats, Holiday Programs (Christmas Stockings, Easter Baskets), Rex the Piggy Bank (prescription assistance), and clothing distribution. Fundraising events include Summer Splash Bingo, Empty Bowls, and Festival of Trees. A $3 million Welcome Home Capital Campaign supports construction of the Love House to expand services. The organization is 100% donor-funded with no federal, state, or county funding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• REX the Piggy Bank: Rx Fund that supports prescription assistance for local residents who otherwise would go without medication.

Products and services

• Back to School Program Provides free school supplies, backpacks, and new shoes to Carroll County students in need, serving approximately 1,836 students annually.
• Blessings Closet Provides free non-food household essentials including personal hygiene products, cleaning supplies, diapers, and laundry supplies to over 1,900 households annually.
• Call for Coats Collects and distributes new winter coats free of charge to Carroll County residents, with a goal of 600 new coat donations each year; 351 neighbors served.
• Clothing Distribution Distributes new and gently used clothing for infants through adults, including emergency items such as coats, shoes, underwear, and work attire.
• Comfort & Caring Provides daily hospitality services including newspaper, religious literature, mail delivery, and outdoor picnic area access to clients in need.
• Emergency Financial Assistance Provides assistance with healthcare, housing, utilities, transportation, and job-related expenses for families and individuals in crisis; serves 880 households annually.
• Food & Fellowship Provides meals through the Shepherd's Table Soup Kitchen on Fridays, holiday meals including Thanksgiving dinner and July 4th picnic, and emergency food assistance serving 357 households annually and 3,500 meals through Shepherd's Table Noon Meal program.
• Rex the Piggy Bank (Rx Fund) Provides prescription assistance and healthcare support for local residents who cannot afford critical medication, medical supplies, eyeglasses, and hearing aids.
• Holiday Programs Includes Christmas Stockings (1,427 distributed), Easter Baskets (1,042 distributed), and Sacks for Seniors gift bag program for children and seniors in Carroll County.
• Financial Donations Online donation platform allowing contributions to general fund or designated programs including Emergency Financial Assistance, Blessings Closet, Back to School, Call for Coats, Clothing, Food & Fellowship, Holiday Programs, and Rex the Piggy Bank.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88% of donations go directly to programs and services
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wesley Freedom United Methodist ChurchcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides venue for satellite Blessings Closet location at 961 Johnsville Road, Eldersburg, MD. Church serves as distribution point for hygiene and household supplies to community members in need.
• St. Paul (New Windsor)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSatellite office location at 200 Main Street, New Windsor, MD providing community services by appointment.
• Westminster United Methodist ChurchcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosts The Shepherd's Table Soup Kitchen every Friday at 12:30pm. Venue partner for weekly soup kitchen program serving meals to those in need.
• St. John Roman Catholic ChurchcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosts Annual Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner at their Portico venue. Venue partner for one of the organization's largest holiday programs.
• Dutterer Family ParkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosts the annual July 4th Cookout at 48 Monroe Street location. Venue partner for community celebration event.
• Local RestaurantsStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurants provide soup samples for the Empty Bowls fundraiser, supporting the organization's emergency and crisis assistance programs.
• Union Bridge Church of the BrethrenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStarting location for Carroll County CROP Walk. 25% of donations return to Carroll County benefiting Access Carroll, St. James Food Pantry, and Shepherd's Staff.
• Walmart WestminsterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost venue for Stuff The Bus school supply drive event at 280 Woodward Road location.
• The Cow (Ice Cream)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides free ice cream as incentive for donors at Stuff The Bus school supply drive event.
• Liberty Team - ThirventminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Stuff The Bus event, supporting school supply drive for Carroll County students.
• WTTR (102.3 FM/1470 AM)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal radio station broadcasting live on-site at Stuff The Bus event to promote community donations.
• Johnson Bus ServiceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides bus for Stuff The Bus school supply collection event.
• Common Ground on the HillminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusical performers at the annual July 4th Community Picnic, providing entertainment for the community event.
• Gamber & Community Fire CompanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost venue for Summer Splash Bingo event. Food proceeds support the fire company's community service.
• Deer Park United Methodist Church WestminsterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonates Christmas stockings through church Sisterhood, demonstrating ongoing community partnership support.
• Explorations CommonsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost venue for Paint a Bowl for Empty Bowls event at 50 E Main Street, Westminster.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• St. James Food Pantry: Also named as a Carroll County CROP Walk beneficiary alongside Shepherd's Staff. Operates comparable food assistance and crisis support programs in the same geographic footprint.
• Access Carroll: Local Carroll County social services nonprofit explicitly co-mentioned as a CROP Walk beneficiary alongside Shepherd's Staff. Provides comparable human services to the same Carroll County residents in need.
• St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore: Faith-based nonprofit providing emergency assistance, food, clothing, and household goods to neighbors in need across Maryland. Comparable donation-funded, volunteer-driven operating model.
• The Salvation Army of Carroll County: National faith-based social services nonprofit operating in Carroll County with overlapping crisis assistance, food, clothing, and seasonal programs. Directly comparable service mix to Shepherd's Staff.
• Catholic Charities of Baltimore: Faith-rooted nonprofit providing emergency financial assistance, food, and case management across Maryland including Carroll County. Overlaps with Shepherd's Staff's Emergency Financial Assistance and Blessings Closet programs.
• Human Services Programs of Carroll County: Lead anti-poverty agency serving the same Carroll County footprint. Provides crisis intervention, energy assistance, and case management directly comparable to Shepherd's Staff's emergency assistance programs.
• Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland: Donor-funded nonprofit delivering food and supportive services to vulnerable residents, including seniors, across central Maryland. Directly comparable to Shepherd's Staff's Food & Fellowship and senior programs.

Broad incumbents

• United Way of Central Maryland: Larger regional funder and convening body that supports many Carroll County human services agencies. Operates a broader portfolio but channels donor dollars to comparable crisis-assistance missions.
• Maryland Food Bank: Statewide hunger-relief organization providing food sourcing and distribution infrastructure that supports local pantries and meal programs similar to Shepherd's Table. Broader scope but overlapping food-security mission.

Regional players

• Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley: Regional nonprofit operating workforce development, job placement, and emergency assistance programs in nearby Frederick/Carroll region. Comparable social services scope with workforce emphasis.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ShepherdsStaffCC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shepstaff
• Instagraminstagram.com/shep_staff

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 The Shepherd's Staff