Net Of Compassion

What Net Of Compassion does

Net of Compassion is a 501(c)(3) faith-based nonprofit headquartered at 674 Main Street in Worcester, Massachusetts, founded in 2010 by Pastor Richie Gonzalez and his wife Elizabeth following his personal experience with substance use disorder and homelessness. The organization delivers a coordinated suite of six direct-service programs to individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, substance use disorder, and mental illness in Worcester: Meals on Main Street (weekly outdoor meal service serving 300+ each Saturday), Grace Closet (free clothing distribution), Grace Pantry (free food distribution), Joshua's Showers (mobile shower trailer donated in 2020), Hotel Grace (a 24/7 seasonal emergency shelter operating October through May with capacity for 60), and Recovery Supports (daily street outreach, peer counseling, faith-based support, Narcan intervention, and detox/shelter bed acquisition).

The organization runs no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is in-person at fixed sites and via a mobile shower trailer, with a daily street-outreach component reaching individuals who do not access traditional services. All programs are provided free of charge to clients with no pricing structure or billing cadence. The business model is donation-funded: revenue is sourced entirely from private donations, small grants, and in-kind contributions of goods, with 100% Board-of-Directors giving participation. Operational funding is supplemented by in-kind food donations from corporate partners (Bimbo Bakeries, Whole Foods, BJ's Wholesale, Costco, Table Talk Pies), long-term goods supply from World Vision, grant funding from United Way of Central Massachusetts, and an annual Bread of Life Benefit gala. The workforce is small (1-10 employees) and the operational engine is volunteer-driven, with rotating church and community groups staffing the weekly Saturday program.

The organization functions as a member agency within the Worcester nonprofit ecosystem, partnered with Adult & Teen Challenge, Hector Reyes House, Ascension Church, St. John's Church, and New Life Worship Center. Founder Richie Gonzalez received the City of Worcester Key of The City in 2017, sits on the Latin American Health Alliance board and Central Massachusetts Opioid Task Force, and serves on the Housing First Coordinating Council. The geographic footprint is intentionally local — Worcester only — with no current expansion into adjacent markets.

Name

Net Of Compassion

Legal name

Net of Compassion

Website

https://netofcompassion.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Net of Compassion is a Worcester, Massachusetts 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free food, clothing, emergency shelter, mobile shower, and peer recovery support to individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, and substance use disorder through six integrated programs and a daily volunteer-driven street outreach operation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless and Social Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Food Services (624210), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries (BPAGAJAF), Food Assistance & Safety Nets (In-Kind, Vouchers, Cash Transfers) (BPADAJAA)

Keywords

• Homeless services
• Food assistance
• Recovery support
• Emergency shelter
• Social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Worcester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Private Donations and Grants: Since 2010, Net of Compassion has been funded entirely by donations of goods, private gifts and small grants. The Board of Directors provides both direction and financial support with 100% giving participation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Net of Compassion is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides food, clothing, shelter, showers, and recovery support services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, poverty, and substance use disorder in Worcester, Massachusetts. The organization runs a peer-led portfolio of direct-service programs that together form an integrated community safety net, funded entirely by donations and small grants.

Product overview

Net of Compassion is a faith-based nonprofit organization offering a coordinated suite of social services to individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, substance use disorder, and mental illness in Worcester, Massachusetts. The organization operates six interconnected programs: Meals on Main Street (weekly outdoor meals), Grace Closet (clothing distribution), Grace Pantry (food distribution), Joshua's Showers (mobile shower services), Hotel Grace (seasonal emergency shelter), and Recovery Supports (peer counseling and street outreach). Founded in 2010, these programs work together to form a comprehensive safety net, addressing immediate needs while supporting long-term recovery and reintegration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hotel Grace: Seasonal emergency shelter program providing shelter, hot meals, and hot showers for individuals experiencing homelessness. Operated October through May at Ascension Church, 44 Vernon Street, Worcester, MA.
• Joshua's Showers
• Grace Closet
• Grace Pantry
• Meals on Main Street

Products and services

• Meals on Main Street
• Grace Closet
• Grace Pantry
• Joshua's Showers
• Hotel Grace
• Recovery Supports

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 hot meals served every Saturday since 2010
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) - Nursing Students Without BorderssupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2021Campus Life office and Nursing Students Without Borders started a fundraiser specifically for their student community; raised over $2,900 plus in-kind donations; donation amounts tied to specific programming costs
• United Way of Central MassachusettscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2021Established special Amazon Wish List campaign to help acquire needed items for shower program; members purchased items including towels, soaps, combs, brushes, deodorants, lotions, sandals; also provides funding for Joshua's Showers
• Realtor Association of Central Massachusetts (RACM)supportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 March 2021Community Action Committee selected Net of Compassion as RACM's 2021 Charity of Choice; organized Spring Ahead Food Drive March 8-26, 2021
• Premeer Real EstatesupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Selected Net of Compassion as one of 10 beneficiaries for their Premeer Gives Back Program for 2021; for each successful closing, they donate $150 in buyer's name to a charity from the beneficiary list
• Angelica Linen ServicesupportingOthersProvided invaluable support for linen service for the shower trailer; continued assistance for Joshua's Showers program
• Bimbo BakeriessupportingOthersGraciously donates bread and pastries every Wednesday for distribution through Grace Pantry and on Saturdays for Meals on Main Street
• Table Talk PiessupportingOthersDonates pies each Thursday for distribution through Grace Pantry and Meals on Main Street
• Whole Foods MarketsupportingOthersHas been generous with donations of food
• BJ's WholesalesupportingOthersBJ's in Northborough provides pastries as well as fresh fruits and vegetables each Thursday and Saturday
• Costco WholesalesupportingOthersHas been generous with donations of food and other goods
• World VisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partner providing all manner of groceries and goods made available through Hotel Grace and outreach programming; also distributes goods to other partner organizations
• Adult & Teen ChallengesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated partner providing volunteer support; Net of Compassion provides groceries for their programming in return
• Hector Reyes House / Cafe ReyessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide food for members of the Latino community in programs addressing addiction and recovery
• St. John's ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinues to provide invaluable support to Net of Compassion; hosts Joshua's Showers mobile shower trailer at their location
• Ready2Go Restroom TrailerssupportingOthersPreferred restroom trailer provider; their shower trailer makes it possible for guests to have hot showers
• Team ImpressasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRuns clothing drives to benefit Net of Compassion and donates $50 per real estate closing to select charities
• Ascension ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts Hotel Grace shelter at 44 Vernon Street location; provides venue for seasonal emergency shelter operations October-May
• New Life Worship CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch where founders Richie and Elizabeth Gonzalez are members; involved in hosting volunteers and supporting programming
• Missionaries of MercysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer group that came to prepare and serve food for Christmas at Hotel Grace
• WooSox Care-A-VansupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerContributed to the strength of the 'net' of compassion in Worcester through community support activities

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Catholic Charities Worcester County: Faith-based social services nonprofit serving Worcester County with food, shelter, and case management programs. Comparable as a faith-rooted multi-program social services provider in the same regional market.
• Boston Rescue Mission: Faith-based nonprofit in Boston providing meals, emergency shelter, and recovery programs to people experiencing homelessness and addiction. Comparable as a faith-based emergency services and recovery support peer.
• Worcester County Food Bank: Regional food bank serving Worcester County and surrounding areas with food distribution and pantries. Directly comparable on the food security / food pantry component of Net of Compassion's mission.
• Pine Street Inn: Boston-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, meals, housing, and recovery services to people experiencing homelessness. Comparable integrated service model covering food, shelter, and recovery under one roof.
• Father Bill's & Mainspring: Massachusetts nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and homelessness prevention services in the Brockton/Quincy area. Comparable as a comprehensive shelter, meals, and housing services provider in the same state.
• Adult & Teen Challenge New England: Faith-based addiction recovery program operating throughout New England. Comparable as a faith-based recovery support partner, with whom Net of Compassion has an existing mutual volunteer and grocery supply arrangement.
• Hector Reyes House / Cafe Reyes: Worcester-based Latino recovery house and cafe program serving men in recovery from addiction. Direct comparable as a Worcester-area recovery-focused partner organization that Net of Compassion already collaborates with.

Broad incumbents

• The Salvation Army Massachusetts: Large faith-based nonprofit operating shelters, food programs, and recovery services across Massachusetts. Comparable in mission and faith-based model but operates at much broader scale across many program areas.
• Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance: Statewide nonprofit alliance representing shelter and housing providers across Massachusetts. Comparable as a sector umbrella organization, with Net of Compassion's director participating in the Housing First Coordinating Council connected to this group.

Regional players

• Community Harvest Project: Worcester County-based hunger relief organization growing and distributing fresh produce. Comparable on food security mission and Central Massachusetts geography, though focused upstream on agriculture rather than direct service delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/netofcompassion
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/net-of-compassion

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Net Of Compassion