Homes for Veterans

What Homes for Veterans does

Homes for Veterans is a New Jersey-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded on May 10, 2011 by Doug DiPaola that provides barrier-free home renovations and accessibility modifications to disabled veterans at no cost to the veteran or their families. The organization's core service portfolio includes ramp installations (up to $10,000 per project), wheelchair-accessible bathroom renovations (up to $25,000), elevator installations (up to $60,000), and ADA-compliant kitchen modifications (up to $80,000). Veterans apply directly through the organization's website; applications are reviewed and approved by the board, and approved veterans retain control over contractor selection — a deliberate design choice that differentiates the model from traditional top-down charity delivery. The organization also produces educational content on VA housing grant programs (HISA, SHA, SAH).

Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropic channels: individual tax-deductible donations via website checkout, PayPal, phone, and mail; tiered corporate sponsorships (Platinum, Gold, Silver) anchored by Blackstone Charitable Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project; annual galas (inaugural 2024, 2nd annual 2025 raising $36,395, 3rd planned for 2026); peer-to-peer fundraising through Network for Good and Funraise platforms; branded merchandise sales via Bonfire; and community fundraising events including fitness challenges and comedy nights. Geographic operations have expanded from a New Jersey base to New York through partnerships with ICL at the Borden Avenue Veterans Residence and BSE Global/Brooklyn Nets for veteran shelter events.

Leadership transitioned in April 2020 when founder Doug DiPaola died of COVID-19; his daughter Francesca DiPaola — a CFRE-certified fundraising executive and Marymount Manhattan College graduate — assumed the CEO and Chair of the Board role and has since overseen cumulative fundraising exceeding $6 million. The board includes Vice Chair Joanne DiPaola (educator), Military Liaison Director Dennis Duddie, CPA (CPA, former VP of Finance at Hackensack Meridian Health's John Theurer Cancer Center), licensed architect Craig Rutherford, attorney Patrick Doherty, insurance executive Ed Gaelick, and Vince Micco. The organization is not a technology company — there is no proprietary platform, API, or AI/ML capability — and operates with 1-10 employees and minimal fixed physical infrastructure (a Harrington Park, NJ mailing address), relying instead on a network of vetted contractors and volunteer resources.

Name

Homes for Veterans

Legal name

Homes for Veterans

Website

https://homesforveterans.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Homes for Veterans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 that provides free barrier-free home renovations — including ramps, accessible bathrooms, ADA kitchens, and elevators — to disabled veterans in New Jersey and New York.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Home Accessibility Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Post-Discharge / Post-Event Home Re-Entry Safety Modifications (HSABAJAO)

Keywords

• Veteran home modifications
• Accessibility renovations
• Nonprofit services
• Barrier-free home modifications
• Disability housing

Headquarters

HQ city

Harrington Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting veteran causes. Donors can contribute via website checkout, PayPal, or mail. Donations fund specific projects or general operations.
2. Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Corporate partners (Platinum, Gold, Silver tiers) provide financial support, in-kind donations, and volunteer resources. Partners include Blackstone Charitable Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, and local businesses.
3. Fundraising Events: Annual gala events (inaugural 2024, 2nd Annual 2025 raising $36,395.31), peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, and community fitness events generate donations while raising awareness.
4. Merchandise Sales: The organization sells branded merchandise through Bonfire and on the website, with proceeds supporting veteran projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Homes for Veterans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free barrier-free home renovations and accessibility modifications for disabled veterans. The organization funds and coordinates installations including wheelchair ramps, accessible bathrooms, ADA-compliant kitchens, residential elevators, and other accessibility adaptations. All services are provided at no cost to qualifying veterans or their families.

Product overview

Homes for Veterans is a nonprofit organization providing barrier-free home modifications for disabled veterans at no cost. The core service offering includes a portfolio of home accessibility products and services: ramp installation (up to $10,000), wheelchair accessible bathroom renovations (up to $25,000), elevator installation (up to $60,000), and ADA kitchen modifications (up to $80,000). The organization processes donations via PayPal and maintains an online veteran application system reviewed by their board. Supporting services include VA housing grant information resources and virtual volunteer coordination to assist veterans through the application process. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with EIN 45-2149057.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Barrier-Free Home Modifications Core service providing barrier-free renovations including ramps, wheelchair accessible bathrooms, ADA kitchen adaptations, elevator installations, and other accessibility modifications to disabled veteran homeowners at no cost.
• Ramp Installation Installation of accessibility ramps for wheelchair-bound veterans, costing up to $10,000 per ramp, provided at no cost to veterans.
• Elevator Installation Installation of residential elevators for veterans who cannot use chairlifts, costing up to $60,000 per elevator, provided at no cost to veterans.
• Wheelchair Accessible Bathroom Renovation Complete bathroom renovations including accessible showers, walk-in tubs, grab bars, ADA-compliant fixtures, and wheelchair-friendly flooring, costing up to $25,000 per project.
• ADA Kitchen Modifications Kitchen adaptations including lowered countertops, accessible storage, and other ADA-compliant modifications, costing up to $80,000 per project.

Quantifiable outcome

• 87% increase in independence for veterans with disabilities using accessible features like ramps and wider doorways
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, silver and gold.

• ICL (Institute for Community Living)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner at Borden Avenue Veterans Residence, the only veteran-only homeless shelter in NYC (~300 veterans). Collaborated on holiday events, cookouts, and Veteran Empowerment Days. ICL provides critical housing and support services.
• BSE Global (Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment)silverStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnered with Brooklyn Nets parent company for holiday events at Borden Avenue shelter, distributing winter essentials and gift cards to veterans.
• Brooklyn NetssilverStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025NBA team partnership through BSE Global for veteran support events and holiday distributions.
• Edison American Legion PostcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Host venue for veteran events and gatherings. Homes for Veterans partnering on accessibility improvements including ADA automatic doors and rear entrance reconstruction.
• NJSOS (New Jersey State Operating Engineers)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnered for Newark Stand Down event with 250+ veterans and 40+ vendors. Distributed winter coats (110) and sweaters (200) through Wounded Warrior Project partnership.
• Wounded Warrior ProjectgoldStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold Partner providing ongoing support including summer essential care kits (96 units), holiday toy donations, and event partnerships. Collaborated on Christmas events, cookouts, and veteran empowerment days.
• Habitat for HumanitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomes for Veterans has partnered with Habitat for Humanity under Francesca DiPaola's leadership to expand the nonprofit's reach and impact for veteran housing support.
• Catholic CharitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for joint veteran support initiatives. Catholic Charities of Paterson, along with Knights of Columbus, contributed $1,000+ to specific veteran bathroom projects.
• Boy Scouts of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization mentioned in About page for veteran support collaborations.
• Bergen County Sheriff's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates 'Freedom' Accessible Ramp Program providing labor and construction for veteran ramp projects. Completed Ed Meller's ramp in 4 days through Officer Lorenzo's introduction.
• Gloria Dittman (Veteran Advocate)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEdison resident and veteran advocate who donated $15,000 for Joseph White's bathroom. Partnering to make Edison American Legion accessible for all veterans with ADA automatic doors and accessible entrance.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Homes for Heroes: Affiliate-based organization that provides savings on real estate services (home buying/selling) to firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, military, and veterans. Tangentially comparable veteran-housing focus, though service model (real estate discounts) differs from free modifications.
• Purple Heart Homes: Nonprofit that partners with veterans organizations to provide housing solutions, including accessibility modifications, for service-connected disabled veterans. Directly comparable mission and beneficiary segment with national scope.
• Building Homes for Heroes: National nonprofit that provides mortgage-free, barrier-free homes and modifications specifically for injured veterans and their families. Operates in the same niche of free home accessibility renovations, directly comparable in service model and beneficiary profile.
• Rebuilding Together: National nonprofit providing critical home repairs, accessibility modifications, and revitalizations at no cost to low-income homeowners including veterans. Closest peer in service offering (barrier-free renovations for vulnerable homeowners) and nonprofit funding model.

Emerging players

• USA Cares: Veteran-services nonprofit providing financial assistance and housing stability programs to post-9/11 military families. Comparable in serving the same disabled-veteran beneficiary segment with housing-related assistance.
• Operation Homefront: National nonprofit providing military families with housing assistance including rent-free homes and transitional housing. Comparable in veteran housing support mission though focused more on temporary/permanent housing placement than home modifications.

Broad incumbents

• Wounded Warrior Project: Large veteran-services nonprofit providing physical/mental health programs, career counseling, and long-term support to wounded veterans. Homes for Veterans already has a Gold-tier partnership with WWP, and WWP's broader veteran-services platform is comparable in donor base and beneficiary profile.
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV): Large national veterans service organization providing benefits navigation, advocacy, and direct support to disabled veterans. Comparable beneficiary population and donor/constituent ecosystem, though DAV's focus is broader benefits advocacy rather than home modifications.
• Habitat for Humanity: Large-scale nonprofit building and rehabilitating affordable housing, with dedicated veteran-focused affiliate programs. Homes for Veterans already partners with Habitat for Humanity, making it the most directly comparable peer in mission and beneficiary overlap.
• Gary Sinise Foundation: Large veteran-services nonprofit whose R.I.S.E. program funds specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans. Comparable in providing barrier-free home modifications to disabled veterans but at significantly larger scale and with celebrity-driven fundraising.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@HomesForVeteransUS
• Facebookfacebook.com/homesforveteransUS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/homesforveterans

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Homes for Veterans