FUNDRAISING RESOURCES

How to fundraise for Homeless shelters?

Homeless shelters face unique fundraising challenges. This complete guide provides insights on grants, corporate partnerships, platforms, and innovative ideas, backed by experts in the field.

Top 5 grants for Homeless shelters nonprofits in 2025

Unlock funding for your nonprofit with grants designed for Homeless shelters. Explore government, foundation, and corporate grants to expand your impact.

Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Varies by location

Government

Provides funding to engage homeless individuals and families living on the street; improve the number, quality and operations of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families.

Apply

Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Grant Program

California Department of Housing and Community Development

Up to $1,000,000

Government

Provides funding to support regional coordination and expand or develop local capacity to address immediate homelessness challenges.

Apply

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Varies by project and location

Government

Provides annual grants to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.

Apply

Homeless Shelter Improvement Grant

The Home Depot Foundation

Up to $5,000

Private Foundation

Offers grants for the repair, renovation, and improvement of homeless shelters in communities across the United States.

Apply

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Varies by project scope

Government

Provides grants to select organizations to provide supportive services to very low-income Veteran families residing in or transitioning to permanent housing.

Apply

Top 5 companies donating to Homeless shelters nonprofits in 2025

Partner with businesses that share your mission! Corporate sponsorships can provide funding, in-kind donations, and visibility to help your nonprofit expand and sustain Homeless shelters efforts.

Housing
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Food Security
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Clothing
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Nonprofit Support
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Hospitality
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Top 5 best fundraising platforms for Homeless shelters

PayPal Logo
DonorBox Logo
Transaction fees
0%
Average processing fee: 0.95% and $.29/transaction

2.9% + $0.30 per donation

2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
3% + $0.30 per pledge Pledges under $10 have a discounted micropledge fee of 5% + $0.08 per pledge
Platform fees
$0
Not publicly disclosed
No platform fees. Similar to Zeffy, GoFundMe relies on voluntary “tips” from donors to cover platform fees for nonprofits.
5% of funds raised
5% of total funds raised if a project is successfully funded
Monthly fees
$0 / month
Essential: $79/month and Accelerate: $119/month
No monthly fees
No monthly fees
No monthly fees
Value for money
Capterra ratings
4.9 / 5
4.3/5
4.1/5
N/A
Ease-of-use
Capterra ratings
4.8 / 5
4.5/5
4.2/5
N/A
Quality of support
4.9 / 5
4.6/5
3.9/5
N/A

The only 100% free
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10 Best fundraising ideas for Homeless shelters in 2025

Innovative fundraising fuels your mission. From peer-to-peer campaigns to community events, explore creative ways to raise funds and ensure long-term success for your Homeless shelters.

1

Social Media Sleepout Challenge

Launch a viral social media challenge where participants sleep outside for one night, livestream their experience, and raise funds through peer-to-peer donations. Provide a toolkit with safety guidelines, fundraising tips, and social media templates.

2

Community Build Day

Organize a hands-on event where volunteers help renovate or build affordable housing units. Partner with local construction companies for materials and expertise. Participants raise funds through sponsorships.

3

Shelter-in-a-Box Subscription

Create a monthly subscription box containing essential items for homeless individuals (e.g., hygiene products, non-perishable food, socks). Subscribers can choose to receive the box or donate it directly to the shelter.

4

Corporate Sleep-Out Challenge

Partner with local businesses for a corporate sleep-out event where executives and employees spend a night outside to raise awareness and funds. Offer team-building activities and educational workshops about homelessness.

5

Neighborhood Homeless Support Network

Create a network of neighborhood captains who organize local fundraising events, coordinate volunteer efforts, and act as ambassadors for the shelter. Provide training and resources to empower community leaders.

6

Virtual Reality Homeless Experience

Develop a VR experience that simulates the challenges faced by homeless individuals. Offer this experience at events, schools, and corporate offices to raise awareness and funds through donations or sponsorships.

7

Homeless Shelter Cookbook

Create and sell a cookbook featuring recipes from local chefs, shelter staff, and formerly homeless individuals. Include stories of resilience and transformation alongside the recipes.

8

24-Hour Livestream Fundraiser

Host a 24-hour livestream event featuring shelter tours, client stories, celebrity appearances, and interactive challenges. Viewers can donate throughout the stream to unlock special content or challenges.

9

Homeless Shelter Art Exhibition

Organize an art exhibition featuring works created by homeless individuals or artists inspired by homelessness issues. Sell the artwork and host a gala opening night to raise funds.

10

Adopt-a-Room Program

Launch a program where individuals or businesses can 'adopt' a room in the shelter by funding its maintenance and upgrades for a year. Provide regular updates and personalized impact reports to adopters.

Frequently Asked Questions

<div ms-code-snippet-q="1">What are the most effective fundraising strategies for homeless shelters in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="1">The most effective fundraising strategies for homeless shelters in 2025 include leveraging digital platforms, engaging in peer-to-peer fundraising, and hosting hybrid events. Online giving continues to grow, with 65% of donors preferring to give online. Utilize social media campaigns and crowdfunding platforms to reach a wider audience. Peer-to-peer fundraising can increase donations by up to 35% through personal networks. Hybrid events, combining in-person and virtual elements, can boost participation by 50%. Additionally, focus on building recurring donation programs, which provide stable income streams. Collaborate with local businesses for sponsorships and matching gift programs. Lastly, invest in data analytics to personalize donor outreach and optimize fundraising efforts, potentially increasing donations by 20-30%.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="2">How can homeless shelters use technology to improve fundraising in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="2">In 2025, homeless shelters can significantly enhance fundraising efforts through strategic use of technology. Implement a robust Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to track donor interactions and personalize communications, potentially increasing donor retention by 25%. Utilize artificial intelligence for donor segmentation and predictive analytics, allowing for more targeted campaigns. Embrace mobile-optimized donation platforms, as mobile giving has increased by 205% in recent years. Incorporate augmented reality (AR) into virtual tours of shelters, creating immersive experiences for potential donors. Leverage blockchain technology for transparent fund tracking, addressing the 73% of donors who want greater insight into nonprofit finances. Implement chatbots on your website to engage visitors 24/7, answering questions and facilitating donations. Finally, use social listening tools to identify and engage with potential donors discussing homelessness issues online.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="3">What are the key metrics homeless shelter nonprofits should track for fundraising success in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="3">In 2025, homeless shelter nonprofits should focus on tracking these key metrics for fundraising success: Donor Retention Rate, aiming for the nonprofit average of 45% or higher. Donation Frequency, with a goal to increase repeat donations by 20%. Average Gift Size, striving for a 10% annual increase. Donor Lifetime Value, which combines retention, frequency, and gift size. Cost per Dollar Raised, targeting a ratio of 1:3 or better. Online Giving Percentage, as digital donations continue to grow (currently 12% of all giving). Social Media Engagement Rate, aiming for 1-5% on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Email Open and Click-Through Rates, with industry averages of 25% and 2.6% respectively. Volunteer-to-Donor Conversion Rate, as volunteers are 66% more likely to donate. Lastly, track Program Efficiency Ratio to demonstrate impact, aiming for at least 75% of funds directly supporting shelter services.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="4">How can homeless shelters create compelling storytelling campaigns for fundraising in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="4">To create compelling storytelling campaigns for fundraising in 2025, homeless shelters should focus on authentic, emotionally resonant narratives. Start by identifying impactful client success stories, ensuring you have proper consent and respect privacy. Use a multi-channel approach, combining video (which increases engagement by 66%), written content, and interactive elements. Craft narratives that highlight the journey from homelessness to stability, emphasizing both challenges and triumphs. Incorporate data visualization to contextualize individual stories within broader homelessness trends. Utilize user-generated content from volunteers and donors to add diverse perspectives. Implement virtual reality experiences to immerse potential donors in shelter environments. Create episodic content to build ongoing engagement, with 92% of consumers wanting brands to make ads feel like stories. Always include clear calls-to-action, linking emotional responses to concrete ways of supporting the shelter. Regularly update your storytelling content to maintain relevance and showcase ongoing impact.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="5">What are innovative corporate partnership ideas for homeless shelter fundraising in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="5">Innovative corporate partnership ideas for homeless shelter fundraising in 2025 include: Implement skills-based volunteering programs, where companies provide professional services pro bono, valued at 500% more than traditional volunteering. Develop cause-related marketing campaigns with local businesses, which can increase sales by up to 74% while raising funds. Create 'round-up' partnerships with retailers, allowing customers to round up purchases to the nearest dollar for donations. Establish virtual reality 'empathy experiences' sponsored by tech companies, increasing donation likelihood by 56%. Partner with real estate firms for 'Home for a Home' programs, donating a percentage of each sale to the shelter. Collaborate with local restaurants for 'Dine for Dignity' events, where a portion of proceeds supports the shelter. Engage with companies for employee giving programs, potentially matched by the employer. Lastly, create a 'Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Collective' where multiple businesses pool resources for larger-scale shelter support initiatives.</div>