The grant will help advance the organization’s mission to transition individuals and families out of homelessness to economic self-sufficiency.
VIENNA, Va. – December 1, 2022 – Today, Shelters to Shutters announced the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (DRK), a global philanthropy firm, has awarded the organization with a $300,000 grant to build capacity and help scale its unique program that provides career training, full time employment and housing opportunities for individuals and families at risk of and facing homelessness through direct partnership with the multifamily real estate industry.
DRK was founded on a belief in the power of innovation and the conviction that with bold support, passionate individuals with great ideas can change the world. Shelters to Shutters was chosen as a DRK portfolio organization for the next three years. As a portfolio organization, Shelters to Shutters will receive funding as well as strategic resources and advisory services to assist in building operational efficiency and position Shelters to Shutters for greater impact.
“DRK has been investing in innovative social sector solutions for 20 years. I couldn’t be more enthused to have their support and the benefit of their expertise at this stage of our organization. We have a vision to bring our win-win model to cities across the U.S. DRK is a partner that can help us achieve that vision,” commented David Williams, President & CEO of Shelters to Shutters.
S2S partners with over 40 apartment owners and operators across Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Houston, Nashville, National Capital Region, Orlando, North Texas and Greater Phoenix to place people at risk and experiencing homelessness in onsite, entry-level jobs, and provide them with housing at the same communities where they work. S2S provides each participant with career mentoring, technical training, financial literacy and access to support services to ensure a successful long-term transition. S2S works with multiple referring partners to identify suitable job applicants. The program changes the lives of individuals and families while providing quality, motivated employees for a rapidly growing real estate industry in need of talent.
About DRK:
Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (DRK) is a global venture philanthropy firm that funds early-stage, social impact organizations solving the world’s biggest and most pressing social and environmental problems with bold, scalable approaches. Since 2002, DRK has funded 200+ high impact organizations tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges and who, in the aggregate, are impacting 300 million lives. DRK’s portfolio includes organizations working both in the US and internationally, helping to provide critical access to healthcare, education, food security, social justice, water and sanitation, transparency and accountability, and shelter.
About Shelters to Shutters:
Shelters to Shutters is a national 501(c)(3) organization that transitions individuals and families from homelessness to economic self-sufficiency by providing employment, housing and career training opportunities in partnership with the real estate industry. Across the country, Shelters to Shutters pairs leading property management companies with individuals experiencing homelessness who are ready to work. The result is an innovative program that provides full-time employment and housing opportunities for individuals facing homelessness and a pipeline of high quality, motivated employees for the multifamily housing industry. Shelters to Shutters currently operates in nine major markets: Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Houston, Nashville, the National Capital Region, North Texas, Orlando, and Phoenix. More information can be found at www.shelterstoshutters.org or by following the organization on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.