ShelterNow Technology
Application development, database architecture, hosting, authentication, testing, user interfaces, documentation, reporting, and technical tools.
Why support Firebird
Strong programs require strong foundations
Opening a building without reliable systems can place residents, staff, partners, information, finances, and communities at risk.
Firebird’s approach is to develop the infrastructure surrounding future housing programs rather than treating operations, technology, security, compliance, staffing, and community coordination as afterthoughts.
This means the work begins before a campus opens. It includes designing ShelterNow, clarifying program models, developing policies, evaluating legal and compliance responsibilities, building public trust, planning financial controls, and seeking qualified review.
Contributions help Firebird continue that preparation while remaining honest that its proposed campuses are not yet operational.
Where support may go
Building the systems behind future services
Firebird does not present fixed percentages because needs and priorities may change as development continues. Support may be directed toward responsible organizational and program-development expenses.
Privacy and Security
Cybersecurity planning, access controls, audit systems, backups, incident response, confidential-program safeguards, and qualified security review.
Organizational Development
Entity planning, governance, accounting, insurance, contracts, financial controls, administration, recordkeeping, and organizational systems.
Professional Review
Legal, compliance, housing, youth, veterans, domestic violence, healthcare, accessibility, finance, safety, and technology consultation.
Program Development
Research, operating models, policies, procedures, staffing plans, training structures, eligibility standards, safeguarding, and service design.
Community Engagement
Outreach, public education, partnership development, lived-experience consultation, communication materials, meetings, and community planning.
Website and Public Resources
Accessible website development, hosting, public documentation, educational content, transparency updates, and digital communication.
Future Campus Planning
Property research, feasibility work, facility planning, licensing preparation, accessibility review, insurance, equipment, and operational readiness.
Responsible Administration
Necessary tools, subscriptions, filing expenses, communication systems, financial processing, organizational records, and development operations.
Our fundraising platform
Firebird uses Givebutter
Firebird directs online campaign contributions through its Givebutter campaign rather than collecting payment-card information directly on this website.
- Donations are completed on the Givebutter platform.
- Available payment options are determined by Givebutter.
- Receipts and transaction records may be issued through the campaign platform.
- Givebutter’s own terms and privacy practices apply to transactions completed there.
The long-term vision
Support infrastructure designed for many different needs
Firebird’s planned portfolio includes separate specialized housing programs. These programs are not currently operating, and support does not guarantee that every proposed program will open.
Women’s Adult Campus
A separate future building intended to support eligible women experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Men’s Adult Campus
A separate future building intended to support eligible men experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Mixed-Gender Adult Campus
A separate inclusive future building intended for eligible adults whose needs can be supported safely in a mixed-gender setting.
Children and Youth Shelter
A specialized future program requiring youth-centered services, education support, safeguarding, and age-appropriate care.
Couples Shelter
A specialized future program for eligible adult couples without children who may otherwise be separated.
Family Shelter
A household-focused future program intended to keep eligible parents, guardians, children, and dependents together.
Veterans Shelter
A veteran-focused future program intended to coordinate housing, benefits, healthcare, employment, and support.
Domestic Violence Shelter
A confidential survivor-centered future program requiring protected locations, records, communications, and specialized services.
ShelterNow
The developing technology platform intended to support the operational, privacy, reporting, and service needs of multiple programs.
Financial transparency
Trust must be supported by honest communication
Firebird intends to distinguish clearly between plans, funds raised, development work, projected uses, completed milestones, and operational results.
As the organization grows, Firebird intends to strengthen its financial controls, recordkeeping, reporting, oversight, and public-development updates.
Exact reporting practices will depend on the organization’s legal structure, funding arrangements, contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, and stage of development.
- Development updates Communicate meaningful progress, delays, changes, and limitations.
- Accurate status language Avoid presenting planned campuses or unfinished systems as operational.
- Responsible records Maintain documentation appropriate to donations, expenses, vendors, projects, and organizational decisions.
- Future reporting Develop financial and organizational reporting practices as Firebird’s structure and responsibilities grow.
Donor expectations
What a contribution does—and does not—mean
Contributions support Firebird’s development work, but they do not create ownership or special access to residents, staff, programs, records, or organizational decisions.
No Guaranteed Placement
A contribution does not guarantee shelter admission, referral priority, housing placement, transportation, case management, or future services.
No Control Over Residents
Donors do not receive authority over resident eligibility, discipline, services, discharge, privacy, records, or individual decisions.
No Guaranteed Contract
A contribution does not guarantee employment, vendor selection, consulting work, contracts, partnerships, board membership, or advisory roles.
No Confidential Access
Donors are not entitled to confidential campus locations, resident identities, safety plans, case records, internal investigations, or protected data.
Plans May Change
Programs, technology, timelines, priorities, facilities, staffing, and implementation plans may change following review or changing circumstances.
General Support May Be Flexible
Unless a contribution is formally accepted for a specific restricted purpose, Firebird may apply support to responsible development priorities.
Current development status
Donations support development—not an operating shelter
Firebird Holdings does not currently operate an open shelter campus. It is not currently accepting residents, referrals, applications, emergency-placement requests, or requests for confidential domestic violence placement.
ShelterNow remains in development and is not currently represented as a finished public production system, compliant HMIS product, or compliant comparable database.
Proposed programs, services, facilities, timelines, partnerships, and outcomes may change as Firebird receives professional guidance and evaluates feasibility.
- Organization in development
- ShelterNow in development
- Housing campuses planned
- No current resident intake
- No current bed availability
Tax and receipt information
Confirm tax treatment before donating
Do not assume a contribution is tax-deductible solely because it supports a charitable or community-focused project.
Tax treatment depends on the legal status of the receiving organization, campaign structure, applicable law, and the donor’s individual circumstances.
Review the information displayed on the Givebutter campaign and any receipt provided. Consult a qualified tax professional when tax deductibility is important to your decision.
Donation questions
Frequently asked questions
Where do I make an online donation?
Use Firebird’s official Givebutter campaign at givebutter.com/hearthside .
Are donations tax-deductible?
Do not assume that a donation is tax-deductible. Review the campaign’s current information and receipt, and consult a qualified tax professional regarding your circumstances.
Can I make a recurring donation?
Available donation frequencies and payment options are determined by the current Givebutter campaign settings. Review the options shown on the campaign page.
Does my donation reserve a future shelter bed?
No. Donations do not guarantee shelter placement, admission priority, referrals, services, or future eligibility.
Can I direct my donation to a specific program?
Contact Firebird before making a contribution that you intend to restrict to a particular purpose. A note entered with a donation does not necessarily create a formally accepted restriction.
Can a business or organization become a sponsor?
Firebird welcomes conversations about responsible sponsorships and partnerships. Contact Firebird before representing your organization as an official sponsor or partner.
Can I donate physical items?
Contact Firebird before purchasing or delivering goods. Because no campus is currently operating, Firebird may not have storage, transportation, staffing, or an appropriate current use for physical donations.
How can I follow Firebird’s progress?
Visit the Progress page for current development status, completed milestones, limitations, and future priorities.
Help build what comes next
Every lasting organization begins with people willing to build before anyone sees the finished result
Support Firebird’s development through its official Givebutter campaign or learn about other ways to contribute professional expertise, lived experience, partnerships, and community support.