Philanthropy
Philanthropy in Action: Born from Struggle, Built to Serve
The Ark isn’t just a nonprofit—it’s a movement. Formed as a Mutual Benefit Corporation with a dedicated 501(c)(3) sector, The Ark was built to serve the community while fostering shared economic empowerment, mutual aid, and transformational outreach.
Our story began humbly—with a can. What started as a recycling challenge among friends quickly became a lifeline. Collecting over 300 Miller High Life cans monthly, we used the proceeds to fund hot meals and neighborhood barbecues for transitional age youth and unhoused adults. That effort grew into Feeding Happiness, a community gathering where no one was turned away and everyone had a seat at the table.
From dreaming on milk crates to creating real impact, we transformed survival into vision. The Ark officially incorporated in 2023 and now operates as a mobile crisis response organization, offering compassionate support to individuals experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, and mental health crises—serving both men and women with dignity.
Our philanthropic and crisis response services include:
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Hot food distribution & monthly park barbecues
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Emergency hotel/motel vouchers
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Gift cards & emergency clothing assistance
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24-hour counseling hotlines
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Mobile crisis dispatch teams
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Discounted creative services for municipalities, nonprofits & SBE's
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But crisis response is just the beginning. The Ark’s 501(c)(3) arm is designed to extend beyond emergency care, opening doors to education, entrepreneurship, and economic mobility through The Creative Corner at The Ark. This in-house initiative offers free grant writing, procurement training, marketing support, and technical consulting to:
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Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBEs)
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Local Business Enterprises (LBEs)
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Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)
Formerly known as Writers Corner, this department continues to uplift small businesses, nonprofits, and community builders—helping them gain access to public-sector contracts and compete in corporate markets.
At The Ark, every meal, every phone call, every design, and every dollar is part of a larger promise: To turn pain into purpose, and community into collective power.
