A significant disruption has emerged for HOPE Shelters, a nonprofit organization in Pontiac, Michigan, as a former employee retains ownership of its website during a crucial fundraising period. According to Elizabeth Kelly, the Interim Director of HOPE Shelters, the organization was notified last week about the need to pay a renewal fee for its domain. However, the nonprofit discovered it was not listed as the owner, creating a substantial hurdle just as it faces increased demand for its services.
The former employee, who had provided personal information during a rebranding process, is now presenting challenges for the organization. Kelly explained that upon contacting the individual for assistance in transferring ownership, she received an unexpected response. The former employee sent an email to the nonprofit’s board of directors and Kelly that included grievances and stated that they were seeking to sell the website back to HOPE Shelters for $30,000. Kelly declined to disclose the individual’s name, citing an ongoing investigation.
As the nonprofit relies heavily on donations, this situation has a direct impact on its ability to fundraise effectively. “Now one of the main sources of fundraising that we point people to is our website and that’s not available,” Kelly stated in an interview on November 6, 2023. With the winter months approaching, the urgency of the situation has heightened, as the organization must also ensure that it can provide adequate services to those in need.
HOPE Shelters operates two facilities in Pontiac: an emergency shelter for adults and a recuperative shelter for individuals discharged from hospitals who lack a place to go. Both shelters are currently at capacity, reflecting a growing issue of homelessness in the region. Kelly pointed out that the nonprofit does not require IDs or background checks, making it accessible to individuals in crisis, but this also means they must work harder to secure funding through other means.
The organization has filed a police report with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office in response to the ongoing dispute over the website. Although a block on donations through the site has been lifted, HOPE Shelters still does not possess ownership or control of the domain. This situation has diverted staff resources away from regular operations, such as outreach and fundraising efforts.
“We are entering the part of the year where we really depend on fundraising because only 44% of our budget is covered by government contracts,” Kelly explained. The nonprofit operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, with a modest staff and an annual budget of just over $1 million for its two facilities.
Kelly characterized this website issue as “an assault on a small organization that strives to take care of the most vulnerable people.” The lack of a dedicated IT staff further complicates the situation, as the organization must allocate time to resolve these ownership issues rather than focusing on its core mission.
As HOPE Shelters navigates this crisis, its volunteers and staff remain committed to providing essential services. The organization also maintains a separate website for its “meal hosts,” groups that plan and prepare meals for shelter guests. Despite the challenges, HOPE Shelters continues to prioritize support for those facing homelessness in the Pontiac area.
