In just a few short years, HomeAhead has transformed countless empty apartments into welcoming spaces across Boulder County. Founded as a grassroots volunteer effort in 2019 and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2021, HomeAhead operates as a furniture bank—a place where gently used sofas, tables, and beds are given new life in homes that need them most.
“Think of it like a food bank,” explains Mary Gaylord, Executive Director. “But instead of cans of tuna, it’s sofas and kitchen tables and beds. Our mission is to make sure everyone can live in comfort and dignity in a furnished home.”
Initially focused on helping individuals transitioning from homelessness into housing, HomeAhead has since expanded its mission to help income-qualified individuals and families make their homes complete with essential furnishings. “There are so many people living without the basics that make a home livable,” Gaylord shared. “If we can help alleviate that need, that’s where we want to be.”
A secondary goal, one that’s increasingly vital in a waste-conscious community like Boulder County, is keeping usable furniture out of landfills. “Furniture accounts for tons of waste every year, and much of it is perfectly reusable. We’re proud to help conserve those resources,” said Gaylord.
Since opening, HomeAhead has furnished more than 1,500 homes—about a third of which include children. They also work closely with organizations across the region, including EFAA, Sister Carmen Community Center, Boulder County Housing and Human Services, SPAN, The Inn Between, The Reentry Initiative, and others. “We’re part of a web of nonprofits that lift each other up. Having board members from some of those organizations really helps us stay connected to what’s happening on the ground,” shares Gaylord.
HomeAhead’s growth has been steady and strategic. In addition to expanding into a second location in Longmont, HomeAhead has developed a small-scale furniture removal service to generate earned revenue. “We saw a gap,” Gaylord explains. “We’d pick up furniture for free while other companies were charging thousands. We’re not trying to compete with them, but offering removal as a paid service helps sustain our work and keeps quality furniture circulating locally.”
Gaylord emphasizes that this careful balance of measured expansion, diversified income, and mindful stewardship has helped HomeAhead remain stable amid the economic uncertainty facing many nonprofits. “We’re not rolling in money but we’re not living on the edge either. I’m proud of how we’ve built this thoughtfully,” notes Gaylord.
Like many Boulder County nonprofits, Home Ahead faces steep storage costs and a growing demand for services. With roughly 3,000 square feet of space divided between locations and 15 to 20 homes furnished each month, every inch counts. “If I could wave a magic wand, I’d create a 5,000 to 10,000 square-foot warehouse in the county,” Gaylord shared. “That’s our biggest need.”
Among the logistics and furniture moving, HomeAhead’s work is filled with moments of unexpected inspiration. Gaylord recalls one recent experience: “We picked up a crib from a family who was downsizing,” she explains. “The woman was a little emotional, it was tied to memories of her grandchildren. That same week, we had a client with a three-day-old baby who needed a crib. That very night, that baby slept in it.”
When the HomeAhead team told the donor how her crib would be used, “She was so moved she wanted to get more involved. That’s when we realized how powerful it can be for people to see where their donations go and to know they’re directly helping another family right here in our community,” Gaylord shared.
How to Get Involved
Home Ahead relies on community volunteers. Around 30 volunteers assist with sorting, organizing, and staffing donation hours, but more hands are always needed. HomeAhead accepts furniture donations during open hours:
- Boulder: Wednesdays 10 a.m.–1 p.m. and Saturdays 1:30–3:30 p.m.
- Longmont: Thursdays 10 a.m.–1 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.–noon
- Appointments can also be scheduled outside these hours
To learn more about HomeAhead or to get involved, visit: homeahead.org
