31 Jul I Am Human Foundation: Inside the Mission of I’m Human Charitable Trust
People find us under a few different names — I Am Human Foundation, I’m Human Charitable Trust, or simply the Human Foundation. They all point to the same organisation: a Salt Lake City nonprofit that has been helping people experiencing homelessness since 2014. This page explains who we are, what we actually do, and how you can help.
Who we are
Im a Human Foundation was established in 2014 and is based in Salt Lake City, Utah. We provide tents, clothing, and basic survival kits directly to people living on the streets of our cities.
We are a small operation by design. The work is direct: identify what someone needs to get through the next stretch, and get it to them. To date we have distributed 15,670 donated items.
What “being human” means to us
Our mission is to help anyone in need, with zero judgment. That last part is the whole point, and it is worth being explicit about.
People arrive at homelessness through routes that are rarely simple — job loss, medical debt, family breakdown, addiction, mental illness, leaving care, fleeing violence. A great deal of charitable help comes with conditions attached, whether stated or implied: prove you deserve it, explain how you got here, meet our standard first.
We do not operate that way. Someone sleeping outside in a Utah winter needs a tent and a coat. That need does not become more or less real depending on the story behind it. Our inspiration is a line from Mother Teresa that we keep returning to: “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
The scale of the problem
On any given night, an estimated 553,742 people in the United States are experiencing homelessness. Globally, roughly 648 million people — about eight percent of the world’s population — live in extreme poverty, subsisting on less than US$2.15 per day.
Those figures are large enough to feel abstract, and that abstraction is itself part of the problem. It is easy to conclude nothing can be done. Our answer is narrower and more practical: we cannot solve homelessness, but we can make sure a specific person is warmer and drier tonight than they were last night. Repeated consistently, that is real work.
What we provide
- Tents — shelter for people sleeping outside, which matters enormously through a Utah winter.
- Clothing — particularly warm layers, coats, and socks, which are among the most-needed and least-donated items.
- Basic kits — essential supplies for daily survival and hygiene.
These are deliberately practical. They are the things that make an immediate, physical difference to someone’s day.
How to help
There are three straightforward routes:
Donate. Contributions fund the tents, clothing, and kits we distribute. You can give through our donation page.
Volunteer. Hands-on help is genuinely useful — sorting and preparing donations, and distribution. If you have time to offer, sign up to volunteer.
Partner or fundraise. Businesses, community groups, and congregations can run donation drives or partner with us directly. Get in touch to discuss what would work.
If you would like specific details about our registration, governance, or how funds are allocated before giving, please contact us and we will provide them. We think anyone donating is entitled to ask.
Frequently asked questions
Is I Am Human Foundation the same as I’m Human Charitable Trust?
Yes. The organisation is referred to by several variations — I Am Human Foundation, Im a Human Foundation, I’m Human Charitable Trust, and the Human Foundation. They refer to the same Salt Lake City nonprofit established in 2014.
Where do you operate?
We are based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and our work focuses on people living on the streets of our cities.
How long have you been running?
Since 2014 — over ten years of operation.
What do you most need donated?
Tents, warm clothing, and supplies for basic kits. Warm layers and socks are consistently among the most needed and least donated items.
Can I volunteer without a regular commitment?
Yes. Occasional help is welcome. Register as a volunteer and we’ll be in touch about what’s coming up.
How can I be sure my donation is used well?
Ask us. Contact us for details on how contributions are used and what documentation we can share. We would rather answer questions directly than ask anyone to give on trust alone.
Get involved
The question we keep coming back to is a blunt one: are you part of the solution, or part of the problem? It is not meant as an accusation. It is meant as an invitation — because the gap between the two is usually just a decision to do something small.
Contact us to donate, volunteer, or partner with us.
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