Market Research Center Teams Up With Elizabeth Coalition to Support Families Facing Homelessness

The Market Research Center at Seton Hall University has announced a new partnership with the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting homeless families in Union County. This collaboration, funded by the Union County Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, aims to strengthen the coalition’s fundraising, marketing and communications strategies to maximize its outreach and impact.

Through this engagement, student consultants from Seton Hall’s Market Research Center will work closely with the Elizabeth Coalition to apply their expertise in market research and data analysis to enhance the nonprofit’s visibility and donor engagement. The project aligns with the Market Research Center’s mission to provide hands-on, real-world experiences for students while supporting socially impactful organizations.

“We are thrilled to work with Seton Hall University’s Market Research Center,” said Dan McGuire, CEO of the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless. “This partnership will provide us with critical insights and strategies to improve our fundraising efforts, engage with the community and ultimately help more families transition from homelessness to stability.”

The Union County Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, which focuses on revitalizing underserved communities and fostering financial inclusion, saw the partnership as a natural fit for its mission. “Investing in community-based organizations like the Elizabeth Coalition is essential to driving real change,” said Mary Smoot, president of the Union County Savings Bank Charitable Foundation. “By funding this project, we are not only supporting an incredible nonprofit but also equipping students with invaluable skills that will serve them in their careers.”

The Market Research Center at Seton Hall University is dedicated to becoming a leader in market research by facilitating university-business partnerships that provide experiential learning opportunities for students. “This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to engaging students in meaningful projects that solve real-world challenges,” said Adam Warner, M.B.A., director of the Market Research Center. “By working with the Elizabeth Coalition, our students will gain firsthand experience in nonprofit marketing and strategic communications while making a tangible difference in the community.”

The Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless has been a pillar of support for homeless families in Union County since 1982. The organization provides case management, rental assistance, sheltering and educational programs to help individuals regain independence and self-sufficiency. Through its Permanent Housing Initiative and transitional housing programs, the coalition has helped numerous families find stable, long-term housing solutions.

As the project unfolds, Seton Hall’s student researchers will analyze donor engagement trends, develop targeted marketing campaigns and propose fundraising strategies to support the coalition’s mission. This collaboration is designed to yield long-term benefits not only for the nonprofit but also for the students gaining professional experience in market research, the nonprofit sector and business consulting.

With support from the Union County Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, the initiative highlights a collaborative approach among universities, businesses and nonprofits aimed at addressing community needs. The project will run throughout the academic year, with findings and recommendations expected to be presented in a final report to the Elizabeth Coalition’s leadership.

For more information on the Market Research Center at Seton Hall University, click here.

To support or learn more about the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless, click here.

Categories: Business, Faith and Service, Research