The Sleep Out

The Sleep Out is IOCP’s largest annual campaign to raise awareness of and funds for the housing needs of families living in the 8 communities IOCP serves. The 2009 campaign raised $1.56 million, a record in terms of cash donations. Peter Larson, who slept out every night of the campaign, raised $112,000.

• Individuals and groups gather pledges and sleep outside one or more nights from mid-November through December.
• Funds raised during the Sleep Out support emergency housing assistance, services that stabilize families in their homes long-term (such as employment), and affordable housing development projects.
• Started in 1996 by Wayzata businessman Bob Fisher, the Sleep Out involves about 3,000 community members each year.
• Since it began, the Sleep Out has raised $12 million.

View video of impact Sleep Out has in our community.

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Sleep Out Facts

• Sleep Out funds have seeded the development, construction, and rehabilitation of 67 units of affordable housing.
• Funds raised during the Sleep Out allow IOCP to respond to more than 1,800 emergency housing crises.
• IOCP’s average rent assistance for one month is $675, compared to $2,757—the cost for one adult and two children to stay in a Hennepin County shelter for a month.
• Every month, IOCP turns away about 20 worthy housing requests because of lack of funds.