Community Assistance Network

What Community Assistance Network does

Community Assistance Network (CAN) is a Baltimore County, Maryland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1965 as part of the national Community Action Agencies network created under President Lyndon B. Johnson's 1964 War on Poverty. CAN delivers an integrated portfolio of human-services programs to low-income Baltimore County residents, including the Community Choice Pantry (a grocery store-style food distribution program in Dundalk), the 150-bed Westside Men's Emergency Shelter in Catonsville operated under contract with Baltimore County, the HUD-funded Samaritan Housing Initiative housing 15 chronically homeless individuals with disabilities, and four outreach centers (Hillandale, Essex, Randallstown, Garden Village) staffed by Community Resource Specialists who provide rental eviction prevention, security deposit assistance, utility assistance (up to $500), SNAP application support, and case management. Supporting programs include the After School Program and SPIFFY Summer Camp at Fontana Village Community Center, Budget Counseling, Employment Support, the Adopt-A-Family seasonal initiative, and the Grocery Pick Up / Delivery Program.

Name

Community Assistance Network

Legal name

Community Assistance Network, Inc.

Website

https://canconnects.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Community Assistance Network is a Baltimore County, Maryland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit (founded 1965) that delivers food assistance, emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and outreach case management to low-income county residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services / Human Services

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Food pantry services
• Emergency shelter programs
• Housing assistance services
• Community outreach programs
• Rental assistance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tiered online donations via Bloomerang CRM and eTapestry giving forms; suggested gift levels $25, $50, $120, $250, $500, $1,000; tax-deductible to Community Assistance Network, Inc.
2. Maryland Community Investment Tax Credit Program: Businesses and individuals contributing $500+ earn Maryland State tax credits equal to 50% of contribution value; credits must be used against Maryland State taxes for the year of contribution.
3. HUD Federal Funding (Samaritan Housing Initiative): Federally funded housing project supporting chronically homeless men and women with disabling conditions in Baltimore County.
4. Government and State Grants (OHEP, SNAP outreach): Funding from a variety of sources including Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) for energy/utility assistance and Baltimore County DSS referrals.
5. Corporate Sponsorships and Event Fundraising: Annual golf tournament with corporate sponsorship tiers; corporate partners provide grants including Bank of America's $5M commitment to local hunger relief.
6. Community Partnerships / In-Kind Contributions: More than 500 community partners annually provide in-kind donations, volunteer support, and operational assistance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Community Assistance Network is a Baltimore County-based nonprofit community action agency that delivers an integrated portfolio of human services free of charge to low-income residents: a grocery-store-style Community Choice Pantry providing one week of food per household, the Westside Men's Emergency Shelter and the HUD-funded Samaritan Housing Initiative for chronically homeless individuals, multi-site Community Outreach Programs providing rental eviction prevention, security deposit assistance, and case management, plus an After School Program, Utility Assistance, Budget Counseling, Employment Support, and seasonal Adopt-A-Family support.

Product overview

Community Assistance Network (CAN) is a Baltimore County-based non-profit (established 1965) that delivers a portfolio of integrated community assistance programs rather than a unified software product. Its core offerings include the Community Choice Pantry (food assistance), Homeless Shelters & Housing Services (Westside Men's Emergency Shelter in Catonsville and the Arbutus/Samaritan Permanent Supportive Housing program), and Outreach Programs staffed by Community Resource Specialists across locations in Hillandale, Essex, and Randallstown. These core programs are complemented by supporting programs including the After School Program at Fontana Village Community Center, Budget Counseling, Employment Support, the Adopt-A-Family holiday initiative, the Grocery Pick Up/Delivery Program, and Indirect & Referral Programs that connect clients to partner services (UnitedHealthcare, Maryland Legal Aid, OHEP, etc.). Donor-facing offerings include the Community Investment Tax Credit Program and a structured Volunteer Program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Choice Pantry A grocery store-style food pantry in Dundalk (Baltimore County) that provides a one-week supply of healthy food to income-eligible Baltimore County residents based on USDA food pyramid guidelines, distributed according to household size (1-6+). Shoppers can also receive pet food, household items, hygiene products, and clothing.
• Homeless Shelters & Housing Services CAN operates Baltimore County's Westside Men's Emergency Shelter (a 150-bed facility in Catonsville) and the Arbutus Permanent Supportive Housing / Samaritan Housing Initiative Program, a federally HUD-funded project housing up to 15 chronically homeless individuals with diagnosed disabilities. Includes Housing Navigation Services for residents.
• Outreach Programs Community Outreach Centers located in Hillandale, Essex, and Randallstown staffed by Community Resource Specialists (CRS) who provide one-on-one case management and connect low-income Baltimore County residents with services including Rental Eviction Prevention, Security Deposit Assistance, General Financial Assistance, Whole Family Case Management, Job Development, and SNAP Application Assistance.
• Utility Assistance Limited utility assistance program launched October 1, 2025, for Baltimore County residents. Provides up to $500 in assistance to qualifying customers who must be Baltimore County residents, have no turn-off notices, meet income guidelines, have the utility bill in their name, and be able to pay any remaining balance.
• After School Program Located at Fontana Village Community Center, the After School Program provides a safe environment for students with homework assistance and recreational activities that teach life skills in healthy decision-making. Includes School Year program (3pm-6pm), Summer Camp (SPIFFY, 12pm-4pm), and Summer Youth Employment partnership.
• Budget Counseling Training, education, and resources that raise awareness about money management, credit scores, and cash flow to eliminate financial stress and create self-sufficiency. Includes financial literacy program training for individuals receiving CAN services.
• Employment Support Community Resource Specialists provide resume assistance, job referrals/leads (including online postings), and interview training. Partners with community resources to provide connections to employment workshops and activities.
• Adopt-A-Family During Back to School and the holidays, CAN implements an "adopt a family" program to assist those in need by connecting community donors with families requiring support.
• Grocery Pick Up / Delivery Program Program coordinated by Daniel Newton that delivers food assistance to neighbors throughout Baltimore County. Has expanded to include partnerships with BCPL Randallstown and a housing complex in Reisterstown.
• Community Investment Tax Credit Program Maryland State program offering tax credits as incentives for individuals and businesses who support CAN. Contributions of $500 or more earn Maryland State tax credits equal to 50% of the contribution value.
• Volunteer Program Individual and group volunteer opportunities including meal preparation and service, donation pickups, food pantry work, garden maintenance, administrative support, fundraising, and event planning. Group volunteers limited to ages 14+, up to 12 individuals per group.

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• United Way of Central MarylandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAN's network of partners includes United Way of Central Maryland; United Way publishes 'Help in Hard Times' resource referenced by CAN. One of CAN's flagship community partners.
• Maryland Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey food supply partner for Community Choice Pantry operations in Baltimore County.
• UnitedHealthcarecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUnitedHealthcare partners with CAN to offer health & nutrition workshops throughout Baltimore County and provides healthcare plan referrals. Patrice Tucker (UnitedHealthcare Marketing Manager) serves on CAN Board.
• Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level funding and policy partnership supporting housing and community development programs for low-income Baltimore County residents.
• Kaiser PermanentecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKaiser Permanente is a CAN community partner and health plan provider; Austin Merritt (Kaiser Permanente Community Relations Manager) serves on CAN Board. Kaiser also provides Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CAN's health plan.
• Plano-CoudonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlano-Coudon is listed as a CAN community partner (likely construction/renovation support for the 2022 pantry renovation and expansion).
• Harkins BuildersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarkins is listed as a CAN community partner (construction/build services).
• Osprey PC (OPC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOPC listed among CAN's community partners.
• TMDL CPAminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAccounting/consulting partner listed among CAN's community partners.
• Maryland NonprofitsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association membership listed among CAN's community partners.
• Maryland Legal AidcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMaryland Legal Aid provides child support, custody, wrongful eviction/eviction prevention, and other court services to CAN clients. Local phone (410) 427-1800; office at 29 W. Susquehanna Ave., Suite 305, Towson, MD 21204.
• Baltimore County Department of Economic and Workforce DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing employment and workforce development resources, summer youth employment, and the LEAP Program for ages 18-24. Will Anderson is Director. Located at 400 Washington Avenue, Towson, MD 21204.
• Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) — LEAP ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCBC's LEAP (Learn. Earn. Achieve. Progress) Program is a Baltimore County grant-funded program for ages 18-24 to help young people start their career path.
• Creative Kids Community Centers (Essex)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided clothing, MD Zoo tickets, and other household items for Ms. Burns and her family during Thanksgiving 2017; coordinates with CAN on community support.
• Baltimore County Department of Social ServicesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDSS refers clients into CAN's Westside Men's Shelter and Eastern Family Emergency Shelter; primary referral channel for emergency shelter services. Contact: 410-887-TIME (8463).
• Baltimore County Public Schools Office of Food and Nutrition ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free lunch during the SPIFFY Summer Camp program 12:30pm-1:15pm; CAN follows Baltimore County Schools for all closings and delays.
• Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) RandallstownminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership enables Grocery Pick Up Program expansion and library-based food distribution access for CAN clients.
• USI Insurance ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChuck Franklin (VP, Partner, USI Insurance) serves on CAN Board of Directors; corporate partner.
• BGE (Baltimore Gas and Electric)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTyrone Key (Financial Planning & Analysis, BGE) serves as Treasurer on CAN Board of Directors.
• Medstar HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatricia Isennock, RN (Community Health Advisor, Medstar Health) serves as Vice President of CAN Board of Directors.
• Morning Star Baptist ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoseph Sanders (Director of Outreach, Morning Star Baptist Church) serves on CAN Board as Member at Large.
• U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen's OfficeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeri Weathers (Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen) serves on CAN Board as Member at Large.
• Baltimore County Council (4th District)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJulian E. Jones, Jr. (Councilman, Baltimore County Council's 4th District) serves on CAN Board as Member at Large.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Catholic Charities of Baltimore: Provides emergency assistance, housing support, case management, and food programs across Baltimore with a faith-based nonprofit structure closely parallel to CAN's outreach and shelter work.
• The Salvation Army of Central Maryland: Operates emergency shelters, food assistance, and outreach services in the Baltimore region targeting the same low-income and homeless populations as CAN, with a comparable multi-program integrated model.
• Baltimore Rescue Mission: Operates emergency shelter, food service, and recovery programs in Baltimore City for the same homeless and low-income population as CAN's Westside Men's Shelter and Community Choice Pantry.
• Maryland Food Bank: CAN's key food supply partner for the Community Choice Pantry; operates food distribution at scale across Maryland, including Baltimore County, addressing the same food-insecurity population with overlapping direct-service model.
• United Way of Central Maryland: Listed as a major CAN partner; broader regional funder/convener for anti-poverty and self-sufficiency programs in central Maryland, with overlapping beneficiary base and similar community-action agency model.

Emerging players

• Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake: Provides workforce development, job training, and employment support in the Baltimore region — overlapping with CAN's Employment Support and LEAP Program offerings, with a different primary mission (workforce vs. emergency assistance).
• Health Care for the Homeless: Baltimore-based nonprofit delivering health and housing services to homeless individuals — partial overlap with CAN's Samaritan Housing Initiative and Street Outreach programs, with a stronger clinical/health focus.
• Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland: Delivers food and nutrition support to low-income and homebound seniors across central Maryland, with thematic overlap to CAN's Grocery Pick Up/Delivery Program but focused on a specific senior demographic.
• Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake: Addresses housing instability for low-income Baltimore-area residents via home building/repair and homebuyer programs — adjacent to CAN's housing stability mission but focused on ownership pathways rather than emergency shelter.

Others

• Maryland Association of Community Action Agencies: Industry association of which CAN is a member; other members (e.g., Anne Arundel County Community Action Agency, Howard County Community Action Council) are direct peers running nearly identical community-action program portfolios.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/canconnects
• Facebookfacebook.com/canconnects
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2727048
• Instagraminstagram.com/canconnects

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Community Assistance Network