Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA)

What Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA) does

Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit human services organization founded in 1966 in Tempe, Arizona, and currently operating under CEO Deborah Arteaga. Its mission is to eliminate poverty in the East Valley region (Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa), and it serves approximately 35,000 individuals annually — roughly one in seven Tempe residents — through four integrated program verticals: Food Security (Food Pantry, Senior Center Lunch Program, Meals on Wheels, SNAP Education & Enrollment, Community Garden), Housing Stability (I-HELP Emergency Shelter, East Valley Senior Home Sharing Program), Health & Well-Being (Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Health Start Program), and Economic Mobility (Rent & Utility Assistance, Flex Funds, Puente Project, plus the Operation Grassroots monthly giving program). FY 2025 output includes 18,750 households served, 752,347 meals made possible, 13,814 bed nights, and 12,031 volunteer hours.

Services are delivered free of charge to qualifying individuals and families based on federal poverty guidelines, at multiple physical sites including the main service center at 2146 E Apache Blvd, three multi-generational/senior centers (Escalante, North Tempe, Granite Reef in Scottsdale), the Escalante Community Garden, and a church-rotating I-HELP emergency shelter network. TCAA holds a GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency (2024) and a Charity Navigator Platinum rating.

Revenue is generated entirely from philanthropic and public funding sources rather than fees: government contracts from the City of Tempe and Maricopa County, corporate grants (State Farm, Avnet, Edward Jones, Thunderbirds Charities), foundation grants (Arizona Community Foundation, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Piper Trust, Valley of the Sun United Way), individual donations (including the Operation Grassroots monthly giving program, stock, crypto, and planned giving), Arizona QCO state tax-credit eligible contributions, and an active $17M capital campaign — "Building Resilience" — to construct a new consolidated facility at 2425 E Apache Blvd on the Tempe/Mesa light rail corridor, with 71% ($12.07M) secured, completion targeted spring 2026, and fundraising continuing through end of 2027. Annual operating budget is $5.1M; the I-HELP rotating shelter model will sunset upon the new facility opening in favor of permanent emergency shelter beds and studio-style bridge housing.

Name

Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA)

Legal name

Tempe Community Action Agency

Website

https://tempeaction.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TCAA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1966 that delivers food security, housing stability, health, and economic mobility programs to approximately 35,000 low-income residents annually across Tempe and the East Valley region of Arizona.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services Nonprofit

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Food Services (624210), Temporary Shelters (624221), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Emergency Shelter, Camp Coordination & Camp Management (CCCM) (BPADADAB)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Food assistance programs
• Emergency shelter services
• Senior meal programs
• Economic mobility support

Headquarters

HQ city

Tempe

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: TCAA receives grants from government agencies (City of Tempe, Maricopa County, AZ Department of Health Services), foundations (Arizona Community Foundation, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Piper Trust), and corporate partners (State Farm, Avnet). State Farm provided $75,000 in 2026 and $50,000 in 2025.
2. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals through online giving, monthly giving program (Operation Grassroots), stock/securities donations, cryptocurrency, and planned giving including bequests and charitable remainder trusts.
3. Arizona Tax Credits: As a Qualifying Charitable Organization (QCO code 20304), donations qualify for Arizona state tax credits - up to $506 for single filers and $1,009 for married filing jointly in tax year 2026.
4. Campaign Fundraising: Capital campaign for new facility at 2425 E. Apache Blvd with goal of $17M, of which 71% has been secured. Construction anticipated completion spring 2026, fundraising through end of 2027.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services agency that delivers free, integrated human services across four impact areas: Food Security (food pantry, senior meals, Meals on Wheels, SNAP enrollment), Housing Stability (I-HELP emergency shelter, senior home sharing), Health and Well-Being (Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Health Start Program), and Economic Mobility (rent/utility assistance, financial coaching, the Puente Project). Services are provided at no cost to qualifying low-income households in the East Valley based on federal poverty guidelines.

Product overview

TCAA is a nonprofit social services agency offering a coordinated portfolio of programs across four primary impact areas: Food Security (Food Pantry, Senior Center Lunch Program, Meals on Wheels, SNAP Education & Enrollment, Community Garden), Housing Stability (I-HELP Emergency Shelter, East Valley Senior Home Sharing Program), Health & Well-Being (Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Health Start Program), and Economic Mobility (Rent & Utility Assistance, Flex Funds, Puente Project, Operation Grassroots monthly giving). The organization serves the East Valley area including Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, and Mesa. TCAA's new facility at 2425 E. Apache Blvd. will consolidate and expand services upon completion in spring 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Operation Grassroots (O.G.): Monthly giving program recognizing donors who have helped sustain TCAA's work for over 50 years. Named after the original grassroots effort started by founders Lupe Esquer and Barbara Norton in 1966.

Products and services

• Food Pantry Emergency food distribution service providing food boxes to Tempe residents in need, operating Monday through Friday at TCAA's main services site.
• Senior Center Lunch Program Congregate meal service for seniors at multiple locations including Escalante Multi-Generational Center, North Tempe Multi-Generational Center, and Granite Reef Senior Center.
• Meals on Wheels Home-delivered meals and wellness checks for home-bound older adults and adults with disabilities in Tempe and surrounding areas, operated in affiliation with Meals on Wheels America.
• SNAP Education & Enrollment Assistance program helping eligible low-income individuals and families enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• Community Garden Escalante Community Garden providing community gardening space and volunteer opportunities at 2150 E Orange St, Tempe, AZ.
• I-HELP Emergency Shelter Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program providing overnight emergency shelter for adult men and women experiencing homelessness; intake by calling (480) 590-5514.
• East Valley Senior Home Sharing Program Program helping seniors share homes to maintain independence and reduce housing costs in the East Valley.
• Neighbors Helping Neighbors Services allowing seniors to age in place including friendly phone calls, social visits, light household chores, minor home maintenance, pet care, and transportation assistance.
• Health Start Program Health and wellness program supporting individuals and families in achieving health, independence, and quality of life throughout the lifespan.
• Rent & Utility Assistance Emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities for Tempe and Fountain Hills residents facing eviction, foreclosure, or utility disconnection, delivered through the Community Action Program.
• Flex Funds Flexible financial assistance helping individuals and families address immediate crises impacting housing, utilities, health, and safety.
• Puente Project Economic mobility program helping individuals and families achieve financial stability and independence through coaching and resource planning.
• Operation Grassroots Monthly Giving Program Recurring monthly donation program that sustains TCAA's programs and recognizes donors as ongoing partners in the mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18,750 households served in FY 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• HandsOn Greater PhoenixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizes the Annual Serve-A-Thon, connecting corporate volunteers with TCAA for garden renovation and community service projects.
• Home DepotsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer team participated in garden renovation project at Escalante Community Garden through Serve-A-Thon.
• ArmaninosupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer team participated in garden renovation project at Escalante Community Garden.
• Cornerstone ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity Serve volunteer team repainted walls at client service locations and organized supplies for hygiene kits. Church volunteers support I-HELP shelter meals.
• Sam's ClubsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer team supported food pantry operations to help families access essential food and supplies.
• Arizona Central Credit UnionsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteers supported food pantry operations helping families access essential supplies.
• Area Agency on AgingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner providing 24-hour Senior Help Line and Elder Resource Guide linking seniors to TCAA services.
• Meals on Wheels AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational program affiliation supporting TCAA's Meals on Wheels delivery program for home-bound seniors.
• AZ Food Bank AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for food sourcing, distribution network, and emergency food referrals.
• Gila River Indian CommunitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting TCAA programs and services.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Chicanos Por La Causa: Arizona-based nonprofit providing integrated human services (housing, economic development, education, health) to low-income communities — directly comparable service mix and target population to TCAA, with significantly larger scale across multiple AZ cities.
• St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance: Arizona's largest food bank operating emergency food distribution, meal programs, and nutrition services — a direct peer for TCAA's Food Security programs and a key partner via the AZ Food Bank Association network.
• Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS): Arizona's largest emergency shelter and transitional housing provider serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness — direct peer to TCAA's I-HELP emergency shelter and Housing Stability programs.
• Salvation Army Phoenix: Provides emergency shelter, food assistance, rent/utility help, and senior services across the Phoenix metro — overlapping case mix with TCAA including shelter, food, and economic mobility services.
• St. Vincent de Paul Phoenix: Arizona chapter operating food pantries, emergency shelter, rent/utility assistance, and meal programs — directly overlapping TCAA's service lines with strong reliance on volunteers and donations.

Regional players

• Southwest Human Development: Arizona's largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development and family services — comparable regional nonprofit scale and government-grant funding model, though focused on child/family rather than senior/disability services.
• Area Agency on Aging, Region One: Maricopa County's designated Area Agency on Aging providing senior services, referrals, and 24-hour help line — directly comparable to TCAA's senior-facing programs (Meals on Wheels, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, home sharing) and listed as a TCAA referral partner.

Broad incumbents

• Valley of the Sun United Way: Major Phoenix-area funder and convener of health/human services nonprofits — listed as a TCAA partner and funding source; comparable as a community-services intermediary rather than direct service provider.

Others

• Arizona Community Foundation: Major Arizona philanthropy and grantmaker — listed as a major foundation sponsor for TCAA, providing institutional funding that supports TCAA's multi-program portfolio.

Emerging players

• Midwest Food Bank: Regional food bank operating emergency food distribution through partner agencies — comparable to TCAA's food pantry model at larger scale, useful as a sourcing/distribution partner via the AZ Food Bank Association.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TempeCommunityActionAgency
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tempeaction
• Instagraminstagram.com/tempeaction
• Xx.com/TempeCommAction

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA)