Greater Bergen Community Action

What Greater Bergen Community Action does

Greater Bergen Community Action, Inc. (GBCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community Action Agency founded in 1967 and headquartered in Hackensack, New Jersey. It delivers anti-poverty services across Bergen, Passaic, and Hudson Counties through a network of 35 facilities providing 52 points of access, including 17 community service centers, 15 early childhood education schools (Head Start/Early Head Start), 9 residential housing developments, and 3 adult education centers. The organization serves approximately 50,000 people annually through programs spanning early childhood education, adult education and ESL, affordable housing, homelessness prevention, sober living recovery, weatherization, lead remediation, and financial counseling.

GBCA's service portfolio is delivered through affiliated operating entities including Community Housing in Partnership (CHIP), a state-certified Community Housing Development Organization managing affordable housing; 1st Bergen Federal Credit Union, providing banking to underbanked households; CAP Solar, a green energy subsidiary; Unity Health Partnership, serving underinsured populations; and River to Rail, a master redevelopment entity for the Garfield 1st Ward Revitalization Plan. Services are provided free or at subsidized rates to income-qualified participants, with affordable housing rent set at 30% of annual income.

The organization's revenue model is grant-dependent rather than commercial, drawing on federal pass-through funding (HHS Office of Head Start, HUD, DOE, Treasury), New Jersey state department grants (Community Affairs, Labor, Human Services, Children and Families, State), corporate philanthropy (Robin Hood Foundation, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft Philanthropies, PSE&G, PNC, TD Bank, Wells Fargo, Capital One, HSBC, OritaniBank), and modest program service fees from credit union operations and housing rents. Over the last four years, GBCA reports investing $350 million in communities served.

Name

Greater Bergen Community Action

Legal name

Greater Bergen Community Action, Inc.

Website

https://greaterbergen.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Greater Bergen Community Action is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community Action Agency founded in 1967, providing anti-poverty services including Head Start early childhood education, affordable housing, adult education, energy assistance, and financial counseling across Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties in New Jersey, serving 50,000+ beneficiaries annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization Housing Programs (FSALAKAO), Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA)

Keywords

• Anti-poverty community services
• Early childhood education
• Affordable housing programs
• Home energy assistance
• Adult education training

Headquarters

HQ city

Hackensack

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Federal Grants: Funding from federal agencies including US Department of Health and Human Services (Office of Head Start), US Department of Housing and Urban Development, US Department of Energy, and US Department of Treasury for various poverty-fighting programs.
2. State Funding: Funding from NJ Department of Community Affairs, NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development, NJ Department of Human Services, NJ Department of Children and Families, and NJ Department of State.
3. Private Foundation and Corporate Donations: Support from foundations including Robin Hood Foundation, PSE&G Foundation, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft Philanthropies, PNC Bank Foundation, TD Bank, Wells Fargo Regional Foundation, Capital One Bank, HSBC, OritaniBank Foundation, and individual donors.
4. Program Service Fees: Affordable housing rental income based on 30% of annual income. Credit union services providing banking to underbanked households.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Greater Bergen Community Action is a 501(c)(3) Community Action Agency that provides a free or subsidized portfolio of anti-poverty programs to income-qualified residents of Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties in New Jersey. Offerings include Head Start and Early Head Start early childhood education, adult education (HSE/GED prep, ESL, New Americans/immigrant services), affordable and transitional housing through subsidiary CHIP, homelessness prevention, sober-living housing (The Ladder Project), transitional housing for homeless youth (PHASES), home energy assistance (LIHEAP, Weatherization, Lead-Safe Remediation, Healthy Homes), and financial empowerment including an affiliated federal credit union (1st Bergen FCU) and CAP Solar.

Product overview

Greater Bergen Community Action is a not-for-profit Community Action Agency established in 1967, providing a portfolio of social services across Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties in New Jersey. The organization operates as a unified anti-poverty agency addressing the causes and conditions of persistent economic instability through multiple interconnected programs: Early childhood education (Head Start/Early Head Start), adult education and workforce training (High School Equivalency, ESL, New Americans), housing services (CHIP affordable housing, PHASES youth housing, The Ladder Project sober living, homelessness prevention), home energy assistance (LIHEAP, Weatherization Assistance, Lead Remediation), financial empowerment (1st Bergen Federal Credit Union), and community development (CAP Solar, Unity Health Partnership). The portfolio is organized around addressing poverty through multiple touchpoints including education, housing stability, economic support, health and wellness, and community development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Community Housing in Partnership (CHIP): Affordable housing development and management subsidiary providing housing for low and moderate income persons, first-time homebuyers, and individuals with special needs
• 1st Bergen Federal Credit Union
• CAP Solar
• Unity Health Partnership
• River to Rail
• PHASES
• The Ladder Project

Products and services

• Head Start/Early Head Start Tuition-free early childhood education program for income-qualified families with children ages 0-5 in Bergen County, Jersey City, and Paterson. Includes expectant mother program, certified teachers, family support, health screenings, and nutrition services.
• High School Equivalency (HSE) Program Free classroom-based GED/HSE exam preparation program for out-of-school youth ages 16-24, with flexible scheduling and self-paced online learning tools. Funded by NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Free English language program for adults new to the United States or seeking to improve their English skills, helping learners speak, read, and understand written and spoken English.
• New Americans Program Free program easing immigrant transition to the USA through American civics and culture education, helping immigrants obtain legal U.S. citizenship through the naturalization process. Funded by NJ Department of State Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development.
• Immigrant Resource Center Education and resource center at 263 Lafayette Avenue, Cliffside Park, NJ, helping immigrants pursue economic self-sufficiency through case management, legal consultations, naturalization assistance, and notary services.
• LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) Free home energy assistance program helping income-qualified individuals experiencing financial challenges pay their energy bills and remain in their homes. Includes in-person applications at Hackensack and Garfield offices and home visits for disabled and homebound applicants.
• Weatherization Assistance Program Free nationwide program assisting income-qualified homeowners and tenants (below 200% of Federal Poverty Level) in improving home energy efficiency through insulation, window/door repair, and heating system upgrades.
• Lead-Safe Home Remediation Program Free program eliminating lead hazards by remediating or abating lead paint from homes of income-eligible families with children under 6 and/or pregnant women in pre-1978 homes in Bergen County and Paterson.
• CHIP (Community Housing in Partnership) — Affordable Housing Affordable rental housing and homeownership programs for low- and moderate-income persons, first-time homebuyers, seniors, persons with disabilities, and special-needs individuals. CHIP operates multiple apartment communities (Independence Hall SRO in Englewood, properties in Teaneck and Woodcliff Lake) and a transitional housing program (Shepard House) for women; rent is set at 30% of annual income for CHIP properties and $500/month for SRO units.
• PHASES (Program for Homeless Adolescents Seeking an Environment of Stability) NJ State-licensed supportive transitional living program for homeless youth ages 18-21, providing safe housing, life skills training, educational instruction, employment assistance, and healthcare access.
• The Ladder Project (Sober Living Halfway House) Professionally-staffed halfway house for homeless men transitioning from drug/alcohol treatment, providing 12-step philosophy, counseling, and transitional support on a sliding-scale basis. Residents must secure employment within 30 days and contribute a portion toward rent. 96% of men in the program found permanent housing. The only program of its kind for men in Bergen County.
• Homelessness Prevention Program Free program providing resources and financial assistance — including partial rent payments and security deposits — to help prevent individuals or families facing eviction from losing their housing. Includes homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing support and tenant-landlord mediation.
• 1st Bergen Federal Credit Union Not-for-profit, federally chartered credit union providing quality banking services to underbanked households in Bergen County. Open to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or conducts business in Bergen County. Has provided banking services to 3,297 underbanked households.
• CAP Solar Green technology business collaboration specializing in solar energy projects designed to lower operating costs for community action agencies and nonprofits serving low-income communities in New Jersey.
• Healthy Homes Initiative Program creating safer housing to promote the healthy growth and development of children and families by educating residents about household health and safety risks and implementing mitigation efforts.
• Unity Health Partnership Model of accessible, quality, and comprehensive healthcare for low-income, underserved, and underinsured populations, operated as a GBCA sub-brand.
• River to Rail Master Redeveloper of the Garfield 1st Ward Revitalization Plan, focused on transit-oriented community development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50,000 people served annually
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• NJ Department of Community AffairscoreOthers · 1 December 2025Awarded $45 million for affordable housing projects across NJ, including $35 million from Affordable Housing Trust Fund and $10 million to Habitat for Humanity.
• US Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentcoreOthersFederal funding partner providing grants for housing programs, homelessness prevention, and community development initiatives.
• US Department of EnergycoreOthersFederal funding partner for weatherization and energy efficiency programs in Bergen County.
• US Department of Health and Human ServicescoreOthersFederal funding partner through Office of Head Start providing grants for Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
• NJ Department of Community AffairscoreOthersState funding partner for affordable housing, community development, and anti-poverty programs.
• NJ Department of Labor and Workforce DevelopmentcoreOthersState funding partner for adult education programs including High School Equivalency and job training.
• NJ Department of Human ServicescoreOthersState funding partner for human services programs addressing poverty and family welfare.
• Bergen County GovernmentcoreOthersLocal government partner providing funding and collaborative support for county-wide community services.
• Bergen County Workforce Development BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal workforce development partner providing job training and employment services coordination.
• Paterson Board of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner for Head Start program delivery in Paterson schools.
• Jersey City Board of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner for Head Start program delivery in Jersey City schools.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• United Way of Northern New Jersey: Large-scale anti-poverty funder and convener covering much of GBCA's footprint. Overlaps on financial empowerment, housing stability, and ALICE/poverty programming, and often co-funds GBCA sub-programs.
• The Salvation Army New Jersey Division: National nonprofit providing emergency shelter, utility/rental assistance, and adult rehabilitation across NJ counties overlapping with GBCA. Competitor for HUD and state anti-poverty funding.

Direct peers

• La Casa de Don Pedro: Northern NJ-based Community Action Agency providing housing, education, and economic development services to low-income families in Bergen/Passaic-adjacent communities. Closest functional peer as a fellow NJ CAA operating wraparound anti-poverty programs with federal HUD/HHS funding.
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark: Large Northern NJ social services nonprofit operating emergency shelter, transitional housing, immigration services, and Head Start-style programs. Direct overlap on PHASES/Ladder Project-style housing, ESL, and homelessness services.
• Family Promise (formerly National Interfaith Hospitality Network): National nonprofit specializing in family homelessness prevention and transitional housing, with strong NJ presence. Comparable housing-instability and family-support service model.
• NJ Community Development Corporation: Paterson-based CDCs and housing developers operating affordable housing, foreclosure counseling, and community development - directly comparable to GBCA's CHIP and homeownership programs.
• NORWESCAP (Northwest New Jersey Community Action Partnership): Another federally-designated NJ Community Action Agency delivering Head Start, weatherization, housing counseling, and workforce development in a different service region. Comparable organizational structure and federal funding model.

Emerging players

• HANDS (Housing and Neighborhood Development Services): Orange, NJ-based CDC offering affordable housing development, HUD-certified counseling, and financial empowerment programs - overlapping with GBCA's CHIP and HUD counseling lines of service.
• Jewish Family & Children's Services of Northern New Jersey: Regional social services nonprofit providing case management, housing assistance, and counseling services to vulnerable families in Bergen County. Comparable clientele on housing-insecure and immigrant services.

Others

• Food Bank of South Jersey / Community FoodBank of NJ: Major NJ food assistance nonprofits - adjacent/partner organizations where GBCA distributes meals. Represents the broader community support ecosystem GBCA operates within rather than direct competition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/greaterbergen
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCRiwYexq8X3W98QPr31Jtuw
• Facebookfacebook.com/GreaterBergen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/greater-bergen-community-action-inc./mycompany/?viewAsMember=true
• Instagraminstagram.com/greaterbergen

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Greater Bergen Community Action