SOWEGA Council on Aging

What SOWEGA Council on Aging does

Sowega Council on Aging (SCOA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) headquartered in Albany, Georgia. Incorporated in 1966 as the Albany-Dougherty Council on Aging and renamed in 1979 to reflect its expanded scope, SCOA serves as the federally and state-designated 'no wrong door' hub for aging and disability services across 14 counties in Southwest Georgia, spanning approximately 6,000 square miles. In SFY 2025, the organization served 56,390+ older and disabled adults, delivered 481,091 meals, and provided 27,790 home and community-based service hours, supported by a 30+ person staff and the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteer program. SCOA coordinates 15+ program categories including home-delivered meals, congregate nutrition, homemaker services, transportation, adult day care, evidence-based health programs, caregiver support, ombudsman advocacy, legal services, transition coordination, and ramp building, delivered through a hub-and-spoke partner network rather than a proprietary technology platform.

SCOA operates as a service coordinator rather than a direct service provider across most programs. Its technology stack consists of partner platforms (Claris Companion Tablets for digital companionship, CareABC for caregiver guidance, Microsoft Teams for USDA SNAP-Ed nutrition education) and channels (ADRC hotline, website, YouTube, Issuu magazine, events calendar), with no proprietary software disclosed. The Senior Center Without Walls model pairs SCOA with local restaurants to deliver congregate nutrition, scaling from 500 to 1,500 participants with 700 on a waiting list. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program extends SCOA's regulatory footprint across 48 counties and 350+ skilled nursing facilities, an unusual scope that exceeds its home service area.

Revenue is generated through federal and state government grants and contracts (Medicaid waivers, USDA SNAP-Ed, Georgia Department of Human Services aging network allocations, Area Agency on Aging state plan funding), individual and corporate donations, foundation grants (CareSource $75,000 in 2025, United Way of Southwest Georgia), and fundraising events (Empty Bowls since 2012, Dinks for Dinners). Most services are free to eligible seniors; the AARP Smart Driver course charges $20–$25 per participant. The business model is inherently non-commercial: revenue is a function of public funding cycles, philanthropic grants, and donor engagement rather than unit economics of a productized offering.

Name

SOWEGA Council on Aging

Legal name

Sowega Council on Aging

Website

https://sowegacoa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sowega Council on Aging (SCOA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Area Agency on Aging and Aging & Disability Resource Connection serving 56,390+ older and disabled adults across 14 counties in Southwest Georgia. It coordinates meals, caregiver support, ombudsman advocacy, and evidence-based programs through a partner network and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Senior Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Elder Services & Aging Support (BPAGAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing & Placement Coordination (Assisted Living, Memory Care, SNF) (HSABAIAL), Senior Social Clubs & Community-Based Day Programs (Non-Clinical) (HSABANAK), Community-Based Senior Centers with Adult Day Services (HLADAIAJ)

Keywords

• Aging services
• Senior care coordination
• Area agency on aging
• Community-based services
• Caregiver support programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Albany

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Contracts: Primary funding from federal and state programs including Medicaid waivers, USDA SNAP education grants, Georgia Department of Human Services aging network allocations, and Area Agency on Aging state plan funding. Funding supports home-delivered meals, homemaker services, transportation coordination, caregiver programs, ombudsman services, and evidence-based wellness programs.
2. Individual and Corporate Donations: 501(c)(3) nonprofit accepts charitable donations, annual giving, planned giving, memorial gifts, and item donations. 100% of donations go directly into local programs and services.
3. Fundraising Events: Annual fundraising events including Empty Bowls (partnership with Albany Area Arts Council) and Dinks for Dinners, which generate revenue for the Home Delivered Meals program and senior services.
4. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Received $75,000 grant from CareSource to expand Claris Companion Tablets and Ramp Crews programs. Additional grant support from United Way of Southwest Georgia.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

SOWEGA Council on Aging is the designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) for 14 Southwest Georgia counties, serving as a no-wrong-door hub that connects seniors aged 60+ and disabled adults to a network of community-based programs. Core offerings include home-delivered meals, congregate nutrition (Senior Center Without Walls), homemaker services, transportation coordination, adult day care, evidence-based health programs, caregiver support, long-term care ombudsman advocacy, legal services referral, nursing home transition coordination, and volunteer-driven ramp building. Most programs are free to eligible seniors, with services funded through government grants, donations, and fundraising events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Home-Delivered Meals Provides nutritious meals delivered to seniors aged 60+ and disabled adults in their homes across 14 Southwest Georgia counties. The program served 481,091 meals annually in SFY 2025.
• Senior Center Without Walls (Congregate Nutrition) Congregate nutrition program that partners with local restaurants and activity providers to deliver meals and social engagement to seniors in community settings, using a distributed partnership model. Expanded from 500 to 1,500 participants with 700 on a waiting list.
• Homemaker Services In-home support services for seniors and disabled adults to help them remain independent at home, including light housekeeping and personal care assistance.
• Transportation Coordination Coordinates transportation services for seniors and disabled adults to access medical appointments, community activities, and essential services across the 14-county service area.
• Adult Day Care Structured daytime programming for adults with Alzheimer's, dementia, or cognitive challenges, including music/art therapy, memory games, light exercise, and dementia-specific staff training.
• Evidence-Based Health Programs Evidence-based health programs for seniors including Chronic Disease Self-Management (CDSMP), Diabetes Self-Management (DSMP), Tai Chi for Arthritis, and other wellness classes (chair fitness, line dance, yoga, aerobics).
• Caregiver Support Programs Provides emotional support, resources, education, respite, and the CareABC on-demand caregiving platform for family caregivers of individuals aged 60+.
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Ombudsman advocacy program ensuring rights, quality care, and dignity for long-term care facility residents across 48 counties, 350+ facilities, and 12,500+ residents in southern Georgia. Conducts facility inspections, investigates complaints, and advocates for resident rights.
• Legal Services Referral Refers seniors aged 60+ to the Elderly Legal Services Program for reduced-fee legal services on matters including power of attorney, wills, Social Security disputes, tax credits, and abuse situations.
• Nursing Home Transition Coordination Helps seniors transition from nursing homes back to community-based living arrangements, supporting independent living.
• Ramp Building Program Volunteer-built home accessibility ramps for seniors and disabled clients who have trouble accessing their homes, delivered through the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Ramp Brigade.
• AARP Smart Driver Course In-person driver safety course for older adults, priced at $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-members, held at Phoebe Northwest Conference Center and community churches.
• AARP Tax Aide Free tax preparation assistance and filing support for seniors during tax season, delivered through partnership with AARP Tax Aide program.
• Senior Activities and Wellness Classes Free activities including fitness classes, line dancing, art, BINGO, support groups, and social activities held at partner locations including churches, libraries, senior centers, and the SCOA Regional Resource Center.
• Advocacy Programs Advocacy services for seniors including public hearings, policy engagement, and community representation on aging issues.
• Eating Smart Being Active (Nutrition Education) 8-week virtual nutrition education series for older adults delivered via Microsoft Teams, in partnership with the Southwest Georgia Health District and funded through USDA SNAP.
• Claris Companion Tablets Program Tablet-based technology program providing seniors with digital access to companionship, medication reminders, and connectivity tools to reduce social isolation. Funded in part by a $75,000 CareSource grant.
• AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Volunteer Program Volunteer program that recruits adults aged 55+ to serve across multiple program stations including Ramp Brigade (home accessibility), Craft Station (PLARN mats, teddy bears, wheelchair bags), Tax Prep (AARP partnership), Wellness (fitness instruction, ombudsman liaison), and Garden Group (produce growing). Volunteers commit a minimum of 4 hours per month.

Quantifiable outcome

• 56,390+ older and disabled adults served annually across 14 counties
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Albany Area Arts CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Long-standing partnership for the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser, which has sold out every year since 2012. Local restaurants donate soups and artisans donate bowls; proceeds fund SCOA's Home Delivered Meals program and the Arts Council's regional fine arts competition. The 2024 event served 160 attendees.
• AmeriCorps Seniors (RSVP Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCOA hosts the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program which recruits adults aged 55+ to serve as volunteers across multiple program stations: Ramp Brigade (home accessibility), Craft Station (PLARN mats, teddy bears, wheelchair bags), Tax Prep (AARP partnership), Wellness (fitness instruction, ombudsman liaison, garden), and Garden Group (produce growing with Flint River Fresh). Volunteers commit a minimum of 4 hours per month. The program is a cornerstone of SCOA's service delivery model.
• AARP (Tax Aide Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partnership during tax season to provide free tax preparation assistance and filing support for seniors. SCOA coordinates volunteer tax preparers and provides facilities for the AARP Tax Aide program across the service area.
• Flint River FreshcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Garden Group volunteer program, where volunteers grow produce (including partnering with 'Farmer Fredo') that is distributed to seniors. Also involves produce box packing for community food security. Collaborates with Feeding the Valley food bank for broader food distribution.
• Feeding the ValleysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood bank partnership supporting wellness volunteers in packing produce boxes and connecting seniors to food security resources as part of the Wellness station activities.
• Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCOA hosts the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program for the South Region of Georgia (48 counties, 350+ facilities, 12,500+ residents). This partnership with the state program enables SCOA to conduct facility inspections, investigate complaints, and advocate for resident rights. SCOA also hosts the annual Personal Care Home/Assisted Living Community training.
• Southwest Georgia Health DistrictsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Southwest Georgia Health District to deliver the Eating Smart Being Active virtual nutrition education series (8-week program via Microsoft Teams) for older adults, funded through USDA SNAP.
• CareABCsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCOA partnered with CareABC to offer an on-demand digital caregiving guide for family caregivers. The platform provides step-by-step caregiving instructions and video guides at no cost to caregivers, funded by SCOA for a limited time.
• Albany Area YMCAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSCOA contracts with the Albany Area YMCA as a Senior Recreation Provider to deliver free senior fitness classes (exercise, line dance, chair fitness) in Dougherty County, funded through SCOA.
• Lee Branch YMCAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSCOA contracts with the Lee Branch YMCA as a Senior Recreation Provider to deliver free senior activities in Lee County, funded through SCOA.
• Georgia Legal Services Program (Elderly Legal Services)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSCOA facilitates access to the Elderly Legal Services Program, which provides reduced-fee legal services for seniors aged 60+ on matters including power of attorney, wills, Social Security disputes, tax credits, and abuse situations. SCOA provides referrals and community education.
• Phoebe Putney Health SystemsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPhoebe serves as a referral source and venue partner for SCOA programs (AARP Smart Driver courses at Phoebe Northwest Conference Center) and is referenced as a community healthcare provider for seniors in the service area.
• Georgia Senior Farmers Market Nutrition ProgramsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCOA partners with the Georgia Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program to host regional senior resource fairs that connect seniors with fresh produce, aging network providers, and community resources in Colquitt, Moultrie, and surrounding counties.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Atlanta Regional Commission Aging & Independence Services: Area Agency on Aging serving metro Atlanta — the largest AAA in Georgia. Directly comparable as a state-designated Area Agency on Aging and ADRC hub providing case management, caregiver support, and aging network coordination across a multi-county footprint.
• Coastal Georgia Area Agency on Aging: Georgia AAA covering coastal counties including Savannah. Directly comparable as a regional Area Agency on Aging coordinating the same categories of programs (meals, homemaker services, caregiver support, ombudsman) for seniors in a defined multi-county region.
• Legacy Link (formerly Northeast Georgia Area Agency on Aging): Northeast Georgia AAA serving a 13-county region. Directly comparable in operating model, funding structure, and program portfolio (congregate/home-delivered meals, caregiver support, evidence-based programs, ADRC coordination) — peer AAA in the same state network.
• Southern Georgia Regional Commission Area Agency on Aging: Regional Commission-based AAA serving rural south-central Georgia counties. Closely comparable rural AAA with overlapping service areas and the same designated hub role for aging services in the south Georgia region.
• Heart of Georgia Altamaha Area Agency on Aging: Regional AAA serving middle Georgia counties. Directly comparable rural AAA with similar demographic profile, service portfolio, and Area Agency on Aging designation, providing the same menu of meals, homemaker, caregiver, and advocacy programs.
• Family Caregiver Alliance: National nonprofit providing caregiver support, education, respite resources, and care navigation. Directly comparable to SCOA's caregiver program portfolio, including respite services, education, and caregiver burden reduction programs for families of seniors aged 60+.

Broad incumbents

• Meals on Wheels America: National nonprofit association supporting senior nutrition programs nationwide. Comparable as the umbrella organization for home-delivered and congregate meal programs — same core service category (senior nutrition) as SCOA's largest program area, with broader national reach and funding scale.
• National Council on Aging (NCOA): National nonprofit advocating for older adults and providing evidence-based programs, benefits access, and aging network support. Comparable in mission scope (promoting senior independence and well-being) and as an umbrella for evidence-based health programs (e.g., Chronic Disease Self-Management) that SCOA also delivers.
• AARP (American Association of Retired Persons): National nonprofit serving the 50+ population with extensive programs, advocacy, and senior services. Comparable as a mission-aligned organization that partners with SCOA (Tax Aide, Smart Driver) and whose program infrastructure often complements local AAA service delivery.
• USAging (formerly National Association of Area Agencies on Aging): National membership association for the Area Agency on Aging network. Comparable as the trade and advocacy body representing SCOA's peer AAAs across the U.S., providing policy support, training, and shared infrastructure for the AAA/ADRC model SCOA operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@scoe_
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sowega-council-on-aging-inc.
• Instagraminstagram.com/sowega_council_on_aging

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles32 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about SOWEGA Council on Aging