CHEER

What CHEER does

CHEER, Inc. is a private, Delaware-domiciled 501(c)-style nonprofit founded in 1971 and headquartered at 546 S. Bedford Street, Georgetown, Delaware. It operates a comprehensive senior-services platform across Sussex County, Delaware, serving more than 30,000 seniors annually through an integrated portfolio that includes Meals on Wheels home delivery (274,815 meals delivered to 1,545 homebound neighbors in the past year), eight senior activity centers plus a Community Center, in-home personal assistance and 24/7 homecare (PASA), medical transportation, a Sand Hill Adult Day Program for memory-impaired seniors, a Memory Café, a Caregiver Resource Center, a Mobile Mini Market, a Travel Club, and the newly launched CHEER Academy and CHEER Connect volunteer programs. The organization is also expanding into affordable senior housing through the 34-acre Gateway East Senior Residential Village, which will add 236 low-income senior apartments across four buildings alongside a new centralized administration facility by October 2026.

Revenue is generated through a multi-stream nonprofit model anchored by state government contracts with Delaware's Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD), supplemented by charitable donations and grants (e.g., Delaware Grocery Initiative $12,500, Allen Harim $1,000, Fire & Ice Festival $10,000, Moose Lodge #646 $1,000), $30 annual membership fees for access to all centers and Community Center events, $6 unit-priced Fresh and Ready meals sold at activity centers, and transportation fee-based services. Service delivery is heavily volunteer-driven, with 508 volunteers contributing 29,115 hours annually, and is amplified through partnerships with Meals on Wheels America, Meals on Wheels Delaware, the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, Sussex County Kitchen Incubator, Contractors For A Cause, PAWS for People, four local chambers of commerce, and multiple state and county agencies (DSHA, Delaware State Transportation, Sussex County Government). Technology stack is standard nonprofit infrastructure (website, email, volunteer management tools) with no proprietary AI or platform technology; marketing relies on Facebook, YouTube, the cheerde.com website, the quarterly CHEERful Living newspaper, monthly email newsletters, and signature community events including Cruise-In car shows, bingo nights, craft fairs, March for Meals, and the 55th Anniversary "55 on 5/5" quad-chamber mixer.

Name

CHEER

Legal name

CHEER, Inc.

Website

https://cheerde.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

CHEER, Inc. is a Sussex County, Delaware nonprofit (founded 1971) that delivers meals, in-home care, transportation, activity-center programming, and affordable senior housing to more than 30,000 seniors annually through eight centers and 500+ volunteers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Senior services and aging-in-place community support

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Community Food Services (624210), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Elder Services & Aging Support (BPAGAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Senior Social Clubs & Community-Based Day Programs (Non-Clinical) (HSABANAK), Meals, Nutrition & Congregate Dining Day Programs (HSABANAM), Adult Day Respite Programs (Daytime Relief) (HLADAKAC), Senior/Low-Impact Group Fitness (HSADABAI)

Keywords

• Senior services
• Meals on wheels
• In-home personal care
• Senior activity centers
• Caregiver support

Headquarters

HQ city

Georgetown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts: Primary revenue from state funding contracts, particularly with the State of Delaware, Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD) to fund nutrition programs and senior services.
2. Donations and Grants: Charitable donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations including $10,000 from Fire and Ice Festival, $1,000 from Allen Harim, and $1,000 from Moose Lodge #646. Delaware Grocery Initiative $12,500 grant for Feeding Every Delawarean program.
3. Membership Fees: $30 annual membership fee for access to all seven activity centers and Community Center events and programs.
4. Meal Sales: Sale of Fresh and Ready meals at $6 each between 8 AM and 4 PM at senior activity centers. Proceeds support meal programs.
5. Transportation Services: Transportation services for medical appointments and other senior needs, provided through volunteer drivers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

CHEER, Inc. is a Delaware nonprofit that provides a comprehensive suite of senior services in Sussex County, including home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels), in-home personal care and companionship, medical transportation, supervised Adult Day programming, eight Senior Activity Centers, a Caregiver Resource Center, Mobile Mini Market grocery access, CHEER Academy educational classes, and affordable senior housing. It serves more than 30,000 seniors annually, supported by a $30 annual membership, donations, government contracts, and a network of over 500 volunteers.

Product overview

CHEER (Community Help Education and Employment Resources) is a community services organization serving seniors aged 50+ in Sussex County, Delaware. The organization operates as a multi-service hub offering a comprehensive portfolio of interconnected programs. Core services include Meals on Wheels (home-delivered meals and wellness checks), In-Home Services/PASA (personal care, companionship, respite, 24/7 homecare), Transportation (medical appointments), and Adult Day Program. Social engagement is provided through eight Senior Activity Centers and the Community Center. Additional services include CHEER Academy (free educational classes), CHEER Connect (Kindness Calls and Kindness Rides volunteer programs), Travel Club, Caregiver Resource Center, Mobile Mini Market, Memory Café, and CHEER Apartments (affordable housing). The Pets for Meals on Wheels program and Fresh and Ready Meals expand food access. Services are available through membership ($30/year) or individual program enrollment, with the organization relying heavily on over 500 volunteers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Meals on Wheels Home-delivered meal program providing nutritious meals and daily wellness checks to homebound seniors in Sussex County, Delaware. In the past year, 508 volunteers delivered 274,815 meals to 1,545 homebound neighbors.
• In-Home Services (PASA) Personal assistance services including personal care, companionship, respite care, 24/7 homecare, housekeeping, and qualified caregivers that help seniors remain independent in their homes in Sussex County.
• Transportation Door-to-door medical transportation for Sussex County seniors who have no other option to reach medical appointments, provided by volunteer drivers.
• Adult Day Program Supervised daytime program at Sand Hill providing stimulation, activities, and respite for seniors with Alzheimer's and other memory-related conditions, while giving caregivers a break.
• Memory Café Social gathering program for seniors with memory-related needs while their caregivers attend support groups, providing a supportive environment for both.
• Senior Activity Centers Eight adult activity centers throughout Sussex County (Georgetown, Greenwood, Lewes, Long Neck, Milton, Ocean View, Roxana, and Café Salud) offering exercise programs, support groups, craft classes, health seminars, concerts, games, trips, and social activities for members aged 50+.
• Caregiver Resource Center Support services and resources for family caregivers including caregiver support groups, home repair assistance through partnerships with Contractors For A Cause, and referrals to additional services.
• Mobile Mini Market Mobile food market bringing groceries and food items to seniors in Sussex County, expanding food access in underserved areas.
• CHEER Community Center Warren L. & Charles C. Allen, Jr. Community Center in Georgetown offering venue rentals for weddings, banquets, corporate events, and business functions, and housing CHEER's Central Kitchen.
• CHEER Academy Educational program for seniors offering diverse classes including Arts & Expressions, Lifelong Learning (Spanish lessons, faith study), and brain health sessions (Wits Workout in partnership with UD Cooperative Extension). Classes are free to members.
• CHEER Apartments Affordable senior housing including an existing 60-unit low-income senior apartment building and the Gateway East Senior Residential Village expansion adding 236 new low-income senior apartments across multiple buildings.
• CHEER Connect Volunteer programs connecting community members with seniors through Kindness Calls (weekly friendly phone check-ins) and Kindness Rides (volunteer medical transportation), helping combat isolation among seniors.
• Travel Club Group travel program offering trips and tours for members, including day trips and overnight excursions to destinations such as Atlantic City.
• Membership Program Annual membership ($30) providing access to all seven CHEER centers plus community center events, with benefits including free drop-in programs, member discounts on trips, free screenings, lectures, entertainment, and access to fitness centers.
• Pets for Meals on Wheels Program ensuring homebound seniors receive pet food and supplies (pet food, cat litter, leashes, litter boxes) so they don't have to choose between feeding themselves and feeding their pets.
• Fresh and Ready Meals Prepared meals program in partnership with Sussex County Kitchen Incubator, offering reheatable meals at $6 each, available at all CHEER senior activity centers between 8 AM and 4 PM. Funded by the Delaware Grocery Initiative to combat food deserts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 274,815 meals delivered to 1,545 homebound seniors
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Allen HarimminorOthers · 1 February 2026Poultry producer headquartered in Sussex County donated $1,000 to support Pets for Meals on Wheels program helping homebound seniors care for their pets.
• Fire & Ice Festival / Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of CommerceminorOthers · 1 February 2026Festival donated $10,000 to CHEER for Meals on Wheels program as part of $51,000+ raised for area organizations. Organizer of Fire & Ice Festival celebrating Delaware's 250th anniversary.
• Lewes Rehoboth Moose Lodge #646minorOthers · 13 November 2025Donated $1,000 split between Milton and Harbour Lights Lewes CHEER senior activity centers. Lodge mission focuses on caring for children, supporting seniors, and community improvement.
• Delaware State Housing Administration (DSHA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2025DSHA Director Matthew Heckles participated in groundbreaking ceremony for Gateway East Senior Residential Village expansion. DSHA supports affordable housing development for low-income seniors.
• Sussex County Kitchen IncubatorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Partnership to produce and distribute Fresh and Ready meals through the Feeding Every Delawarean program. Local food entrepreneurs supply meals at cost to CHEER for distribution at senior activity centers. Supported by $12,500 Delaware Grocery Initiative grant to eliminate food deserts.
• Delaware State TransportationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelaware Transportation Secretary Shante Hastings participated in March for Meals deliveries. Transportation infrastructure critical for meal delivery and senior mobility.
• Delaware Health and Social Services Division of AgingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgency representatives participated in March for Meals meal packing and deliveries. Division funds senior services through Older Americans Act.
• Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor of Fire & Ice Festival that donates to CHEER. Co-sponsor of Quiet Resorts awards where CHEER won Best Initiative. Key community partner for networking and visibility.
• Georgetown Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipated in CHEER's 55th Anniversary '55 on 5/5' quad-chamber mixer event.
• Millsboro Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipated in CHEER's 55th Anniversary '55 on 5/5' quad-chamber mixer event.
• Western Sussex Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipated in CHEER's 55th Anniversary '55 on 5/5' quad-chamber mixer event.
• Contractors For A CausecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit of local contractors providing free home repairs, ramps, and accessibility modifications for disadvantaged seniors. Helps seniors age in place by making home modifications. CHEER Resource Center refers clients and assists with applications.
• PAWS for PeopleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPet therapy organization that provides therapy pets for visits to CHEER centers. Café Salud held pet therapy events with PAWS volunteers.
• Volunteer Delaware 50+minorOthersVolunteer Delaware 50+ provides programs including guided sessions for making pet toys from recycled materials at CHEER centers.
• TidalHealthminorOthersHealthcare partner and event sponsor for CHEER's 55th Anniversary celebration.
• MT BankminorOthersBanking partner and event sponsor for CHEER's 55th Anniversary celebration.
• Compass HVACminorOthersEvent sponsor funding live radio remote broadcasts at Cruise-In community events.
• Delaware State PoliceminorOthersRepresentatives delivered meals during March for Meals Community Champions Week in Ocean View and Greenwood areas.
• Sussex County GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSussex County Councilwoman Jane Gruenebaum participated in meal deliveries. County supports community programs and initiatives.
• Nanticoke Indian TribeminorOthersTribe representative Bonnie Hall participated in March for Meals deliveries.
• Sussex County Habitat for HumanityminorOthersCo-recipient of Fire & Ice Festival funds with CHEER for community support programs.
• What's Cooking, Di?minorOthersLocal meal prep, catering and delivery service by chef Diane Corsi supplying Fresh and Ready meals through Sussex County Kitchen Incubator partnership.
• UD Cooperative ExtensionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with University of Delaware Cooperative Extension for Wits Workout brain health and specialized sessions at CHEER Academy.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals Delaware & Maryland's Eastern Shore: Regional nonprofit delivering services for seniors and people with disabilities including adult day programs, in-home support, and community-based care. Comparable multi-service aging/disability nonprofit model operating in overlapping geography.
• Meals on Wheels America: National umbrella organization for the Meals on Wheels network of which CHEER is a local affiliate. Comparable in mission (senior nutrition, wellness checks) but operates at network/administrative level rather than direct service.
• Comfort Keepers: National franchised provider of in-home personal care, companionship, and respite services for seniors. Direct overlap with CHEER's PASA In-Home Services (personal care, companionship, respite, 24/7 homecare), but operating as a for-profit franchise model rather than nonprofit.
• Visiting Angels: National franchised provider of senior home care services including personal care, companionship, and respite. Comparable to CHEER's In-Home Services portfolio but for-profit; potential competitive pressure in Sussex County private-pay market.
• National Council on Aging (NCOA): National nonprofit advocating for and supporting community-based organizations serving older adults. Operates senior center, benefits enrollment, and chronic disease management programs comparable to CHEER's CHEER Academy and resource center offerings.
• AARP Delaware: State arm of national 50+ advocacy organization serving Delaware. Comparable older-adult focus with community programming, advocacy, and member services, though AARP does not directly deliver in-home care or meal services.

Direct peers

• Meals on Wheels Delaware: State-level Meals on Wheels affiliate that CHEER partners with. Provides nutrition services to seniors across Delaware, overlapping directly with CHEER's Meals on Wheels program and senior nutrition focus.
• Modern Maturity Center: Kent County, Delaware nonprofit senior center offering meals, activity programs, transportation, and adult day services. Most direct comparable peer given shared Delaware geography, multi-service senior model, and similar reliance on Older Americans Act funding.
• Brandywine Valley Active Aging: Northern Delaware nonprofit providing senior centers, meals, transportation, and in-home services to adults 55+. Comparable multi-service nonprofit model serving a different Delaware county, with overlapping programs (congregate meals, activity centers, transportation).

Emerging players

• Pace Your Life / PACE Programs: Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) providers deliver integrated medical, social, and long-term care services to nursing-home-eligible seniors. Comparable comprehensive care integration model to CHEER's one-stop senior services approach, though PACE is clinically intensive.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCKkvV-PBBAGs5tE_W9sVRcQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/cheersussexcounty
• Xx.com/cheerdelaware
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cheer-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about CHEER