Northeast Kingdom Community Action

What Northeast Kingdom Community Action does

Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA) is a non-profit community action agency headquartered in Newport, Vermont, that provides anti-poverty services across Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. Founded in 1984 and operating for over 40 years, NEKCA organizes its work into six program categories: food and clothing access, housing support, heat and utility assistance, children/youth and family services, money security, and community and restorative justice. The agency serves low- to moderate-income residents through 17+ physical sites including 10 Head Start/Early Head Start centers, two Parent Child Centers, four food pantries, a 20-bed low-barrier shelter (The Shelter at Moose River), youth centers in Newport and St. Johnsbury, and outreach offices in Newport and St. Johnsbury, with hired staff of 150+.

Service delivery is conducted through a community-led, two-generation model combining direct walk-in access, scheduled appointments, partner referrals, and a single intake line (1-855-663-5224). Programs such as Court Diversion, Balanced and Restorative Justice, Re-Entry Navigation, Driver's License Recovery, Micro-Business Development, VITA tax preparation, Money Coaching, Whole Family Coaching, Energy Coaching, and Digital Access are provided free or at nominal cost to income-eligible participants. Specialized sub-brands include SEE MORE Thrift Store, HIVE Youth Center, and the Shelter at Moose River.

NEKCA has no proprietary technology platform and is not a technology company; its core operational assets are its physical sites, federal Head Start grant (Grant Number 01CH012401), Northern Border Regional Commission awards (including a $1M award in 2025 and $8.9M across 13 Vermont projects), charitable donations, and program-fee revenue (e.g., Court Diversion contracts). Funding sources are predominantly federal and state grants plus philanthropic donations, and the organization is governed by a community Board of Directors chaired by Robert Little, with Jenna O'Farrell serving as Executive Director since 2018.

Name

Northeast Kingdom Community Action

Legal name

Northeast Kingdom Community Action

Website

https://nekcavt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA) is a Vermont-based non-profit community action agency providing anti-poverty services — food, housing, Head Start, fuel assistance, and restorative justice — to low-income residents of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom across 17+ sites.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Action and Anti-Poverty Social Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food Services (624210)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC), Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits (BPAGADAL)

Keywords

• Anti-poverty services
• Community action agency
• Head Start early education
• Emergency housing shelter
• Financial empowerment coaching

Headquarters

HQ city

Vermont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices17 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal Grants: NEKCA receives federal funding including Head Start grant (Grant Number 01CH012401 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). The agency also participates in Northern Border Regional Commission funding programs for community development projects.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization relies on donations from individuals, civic groups, and businesses. The Warmth program is powered entirely by donated funds for emergency heating assistance. Donations support general funds or specific programs.
3. Program Fees: Court Diversion program participants pay a fee as part of completing their contract. Some programs may have nominal fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA) is a community action agency providing direct human services to low-income residents of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. Core offerings span food and clothing access, housing support (including a 20-bed low-barrier shelter), heat and utility assistance, Head Start and Early Head Start early childhood education, family resource centers, free tax preparation (VITA), money and energy coaching, micro-business development, and community and restorative justice programs. Services are delivered free of charge to income-eligible participants through multiple outreach centers and program locations.

Product overview

Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA) is a community action agency offering a comprehensive suite of social service programs across Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. The organization operates as a multi-service anti-poverty agency with programs organized into six major categories: Food & Clothing, Housing Support, Heat & Utility Assistance, Children/Youth & Family Services, Money Security, and Community & Restorative Justice. These programs include food pantries and clothing access, housing security and emergency shelter (Shelter at Moose River), fuel assistance and crisis heating, Head Start/Early Head Start early childhood education, tax preparation through VITA, micro-business development, money coaching, digital access, and various restorative justice programs. NEKCA serves as the designated Parent Child Center for the region with two Family Resource Centers, operates youth centers in St. Johnsbury and Newport, and runs auxiliary programs like Wheels for Warmth tire recycling and the SEE MORE Thrift Store. The organization is not a technology company but a human services agency providing direct client services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SEE MORE Thrift Store: A community thrift store in downtown Newport, Vermont offering affordable clothing, home goods, and community educational opportunities.
• The Shelter at Moose River
• HIVE Youth Center

Products and services

• Food & Clothing Access Food pantries, food shelves, and clothing access services through Markets, Boutiques, and the SEE MORE Thrift Store addressing food insecurity and clothing needs for income-eligible Northeast Kingdom residents.
• Housing Support Services Housing security assistance, temporary and emergency housing navigation, and transitional housing support for individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness in the Northeast Kingdom.
• The Shelter at Moose River A 20-bed low-barrier, 24-hour emergency shelter located in St. Johnsbury, Vermont for adults 18 and older experiencing homelessness.
• Heat & Utility Assistance Fuel assistance, crisis fuel during winter months, furnace repair/replacement programs, and after-hours emergency heating support for income-eligible households at risk of losing heat during Vermont winters.
• Head Start Federally funded early childhood education program promoting school readiness through early education, health, nutrition, mental health services, and support for children with special needs at multiple center-based locations.
• Early Head Start Home-based program for expectant families and children ages 0-5 offering weekly home visits, play groups, and comprehensive family-centered services supporting child development and family goals.
• Youth Advocacy Services Education, case management, and community engagement services for youth, including two youth drop-in centers and transitional living and housing support for youth ages 18-24.
• Children's Integrated Services (CIS) Wraparound support for families with children from pre-birth through age 6 including Early Intervention, Family Support, Nursing Support, Early Childhood Family Mental Health, and Specialized Child Care Services.
• Family Resource Centers Two Parent Child Centers offering 8 core services including home visiting, family education, support groups, concrete supports, community development, playgroups, information and referral, and early child care education for families with children 0-6.
• Tax Preparation (VITA) Free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program helping families and individuals earning $67,000 or less file federal and state income taxes, small business taxes, and property tax adjustments.
• Micro-Business Development Program One-to-one business counseling, business workshops, and funding opportunities for new and established entrepreneurs, delivered in partnership with the Micro-business Development Program.
• Money Coaching Free one-on-one financial coaching sessions helping individuals with budgeting, credit building, debt management, and financial goal setting, with incentives up to $100 for completing financial milestones.
• Energy Coaching Certified energy coaching helping participants manage personal finances while offering ways to reduce carbon usage through transportation options, home energy upgrades, and tax credits.
• Whole Family Coaching Participant-led coaching process empowering caregivers to focus on areas they most want to improve including housing, finances, employment, childcare, or family development.
• Digital Access Program Helps Northeast Kingdom residents find affordable internet, provides free computers for qualifying participants, and offers free one-on-one digital skills classes.
• Court Diversion Restorative alternative for individuals charged with a crime where participants admit responsibility, meet with community volunteers, complete a contract to repair harm, and avoid a permanent criminal record; participants pay a fee as part of completing the contract.
• Pretrial Services Program for adults with substance use or mental health needs awaiting case resolution, providing voluntary screenings and referrals to supportive community-based services.
• Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) Restorative interventions for youth involved in the juvenile justice system providing skill-building classes, probation support, and mediation between families and victims.
• Re-Entry and Navigation Short-term case management for individuals returning from incarceration, providing referrals and identifying needs to improve life skills for successful community reintegration.
• Driver's License Recovery Helps people regain their driver's license while paying off fines and fees through payment plans presented to Vermont Judicial Bureau and coordination with DMV reinstatement requirements.
• Safe Driving Program Two-session program adapted from MADD helping participants understand consequences of unsafe, impaired, and distracted driving to motivate responsibility and create personal plans for safe driving.
• Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program (YSASP) Alternative to civil court for youth violating underage alcohol or marijuana laws, helping them understand substance impacts and connecting high-risk users to professional clinicians.
• SEE MORE Thrift Store Community thrift store in downtown Newport offering affordable clothing, home goods, and serving as a welcoming space for job skills development and micro-business opportunities.
• Wheels for Warmth Annual tire collection and recycling program that raises funds for emergency fuel assistance distributed through NEKCA and other Vermont community action agencies, while providing affordable tires to Vermonters in need.
• NEK Prosperity Fund Capital loan fund for small business owners in the Northeast Kingdom, administered with Community Capital of Vermont, redistributing capital to qualified entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations with enhanced business support from NEKCA counselors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $720,000 raised for emergency fuel assistance since 2005 through Wheels for Warmth program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 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 and minor.

• Community Capital of VermontcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023NEKCA partners with Community Capital of Vermont to administer the NEK Prosperity Fund, a capital loan fund for small business owners in the Northeast Kingdom. The fund redistributes capital to qualified entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations, with loan recipients receiving enhanced business support services from NEKCA financial and business counselors.
• Micro-business Development Program (MBDP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1988NEKCA partners with the Micro-business Development Program since 1988, which has helped strengthen economic self-sufficiency of more than 10,000 Vermonters. MBDP offers one-to-one business counseling, business workshops, and funding opportunities for entrepreneurs across Vermont.
• NEK ProspercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEKCA collaborates with NEK Prosper on the NEK Prosperity Fund project to organize and focus investment on equity and population health in the Northeast Kingdom.
• CVOEO (Central Vermont Opportunity Education Organization)minorOthersWheels for Warmth raises funds for emergency heating assistance distributed through NEKCA, CVOEO, Capstone Community Action, SEVCA, and BROC Community Action.
• Capstone Community ActionminorOthersWheels for Warmth raises funds for emergency heating assistance distributed through NEKCA, CVOEO, Capstone Community Action, SEVCA, and BROC Community Action.
• SEVCA (Southeastern Vermont Community Action)minorOthersWheels for Warmth raises funds for emergency heating assistance distributed through NEKCA, CVOEO, Capstone Community Action, SEVCA, and BROC Community Action.
• BROC Community ActionminorOthersWheels for Warmth raises funds for emergency heating assistance distributed through NEKCA, CVOEO, Capstone Community Action, SEVCA, and BROC Community Action.
• Northern Vermont Regional HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEKCA collaborated on the Northeast Kingdom-wide Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Report with Northern Vermont Regional Hospital and many community partners. The collaborative report informs goals as an agency and prioritizes community needs.
• Vermont State Board of EducationminorOthersExecutive Director Jenna O'Farrell serves on the Vermont State Board of Education, creating a connection between NEKCA and state education policy.
• Vermont Court DiversioncoreOthersNEKCA Court Diversion program operates under Vermont's statewide court diversion programs, engaging community members in responding to needs of crime victims, community, and those who violated the law. State's attorneys refer individuals to community-based programs.
• GreenSavingSmartminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEKCA partners with GreenSavingSmart program where certified energy coaches help participants manage finances while offering ways to reduce carbon usage through transportation options, home energy upgrades, and tax credits.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Capstone Community Action: Capstone Community Action is another Vermont Community Action Agency serving central Vermont, operating similar anti-poverty programs (Head Start, housing, food, energy assistance). It is the most direct peer, with overlapping program models and a coordinated Wheels for Warmth partnership with NEKCA.
• CVOEO (Central Vermont Opportunity Education Organization): CVOEO is a Vermont Community Action Agency serving central Vermont with the same multi-program anti-poverty model as NEKCA (Head Start, housing, fuel assistance, food). Direct peer via shared Wheels for Warmth fuel distribution partnership and state-level CAA coordination.
• SEVCA (Southeastern Vermont Community Action): SEVCA is a Vermont Community Action Agency serving southeastern Vermont with Head Start, housing, food, fuel, and economic empowerment programs. Direct peer sharing program models, federal funding sources, and Wheels for Warmth partnership.
• BROC Community Action: BROC (Bennington-Rutland Opportunity Council) is a southwestern Vermont Community Action Agency operating Head Start, housing, food, and energy programs with a similar multi-service model. Direct peer through shared Wheels for Warmth partnership and statewide CAA coordination.
• Lamoille Community Action Project: Lamoille Community Action Project serves Lamoille County, Vermont with anti-poverty programs including Head Start, food, housing, and energy assistance. Direct peer operating the same CAA model in a neighboring Vermont county.

Broad incumbents

• Community Action Partnership: Community Action Partnership is the national nonprofit membership association representing all U.S. Community Action Agencies, including NEKCA. As the broad industry body, it shapes federal CAA policy, training, and funding frameworks that NEKCA operates within.

Others

• Northeastern Family Institute of Vermont: Vermont-based human services organization serving children, youth, and families with behavioral health, residential, and community-based services. Listed as a previous employer of NEKCA's Executive Director, representing an adjacent human services peer in the same Vermont market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NEKCANortheastKingdomCommunityAction
• Instagraminstagram.com/wheelsforwarmth/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

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 Northeast Kingdom Community Action