What Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City does

Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City & OK/CN Counties, Inc. (CAAOKC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community action agency founded in 1965 and headquartered at 319 S.W. 25th Street in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The organization operates 18 Head Start centers and serves income-eligible families with children under five across Oklahoma County and Canadian County. Its service portfolio spans five program verticals: Early Childhood Education (Head Start and related early learning), Economic Programs (free small business training, small business loans of $15,000-$50,000 at below-market rates, and a Matched Savings/IDA program offering up to $4,000 in matching funds), Housing Services (free homebuyer education plus down payment assistance of up to $18,999 as forgivable second mortgages), Emergency Assistance (rent/utility aid, food pantries at two monthly distribution sites, prescription assistance through Rx For Oklahoma, and seasonal cooling/holiday support), and Legal Assistance. The agency is governed by a 30-member board structured in thirds across private sector, public sector, and low-income community representation, and is led by Executive Director Jessie Thompson (in role since January 1, 2020).

The business model is grant-funded rather than revenue-generating. Primary funding flows from federal grants including the Office of Head Start grant (Grant #06CH01443, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services), HUD HOME program allocations, and FEMA emergency assistance funding, supplemented by United Way support, individual and corporate donations (EIN 73-0753739), and below-market interest income from small business loan portfolios. Most services are free to eligible income-qualified households; the only revenue-generating pricing lines are small business loans (interest rates as low as 5%, fixed or variable, 3-15 year terms) and matched savings administrative fees embedded in the IDA structure. Customer segments are horizontal: the primary segment is low-income families with young children in Oklahoma County, with secondary segments of small business owners and first-time homebuyers. Distribution is direct through the central office, satellite offices (Southwest and Southeast Oklahoma City food pantry sites), virtual and in-person workshops, and community referral partnerships with schools (Crooked Oak Public Schools, Metro Tech Career Tech, OCCC), utilities (OG&E, O.N.G.), the S. OKC Chamber of Commerce, and AFL-CIO.

The organization holds no proprietary technology platform. Service delivery relies on standard web-based intake (childplus.net for Head Start enrollment), phone/email intake at (405) 232-0199, and in-person processing at program sites. In June 2025, the agency voluntarily ended its participation in the Oklahoma weatherization program after an audit uncovered $663,000 in questionable spending, with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and Attorney General's office reviewing the matter for potential legal action; this regulatory event is the most significant recent disruption to operations and represents a material reputational and funding risk.

Name

Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City

Legal name

Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City & OK/CN Counties, Inc.

Website

https://caaofokc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1965 that delivers Head Start early childhood education, emergency assistance, small business loans and training, and down payment/housing support to low-income families across Oklahoma and Canadian counties, primarily funded through federal grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Child Care Services (6244), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Early Childhood Education & Childcare Nonprofits (BPAGADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC), Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services (BPAGAEAM), Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• Community social services
• Small business lending
• Homebuyer education
• Emergency assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Oklahoma City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Grants & Contracts: Primary funding from federal grants including Head Start (Office of Head Start, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) and HUD home programs, along with state and local government contracts.
2. Foundation & Nonprofit Funding: Support from foundations and nonprofit partners such as FEMA and United Way for emergency assistance programs.
3. Donations: Individual and corporate donations, with EIN 73-0753739. Donors can make one-time or monthly contributions to general fund or specific programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers community social services to income-eligible families in Oklahoma and Canadian counties, centered on families with children under five. Its portfolio includes Head Start early childhood education, emergency assistance (rent/utilities, food, prescriptions, seasonal support), economic programs (small business training, small business loans, matched savings), and housing services (homebuyer education and down payment/closing cost assistance). Funding is provided through federal, state, and local government grants along with foundation and individual donations, and most services are free or below-cost to eligible households.

Product overview

Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City operates a multi-program portfolio of community social services rather than a unified technology product. The core offerings span Early Childhood Services (Head Start and related early learning programs), Economic Programs (Small Business Training, Small Business Loans, and Matched Savings/IDA), and Housing Services (Homebuyer Education and Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance). Supplementary programs include Emergency Assistance (rent/utility aid, nutrition pantries, prescription assistance, and seasonal support) and Legal Assistance. All programs target income-eligible families with children under five in Oklahoma and Canadian counties, with some services such as Small Business Training and Homebuyer Education also open to the broader community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Head Start Federally funded early childhood education and family support program providing center-based learning services for children under five from income-eligible families, primarily those receiving SNAP benefits.
• Early Childhood Services Comprehensive program umbrella covering Head Start, early learning, and family stability support services for families with young children.
• Small Business Training Free virtual and in-person training classes covering business planning, digital marketing, financing, and government contracting, including the dedicated 'Win Government Contracts' workshop on federal, state, and local contracting.
• Small Business Loan Assistance Financing program providing loans of $15,000 to $50,000 for small business expansion, equipment, working capital, and job creation within Oklahoma City limits, with fixed or variable rates as low as 5% and terms of 3 to 15 years.
• Matched Savings Program (IDA) Individual Development Account program enabling working parents and students to save up to $2,000 and receive up to a $4,000 match for business expansion, higher education at accredited Oklahoma institutions, or home ownership.
• Homebuyer Education Free virtual and in-person homebuyer education workshops covering budgeting, credit, financing, fair housing, and the home purchase process for income-eligible first-time buyers.
• Assistance with Down Payments and Closing Costs Down payment and closing cost assistance providing up to $18,000 through the Oklahoma City HOME program (with an additional $5,000 interest rate buy-down) and up to $18,999 through the Oklahoma/Canadian Counties HOME program, delivered as a forgivable second mortgage with no monthly payments and forgiveness after 10 years (OKC) or 5 years (OK/CN Counties).
• Nutrition and Wellness Services Monthly food pantry distributions at Southwest and Southeast Oklahoma City offices, plus diaper, clothing, and hygiene supplies for income-eligible families enrolled in Head Start and early childhood programs.
• Prescription Assistance (RX for Oklahoma) Program helping uninsured and under-insured families enrolled in Head Start and early childhood programs access free or low-cost long-term prescriptions through pharmaceutical company partnerships.
• Rent and Utility Assistance Emergency rental, mortgage, and utility assistance funded through FEMA and United Way for families enrolled in Head Start and early childhood programs to prevent housing instability.
• Seasonal Assistance Summer cooling support providing fans donated by OG&E and holiday assistance referrals through partner agencies for families enrolled in Head Start and early childhood programs.
• Legal Assistance Legal aid services provided to income-eligible families as part of the agency's community support offerings.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, core and board representative.

• OG&E (Oklahoma Gas and Electric)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOG&E donates fans for Summer Cooling program to help families stay safe during Oklahoma summers.
• EMBARKsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide free one-day bus passes for essential trips (medical appointments, social service visits, job interviews) for enrolled families.
• Rx For OklahomacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram helping families access free or low-cost long-term prescriptions through pharmaceutical companies when cost is a barrier to health and stability.
• Local Holiday Assistance AgenciessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local agencies to connect families with holiday support programs.
• Participating BankssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBanks where Individual Development Account (IDA) savings accounts are established by participants in the Matched Savings Program.
• Crooked Oak Public Schoolsboard representativeOthersBoard member Tracey Morales represents Crooked Oak Public Schools on the CAA of OKC Board of Directors.
• Metro Tech Career Techboard representativeOthersBoard member Ty Goldsmith represents Metro Tech Career Tech on the CAA of OKC Board of Directors.
• O.C.C.C. (Oklahoma City Community College)board representativeOthersBoard member Doralicia Sandoval represents O.C.C.C. on the CAA of OKC Board of Directors.
• OG&Eboard representativeOthersBoard member Crystal Garcia represents OG&E on the CAA of OKC Board of Directors.
• O.N.G. (Oklahoma Natural Gas)board representativeOthersBoard member Tracee Cole represents O.N.G. on the CAA of OKC Board of Directors.
• S. OKC Chamber of Commerceboard representativeOthersBoard member Kristie McKinney represents S. OKC Chamber of Commerce on the CAA of OKC Board of Directors.
• AFL-CIO Labor Councilboard representativeOthersBoard member Roy Gordon represents AFL-CIO Labor Council on the CAA of OKC Board of Directors.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Community Action Project (CAP) of Tulsa: Community Action Agency serving northeastern Oklahoma with Head Start, early childhood, family, and economic empowerment programs. Most direct functional peer in the same state with a comparable wraparound service model.
• Sunbeam Family Services: Oklahoma City-based nonprofit providing early childhood services, counseling, senior services, and family support. Comparable mission, geography, and target population, with overlapping Head Start and family stability programming.
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City: Faith-based social services nonprofit operating in central Oklahoma with emergency assistance, refugee services, and family support. Comparable wraparound social services model and target population.
• YWCA Oklahoma City: Oklahoma City nonprofit delivering domestic violence services, early childhood education, and women's empowerment programs. Comparable early childhood and family stabilization offerings for low-income populations.
• The Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City: Oklahoma City affiliate of the National Urban League providing workforce development, youth programs, and emergency assistance. Comparable economic empowerment and family services focus on low-income households.
• Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma: Oklahoma City-based hunger-relief nonprofit distributing food through a partner network across central Oklahoma. Directly comparable food pantry and nutrition support services, though with a narrower programmatic focus.

Broad incumbents

• Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Area Command: National faith-based nonprofit delivering emergency assistance (rent, utilities, food), housing, and holiday programs across central Oklahoma. Larger portfolio and broader geographic footprint, but directly comparable emergency assistance services.

Others

• Community Action Partnership (National Organization): National membership association representing more than 1,000 Community Action Agencies across the U.S. Provides training, advocacy, and compliance support that directly governs CAA of OKC's operating standards.
• National Head Start Association: National membership organization supporting Head Start and Early Head Start grantees with advocacy, training, and program resources. Key industry body for the agency's largest program line.

Emerging players

• NeighborWorks Oklahoma (Housing Partners of Tulsa / NeighborWorks Capital): NeighborWorks-affiliated nonprofit providing homebuyer education, financial coaching, and foreclosure prevention in Oklahoma. Comparable housing services and target demographic, though operating at smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CAAofOKC

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City