Southwestern Community Services

What Southwestern Community Services does

Southwestern Community Services (SCS) is a nonprofit community action agency founded in 1965 under President Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty, headquartered in Keene, New Hampshire, and serving low-income residents of Cheshire and Sullivan counties. SCS operates as a platform of integrated social service programs rather than a single-product organization, delivering affordable senior and workforce housing (nearly 448 units across ten communities), energy assistance (Fuel Assistance, Electric Assistance, Neighbor Helping Neighbor, Senior Energy Assistance), weatherization services (50-75 homes annually), NAEYC-accredited Head Start early childhood education (five centers), WIC nutrition services, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, emergency shelter and rapid re-housing, Sullivan County public transportation, and disability services through New Hope New Horizons.

The organization employs over 130 persons with a multi-million dollar payroll, operates two main offices (Keene and Claremont) plus Head Start centers in five communities, and delivers services through mobile intake teams traveling across the two-county region. Revenue is derived from a diversified mix of federal, state, and local government funding (including Head Start, LIHEAP, HUD Section 202, CSFP, and CDBG grants), town/city contributions from 90%+ of served municipalities, private foundation and corporate donations (including a Hannaford Fight Hunger Bag partnership), individual giving, and modest earned revenue from transit fares. SCS shares intake processes across programs (e.g., fuel assistance applications serving as eligibility screening for multiple services) and collaborates closely with Monadnock United Way, NH Utilities (Eversource and Liberty), Monadnock Developmental Services, and a coalition of local business tax credit investors supporting the 21 in 21 Home Upgrade Program with the City of Keene. The organization is one of five designated Community Action Agencies in New Hampshire, governed by a board representing Cheshire and Sullivan counties and led by CEO Beth Daniels.

Name

Southwestern Community Services

Legal name

Southwestern Community Services

Website

https://scshelps.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Southwestern Community Services is a nonprofit community action agency founded in 1965, delivering integrated social services including affordable housing, energy assistance, Head Start, nutrition, transportation, and disability programs to low-income residents of Cheshire and Sullivan counties in New Hampshire.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food Services (62421), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL), Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH), Community Resources, Social Services & Transportation Coordination (HLADALAK), Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB), Rural, Tribal & Special-Population Housing Programs (FSALAKAL), Family Coaching, Parent-Mediated & Home Visiting EI Services (EDACAFAJ)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Affordable housing programs
• Energy assistance services
• Early childhood education
• Public transportation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Keene

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Federal, state, and local government funding constitutes the primary revenue base, including programs such as Head Start, LIHEAP (Fuel Assistance), Section 202 housing subsidies, and other social service grants.
2. Town/City Funding: Annual town funding program where more than 90% of served towns contribute 1.5% of total funding SCS invests within each community, totaling over $70,000 annually.
3. Town/City CDBG Grants: Community Development Block Grant dollars accessed for economic development and job creation activities in small New Hampshire towns.
4. Foundation and Corporate Donations: Donations from private foundations, corporations, and individuals that can be directed to specific programs or general operations.
5. Individual Donations: Individual charitable contributions supporting programs and services for people in need, including online PayPal donations and mailed donations.
6. Planned Giving: Charitable bequests and gifts of appreciated stock through planned giving programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Southwestern Community Services is a nonprofit community action agency providing direct assistance to low-income individuals and families in Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire. Its core offerings include fuel and electric energy assistance, weatherization, affordable senior and family housing, Head Start early childhood education, WIC and CSFP nutrition programs, public transit, emergency shelter and rapid re-housing, services for adults with disabilities, and community economic development. Programs are provided free or at low cost to income-eligible residents and are funded through federal, state, and local government grants, town appropriations, and charitable donations.

Product overview

Southwestern Community Services operates as a multi-service nonprofit agency providing a comprehensive portfolio of social service programs for low-income individuals and families in Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire. The organization functions as a platform of interconnected services rather than a single product, including: Energy Services (Fuel Assistance, Electric Assistance, Weatherization, Senior Energy Assistance), Affordable Housing (senior and family housing across multiple properties), Head Start early childhood education, Housing Stabilization Services (emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, coordinated entry), Nutrition Programs (WIC, Commodity Supplemental Food Program), Sullivan County Transportation, New Hope New Horizons disability services, and community development initiatives. These programs are designed to work collaboratively, with SCS using shared intake processes (such as fuel assistance applications serving as eligibility screening for multiple programs) to provide coordinated support to clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sullivan County Transportation: Sullivan County Transportation provides shared ride services, route deviation demand response transportation, Dial-A-Ride, and Volunteer Driver Program throughout Sullivan County.

Products and services

• Fuel Assistance Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 448 affordable rental housing units developed and maintained
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Hannaford (Keene and Claremont stores)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024For the entire month of September 2024, SCS was selected by Hannaford store leadership to receive a $1 donation from every purchase of the $2.50 Fight Hunger Bag at Hannaford locations in Keene and Claremont.
• NH Utilities (Eversource and Liberty Utilities)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021SCS Weatherization program has developed close collaboration with NH Utilities including Eversource and Liberty Utilities. This partnership has resulted in significant energy efficiency upgrades to hundreds of apartment units and dozens of single-family homes, with considerable financial resources available for continued work.
• City of KeenecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020The 21 in 21 Home Upgrade Program is a collaborative effort between the City of Keene and SCS, focused on preserving and improving workforce housing in Keene's East Side neighborhoods. Led by Mayor George Hansel and SCS CEO Beth Daniels, the program targets 21+ homeowners with up to $50,000 in combined utility and tax credit resources per home.
• Monadnock United WaycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSCS is a partner organization of the Monadnock United Way. The partnership enables collaborative community impact initiatives and shared resources to serve residents of Cheshire and Sullivan counties. SCS also participates in United Way campaigns and initiatives.
• Monadnock Economic Development CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional development corporation partnering with SCS on economic development activities and projects serving southwestern New Hampshire communities.
• Monadnock Developmental ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization serving individuals with developmental disabilities, referenced as a resource in the New Hope New Horizons program.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Community Action Partnership of Strafford County: One of NH's other five designated Community Action Agencies, providing a comparable integrated suite of Head Start, energy assistance, housing, and food programs to low-income residents in a different NH county — the closest structural analogue to SCS.
• Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties: Another NH Community Action Agency operating across multiple counties with similar programming (Head Start, fuel assistance, weatherization, housing, transportation), serving as a direct benchmark for SCS's service model and scale.
• Tri-County Community Action Program: NH Community Action Agency serving Coos, Carroll, and Grafton counties with parallel anti-poverty programs including Head Start, energy assistance, housing, and senior services — directly comparable mission and funding structure.
• Southern New Hampshire Services: NH Community Action Agency serving Hillsborough and Rockingham counties with a similar portfolio of social services, Head Start, energy programs, and affordable housing — directly comparable in mission and operating model.
• Community Action Partnership of Hillsborough County: NH Community Action Agency delivering fuel assistance, Head Start, weatherization, and housing stabilization services — directly comparable in regulatory structure, funding model, and program mix to SCS.
• Harbor Homes: NH-based nonprofit providing supportive housing, emergency shelter, and behavioral health services — overlaps with SCS's housing stabilization and shelter programs in a similar NH regulatory and funding environment.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities New Hampshire: Large multi-service NH nonprofit operating adoption services, immigration assistance, mental health, and family support across a broader service area — broader portfolio but overlapping client population and some program functions.
• Easter Seals New Hampshire: Statewide nonprofit providing disability services, adult day programs, and employment supports — overlaps specifically with SCS's New Hope New Horizons disability services program.

Others

• Monadnock United Way: Core funding and referral partner of SCS that aggregates regional donations and convenes social services agencies in the same two-county service area — operates adjacent to SCS rather than directly competing.

Regional players

• CATCH Neighborhood Housing: Concord-area NH nonprofit focused on affordable housing development and homeownership services — partial overlap with SCS's housing programs but narrower service area and singular program focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/scshelps
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/southwestern-community-services

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Southwestern Community Services