MVCAA

What MVCAA does

MVCAA (Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, Inc.), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded July 5, 1966, is the designated Community Action Agency for Oneida and Herkimer Counties in Central New York, and additionally operates the Head Start program in Madison County. The organization runs a multi-program anti-poverty portfolio covering early childhood development (Head Start, Early Head Start, prenatal services), housing programs (Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, Weatherization Assistance, Cooling Program, the Leading in Lead Prevention Pilot, Lead Rental Registry, and the Mohawk Valley Lead Free Coalition), emergency assistance (HEAP energy aid, Runaway and Homeless Youth Program, Community Action Angels), youth and family programs (Summer Recreation, Breaking Barriers to Youth Success funded by Taco Bell Foundation, Diaper Distribution, Strengthening Families, VITA free tax preparation, DSO Recreation and Respite), and the AmeriCorps Foster Grandparent Program. Service delivery runs through three Community Action Access Points (Rome, Utica, Herkimer), 14+ Head Start classroom locations, home-based home-visiting services, and field weatherization crews; an online intake portal (Captain PIP) supports application intake.

Revenue consists entirely of grant funding and donations — there is no pricing model, and all services are free to income-eligible participants. Funding sources include the federal Office of Community Services (Grants C1001475, C1002755, C1002495, T1002915), the Office of Head Start (Grant 02CH011711), the Community Services Block Grant, New York State agencies (Office for Aging, Homes and Community Renewal, CSBG Discretionary), Oneida and Herkimer County appropriations, corporate and foundation grants (Taco Bell Foundation, Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties), and individual tax-deductible donations. Nearly 91% of funding is reported to flow directly to programs and services. Underlying technology is conventional: a tSpark CMS website, Microsoft Outlook staff email, Jotform-based application forms, the Captain PIP client intake platform from Capsystems, and cloud-based grant management — there is no proprietary AI/ML component documented. Leadership is transitioning in March 2026 from Executive Director Amy Turner (nearly three decades in role, 2026 Community Action Hall of Fame inductee) to Evon M. Ervin, internally promoted after a decade as Deputy Director.

Name

MVCAA

Legal name

Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, Inc.

Website

https://mvcaa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

MVCAA (Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit delivering Head Start, housing, emergency assistance, youth, and family services across Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison Counties in Central New York, funded primarily by federal and state grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Action and Anti-Poverty Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations (BPAGACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC), Early Childhood Education & Childcare Nonprofits (BPAGADAA), Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC)

Keywords

• Community action services
• Early childhood education
• Housing assistance programs
• Emergency family services
• Youth and family programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Utica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Grants: Primary funding from federal agencies including Office of Community Services (Grant Numbers C1001475, C1002755, C1002495, T1002915), Office of Head Start (Grant Number 02CH011711), and Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). These grants fund core programs including Head Start, Early Head Start, housing assistance, and family services.
2. State Government Funding: Funding from New York State including Office for Aging, Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), and various state agencies. Recent state funding includes $1,041,897 for lead hazard reduction in Rome and $80,000 in CSBG Discretionary funding.
3. Local Government Funding: Funding from Oneida County and Herkimer County for various programs and services.
4. Private Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, community members, and local businesses through PayPal. Donations support emergency assistance, youth programs, and general operations.
5. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Funding from private and corporate foundations including Taco Bell Foundation for Breaking Barriers to Youth Success program and Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

MVCAA (Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community action agency that delivers free, income-eligible social services across Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison Counties in Central New York. Its portfolio includes Head Start and Early Head Start early childhood education, housing programs (Section 8 vouchers, Weatherization, lead hazard reduction, Cooling), emergency assistance (HEAP, runaway/homeless youth, Community Action Angels), youth and family programs (Breaking Barriers, Diaper Distribution, VITA tax prep, Strengthening Families, Summer Rec), and the AmeriCorps Foster Grandparent Program, all funded through federal, state, and local government grants, private foundations, and donations.

Product overview

MVCAA (Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency) is a nonprofit community action organization offering a multi-program portfolio of social services for residents of Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison Counties in Central New York. The agency operates as a single-service organization — not a platform — organized into distinct program areas: Child Development (Head Start, Early Head Start, and prenatal support); Housing Programs (Section 8 vouchers, Weatherization Assistance, Cooling Program, and lead hazard reduction through the Leading in Lead Prevention Pilot Program and Mohawk Valley Lead Free Coalition); Emergency Assistance (HEAP energy assistance, Runaway and Homeless Youth services, and Community Action Angels); Youth and Family Programs (DSO Recreation, Summer Rec, Breaking Barriers to Youth Success, Diaper Distribution, Strengthening Families, and VITA tax preparation); and the Foster Grandparent Program. The agency also offers community engagement programming including Poverty Simulation training, the annual Ride Against Poverty event, and the Community Champions Gala. A digital intake portal (Captain PIP) enables online applications for all services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Head Start Federally funded comprehensive preschool developmental program serving children ages 3–5 in Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison Counties, focusing on school readiness, family partnerships, health, nutrition, and special services for income-eligible families.
• Early Head Start Program promoting healthy prenatal outcomes, healthy family functioning, and development of infants and toddlers from birth to age 3, with home-based program options and prenatal support for pregnant women.
• Weatherization Assistance Program Low-income energy conservation program providing complete energy audits, heating system diagnostics, attic and sidewall insulation, weather-stripping, air sealing, and EnergyStar refrigerator replacements to improve health and safety for eligible households.
• Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Rental subsidy program allowing eligible low- and moderate-income families in rural Oneida County to pay a reasonable portion of their income toward rent, with MVCAA covering the remainder.
• Leading in Lead Prevention Pilot Program New York State-funded initiative providing grants of up to $40,000 per unit to eligible property owners in Rome's 13440 zip code for lead-based paint remediation and EPA-certified lead safety improvements.
• Cooling Program Seasonal program (May–September) providing air conditioner or fan installation assistance up to $800 for eligible households, administered in partnership with Oneida County DSS.
• HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) Program assisting low-income households with home energy needs through bill payment assistance, energy crisis assistance, and weatherization referrals for those who cannot afford their home energy bills.
• Runaway and Homeless Youth Program 24/7 voluntary program serving youth up to age 21, providing crisis counseling, intervention, referrals, advocacy, prevention education, transportation, and aftercare services aimed at reuniting youth with families or finding safe alternative housing.
• Community Action Angels Volunteer-driven program fulfilling immediate everyday needs (household items, bedding, clothing, car seats, bus passes, hygiene products) for low-income families not covered by standard funding sources, supported by staff, community members, and organizational donations.
• Breaking Barriers to Youth Success Taco Bell Foundation-funded program helping youth ages 16–26 in Herkimer and Oneida Counties overcome barriers to school and employment through direct financial assistance for rent, furniture, transportation, food, professional attire, and school supplies.
• Diaper Distribution Program Program purchasing and facilitating delivery of diapers to income-eligible families in rural New York, removing structural barriers and connecting families to wraparound support services.
• Strengthening Families Program Parent aide services for referred families in Oneida County using a whole-family approach that develops action plans addressing barriers, risks, and attainable goals with an assigned Family Specialist.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program Free tax preparation services for community members with household income under $69,000 in 2025, prepared by IRS-certified volunteers and including help with Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
• DSO Recreation and Respite Program Program providing social activities and outings for children, teens, and young adults with developmental disabilities while offering temporary relief for their families and caregivers.
• Summer Recreation Program Summer camp for income-eligible children ages 7–13 featuring weekly themes, creative activities, daily events, and weekly field trips to venues such as Water Safari and the Utica Zoo.
• Foster Grandparent Program AmeriCorps program connecting adults age 55 and over with limited incomes as mentors, tutors, and caregivers for at-risk children and youth with special needs, serving 15–40 hours per week with a tax-free stipend.
• Lead Rental Registry Program Program helping landlords in ZIP codes 13501, 13502, and 13440 comply with New York State's Lead Rental Registry by conducting required lead safety inspections for older rental properties.
• Poverty Simulation (CAPS) Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) — an interactive immersion experience that simulates a month in poverty, sensitizing participants to low-income families' lives and inspiring local community change.
• Captain PIP (Public Intake Portal) Online portal powered by PIP (Capsystems) enabling community members to apply for all MVCAA programs and services online — fast, easy, and confidential.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 91% of funding goes directly to programs and services
• +2 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

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Corporation for National and Community ServicecoreOthersFederal agency that funds AmeriCorps programs including the Foster Grandparent Program. Provides national service framework and oversight for volunteer programs serving at-risk children and youth.
• New York State Office for AgingcoreOthersState agency that co-funds the Foster Grandparent Program for seniors age 55+ serving as mentors in the community.
• National Community Action PartnershipflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest national organization representing the interests of Community Action Agencies. MVCAA is a member. The organization provides training resources, advocacy support, and professional development for Community Action agencies.
• New York State Community Action Association (NYSCAA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level association dedicated to the growth and education of Community Action Agencies in New York State. MVCAA is a member.
• Mohawk Valley Trauma & Resilience Initiative (MV-TRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership addressing trauma and resilience. MVCAA partners with MV-TRI for events such as Pinwheels for Prevention to promote safe, supportive childhoods.
• Oneida County Health DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on lead poisoning prevention and health initiatives. Partner in Mohawk Valley Lead Free Coalition addressing above-average lead levels in Oneida County children.
• Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida CountiescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal foundation that has partnered with MVCAA on various initiatives including MVCAA Angels emergency assistance program and the Mohawk Valley Lead Free Coalition.
• Oneida County Department of Social ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Cooling Program assisting eligible households with air conditioner/fan installation. DSS refers clients and provides program coordination.
• YMCA of the Greater Tri-ValleyminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Community Champions Honoree recognized for unselfish contributions to community betterment. YMCA serves as community builder partner.
• Engelbert's JewlersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business that donated diamond jewelry piece for the Diamond Raffle at Community Champions Gala to support MVCAA's mission.
• City of UticacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Mohawk Valley Lead Free Coalition working on West Utica Healthy Housing Pilot Program to address lead paint hazards.
• Homeownership CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Mohawk Valley Lead Free Coalition addressing housing safety and lead prevention in the community.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cayuga Seneca Community Action Agency: A New York State Community Action Agency serving Cayuga and Seneca Counties with Head Start, housing, energy assistance, and family services — the closest functional peer to MVCAA in terms of program mix, funding model, and CAA structure. Notably, Amy Turner previously worked here before joining MVCAA.
• The Neighborhood Center (Utica): A Utica-based human services nonprofit providing youth development, family services, and emergency assistance in Oneida County. Overlaps directly with MVCAA's youth and family programs and serves a similar low-income client base.
• PEACE Inc. (Syracuse): A Syracuse-based Community Action Agency providing Head Start, housing, emergency services, and youth programs in Onondaga County. Directly comparable program portfolio and federal funding structure to MVCAA; also a former employer of Amy Turner.
• Opportunities for Chenango: A Community Action Agency in Chenango County, NY delivering Head Start, weatherization, housing, and emergency services. Comparable rural/community-action footprint and NY State funding base.

Emerging players

• Salvation Army of Utica: Regional Salvation Army operation providing emergency assistance (food, rent, utilities), housing, and family services in the Mohawk Valley. Overlaps on emergency assistance and housing but operates as a faith-based charity rather than CAA structure.

Broad incumbents

• National Community Action Partnership: The national umbrella organization for Community Action Agencies including MVCAA. Not a direct service peer but the governing/advocacy body that channels training, federal policy advocacy, and capacity-building resources to MVCAA and similar CAAs nationwide.
• Catholic Charities of Oneida/Mohawk Valley: Regional faith-based social services nonprofit operating in the same tri-county service area as MVCAA, providing family counseling, emergency assistance, housing support, and youth programs. Larger and broader scope but overlaps on housing and emergency assistance services.

Regional players

• United Way of the Mohawk Valley: Community fundraising and grantmaking organization operating in Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison Counties. Comparable geographic footprint and donor base; partner and occasional grantee of MVCAA rather than direct service competitor.
• Centro of Oneida: Community-based multiservice organization serving Oneida County with youth, family, and community development programs. Comparable geographic footprint and overlapping target populations.

Others

• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County: A non-formal education and family/youth development organization operating in Oneida County. Different funding base (Cornell/land-grant) but shares 4-H youth programming, parenting education, and community-development mission overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MVCAA

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about MVCAA