Minnesota Valley Action Council

What Minnesota Valley Action Council does

Minnesota Valley Action Council (MVAC) is a private non-profit Community Action Agency incorporated in Minnesota in 1966 under the Equal Opportunity Act, headquartered in Mankato, MN. The organization delivers a comprehensive suite of poverty-relief services across nine counties in south-central Minnesota (Region Nine: Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan), serving low-income individuals and families through an integrated "Whole Family Approach" with one application, one assessment, and one set of goals across programs.

MVAC's core service areas include Head Start (early childhood education, prenatal through age 5, funded by HHS Grant 05CH012545), Employment & Training (WIOA Adult/Dislocated Worker programs, MFIP, senior employment, internship programs), Energy Assistance (EAP grants averaging $500, weatherization, energy-related repairs), Housing (HUD Section 8 vouchers in two counties, homeless prevention, home improvement loans up to $37,500, SCDP), Transportation (Wheel Get There vehicle sales at $600-$1,000, MVAC is a licensed Minnesota car dealer), and Financial Services (free VITA tax prep and FAIM 3:1 matched savings up to $12,000 match). The organization also operates two thrift stores — AGAIN Thrift & More (Mankato) and MVAC Thrift & More (New Ulm) — as earned-revenue streams.

MVAC's technology stack is limited: a beta Online Client Portal from THO Solutions for service requests and document uploads, ChildPlus for Head Start enrollment, and PayPal for donation processing. The organization is governed by a 27-member tripartite Board of Directors (9 low-income representatives, 9 private sector, 9 public officials) mandated by the Community Action Agency model. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; funding flows primarily from federal pass-through grants (HHS, HUD), Minnesota state agencies (Department of Commerce, Department of Human Services, Office of Economic Opportunity), county appropriations, and tax-deductible donations (96% of which the organization states go directly to local programs). MVAC is led by Executive Director Amanda Mackie.

Name

Minnesota Valley Action Council

Legal name

Minnesota Valley Action Council, Inc.

Website

https://mnvac.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Minnesota Valley Action Council is a non-profit Community Action Agency delivering housing, energy, employment, transportation, and Head Start services to low-income individuals and families across nine counties in south-central Minnesota.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Child and Youth Services (62411), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization Housing Programs (FSALAKAO), Affordable Rental & Multifamily Housing Finance Programs (LIHTC/Tax Credits/Subsidized Loans) (FSALAKAF), Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB), Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK), Rural, Tribal & Special-Population Housing Programs (FSALAKAL)

Keywords

• Community action services
• Anti-poverty programs
• Housing assistance programs
• Early childhood education
• Workforce development services

Headquarters

HQ city

Mankato

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: Primary funding from federal, state, and local government grants. MVAC operates as a grantee for programs including the Office of Head Start (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services), Minnesota Department of Commerce (Energy Assistance Program), HUD (Housing Choice Voucher Program), and Minnesota Department of Human Services (MFIP, SNAP E&T, FAIM).
2. Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals and organizations. The organization states that 96% of donated funds go directly to local economy programs. Donations can be made online via PayPal or by mail.
3. Thrift Store Revenue: Revenue from two thrift store locations: AGAIN Thrift & More in Mankato and MVAC Thrift Store in New Ulm. Stores sell donated goods at discounted prices.
4. Vehicle Sales: The Wheel Get There program sells donated vehicles to low-income individuals at below-market prices ($600-$1,000 including taxes, license, and title transfer fees). MVAC is a licensed car dealer in Minnesota.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Minnesota Valley Action Council (MVAC) is a private, non-profit Community Action Agency that delivers wraparound anti-poverty social services to low-income individuals and families across nine counties in south-central Minnesota. Its portfolio spans Head Start early childhood education, employment and job training, energy assistance and weatherization, housing programs (Section 8 vouchers, homeless prevention, home improvement loans), the Wheel Get There discounted vehicle program, free tax preparation, and a matched-savings financial literacy program, supplemented by revenue from two thrift stores.

Product overview

Minnesota Valley Action Council operates as a Community Action Agency providing a comprehensive suite of social service programs organized into six core service areas: Head Start (early childhood education for prenatal through age 5), Employment & Training (youth and adult workforce services), Energy (heating/electric assistance and weatherization), Housing (rental assistance, homelessness prevention, and home improvement loans), Transportation (vehicle sales program), and Finances (free tax preparation and matched savings). The organization also operates two thrift stores (AGAIN Thrift & More in Mankato and MVAC Thrift & More in New Ulm). Programs are delivered through nine county offices across Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan counties in south central Minnesota.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wheel Get There: Program that sells donated vehicles to low-income people at discounted prices for transportation to work.
• AGAIN Thrift & More
• MVAC Thrift Store
• CareerForce Center

Products and services

• Head Start Preschool program serving children from prenatal through age 5, providing comprehensive child development focused on physical, cognitive, and social-emotional growth to prepare children and families for school and life success. Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Head Start.
• Employment & Training Comprehensive employment services for youth and adults, including Young Adult Services, work preparation courses, MN Family Investment Program (MFIP) employment services, WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker programs, and Senior Community Services Employment Programs for adults age 55 and older.
• Energy Assistance Program (EAP) Program providing grants ranging from $200 to $1,400 (averaging $500) to help income-eligible households pay heating and electric bills, prevent disconnection, and repair or replace non-functioning heating systems. Delivered as a grantee on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
• Weatherization Assistance Program Energy-saving home services for eligible low-income homeowners and renters across the nine-county service area, including caulking, weather-stripping, attic insulation, air infiltration reduction, and heating unit tune-ups.
• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) HUD tenant-based rental assistance program administered by MVAC in Faribault and Le Sueur Counties, subsidizing a portion of rent for eligible families leasing qualified housing.
• Homeless Prevention Program Housing crisis assistance providing up to two months of back rent to eligible households facing housing instability, using a Prevention Prioritization Tool for fair resource allocation.
• Home Improvement Loans Includes Rehabilitation Loan Program (RLP), Emergency & Accessibility Loan Program (ELP) with deferred loans up to $37,500 forgiven if the homeowner remains in the home, and Fix-Up Loans from $2,000 to $75,000 for home improvements affecting safety, habitability, energy efficiency, or accessibility. Delivered in partnership with Minnesota Housing.
• Wheel Get There Vehicle sales program selling donated vehicles to low-income individuals at below-market prices of $600 to $1,000 (including taxes, license, and title fees) to enable transportation to work. MVAC is a licensed car dealer in Minnesota.
• Free Tax Preparation & E-File Services (VITA) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program providing free tax preparation and e-filing for individuals with incomes of $60,000 or less (singles) or $69,000 or less (families), and helping clients claim Minnesota tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit, Working Family Credit, and K-12 Education Credit.
• Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) Matched savings program enabling low-wage earners to build assets for a first home purchase, higher education, small business launch, or vehicle purchase. Participants save up to $4,000 with 3:1 matching (up to $12,000 maximum match), funded by the Office of Economic Opportunity and Minnesota Department of Human Services.
• AGAIN Thrift & More Thrift store in Mankato, MN, selling donated clothing, footwear, home furnishings, holiday décor, jewelry, linens, books, toys, small appliances, music, and furniture at discounted prices, with proceeds supporting MVAC's community programs.
• MVAC Thrift & More (New Ulm) Thrift store in New Ulm, MN, selling donated clothing, footwear, home furnishings, holiday décor, jewelry, linens, books, toys, small appliances, music, and furniture at discounted prices, with proceeds supporting MVAC's community programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Energy Assistance grants averaging $500 help low-income households pay heating and electric bills
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CareerForce LocationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMVAC county offices are partners in the Minnesota CareerForce Locations System. Coordinated with Job Service staff at CareerForce Locations to deliver WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker programs, providing employment services across the nine-county service area.
• Office of Head Start (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)coreOthersMVAC Head Start programs are funded by Grant Number 05CH012545 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• Minnesota Department of CommercecoreOthersMVAC delivers the Energy Assistance Program as a grantee on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The program is federally funded through the Department.
• Office of Economic Opportunity and Minnesota Department of Human ServicescoreOthersFAIM (Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota) program is funded by the Office of Economic Opportunity and Minnesota Department of Human Services.
• HUD (Housing and Urban Development)coreOthersMVAC administers HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) in Faribault and Le Sueur Counties, providing rental assistance to eligible families.
• South Central Minnesota Multi-County HRAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partnership for housing services in Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan Counties.
• Minnesota HousingcoreOthersPartnership with Minnesota Housing for Rehabilitation Loan Program, Emergency & Accessibility Loan Program, and Fix Up Loan Program for home improvements.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• SEMCAC (Southeast Minnesota Community Action Corporation): Minnesota Community Action Agency serving a multi-county region in southeastern Minnesota with the same Head Start, housing, energy, and emergency service portfolio as MVAC. Closest structural twin in terms of CAA model, funding mix, and program breadth.
• Three Rivers Community Action Programs: Minnesota-based CAA covering a similar rural/small-metro service area with energy assistance, housing, Head Start, and workforce programming. Comparable in scope, headcount range, and reliance on federal/state grants.
• Southwest Minnesota Opportunity Council: Community Action Agency operating across southwestern Minnesota counties with antipoverty, housing, and senior services. Direct peer in CAA structure and rural Minnesota service delivery model.
• Mahube-Otwa Community Action Partnership: Central Minnesota CAA administering Head Start, weatherization, housing, and emergency assistance across multiple counties. Same tripartite-board governance, same funding architecture, broadly comparable scale.
• Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership (CAPLP): West-central Minnesota CAA delivering Head Start, energy assistance, weatherization, and small-business lending. Strongly comparable in program mix and CAA operating model.
• Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA): Northeast Minnesota CAA providing housing, energy, employment, and Head Start services across a comparable rural, multi-county service area. Direct operational and governance peer.

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit operating thrift retail, workforce development, and social services with a similar revenue mix combining donated-goods retail, grants, and employment programming. Broader geographic scale but overlapping service categories to AGAIN Thrift & More and MVAC employment/training programs.
• Catholic Charities USA: Federated nonprofit providing housing assistance, financial counseling, and emergency social services at national scale. Comparable mission and service portfolio to MVAC but broader footprint and more diversified funding base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AGAIN-Thrift-More-Mankato-118172311565495

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Minnesota Valley Action Council