What Operation Threshold does

Operation Threshold is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community action agency headquartered in Waterloo, Iowa, providing a portfolio of social services to low-income residents of Black Hawk, Buchanan, and Grundy Counties. Founded in 1965, the organization administers energy assistance (LIHEAP), nutrition support through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) — delivered continuously since 1974 — weatherization, affordable housing, family development and self-sufficiency (FaDSS), Parents As Teachers home visitation (now in 11 counties), the Nest incentive-based parent education program, crisis assistance, disaster case management, and seasonal community support programs including food pantry, coat drives (Share the Warmth), toy programs (Operation Santa Claus), and school supply distributions. The agency processes over 6,000 applications annually and operates WIC clinics across six Iowa counties, serving pregnant women, postpartum mothers, infants, children under five, and households at or below 150-200% of federal poverty level.

The service portfolio rests on a modest technology stack that includes an online application portal, the WIC electronic benefits transfer (eWIC) card system, the WIC Shopper mobile application for benefit management, and the WIChealth.org online nutrition education platform. Digital infrastructure runs on Concrete CMS 9.4.8 and meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards following a May 2026 review. The organization also directly owns and manages rental housing units at Canterbury Apartments in Waterloo and Lexington Square Apartments in Independence, providing a tangible asset base that complements program delivery. Service delivery is in-person and home-visitation-led, supported by credentialed staff including Registered Nurses, Registered Dietitians, Certified Lactation Consultants, and a Burmese-language Newcomer Case Advocate.

Operation Threshold operates a grant-funded nonprofit revenue model in which all services are free to eligible households. Primary funding flows from federal programs administered through the Iowa Department of Human Rights Division of Community Action Agencies (DCAA), including LIHEAP, WIC, Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), and weatherization. Supplemental revenue includes individual and corporate donations (notably a $10,000 Bayer Fund grant in 2020), Feinstein Foundation matching for the Grundy County Food Pantry, and GoodSearch.com affiliate referral revenue. The agency is governed by a tripartite Board of Directors with public, private, and low-income sector representatives — a structural requirement for Community Action Agencies — and is part of Iowa's 17-agency Community Action network.

Name

Operation Threshold

Legal name

Operation Threshold

Website

https://operationthreshold.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Operation Threshold is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community action agency in Waterloo, Iowa, delivering LIHEAP, WIC, weatherization, affordable housing, family development, and home visitation services to low-income families across Black Hawk, Buchanan, and Grundy Counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services / Community Action Agency

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Food Services (624210), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Child and Youth Services (62411), Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food & Nutrition Assistance Programs (BPAIAKAF), Family & Child Benefits Administration (Child Allowance, Parental Leave) (BPAIAKAD), Affordable Rental & Multifamily Housing Finance Programs (LIHTC/Tax Credits/Subsidized Loans) (FSALAKAF), Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Energy assistance programs
• WIC nutrition services
• Affordable housing programs
• Family development services

Headquarters

HQ city

Waterloo

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. Federal Government Grants: Primary funding from federal programs including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), and weatherization programs administered through the Iowa Department of Human Rights Division of Community Action Agencies.
2. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, organizations, and foundations including corporate grants from entities like Bayer Fund. The organization is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit.
3. Feinstein Foundation Challenge: Matching donations through the Feinstein Foundation's annual hunger relief challenge program for the Grundy County Food Pantry.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Operation Threshold is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community action agency that delivers a portfolio of social service programs to low-income families and individuals in Black Hawk, Buchanan, and Grundy Counties in Iowa. Core offerings include the WIC nutrition program, LIHEAP energy assistance, Weatherization, affordable rental housing, family development and self-sufficiency case management, Parents As Teachers home visitation, the Nest incentive-based parent education program, Crisis Assistance, Disaster Case Management, and community support programs (food pantry, coat drive, toy program, school supplies).

Product overview

Operation Threshold is a nonprofit community action agency offering a portfolio of social service programs to assist low-income families in meeting basic needs and achieving self-sufficiency. The organization operates as a single integrated service provider rather than a platform model. Core programs include WIC nutrition assistance, LIHEAP energy assistance, Weatherization, Affordable Housing, Family Development (FaDSS), Parents As Teachers home visitation, the Nest incentive-based parent education program, Crisis Assistance, Disaster Case Management, and community support programs including food pantry, coat drives, toy programs, and school supply distributions. These programs serve Black Hawk, Buchanan, and Grundy Counties in Iowa through multiple office locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) A federally funded food assistance program providing food assistance, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to other social services agencies for pregnant women, postpartum mothers, infants, and children up to age 5 who meet income eligibility (at or below 185% of federal poverty level) or are on Medicaid.
• LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) Federally funded program designed to assist low-income families meet the cost of home heating by supplementing high winter heating costs. Applications accepted November 1 through April 30 with early applications from October 1 for households with seniors or disabled persons.
• Weatherization Program
• Affordable Housing
• Family Development and Self-Sufficiency Program (FaDSS)
• Parents As Teachers (PAT) Free and voluntary home visitation program providing parent education for families with children aged 0 through 5, including child developmental screening. Expanded from original Black Hawk County service into Buchanan, Bremer, Butler, Franklin, and Grundy counties.
• Nest Program
• Crisis Assistance
• Disaster Case Management
• Grundy County Food Pantry
• Operation Santa Claus
• Share the Warmth
• School Supplies Program
• Key Card Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 6,000 applications processed annually across three counties
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Iowa Community Action Agencies NetworkcoreOthersOperation Threshold is one of 17 Community Action Agencies in Iowa providing coordinated social services. The network includes agencies such as Community Action of Eastern Iowa, Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, and others working to address poverty in Iowa communities.
• Iowa Department of Human Rights, Division of Community Action Agencies (DCAA)coreOthersDCAA administers Iowa's LIHEAP program and is authorized to contract and distribute program funds to community action agencies including Operation Threshold.
• National WIC AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperation Threshold received a grant from the National WIC Association in 2020 to support WIC program operations.
• KCRG TV 9minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal television station partnered with Operation Threshold for the Share the Warmth coat drive program.
• Salvation ArmyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Salvation Army chapter partnered with Operation Threshold for the Share the Warmth coat distribution program.
• Iowa Department of Economic DevelopmentcoreOthersFunded the Parents As Teachers program through the Shared Visions program. The program was established in Black Hawk County in 2015.
• Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM)minorOthersState department that now administers Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program following transition from Iowa HHS in recent months.
• Human Services Campus PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperation Threshold's Waterloo office building is part of the area's Human Services Campus, a collaborative effort to bring multiple human service agencies together in one location.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Others

• United Way of Northeast Iowa: United Way of Northeast Iowa is a regional nonprofit funder and convening organization in the same Black Hawk County service area that channels donations and coordinates cross-agency initiatives affecting the low-income population Operation Threshold serves. Functions as an ecosystem participant rather than a direct service competitor.

Direct peers

• New Opportunities, Inc. New Opportunities is an Iowa Community Action Agency serving west-central Iowa counties, providing WIC, LIHEAP, Head Start, and self-sufficiency programs. A direct CAA peer with the same federal designation, programs, and rural Iowa target population.
• Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA): MICA is a Community Action Agency serving central Iowa counties with energy assistance, WIC, weatherization, food pantries, and family development services. A direct counterpart under the Iowa CAA network with the same funding streams and target population.
• Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP): HACAP is a fellow Iowa Community Action Agency headquartered in Cedar Rapids, administering LIHEAP, WIC, Head Start, and family development programs across multiple Eastern Iowa counties. It is the most direct peer — same funding model, same program mix, same CAA network — serving an adjacent geography.
• MATURA Action Corporation: MATURA Action Corporation is a Community Action Agency serving southern and south-central Iowa counties with WIC, energy assistance, weatherization, and family development programs. Shares the same federal designation, revenue model, and program portfolio as Operation Threshold.
• Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc. Mid-Sioux Opportunity is an Iowa Community Action Agency serving northwest Iowa counties with WIC, energy assistance, food programs, and family development services. Another CAA-network peer with nearly identical program portfolio, funding structure, and target population.
• West Central Community Action: West Central Community Action is an Iowa CAA serving west-central Iowa counties with energy assistance, WIC, weatherization, food pantries, and family development services. Direct CAA-network peer under identical federal framework.
• Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC): NEICAC is an Iowa CAA serving northeast Iowa counties, administering LIHEAP, WIC, weatherization, Head Start, and family development services. Direct peer under the same federal CAA designation with comparable program mix and service-area characteristics.
• Community Action of Eastern Iowa: Community Action of Eastern Iowa is another designated Iowa Community Action Agency providing WIC, LIHEAP, weatherization, food assistance, and family development services in Eastern Iowa counties. Operates under the same federal CAA framework and serves comparable low-income populations in a nearby region.

Regional players

• Salvation Army (Waterloo/Cedar Valley): The Salvation Army operates overlapping emergency social services (utility assistance, food, disaster relief, coat drives) in the same Black Hawk County geography and partners with Operation Threshold on the Share the Warmth program. A broader incumbent with a wider portfolio but overlapping on key service lines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Operation-Threshold-124797570911210
• Instagraminstagram.com/operationthreshold

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Operation Threshold