Council of Community Services

What Council of Community Services does

Council of Community Services (CCS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1960 and headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia, that delivers a portfolio of health, housing, and information-and-referral programs to individuals and families across the Roanoke Valley, Southwest Virginia, and the broader Commonwealth. Its core offerings include 211 Virginia — the state's largest free, confidential 24/7 information and referral service operating a database of 18,000+ health and human service programs and handling 116,000+ requests and 300,000 referrals annually — three Drop-In Centers (Roanoke, Danville, Marion) providing free HIV/HCV testing, harm reduction, and patient navigation; Housing Support Services including prevention, rapid re-housing, and HOPWA programs; and Capacity Building programs such as GIVE Roanoke, HandsOn Blue Ridge, and Nonprofit Roanoke consulting. CCS also operates the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care's Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and the real-time 211 Counts dashboard, which together serve as the data backbone for cross-agency service coordination in the region.

The underlying technology platform is centered on the 211 Virginia information and referral system, the HMIS local information-sharing system, and the 211 Counts searchable dashboard, all of which were migrated to a new vendor (Visionlink) with an upgraded website and database platform launching in early 2025. CCS holds AIRS Accreditation, Inform USA Certification for all Community Resource Specialists, and NIMS Certification, and is anchored by a core partnership with the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) that funds and designates 211 Virginia. The board includes the Mayor of Roanoke, principals from regional law and financial firms, and senior leaders from healthcare, credit unions, and area nonprofits, signaling deep regional political and financial backing.

CCS is funded through a mix of government grants and contracts (notably VDSS for 211 Virginia, plus VHDA, VDH, and VDEM partnerships), individual and corporate donations, and event-based fundraising (GIVE Roanoke). All services are provided free of charge to end users in a freemium model. The 2018 operating budget was $6M with 60 staff; current headcount is 101–250, and the organization has cumulatively raised $1M+ through GIVE Roanoke. Leadership transitioned in May 2025 with Alison Jorgensen named President and CEO after 23 years with the organization, and CCS is relocating to a new headquarters at 325 Campbell Avenue SW in Roanoke in 2026.

Name

Council of Community Services

Legal name

Council of Community Services

Website

https://councilofcommunityservices.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Council of Community Services is a Roanoke, Virginia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1960 that delivers HIV/HCV testing, homelessness services, and the statewide 211 Virginia information and referral program to individuals and families across the Commonwealth, funded by government grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community and human services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

Keywords

• Information and referral services
• Homelessness prevention services
• HIV and HCV testing
• Nonprofit capacity building
• Community resource coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Roanoke

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual and community donations to support operational costs and expand services
2. Government Grants and Partnerships: Funding from Virginia Department of Social Services for 211 Virginia operations; other government grants for specific programs
3. Event Fundraising: GIVE Roanoke day of giving raises funds for the community; benefit events

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Council of Community Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free, confidential health, housing, and information-and-referral services across Virginia, primarily through its 211 Virginia network and Drop-In Center locations. Its offerings include 211 Virginia's 24/7 information and referral service covering 18,000+ programs, HIV/HCV testing and harm reduction at Drop-In Centers, rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention case management, and capacity-building consulting for local nonprofits.

Product overview

Council of Community Services operates as a community services organization offering a portfolio of distinct programs and services rather than a unified technology product. The core offerings include: 211 Virginia (information and referral services), Health Services (HIV/HCV testing and care through Drop-In Centers), Housing Services (homelessness assistance and rapid re-housing), Capacity Building programs (GIVE Roanoke, Nonprofit Roanoke, HandsOn Blue Ridge volunteer services), and the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for data coordination. These programs work together to provide equitable access to health, housing, and community resources across the Roanoke Valley and Virginia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 211 Virginia Free, confidential 24/7 information and referral service connecting Virginia residents with more than 18,000 local programs and resources across food, childcare, health, housing, and older-person services.
• Health Services / Drop-In Centers Free HIV and Hepatitis C testing, education, prevention, harm reduction, and compassionate care services delivered through Drop-In Centers in Roanoke, Danville, and Marion for persons affected by HIV/HCV.
• Housing Services Prevention, rapid re-housing, and homelessness assistance for individuals and families who are unhoused or at risk of losing housing in the Roanoke Valley, coordinated through the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care and Central Intake.
• Prevention and Care Free, confidential HIV and HCV testing using OraQuick Rapid and OraSure tests, patient navigator support, and contraceptive distribution for at-risk individuals.
• HandsOn Blue Ridge Volunteer Center for the Roanoke Valley, an affiliate of Points of Light's HandsOn Network, providing easy access to volunteer opportunities through a volunteer database.
• Nonprofit Roanoke Training, consulting, and customized strategic-planning services that help local nonprofits become efficient, effective, and sustainable.
• GIVE Roanoke Annual community day of giving powered by social media and local collaboration to raise funds for the Roanoke Valley.
• Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Local information-sharing system for the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care that uses housing data to help service providers coordinate services and share information with unhoused or at-risk populations.
• Roanoke Valley Violence Prevention Council Interagency coalition of human services professionals working to increase resources for family violence, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking prevention.
• Roanoke Regional Housing Network Standing committee that serves as a network of housing advocates promoting comprehensive housing solutions through education and communication in the Roanoke Valley.
• 211 Counts Real-time, searchable dashboard providing snapshot of community-specific needs by zip code or region, enabling trend analysis and information sharing for community leaders and service agencies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 87,000+ individuals served across Virginia
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• VisionlinkcoreTechnology or Integration · 25 October 2024Visionlink is the new database vendor for 211 Virginia's upgraded platform. They are requesting agency contact validation to ensure listings remain up-to-date when the new system launches.
• C-IDEAs (Community Infectious Disease Advocates)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2022C-IDEAs partnered to hold World AIDS Day event and raised $2,000 to support Drop-In Center testing and treatment services. Members include community advocates and local leaders.
• Roanoke Area Ministries (RAM)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2019RAM joined the Blue Ridge Community Assistance Network (BR-CAN), which now includes all homeless shelter and service providers in the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care service area.
• Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner211 Virginia is provided in partnership with VDSS. VDSS provides funding and oversight for the 211 Virginia information and referral service, which is the Commonwealth's largest information and referral network.
• Points of Light / HandsOn NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHandsOn Blue Ridge is an affiliate of Points of Light's HandsOn Network, the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. This affiliation provides access to volunteer opportunities and resources.
• Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVHDA partners to address homelessness and supportive housing in Virginia. They provide pre-development funds, financing through Housing Credit program and SPARC funding, and support for homeless management information systems.
• Virginia Department of HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner211 Virginia partnered with VDH during COVID-19 response and continues to work with health agencies to provide specialized information and referral services.
• Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner211 Virginia works closely with VDEM to provide specialized information and referral services during emergencies and disasters.
• Blue Ridge Interagency Council on Homelessness (BRICH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRICH leads the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care, the region's local planning group working to coordinate and implement a system-wide response to housing loss within the Roanoke region.
• Central IntakecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing Support Services coordinates referrals through Central Intake to ensure resources reach the most at-risk households in the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care service area.
• Local Service ProviderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCS works collaboratively with local service providers to assist individuals and families who are unhoused or at risk of losing housing.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Unite Us: Social care coordination platform building closed-loop referral networks between health and social service providers. Comparable on the coordination/integration axis and increasingly used by Medicaid programs, representing an emerging competitive model to legacy I&R services.
• findhelp (formerly Aunt Bertha): National social care network and I&R technology platform connecting people to programs for food, housing, and health. Comparable in function to 211 Virginia but as a technology-enabled private competitor serving multiple states.

Others

• National Alliance to End Homelessness: National advocacy and research organization advancing homelessness policy and Continuum of Care funding. Comparable on housing policy expertise and federal funding advocacy that shapes the resources CCS accesses via BRICH and HMIS work.

Broad incumbents

• Community Action Partnership: National network of Community Action Agencies operating anti-poverty, housing, and case management programs across the U.S. with similar funding mix (federal, state, local). Overlaps with CCS mission on community needs assessment and resource coordination.
• The Salvation Army: Nationwide social services incumbent operating emergency housing, food, disaster relief, and case management programs. Overlapping service mix and donor-dependent funding model but at vastly greater scale across all U.S. regions.

Regional players

• Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley: Local housing-focused nonprofit operating in the same Roanoke Valley geography with deep local roots; board overlap via Habitat senior director. Overlaps with CCS housing services on affordable housing mission and Southwest Virginia geography.
• Virginia Supportive Housing: Virginia-focused supportive housing nonprofit providing permanent supportive housing and rapid re-housing programs. Directly comparable on housing services and HOPWA-funded programs within the same Virginia geography and Continuum of Care ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Heart of Virginia United Way: Regional United Way serving the same Roanoke Valley geography with overlapping mission around community health, resource navigation, and nonprofit capacity. Comparable donor-backed nonprofit model targeting very similar populations and funders.
• Catholic Charities of Southwestern Virginia: Regional social services nonprofit providing housing assistance, emergency aid, and case management across the same Southwest Virginia geography. Directly comparable in service mix (housing + health + crisis support) and government grant reliance.
• 211 San Diego (211 of San Diego County): Large regional 211 operator running I&R, crisis support, and community information services with AIRS accreditation. Most directly comparable peer for the 211 Virginia program given similar scope, accreditation status, and 24/7 contact center model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ccsroanoke
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/council-of-community-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/CCSRoanoke
• Xx.com/ccsroanoke

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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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 Council of Community Services