Voluntary Action Center
Voluntary Action Center is a Sycamore, Illinois-based nonprofit founded in 1974 that delivers Meals on Wheels, senior congregate meals, and dial-a-ride transportation services to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and rural community members across five Northern Illinois counties.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersSycamore, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Voluntary Action Center does
Voluntary Action Center of Northern Illinois (VAC) is a private nonprofit organization founded in 1974 and headquartered at 1606 Bethany Road in Sycamore, Illinois. The organization delivers two core service lines across five Northern Illinois counties (DeKalb, Kendall, LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam): nutrition services via its Meals on Wheels home-delivery program, Senior Lunch congregate meal sites, and a Community Kitchen that supplies daycare centers and Head Start programs; and transportation services via its TransVAC dial-a-ride program and Kendall Area Transit (KAT). Primary beneficiaries are seniors aged 60 and older, individuals with disabilities, and general community members in rural and suburban areas with limited public transit, served through six operational locations and a fleet of accessible vehicles staffed by professional and volunteer drivers.
VAC operates a hybrid funding model with no disclosed revenue figure. Recurring operational funding flows from Title III Older Americans Act grants and State of Illinois General Revenue Funds administered through the Western Illinois and Northwestern Illinois Area Agencies on Aging, plus allocations from three United Way partner agencies (Kishwaukee, Eastern LaSalle County, Illinois Valley). Supplementary revenue comes from individual donations, charitable foundations, suggested user contributions for meals and rides, and annual fundraising events including spaghetti dinners, the Tom Zucker Memorial Golf Outing, comedy nights, and a vacation raffle. Service fees are structured on a unit-pricing basis ranging from free (children under 5, seniors by donation) up to $5.00 out-of-county paratransit fares.
The technology stack is described as standard: dispatch and dial-a-ride scheduling systems for transportation and nutrition program management systems, with no proprietary platform, API, or AI/ML capabilities disclosed. Distribution is entirely direct, with services accessed via phone registration, online forms, and community referrals. The organization maintains full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and Illinois Department on Aging nutrition program requirements, and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing its three principal county service areas.
Voluntary Action Center firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Voluntary Action Center
- Legal name
- Voluntary Action Center of Northern Illinois
- Website
- https://vacdk.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Voluntary Action Center is a Sycamore, Illinois-based nonprofit founded in 1974 that delivers Meals on Wheels, senior congregate meals, and dial-a-ride transportation services to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and rural community members across five Northern Illinois counties.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Voluntary Action Center industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Social Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Community Food Services (624210)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Independent Living Community Ancillary Services (Dining/Transportation/Wellness Programs) (HLADAAAI)
Keywords
Where Voluntary Action Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sycamore
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
Voluntary Action Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Government Grants and Funding: Title III Older Americans Act funding and State of Illinois General Revenue Funds administered through Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging and Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging. This represents core operational funding for senior programs.
- United Way Support: United Way Partner Agency receiving support from Kishwaukee United Way, United Way of Eastern LaSalle County, and United Way of Illinois Valley. Funding supports operational programs.
- Donations and Contributions: Individual donor contributions and volunteer support. Suggested donation schedules based on income for meal programs. No one is denied services due to inability to donate.
- Fundraising Events: Revenue generated from annual fundraising events including golf outings, spaghetti dinners, comedy nights, and raffles.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kendall Area Transit (KAT) paratransit fares by rider category |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sandwich area dial-a-ride fare structure |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | DeKalb County TransVAC dial-a-ride fare structure |
| Subscription | Monthly | Meals on Wheels donation schedule based on monthly income |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Spaghetti dinner fundraiser event pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Voluntary Action Center product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Voluntary Action Center (VAC) is a nonprofit organization that delivers home-delivered and congregate nutritious meals to older adults, homebound individuals, and those unable to prepare food, while also providing dial-a-ride paratransit transportation services for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and the general public across five Northern Illinois counties. The organization combines direct community service delivery with a volunteer-driven model, operating nutrition kitchens, accessible vehicle fleets, and community meal sites. Revenue is sourced primarily from Title III Older Americans Act grants, State of Illinois funding, United Way support, individual donations, and annual fundraising events.
Product overview
Voluntary Action Center is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of essential community services through distinct programs. The core offerings include Meals on Wheels (delivering nutritious meals to homebound seniors in DeKalb, LaSalle, Putnam, and Bureau Counties), Senior Lunch Programs (congregate meal sites for seniors), and TransVAC transportation services (dial-a-ride transit for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and the public). Supporting services include Community Kitchen (providing meals to daycare centers and Head Start programs) and various fundraising events including spaghetti dinners, golf outings, and comedy fundraisers. These programs operate across five counties in Northern Illinois and are funded through Title III Older Americans Act grants, state funding, and community donations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Meals on Wheels: Program providing nutritious meals to older adults and others in need who are homebound due to illness, physical or mental impairment, or isolation.
- TransVAC
- Community Kitchen
Products and services
- Meals on Wheels Home delivery program providing nutritious meals to homebound seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those unable to prepare food independently, with personal well-being checks performed by volunteer drivers at each delivery.
- Senior Lunch Program Congregate meal program providing nutritious lunches to seniors aged 60 and older and their spouses at local community sites, offering socialization opportunities alongside meals.
- TransVAC Dial-a-ride transit service for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and the general public, providing local in-county trips and out-of-county medical trips in DeKalb, Kendall, and Sandwich areas using ADA-compliant vehicles.
- Community Kitchen Program providing low-cost, nutritious meals to daycare centers and Head Start programs, with meals planned by a Registered Dietitian to meet daily required intakes for children.
- Kendall Area Transit (KAT) Dial-a-ride paratransit service covering Kendall County and designated out-of-county medical and service locations, providing accessible transportation for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and the general public.
- Sandwich Transportation Local in-county dial-a-ride transportation service for the Sandwich, Illinois area, providing rides for adults, seniors, disabled riders, and K-12 students at a flat $1.00 fare with children 5 and under riding free.
Quantifiable outcome
- Meals on Wheels drivers make personal contact with each client to ensure safety and well-being
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Voluntary Action Center
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Voluntary Action Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Voluntary Action Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Western Illinois Area Agency on AgingcoreAdministers Title III Older Americans Act funding and State of Illinois General Revenue Funds to VAC for senior programs. Key funding partner for nutrition and transportation services.
- Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on AgingcoreAdministers Title III Older Americans Act funding to VAC for senior programs in Northern Illinois service area.
- Kishwaukee United WaycoreUnited Way Partner Agency providing funding support for operational programs.
- United Way of Eastern LaSalle CountycoreUnited Way Partner Agency providing funding support for services in LaSalle County.
- United Way of Illinois ValleycoreUnited Way Partner Agency providing funding support for Illinois Valley services.
- Meals on Wheels AmericamajorNational organization supporting local Meals on Wheels programs with resources, advocacy, and awareness campaigns.
- Illinois Public Transportation AssociationminorMembership organization for public transportation providers in Illinois.
- Family Services AgencymajorPartner for Club 55 senior lunch program locations in DeKalb County at Family Service Agency sites.
- Fox Valley Older Adult ServicesmajorPartner location for sandwich area senior lunch program and adult day services.
- Kishwaukee CollegemajorVAC provides transportation routes for Kishwaukee College students with dedicated bus service.
- DeKalb County Nonprofit PartnershipminorMembership organization connecting nonprofits in DeKalb County for collaboration and resource sharing.
- Local Chambers of CommerceminorMembership affiliations with multiple chambers: Sycamore, DeKalb, Genoa Area, Ottawa Area, Sandwich Area, Illinois Valley, Oswego Area, Yorkville Area, and Fox Valley Chambers of Commerce for community networking and business engagement.
- Illinois Department on AgingcoreOversees senior nutrition programs and administers Senior Helpline for complaints regarding discrimination in senior services.
- Illinois State Board of Education Nutrition ProgrammajorProvides resources and potential funding for childcare meal programs through the Community Kitchen.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Voluntary Action Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Meals on Wheels America: National membership and advocacy organization supporting the Meals on Wheels network of local programs. Connected to VAC as VAC's national affiliation partner providing resources, advocacy, and awareness—relevant as an ecosystem enabler rather than a direct competitor.
Direct peers
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rockford: Faith-based social services nonprofit serving Northern Illinois with senior programs, food pantries, and community support. Comparable to VAC as a multi-county social services nonprofit with overlapping senior nutrition and transportation mission in the same geography.
- AgeOptions: Area Agency on Aging serving suburban Cook County, Illinois, providing information and assistance, care coordination, and supportive services for seniors. Highly comparable to VAC as a regional AAA-affiliated nonprofit delivering nutrition, transportation, and in-home services to elderly residents.
- Meals on Wheels of DuPage County: Local Meals on Wheels affiliate in DuPage County, Illinois, delivering home-delivered meals and supportive services to homebound seniors. Directly comparable to VAC's Meals on Wheels program in mission, service model, volunteer structure, and funding sources.
- Lutheran Social Services of Illinois: Multi-service nonprofit operating senior services, children and family services, and community programs across Illinois. Comparable to VAC as a multi-county Illinois nonprofit delivering nutrition, transportation, and case management to seniors and vulnerable populations.
Broad incumbents
- Addus HomeCare: Public personal care services company providing home and community-based services to elderly and disabled clients across multiple states. Comparable to VAC in serving elderly populations with personal care and supportive services, though at much larger commercial scale.
- BrightSpring Health Services: Diversified home and community-based health services provider serving seniors and disabled populations across the U.S. Comparable to VAC in serving elderly and disabled clients with supportive services, though operating a much larger and broader portfolio across many states.
- Help at Home: Large national provider of personal care and in-home supportive services for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Comparable to VAC's mission of enabling independent living, though operating as a scaled, multi-state for-profit across Medicaid and state-funded programs.
Regional players
- Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging: AAA administering Title III Older Americans Act funding across a 10-county region of northwestern Illinois, including portions of VAC's service area. Comparable as a regional funder/administrator of the same senior services infrastructure that VAC delivers.
- Pace Suburban Bus: Suburban public transit provider serving northeastern Illinois, including ADA paratransit service. Comparable to VAC's TransVAC program in providing dial-a-ride and accessible transit for seniors and individuals with disabilities, though at much larger scale across a metro region.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Voluntary Action Center social profiles
Digital presenceVoluntary Action Center compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Voluntary Action Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Voluntary Action Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
Voluntary Action Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Voluntary Action Center M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Voluntary Action Center
What does Voluntary Action Center do?
Voluntary Action Center (VAC) is a nonprofit organization that delivers home-delivered and congregate nutritious meals to older adults, homebound individuals, and those unable to prepare food, while also providing dial-a-ride paratransit transportation services for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and the general public across five Northern Illinois counties. The organization combines direct community service delivery with a volunteer-driven model, operating nutrition kitchens, accessible vehicle fleets, and community meal sites. Revenue is sourced primarily from Title III Older Americans Act grants, State of Illinois funding, United Way support, individual donations, and annual fundraising events.
Is Voluntary Action Center a public or private company?
Voluntary Action Center is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Voluntary Action Center founded?
Voluntary Action Center was founded in 1974. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Voluntary Action Center based?
Voluntary Action Center is headquartered in Sycamore, United States, in the North America region.
How does Voluntary Action Center make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Grants and Funding is the primary driver. The others are united Way Support, donations and Contributions and fundraising Events.
Who are Voluntary Action Center's main competitors?
Meals on Wheels America is listed as an others. Direct peers are Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rockford, AgeOptions, Meals on Wheels of DuPage County and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. Broad incumbents are Addus HomeCare, BrightSpring Health Services and Help at Home. Regional players are Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging and Pace Suburban Bus.
Does Voluntary Action Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for Voluntary Action Center.
What industry is Voluntary Action Center in?
Voluntary Action Center's product category is Community Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAL, Public Health & Health Equity Organizations, with a secondary code of HLADAAAI, Independent Living Community Ancillary Services (Dining/Transportation/Wellness Programs). Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 8300.