Project NOW
Project NOW, Inc. is a Rock Island, Illinois-based nonprofit Community Action Agency serving low-income residents, seniors, and families in Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer Counties via LIHEAP utility assistance, Head Start, senior meals, housing, weatherization, and eviction diversion programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1968
- HeadquartersRock Island, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Project NOW does
Project NOW, Inc. is a private, nonprofit Community Action Agency headquartered at 1830 2nd Avenue in Rock Island, Illinois, founded in 1968 and serving Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer Counties. The organization functions as a multi-service safety-net provider for low-income households, seniors (60+), preschool-aged children, and individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Its core offerings include federal Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) administration, the Weatherization Assistance Program, Head Start early childhood education across seven tri-county sites, senior congregate and home-delivered meals at six Rock Island County meal sites plus the Rock Island County Senior Center, transitional and permanent supportive housing, the Justice Network Eviction Diversion Program operated jointly with the 14th Judicial Circuit Court, rural public transit (RIM), and an affordable-housing portfolio exceeding 90 rental units and 100 developed residential and commercial spaces.
The underlying operating model combines in-person service delivery at outreach offices, senior centers, Head Start facilities, and meal sites with digitized intake portals for LIHEAP, rent/deposit assistance, and weatherization waitlists. There is no disclosed proprietary technology stack; the organization relies on standard nonprofit tooling (JotForm, EveryAction for donations) and referral relationships with courts, schools, churches, and healthcare providers.
Project NOW is funded primarily through federal and state grants (HUD, Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Department of HealthCare and Family Services, Illinois Department on Aging, Illinois Housing Development Authority, Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging, Rock Island County 708 Mental Health Board), six private foundation grants, rental income from its CDC-managed housing portfolio, and voluntary participant donations. Pricing for social services is generally free or by suggested donation, while rental units are priced between $330 and $565 per month. Dwight Ford serves as Executive Director and Ron Lund as Community Services Director.
Project NOW firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Project NOW
- Legal name
- Project NOW, Inc.
- Website
- https://projectnow.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1968
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Project NOW, Inc. is a Rock Island, Illinois-based nonprofit Community Action Agency serving low-income residents, seniors, and families in Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer Counties via LIHEAP utility assistance, Head Start, senior meals, housing, weatherization, and eviction diversion programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Project NOW industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Social Services
- NAICS
- Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food Services (624210)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Public Housing & Social Housing Development/Modernization Programs (FSALAKAH), Housing Development, Construction & Rehabilitation Programs (BPAIANAB)
Keywords
Where Project NOW is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rock Island
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
Project NOW business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Tenant Rents: Rental income from over 100 residential and commercial spaces managed by Project NOW's Housing Division as a Community Development Corporation (CDC). Properties include Knox Apartments, Old Chicago Apartments, New Boston Apartments, Marigold Apartments, Rivercrest Apartments, and Scattered Sites across Rock Island, Henry and Mercer counties.
- Government Grants and Program Fees: Funding from federal programs including U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Department of HealthCare and Family Services, Illinois Department on Aging, and Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). Also receives funds from Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging (WIAAA) and Rock Island County 708 Mental Health Board.
- Participant Donations: Voluntary suggested donations for senior services programs including $5 per meal for home-delivered meals and $4 per meal for congregate meals. Donations are voluntary and no one is denied service if they cannot contribute.
- Foundation Grants: Funding support from private foundations including Doris and Victor Day Foundation, Amy Helpenstell Foundation, Moline Foundation, Rauch Family Foundation, John Deere Foundation, and Community Foundation of the Great River Bend for property maintenance and updates.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Knox Apartments - 1-4 bedroom units |
| Subscription | Monthly | Old Chicago Apartments - 1-3 bedroom townhouses |
| Subscription | Monthly | New Boston Apartments - 1-3 bedroom apartments |
| Subscription | Monthly | Marigold Apartments - 1-2 bedroom senior living |
| Subscription | Monthly | Rivercrest Apartments - 2-3 bedroom apartments |
| Subscription | Monthly | Scattered Sites - various unit types |
| Other | Monthly | Home-Delivered Senior Meals |
| Other | Monthly | Congregate Senior Meals |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Project NOW product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Project NOW is a non-profit Community Action Agency founded in 1968 that provides safety-net social services to residents of Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer Counties in Illinois. Its core offerings include utility assistance, Head Start early childhood education, homeless services, affordable housing, weatherization, senior services, public transit, and eviction diversion programs. Revenue is derived from government grants, donations, and tenant rents.
Product overview
Project NOW is a Community Action Agency that provides a comprehensive portfolio of social service programs to residents of Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer Counties in Illinois. The organization operates as a multi-service nonprofit offering utility and housing assistance, early childhood education through Head Start, homeless services including transitional and permanent supportive housing, property rentals, weatherization, senior services, rural public transit, eviction diversion, and food/nutrition programs. These services are designed to help low-income individuals and families meet immediate needs while building toward self-sufficiency.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Rock Island County Senior Center: A county-wide Community Focal Point for seniors and an Aging and Disability Resource Center offering services for persons aged 60 and over and adults with disabilities.
Products and services
- Head Start
- Utility Assistance (LIHEAP)
- Homeless Services
- Affordable Housing
- Weatherization
- Senior Services
- Public Transit
- Eviction Diversion
Companies that use Project NOW
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Project NOW technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Project NOW partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging (WIAAA)coreWIAAA is the primary funder for senior services programs. Project NOW's Rock Island County Senior Center receives primary funding from WIAAA and the Illinois Department on Aging.
- Rock Island Economic Growth CorpminorPartner organization providing HUD Approved Homebuyer Education Classes for Project NOW housing clients. Classes are free and open to the public.
- 14th Judicial Circuit CourtcoreThe court mandates the Eviction Diversion Program for evictions filed in Rock Island County. Court provides trained mediators (John Deere Attorneys) and connects tenants to Project NOW for rental funds and financial assistance.
- John Deere Attorneys (Pro Bono)minorPro bono attorneys trained by the court as mediators in the Eviction Diversion Program to help keep people in their homes.
- Prairie State Legal Services IncminorLegal services provider participating in the Eviction Diversion Program providing legal representation and advice to tenants.
- Rock Island County Bar AssociationminorCounty bar association participating in the Eviction Diversion Program with Attorney Jennifer Kincaid involved in program development.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Project NOW competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials: Regional council of governments in western Illinois that administers community action, housing, weatherization, and senior services across rural counties. Direct comparable to Project NOW as a multiprogram CAA serving low-income households in rural Illinois.
- Human Development Corporation: Illinois-based Community Action Agency providing housing, utility assistance, Head Start, senior services, and case management to low-income residents in multiple rural counties. Closely comparable scope and service mix to Project NOW.
- River Valley Development Council: Community Action Agency serving western Illinois with weatherization, LIHEAP, housing, and senior programs. Comparable regional nonprofit structure, funding sources, and rural service area to Project NOW.
- Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois: Central Illinois CAA providing Head Start, LIHEAP, weatherization, housing, and senior services. Comparable multi-county CAA structure with similar funding mix and program portfolio.
- HACAP (Hawkeye Area Community Action Program): Eastern Iowa CAA operating Head Start, energy assistance, housing, food, and senior programs across multiple counties. Directly comparable in service breadth and CAA model to Project NOW, serving the adjacent Quad Cities region.
- West Central Community Action Agency: West-central Illinois CAA administering LIHEAP, weatherization, housing, and senior services across rural counties. Directly comparable mission and program structure to Project NOW.
- Northwestern Illinois Community Action (NICA): Northwest Illinois CAA providing LIHEAP, weatherization, Head Start, housing, and senior services. Comparable scope of community action programs in rural Illinois counties adjacent to Project NOW's service area.
- Salvation Army of the Quad Cities: Regional nonprofit providing social services including utility assistance, food programs, homeless services, and senior programs in the same Quad Cities region as Project NOW. Comparable multi-program social safety net provider.
Regional players
- Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging (WIAAA): Area Agency on Aging that is both a partner and a peer funder for Project NOW's senior services. Comparable senior services mission but operates as a broader regional planning body rather than direct service provider.
Emerging players
- Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities: Local Habitat for Humanity affiliate providing affordable homeownership and housing rehabilitation in the same Quad Cities region as Project NOW. Partial overlap on affordable housing and homeownership education.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Project NOW social profiles
Digital presenceProject NOW financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Project NOW leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Project NOW funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Project NOW 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 Project NOW
What does Project NOW do?
Project NOW is a non-profit Community Action Agency founded in 1968 that provides safety-net social services to residents of Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer Counties in Illinois. Its core offerings include utility assistance, Head Start early childhood education, homeless services, affordable housing, weatherization, senior services, public transit, and eviction diversion programs. Revenue is derived from government grants, donations, and tenant rents.
Is Project NOW a public or private company?
Project NOW is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Project NOW founded?
Project NOW was founded in 1968. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Project NOW based?
Project NOW is headquartered in Rock Island, United States, in the North America region.
How does Project NOW make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tenant Rents are the primary driver. The others are government Grants and Program Fees, participant Donations and foundation Grants.
Who are Project NOW's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials, Human Development Corporation, River Valley Development Council, Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois, HACAP (Hawkeye Area Community Action Program), West Central Community Action Agency, Northwestern Illinois Community Action (NICA) and Salvation Army of the Quad Cities. Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging (WIAAA) is listed as a regional player. Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities is listed as an emerging player.
Does Project NOW have an API?
No public API is recorded for Project NOW.
What industry is Project NOW in?
Project NOW's product category is Community Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAC, Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts), with a secondary code of BPAIANAC, Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services. Its NAICS code is 62422 and its SIC code is 8300.