Project NOW

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.

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

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

• Community action services
• Housing assistance programs
• Utility assistance services
• Head start education
• Senior support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Rock Island

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core 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

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging (WIAAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWIAAA 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 CorpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing HUD Approved Homebuyer Education Classes for Project NOW housing clients. Classes are free and open to the public.
• 14th Judicial Circuit CourtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 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)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPro bono attorneys trained by the court as mediators in the Eviction Diversion Program to help keep people in their homes.
• Prairie State Legal Services IncminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal services provider participating in the Eviction Diversion Program providing legal representation and advice to tenants.
• Rock Island County Bar AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty 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

Direct 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

• Facebookfacebook.com/projectnowIL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/project-now-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Project NOW