Lower Columbia CAP
Lower Columbia CAP is a Longview, Washington-based nonprofit founded in 1964 that provides housing, food, senior, and employment services to low-income residents of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, supported by federal grants, donations, and two social enterprises.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1964
- HeadquartersLongview, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Lower Columbia CAP does
Lower Columbia CAP (Lower Columbia Community Action Council Incorporated) is a private nonprofit social services organization founded in 1964 as part of President Johnson's War on Poverty, headquartered at 1526 Commerce Ave, Longview, Washington, and serving Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties. The organization operates 15+ programs across four core service lines: housing (40 affordable rental units, Self-Help Housing with 1% foreclosure rate across 395+ homes since 1989, USDA-funded rehab loans up to $20,000), food and nutrition (Help Warehouse distributing 1.7M+ pounds annually since 1982 to 8+ food banks; 28,241 Meals on Wheels deliveries; community lunches at 8 sites), senior services (energy assistance, transportation, R.U.O.K. daily check-in), and employment/training (CAP Works/Community Jobs, BFET, food handler certification testing in eight languages). Two social enterprises — CAPtured Treasures thrift boutique and Grounds for Opportunity Cafe — generate retail and catering revenue while providing job skills training in retail and culinary fields.
The organization's underlying operating platform combines case management intake, the Cowlitz County Coordinated Entry housing system, certified building analysts performing infrared-based home energy assessments, and a hub-and-spoke distribution network for food and senior meals. Revenue derives from a mix of federal and state grants (LIHEAP, Older Americans Act, USDA commodities, Consolidated Homeless Grant, Housing and Essential Needs, USDA Rural Development), individual and corporate donations (including a Welch Family dollar-for-dollar matching challenge toward a $1 million endowment), cause-marketing programs (Amazon Smile, GoodSearch, Fred Meyer Community Rewards), and social enterprise sales. The organization is governed by a tri-sector board (consumer, private, public) led by Board President Kim Lefebvre and Executive Director Ilona Kerby, who has led CAP since 2005 with the strategic mandate of reducing government funding dependence.
Customer segments span low-income individuals and families at or below 125% of federal poverty level, seniors 60+, homeless and at-risk individuals, unemployed/underemployed adults, and food-insecure residents. Service pricing is largely free or low-cost, with pay-as-you-go fees such as $2 rural transit fares and suggested $5 per Meals on Wheels meal. The organization is part of a national network of 1,100+ community action programs including 31 in Washington State, and over its history has incubated and spun off multiple community institutions including Family Health Center, Emergency Support Shelter, Ethnic Support Council, Head Start, and the Saturday Farmers Market.
Lower Columbia CAP firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lower Columbia CAP
- Legal name
- Lower Columbia Community Action Council Incorporated
- Website
- https://lowercolumbiacap.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1964
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Lower Columbia CAP is a Longview, Washington-based nonprofit founded in 1964 that provides housing, food, senior, and employment services to low-income residents of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, supported by federal grants, donations, and two social enterprises.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lower Columbia CAP industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Social Services
- NAICS
- Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Community Food Services (62421), Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Independent Living Community Ancillary Services (Dining/Transportation/Wellness Programs) (HLADAAAI)
Keywords
Where Lower Columbia CAP is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Longview
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Lower Columbia CAP business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Grants and Programs: Federal funding from programs such as Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Older Americans Act for senior services, USDA commodities, and state grants. This is the primary revenue source for social service delivery.
- Social Enterprise Revenue: CAPtured Treasures thrift store provides job skills training while generating retail revenue. Grounds for Opportunity Café generates restaurant and catering revenue. These social enterprises support CAP programs while providing employment training.
- Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations through direct appeal, annual campaigns, and fundraising events. Corporate donations from local businesses and foundations including Weyerhaeuser. Community matching challenges (e.g., Welch Family Challenge).
- Shopping Rewards Programs: Amazon Smile, Fred Meyer Community Rewards, and GoodSearch donate percentages of purchases to CAP when customers designate Lower Columbia CAP as their charity.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Meals on Wheels - Suggested donation for eligible seniors 60+ |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Self-Help Housing Program |
| Subscription | Monthly | Affordable Rental Housing |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | GoodSearch Online Shopping |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Rural Public Transportation |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Lower Columbia CAP product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lower Columbia CAP delivers a comprehensive suite of social services to low-income individuals and families in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, including energy assistance and weatherization, affordable rental housing, self-help homeownership, homeless services, food distribution through Help Warehouse, Meals on Wheels, senior community lunches, transportation, and education/job training. The organization also operates two social enterprises—CAPtured Treasures thrift store and Grounds for Opportunity Café—that provide job skills training while generating revenue.
Product overview
Lower Columbia CAP (Community Action Program) is a nonprofit social services organization that provides a comprehensive suite of programs to help low-income individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency. The organization operates multiple social enterprises and service programs including: Energy Assistance and Weatherization services; Affordable Rental Housing with 40 units and Self-Help Housing programs; Homeless Services including HEN, CHG, YAHP, and Permanent Supportive Housing; Food distribution through the Help Warehouse and CAP Food Pantry; Meals on Wheels and Community Lunch programs for seniors; Senior Services including the R.U.O.K. daily check-in program; Education and Training including job placement and Food Services Worker certification; and Transportation services. Additionally, CAP operates two social enterprises—CAPtured Treasures thrift boutique and Grounds for Opportunity Cafe—which serve dual purposes of generating revenue while providing job skills training. The organization was founded in 1964 as part of the War on Poverty and serves Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties in Washington State.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Energy Assistance & Weatherization
Quantifiable outcome
- 395+ families became homeowners through Self-Help Housing with only 1% foreclosure rate since 1989
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Lower Columbia CAP
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Lower Columbia CAP technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Lower Columbia CAP partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Fred MeyerminorFred Meyer Community Rewards program allows customers to designate Lower Columbia CAP as their charity, with Fred Meyer donating a portion of purchases to CAP annually (over $2 million donated to nonprofits annually across the program).
- GoodSearchminorGoodSearch search engine donates 50% of revenues to designated charities. Online shopping at 1,000+ participating stores (Amazon, eBay, Target, Apple, Staples, Expedia) results in percentage donations to CAP.
- Amazon SmileminorAmazon Smile program donates 0.5% of eligible purchases to charitable organizations when customers select Lower Columbia Community Action Council Incorporated.
- Cowlitz PUDminorAnnual food drive competition among Cowlitz PUD employees benefiting Help Warehouse. Collected 5,841 pounds of food and raised $5,568.81 in 2013 alone. Competition with other businesses (Kapstone, NORPAC, Fibre Federal, Steelscape, Lower Columbia College, ILWU).
- United WayminorUnited Way support for CAP programs through annual workplace giving campaigns and community partnerships.
- 24 Local RestaurantsminorAnnual 'Dine Out for Meals on Wheels' event with 24+ local restaurants donating a percentage of sales to CAP's Meals on Wheels program. Raises $5,000-$6,000 annually.
- JH KellyminorGeneral contractor for Grounds for Opportunity café construction project ($700,000 build-out). Stripped building to studs, elevated roof, revamped facade.
- The Daily NewsminorAnnual Neighbors in Need fundraising campaign sponsored by The Daily News distributes donations equally among Lower Columbia CAP, Salvation Army, and St. Vincent de Paul. Raised $68,644 in previous year.
- Altrusa International of Longview KelsominorLocal service club with ongoing partnership through Executive Director Ilona Kerby's leadership as International President. Club supports CAP programs and initiatives.
- Catalyst KitchensminorNational model (formerly Kitchens with Missions) that inspired Grounds for Opportunity café development. Nationally successful restaurant job training program framework.
- RiverCities Transit (Longview)minorPublic transit partner connecting with CAP transportation services for regional coverage.
- C-TRAN (Vancouver)minorRegional transit authority connecting CAP services to Vancouver/Portland metropolitan area.
- TriMet (Portland)minorPortland metropolitan transit connecting CAP services to Oregon markets.
- Wahkiakum on the MoveminorWahkiakum County public transportation connecting with CAP services for county residents.
- Columbia Cty. RiderminorTransit service for St. Helens-Clatskanie area connecting to CAP transportation network.
- Sunset Empire TransportationminorTransit service for Portland-Astoria corridor connecting to CAP transportation.
- GreyhoundminorNational bus service connecting CAP transportation services to nationwide network.
- AMTRAKminorNational rail service connecting to CAP transportation services for Cowlitz County.
- Family Health CenterminorOriginally founded by CAP, now independent community health center. Jennifer Meade serves on CAP board representing Cowlitz Family Health Center.
- Emergency Support ShelterminorHomeless shelter organization originally founded by CAP, continuing partnership for housing and homeless services coordination.
- Ethnic Support CouncilminorCultural support organization originally founded by CAP, maintaining coordination for diverse community services.
- Head StartminorEarly childhood education program originally founded by CAP, continuing partnership for family services.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Lower Columbia CAP competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Feeding America (Regional Food Banks): National food bank network that sources and distributes donated food to regional food banks including those that draw on CAP's Help Warehouse. Operates at much larger scale and represents the upstream supplier relationship for CAP's 1.7M+ pound annual food distribution.
- Meals on Wheels America: National umbrella and advocacy body for the Meals on Wheels network that Lower Columbia CAP's program belongs to. Provides Older Americans Act funding, branding, and policy support; Lower Columbia operates a local affiliate program delivering 28,241 meals annually.
- Community Action Network (National): The national umbrella for 1,100+ Community Action Programs that Lower Columbia CAP belongs to. Direct structural peer since Lower Columbia is one of 31 Washington State CAPs operating under the same federal War on Poverty framework with similar LIHEAP, weatherization, and Head Start mandates.
- Catholic Charities of Oregon (and Washington): Larger faith-based social services organization serving the broader Pacific Northwest with overlapping programs in housing, refugee resettlement, employment services, and senior support. Comparable comprehensive service-delivery model though at materially larger scale and geographic reach.
Regional players
- Cowlitz County Department of Community Development: Cowlitz County government office that administers housing, community development, and human services funds that Lower Columbia CAP draws on through Coordinated Entry. Operates in the same geographic market with overlapping responsibility for homeless services and affordable housing programs.
Direct peers
- Habitat for Humanity (Cowlitz/Wahkiakum affiliate): Closest direct peer on the affordable homeownership and self-help housing model. Habitat affiliates across the country operate Self-Help Housing volunteer-build programs similar to Lower Columbia CAP's 395+ family track record, though CAP's 1% foreclosure rate is a notable outcome differentiator.
- Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette: Closest analog on the social enterprise model: operates thrift stores that fund workforce development and job training programs. Lower Columbia CAP's CAPtured Treasures thrift store and Grounds for Opportunity Cafe replicate the dual-mission retail/training structure that Goodwill pioneered at much larger scale.
- Salvation Army Longview Corps: Direct service peer in the same Lower Columbia region participating as one of the affiliated food banks under CAP's Help Warehouse network and as a co-recipient of The Daily News Neighbors in Need campaign. Provides overlapping food, emergency assistance, and seasonal support programs to the same low-income population.
- St. Vincent de Paul of Cowlitz County: Direct peer food bank partner under CAP's Help Warehouse distribution network and co-beneficiary of The Daily News Neighbors in Need campaign. Delivers overlapping emergency food, clothing, and housing assistance to the same vulnerable population in the same geography.
Emerging players
- Family Health Center (Cowlitz): Community health center that was originally founded by Lower Columbia CAP and now operates independently with board representation. Provides complementary health services to the same low-income population in Cowlitz County and represents a successful CAP incubation spinoff.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Lower Columbia CAP social profiles
Digital presenceLower Columbia CAP financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lower Columbia CAP leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Lower Columbia CAP funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lower Columbia CAP 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 Lower Columbia CAP
What does Lower Columbia CAP do?
Lower Columbia CAP delivers a comprehensive suite of social services to low-income individuals and families in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, including energy assistance and weatherization, affordable rental housing, self-help homeownership, homeless services, food distribution through Help Warehouse, Meals on Wheels, senior community lunches, transportation, and education/job training. The organization also operates two social enterprises—CAPtured Treasures thrift store and Grounds for Opportunity Café—that provide job skills training while generating revenue.
Is Lower Columbia CAP a public or private company?
Lower Columbia CAP is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Lower Columbia CAP founded?
Lower Columbia CAP was founded in 1964. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Lower Columbia CAP based?
Lower Columbia CAP is headquartered in Longview, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lower Columbia CAP make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Grants and Programs are the primary driver. The others are social Enterprise Revenue, donations and Fundraising and shopping Rewards Programs.
Who are Lower Columbia CAP's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Feeding America (Regional Food Banks), Meals on Wheels America, Community Action Network (National) and Catholic Charities of Oregon (and Washington). Cowlitz County Department of Community Development is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Habitat for Humanity (Cowlitz/Wahkiakum affiliate), Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette, Salvation Army Longview Corps and St. Vincent de Paul of Cowlitz County. Family Health Center (Cowlitz) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Lower Columbia CAP have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lower Columbia CAP.
What industry is Lower Columbia CAP in?
Lower Columbia CAP's product category is Community Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAB, Housing Assistance & Homeless Services, with a secondary code of BPAIANAC, Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services. Its NAICS code is 62422 and its SIC code is 8300.