Experiment In Self-Reliance

Name

Experiment In Self-Reliance

Legal name

Experiment in Self-Reliance, Inc.

Website

https://eisr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Winston Salem

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and corporate donations that stay in Forsyth County to provide client assistance for food vouchers, bus passes, utility deposits, rent deposits, childcare, work/school uniforms, tuition, and books.
2. Government Grants and Contracts: Funding from federal, state, and local government sources including City of Winston-Salem, HUD, Department of Labor, FEMA, Forsyth County, NC DHHS, and various government programs.
3. United Way Funding: Annual funding as a United Way Agency Partner in Forsyth County.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Experiment In Self-Reliance is a nonprofit Community Action Agency providing free social and economic self-reliance programs to low-to-moderate income residents of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, NC. Its core offerings include the New Century IDA (asset-building matched-savings program for first-time homeownership or small business), Forsyth Free Tax (IRS VITA-certified free tax preparation for those earning under $67,000), the Self-Sufficiency Program (intensive case management with Success Coaches), the Empowerment Series financial literacy curriculum, Spanish-Speaking bilingual services, and an emergency Food Pantry.

Product overview

Experiment In Self-Reliance operates as a unified service organization offering a portfolio of complementary social and economic self-reliance programs for low-to-moderate income residents of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. The core offerings include the New Century IDA (Individual Development Account) for asset building and homeownership, Forsyth Free Tax for free tax preparation via IRS VITA volunteers, the Self-Sufficiency Program with intensive case management and Success Coaches, the Empowerment Series (Road to Empowerment) financial literacy curriculum, Spanish-Speaking Services with bilingual orientation, and an emergency Food Pantry for enrolled clients. Additional services include event space rental. These programs are designed to work holistically, with clients encouraged to participate in multiple services to address various barriers to self-reliance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• New Century IDA

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• United Way of Forsyth CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way is a key funding partner and collaborative organization. Provides the 211 information service for referrals to ESR. ESR is a United Way Agency Partner.
• Goodwill IndustriesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for client services. Collaborates on job placement and community support services.
• Financial Pathways of the PiedmontmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDA Partner providing financial services and pathways for economic self-sufficiency. Co-hosts DPA Pro Lender/Realtor Training with ESR.
• Center for HomeownershipmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing counseling partner helping educate and guide potential homeowners through the homeownership process.
• Habitat for HumanitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDA Partner providing homeownership opportunities for low-income families in Forsyth County.
• Forsyth Technical Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing vocational and college education opportunities for clients.
• Winston-Salem State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education partner for client educational advancement.
• Wake Forest UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education partner providing educational opportunities.
• Crisis Control MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for emergency services and crisis support.
• Legal Aid of North CarolinaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal services referral partner for clients needing legal assistance.
• The Salvation ArmyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for emergency assistance and social services.
• Urban LeagueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for employment and economic development services.
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVITA Program sponsor providing training, standards, and certification for free tax preparation services.
• Mechanics & Farmers BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for community events including 1st Annual Trunk or Treat event.
• St. Leo'sminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partner providing holiday food donations (Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas) for ESR families. Provides turkeys/hams and Easter dinner items to 25+ families.
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (Winston-Salem Alumni Chapter)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner co-hosting ESR Food Drive event with Kappa Foundation of Winston-Salem.
• Winston-Salem Housing AuthoritymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing partner for affordable housing programs and homeownership initiatives.
• NC Housing Finance AgencymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDA Partner providing housing finance programs and resources.
• Career Connections and Prosperity CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining referral source and VITA tax site location partner.
• American Red CrossminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining and referral partner for emergency services.
• Forsyth County DSSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartment of Social Services referral partner for client services.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Financial Pathways of the Piedmont: Forsyth County-based nonprofit providing financial counseling, IDA programs, and homeownership education. Direct peer and explicit co-host partner with ESR for DPA Pro Lender/Realtor Training and IDA matching.
• Goodwill Industries of Northwest NC: Operates in Forsyth County offering job placement, training, and community support services. Direct peer given overlapping employment and self-sufficiency focus and explicit referral partnership with ESR.
• United Way of Forsyth County: Funder and collaborative partner of ESR; operates the 211 referral service that drives client flow to ESR. Peer as a fellow Forsyth County nonprofit coordinating community-wide anti-poverty efforts.
• Winston-Salem Urban League: Local Urban League affiliate providing employment and economic development services. Direct peer given overlap in employment, financial empowerment, and referral partner relationship with ESR.
• Legal Aid of North Carolina: Statewide legal services nonprofit serving low-income residents. Direct peer and explicit referral partner with ESR for clients needing legal assistance in Forsyth County.
• Crisis Control Ministries: Forsyth County-based nonprofit providing emergency assistance (food, clothing, medication, shelter) to families in crisis. Directly comparable as a fellow Forsyth County emergency social services nonprofit and referral partner.
• Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County: Local Habitat affiliate providing homeownership opportunities for low-income families. Direct peer and explicit IDA Partner with ESR for homeownership pathways.
• The Salvation Army of Greater Winston-Salem: National social services organization with Forsyth County presence providing emergency assistance, food, and shelter. Direct peer as a fellow community assistance and emergency services provider.

Broad incumbents

• North Carolina Community Action Association (NCCAA): Statewide association of North Carolina's Community Action Agencies including ESR. Comparable as the coordinating body for CAAs of similar size and mission across the state.
• National Community Action Partnership: National membership organization for Community Action Agencies including ESR. Peer as the national umbrella for CAAs of ESR's size and federal funding model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EISRSocialMedia
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC-ymn0f9ZSExa2tCwao-VSg
• Facebookfacebook.com/EISR.org
• Instagraminstagram.com/experimentinselfreliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Experiment In Self-Reliance