Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program

What Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program does

Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program, Inc. (SWCAP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community Action agency incorporated in 1966 and headquartered at 201 South Iowa Street, Dodgeville, Wisconsin. It works to mitigate the causes and conditions of poverty across the five southwestern Wisconsin counties of Green, Grant, Iowa, Lafayette, and Richland — with selected programs (Work 'n Wheels, LIFT Transportation) extending into Dane, Sauk, and Crawford counties. SWCAP serves low-income individuals and families through a wraparound portfolio organized into five pillars: Health and Wellness (WIC Nutrition Program); Housing (Home Buyer Assistance with 0% second-mortgage financing, Weatherization, Home Repair with 0% deferred loans, and formerly Supportive Housing); Education (Head Start and Early Head Start for children birth through age five); Transportation (LIFT rides and Work 'n Wheels 0% vehicle loans up to $7,500); and Community Services (Care Coordination Network, nine-plus affiliated food pantries plus a Pop-Up Mobile Food Pantry, Community Treasures Thrift Store with WE CARE vouchers, and the closing Skills Enhancement workforce program).

The organization operates with 51–100 employees across multiple program offices, and its technology footprint is limited to standard web and Facebook channels plus integration with the Wisconsin Homeless Information System (HMIS); no proprietary software, AI/ML capabilities, or commercial technology products are disclosed. Operationally it is a service-delivery and capital-deployment organization rather than a technology business — loan and grant proceeds are recycled through community borrowers, food and energy assistance is distributed physically, and Head Start classrooms are delivered in person.

SWCAP's revenue is composed almost entirely of restricted federal and state government funding (HHS/ACF for Head Start, FTA Section 5310 and 49 USC 5311 for transportation, USDA TEFAP/CSFP for food, Wisconsin DHS for WIC, Wisconsin DOA-DEHCR and WHEAP for housing and weatherization) supplemented by tax-deductible donations to the 501(c)(3) and proceeds from the Community Treasures thrift store. All services are provided free of charge or at 0% interest to income-eligible residents under federal poverty guidelines or county median income thresholds (typically 80% or below). Governance is provided by a volunteer Board of Directors that, per Community Action Agency requirements, includes one-third representation from low-income community members, one-third from local government, and one-third from the broader community; the organization has no parent company and is not part of a corporate group.

Name

Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program

Legal name

Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program, Inc.

Website

https://swcap.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program (SWCAP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community Action agency delivering Head Start, WIC, housing, transportation, food, and care-coordination services to low-income residents across five southwestern Wisconsin counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Child Care Services (6244), Community Food Services (62421), Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Rural, Tribal & Special-Population Housing Programs (FSALAKAL)

Keywords

• Community action programs
• Poverty mitigation services
• Social services nonprofit
• Affordable housing assistance
• Community health programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Dodgeville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal Funding: SWCAP receives federal funding through programs such as the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under 49 USC 5311 for transportation services, and Head Start funding through the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, SWCAP accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations to support program operations.
3. State Program Funding: Funding through Wisconsin state programs including the Wisconsin Home Energy Plus Program (WHEAP) for weatherization services and Wisconsin Department of Administration - Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR) for home buyer assistance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program is a nonprofit community action agency delivering anti-poverty programs across five southwestern Wisconsin counties. Core offerings include early childhood education (Head Start/Early Head Start), maternal and child nutrition (WIC), affordable housing support (Home Buyer Assistance, Weatherization, Home Repair), transportation (LIFT rides and Work 'n Wheels 0% interest vehicle loans), food assistance through a network of food pantries and a mobile food pantry, and care coordination connecting residents to medical, behavioral, and social services.

Product overview

Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program (SWCAP) is a non-profit community action organization offering a portfolio of social service programs organized into five main categories: Health & Wellness (including WIC Nutrition Program), Housing (Home Buyer Assistance, Weatherization, Home Repair), Education (Head Start & Early Head Start), Transportation (LIFT Transportation, Work 'n Wheels vehicle loans), and Community Services (Care Coordination Network, Food Pantries, Thrift Store). The organization also operated the Skills Enhancement workforce development program until its closure on June 30, 2026. Programs are delivered directly and through affiliated partners across Iowa, Lafayette, Grant, Green, and Richland counties in southwestern Wisconsin.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Work 'n Wheels: 0% interest loans for vehicle purchases for individuals who need transportation to get to and from work.
• Community Treasures
• WE CARE
• LIFT
• SWCAP Pop-Up Food Bus

Products and services

• Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program Federal nutrition program providing nourishing food via eWIC cards, nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support with breast pumps, and connections to community services for pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children under age 5.
• Head Start & Early Head Start Child development program providing expectant parents and families with children ages birth through five opportunities for early childhood education, health and nutrition services, parent partnerships, and family support to promote school readiness.
• LIFT Transportation Service Rides for southwestern Wisconsin residents with temporary or permanent transportation difficulties, providing rides to school, work, medical appointments, shopping, and social events in a fleet accommodating ambulatory, wheelchair, and bariatric needs.
• Work 'n Wheels Vehicle Loans 0% interest vehicle loans up to $7,500 for individuals who need a vehicle but have poor or no credit, with low monthly payments of $175-$200. Available in Dane, Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, Richland, and Sauk counties.
• Home Buyer Assistance 0% interest second mortgage financing and mortgage counseling for first-time homebuyers or homeowners looking to purchase or upgrade their home in the service area.
• Weatherization Assistance Energy-saving home improvements for income-eligible homeowners, landlords, and renters including attic and wall insulation, water heater replacement, furnace repair, refrigerator replacement, and air leak sealing at no cost.
• Home Repair Program 0% deferred payment loans to income-eligible homeowners for sudden, unexpected home repair needs including roof, siding, windows, septic systems, well-water systems, electrical service, heating systems, lead paint, and accessibility improvements.
• SWCAP Food Pantries Network of SWCAP-operated and affiliated food pantries throughout southwestern Wisconsin, including a Pop-Up Mobile Food Pantry service, distributing food via federal TEFAP and CSFP programs to residents facing food insecurity.
• Community Treasures Thrift Store Thrift store in Dodgeville offering discounted clothing, furniture, housewares, and books, with proceeds supporting SWCAP programs. Includes the WE CARE voucher program providing diapers, baby wipes, clothes, and household sundries to people in need.
• Care Coordination Network Program connecting individuals to local medical, behavioral health, and social service programs through Community Health Workers who address social determinants of health barriers including housing, employment, education, food security, and safety.
• Neighborhood Health Partners Community health initiative within SWCAP's Community Services offerings, addressing neighborhood-level health access and supports for residents in the service area.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,150 vehicle loans provided since 2001 through Work-n-Wheels program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Wisconsin-MadisoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 October 2024SWCAP collaborates with the University of Wisconsin-Madison on community health initiatives, including organizing rural community listening sessions to understand perspectives about technology in mental health. The partnership aims to identify rural community assets and discuss mental health support access.
• Community Wellness GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSWCAP co-sponsored the Community Wellness Mental Health Summit - Strengthening Connection Through Conversation with Community Wellness Group and G.R.A.N.T., bringing together community members for mental health education and engagement.
• Dodgeville United Methodist ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSWCAP partners with Dodgeville United Methodist Church as a venue for community events including the rural community listening session organized with University of Wisconsin-Madison.
• Southwest Technical CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSWCAP supports the Chargers Cupboard Food Pantry at Southwest Technical College, which serves students experiencing food insecurity.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP): Statewide association representing Wisconsin's Community Action agencies including SWCAP. Comparable as the industry umbrella body that channels federal CSBG funding and advocates on behalf of CAPs.

Direct peers

• Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin: Another Wisconsin-designated Community Action agency delivering similar wraparound housing, food, Head Start, weatherization, and transportation programs. Most directly comparable to SWCAP given shared state designation, federal funding mix, and rural-adjacent service geography.
• West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency (WESTCAP): Federally designated Wisconsin CAP providing Head Start, weatherization, food, housing, and workforce services across rural western Wisconsin. Directly comparable in scale, geography, and program mix.
• Coulee Region Community Action (Couleecap): Wisconsin Community Action agency serving the La Crosse region with comparable Head Start, housing, energy assistance, and transportation programs. Shares SWCAP's funding model and program portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• United Way of Dane County: Large regional United Way funding a broad portfolio of poverty, housing, and education programs in southern Wisconsin. Competes for charitable donations and grant funding relevant to SWCAP's donor base.
• Habitat for Humanity of Wisconsin: State-level housing nonprofit supporting local affiliates that build and repair homes for low-income families. Overlaps with SWCAP's home repair and homebuyer assistance programs.
• Feeding Wisconsin: Statewide hunger-relief organization coordinating food bank and anti-hunger programming across Wisconsin. Adjacent mission overlap with SWCAP's food pantry network.

Regional players

• Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin: Regional food bank serving southwestern Wisconsin counties that overlap with SWCAP's service area. Directly competes in food distribution but operates a different model (food bank vs. community action).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SouthwestCAP
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/southwest-cap

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program