Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee

What Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee does

Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC) is a private non-profit community action agency founded in 1964 and designated as the anti-poverty coordinating body for Knoxville and Knox County, Tennessee. It delivers approximately 60 programs organized across ten service areas: AmeriCorps national service, Beardsley Community Farm, Food Resources (Mobile Meals for homebound seniors, Summer Nutrition Program, Mobile Meals Community Kitchen), Head Start and Early Head Start early childhood education, Home Repair and Weatherization, Office on Aging, Social Services (Homeward Bound homeless services, Project LIVE, Workforce Development, Youth WINS), Transportation (CAC Transit demand-response and Volunteer Assisted Transportation), Utility Assistance (LIHEAP and Project HELP), and VITA tax preparation. The organization serves Knox County residents including low-income individuals and families at or below 80% of area median income, seniors aged 60 and older, homeless individuals and families, and at-risk youth ages 18–24, with documented operational scale including 1,100+ homebound seniors receiving daily meal delivery, 3,653 individuals served by VITA in tax season 2024, 100+ Mobile Meals volunteers, and AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP mobilization of 50+ community nonprofit partnerships annually.

CAC's operating infrastructure relies on standard nonprofit technology: case management systems, the federally-required Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for client outcome tracking, an HRIS for personnel administration, and transportation dispatch and routing software with mobile data terminals and vehicle tracking. The organization does not offer proprietary software, mobile applications, or developer APIs; service delivery occurs through three physical neighborhood centers (the main Ross Building at 2247 Western Avenue plus East and West Knoxville sites), in-home visits, daily mobile meal routes, and demand-response transit vehicles. There are no AI/ML capabilities, patents, trademarks, or proprietary data products disclosed across the source material.

The revenue model is grant-dependent rather than commercial. Federal funding flows through HHS-administered programs including Head Start (Grant 93.600), LIHEAP (Grant 93.568), and Community Services Block Grant (Grant 93.569), supplemented by Federal Transit Administration funding for transportation, Tennessee Department of Transportation and state agency funding, modest transit fares ($2 per way for CAC Transit, $3 one-way for Volunteer Assisted Transportation), and individual and corporate donations of which 100% pass through directly to client assistance. The vast majority of CAC services are provided free of charge to eligible low-income residents, with no commercial subscription, licensing, or tiered pricing model in operation.

Name

Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee

Legal name

Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee

Website

https://knoxcac.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee is a non-profit community action agency founded in 1964 that delivers approximately 60 social service programs to Knox County, Tennessee residents—including low-income families, seniors, homeless individuals, and at-risk youth—funded primarily through federal, state, and local grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK), Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB)

Keywords

• Community action services
• Social services
• Anti-poverty programs
• Senior nutrition services
• Early childhood education

Headquarters

HQ city

Knoxville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Grants: CAC receives federal funding through programs including Head Start (Grant Number 93.600), LIHEAP (Grant Number 93.568), and Community Services Block Grant (Grant Number 93.569) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Transportation programs receive Federal Transit Administration funding.
2. State Government Funding: State funding from Tennessee Department of Transportation and other state agencies for transportation, utility assistance, and social service programs.
3. Individual and Corporate Donations: Individual donors, corporate partners, and community foundations contribute to CAC programs including Project Help, Mobile Meals, Neighborhood Centers, and Social Services. 100% of donated funds go directly to client assistance.
4. Transit Fares: Transportation services generate revenue through $2.00 per-way fares for CAC Transit and $3.00 one-way/$6.00 roundtrip for Volunteer Assisted Transportation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC) is a federally designated non-profit community action agency delivering anti-poverty services across Knoxville and Knox County, Tennessee. It coordinates 60+ programs in ten primary service areas: Head Start early childhood education, Mobile Meals senior nutrition delivery, CAC Transit and Volunteer Assisted Transportation, Home Repair and Weatherization, Utility Assistance (LIHEAP and Project HELP), free VITA tax preparation, Social Services case management, Office on Aging, Beardsley Community Farm, and AmeriCorps volunteer mobilization.

Product overview

Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC) operates as a community action agency providing social services across Knoxville and Knox County, Tennessee. The organization does not offer a unified technology product or platform; instead, it delivers approximately 60 distinct community service programs organized into ten primary service areas. These include AmeriCorps national service, Beardsley Community Farm urban agriculture, Food Resources/Nutrition Services (encompassing Mobile Meals and the Community Kitchen), Head Start early childhood education, Home Repair & Weatherization, Office on Aging, Social Services (including homeless assistance and workforce development), Transportation (CAC Transit and Volunteer Assisted Transportation), Utility Assistance (LIHEAP and Project HELP), and VITA tax preparation. These programs function as semi-autonomous service initiatives coordinated under the CAC umbrella rather than an integrated product suite. The organization is a federally-funded community action committee, not a technology company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CAC Transit: Demand response public transportation services for Knox County residents
• CAC VITA
• Project HELP
• Mobile Meals
• Head Start
• Project LIVE
• Beardsley Community Farm
• AmeriCorps
• Workforce Development
• Youth WINS

Products and services

• Head Start

Quantifiable outcome

• Fiscal Year 2025: households received case management, households avoided eviction, homeless households secured housing, individuals secured employment, individuals achieved educational certificates

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KUB (Knoxville Utilities Board)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKUB partners with CAC to administer Project Help, which provides emergency energy assistance for people in need regardless of energy source (electricity, natural gas, propane, heating oil, wood, or coal). KUB collects Project Help donations and CAC distributes them to qualifying families. KUB covers all administrative costs.
• Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTHDA hosts the LIHEAP Online Application Portal for Tennessee. CAC provides in-person application assistance for applicants who need help navigating the online system.
• Knox County Health DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnox County Health Department identifies failing septic systems and refers financially hardship households to CAC's Septic Repair Program. CAC provides administrative support for eligibility verification and program coordination.
• Knoxville Community Development Corporation (KCDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAC partners with KCDC as the People Lead for HUD's Choice Neighborhood Grant focusing on the Western Heights neighborhood. CAC organizes partnerships to drive change and improved services for residents, providing case management and community programming.
• Housing Authorities and LandlordsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOwner-occupied and rental units require landlord cooperation for weatherization, lead hazard control, and water savings programs. Landlord agreements required when utilities are included in rent.
• Second Harvest Food BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeardsley Farm procures produce from Second Harvest Food Bank for fresh produce distributions to community groups and organizations.
• Licensed ContractorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCAC has invested over $11,000,000 in contracting with local licensed contractors to weatherize, repair, and abate lead-based paint in low-to-moderate-income homes. Contractors provide home repair, water efficiency, weatherization, and lead hazard control services.
• 50+ Community NonprofitscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program mobilizes volunteers to support over 50 community nonprofits, mentor and tutor children, and assist isolated homebound older adults.
• Community Organizations (SUN Programs)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSUN (Summer Nutrition Program) partners with community organizations and programs to serve as meal service locations, providing no-cost breakfasts, lunches, and snacks to youth 18 and under.
• City of Knoxville Afterschool ProgramsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCAC partners with City of Knoxville afterschool programs to provide USDA-approved snacks to at-risk youth. Partner programs complete applications, training, and submit weekly forms.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• National Community Action Partnership: National membership and advocacy association representing the 1,000+ Community Action Agencies nationwide including CAC. Indirect peer as the umbrella body setting CAA training, performance standards, and federal advocacy priorities that shape CAC's operating environment.

Regional players

• East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (ETHRA): Multi-county Area Agency on Aging and Community Services agency serving 16 East Tennessee counties. Comparable as a CAA-like organization delivering aging services, transit, and LIHEAP administration in neighboring counties, including overlapping Title III Older Americans Act programming.
• Metropolitan Action Commission (Nashville): Tennessee's other major Community Action Agency serving Davidson County. Direct peer as a CAA operating Head Start, LIHEAP, CSBG, and senior services within Tennessee under the same federal program framework.
• Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability: Local government housing entity administering tenant assistance, eviction prevention, and affordable housing programs in Knox County. Adjacent peer to CAC's Home Repair, Weatherization, and Project HELP programs — sometimes co-funding the same clients.

Direct peers

• Catholic Charities of East Tennessee: Faith-based social services organization serving East Tennessee including Knoxville, delivering case management, housing assistance, and refugee/family services. Comparable as a multi-program nonprofit serving overlapping vulnerable populations in the same geography.
• Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee: Regional Feeding America food bank serving 18 East Tennessee counties including Knox. Direct peer in food distribution, nutrition programs, and SNAP outreach — and an active CAC partner (Beardsley Farm sources produce from Second Harvest).
• Volunteer Ministry Center: Knoxville nonprofit providing emergency shelter, day services, and rehousing programs for individuals experiencing homelessness. Direct peer in delivering overlapping homeless services alongside CAC's Homeward Bound program.
• United Way of Greater Knoxville: Local United Way affiliate serving Knox County that funds and coordinates a network of human service nonprofits including many overlapping CAC priorities (food, housing, emergency assistance). Comparable as a Knoxville-area social services intermediary relying on donations and partner grants.
• The Salvation Army of Knoxville: National faith-based nonprofit with Knoxville operations providing emergency shelter, utility assistance, food, and case management. Direct peer in delivering overlapping emergency social services to Knox County's vulnerable populations.
• Goodwill Industries of Knoxville: Mission-driven nonprofit operating workforce development, employment placement, and retail-funded social programs in Knox County. Comparable to CAC's Workforce Connections, Re-Connections, and Ticket to Work programs serving similar low-income job seekers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/knoxcac
• Facebookfacebook.com/knoxcac
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/knoxville-knox-county-head
• Instagraminstagram.com/knoxooa

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 Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee