Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging

What Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging does

Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) is a private nonprofit corporation designated as an Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act of 1965, founded in 1974 and headquartered in Waterloo, Iowa. The organization coordinates aging and disability services across 18 counties in northeast Iowa — Allamakee, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Grundy, Hardin, Howard, Jackson, Marshall, Poweshiek, Tama, and Winneshiek — serving older adults, family caregivers, people with disabilities, and veterans. Core service lines include the Lifelong Links Aging and Disability Resource Center, caregiver support programs, case management, the Veteran Directed Care program, the Dementia Friendly Iowa Initiative, elder abuse prevention, nutrition services (including Iowa Cafe congregate meals and home-delivered meals), Health & Wellness 365 programming, and transportation assistance.

In addition to its regional service delivery role, NEI3A houses two national resource centers — the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) National Resource Center and the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Technical Assistance Center — which serve as central information and training hubs for all 54 SHIPs and SMPs across the United States. NEI3A also participates in USAging's Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative, contributing to a national partner network of over 1,400 organizations that have collectively administered hundreds of thousands of vaccines to older adults and people with disabilities since May 2023.

The organization's revenue model is built primarily on federal grants through the Older Americans Act and the Administration for Community Living (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services), supplemented by community donations. All direct services to eligible beneficiaries are provided free of charge. Distribution occurs through NEI3A-owned offices, partner-operated senior and community centers across the 18-county region, and strategic alliances such as the Hy-Vee dementia-friendly retail program and the GrandPad senior technology partnership. Leadership transitioned in August 2025 with the appointment of Greg Zars as CEO, succeeding the retiring Mike Donohue.

Name

Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging

Legal name

Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging, Inc.

Website

https://nei3a.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) is a nonprofit Area Agency on Aging coordinating free aging, caregiver, and disability services across 18 northeast Iowa counties, while also housing national resource centers serving all 54 SHIPs and SMPs in the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aging Services and Disability Resource Coordination

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Elder Services & Aging Support (BPAGAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Resources, Social Services & Transportation Coordination (HLADALAK), Care Navigation & Service Coordination (Medical, Social, Community) (HSABAIAB), Dementia/Alzheimer’s In-Home Care (Non-Medical) (HLADAGAG)

Keywords

• Aging services
• Caregiver support
• Senior nutrition
• Disability resource center
• Medicare counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

Waterloo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Federal Funding: Primary funding through the Older Americans Act of 1965, Administration for Community Living (ACL) grants, and other federal programs. NEI3A coordinates services for individuals funded through these government programs.
2. Donations: The organization accepts donations to support services for older adults. The website includes a donation form for community support.
3. Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative (ADVC): USAging's ADVC, supported by ACL with approximately $74.9 million in funding, works with AAAs, CILs and CBOs to increase vaccination rates among older adults and people with disabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) coordinates services for older adults, caregivers, people with disabilities, and veterans across 18 counties in Northeast Iowa, including information and assistance, case management, caregiver support, nutrition programs, transportation, veteran-directed care, dementia services, and elder abuse prevention. It also operates the national Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Resource Center and State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Technical Assistance Center, serving all 54 SHIPs and SMPs nationwide. Services are delivered free of charge to eligible participants through community-based locations, partner organizations, and direct outreach.

Product overview

Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) operates as a social services organization providing aging and disability resource coordination across 18 counties in northeast Iowa. The organization offers a unified portfolio of services rather than a technology product platform. Core service offerings include information and assistance through Lifelong Links, caregiver support programs, case management, veteran-directed care, dementia services, elder abuse prevention, nutrition programs (including Iowa Cafe meals), wellness programs, and transportation. NEI3A also houses two national resource centers—the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) National Resource Center and the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Technical Assistance Center—that serve as central information sources for 54 SHIPs and SMPs nationwide. The organization partners with technology providers like GrandPad for senior digital safety and with retailers like Hy-Vee for dementia-friendly initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lifelong Links Aging and Disability Resource Center Information and assistance service helping individuals navigate available aging and disability services in Northeast Iowa.
• Caregiver Programs Support services for caregivers including counseling, training, and support groups to assist caregivers in their journey.
• Case Management Coordinated case management services including return-to-community programs to help individuals transition back to independent living.
• Veteran Directed Care (VDC) Program Program allowing veterans to direct their own care services with agency support.
• Dementia Friendly Iowa Initiative Statewide initiative promoting awareness and support for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers, including retail partnership programs with Hy-Vee.
• Dementia Service Specialist Consultations Specialized consultations for dementia-related care planning and support services.
• Elder Abuse Prevention and Awareness Services Services focused on preventing elder abuse and raising awareness about the protection of older adults.
• Nutrition Services Comprehensive nutrition programs including meal delivery, congregate meals at Iowa Cafe locations, and Farmers Market Vouchers.
• Iowa Cafe Congregate meal sites where older adults can enjoy nutritious meals in a social setting.
• Wellness Programs Health and fitness programs promoting active aging and well-being for older adults.
• Transportation Services Transportation assistance helping seniors maintain independence and access services.
• Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) National Resource Center National resource center providing information and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries about fraud prevention and protection.
• State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Technical Assistance Center National technical assistance center supporting the 54 SHIP programs across the country in helping Medicare beneficiaries navigate their health insurance options.
• Health & Wellness 365 Monthly wellness program for older adults featuring health discussions, nutrition education, recipe tastings, and activities promoting independence.

Quantifiable outcome

• 378,000+ COVID-19 and flu vaccines administered through ADVC partners
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered secondary and core.

• Hy-VeesecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 October 2024Hy-Vee partnered with Dementia Friendly Iowa (an initiative of NEI3A) to pilot a new awareness program at retail locations. The program places specialized shopping cart signs reading 'Please be patient. I am living with dementia' at Hy-Vee stores to assist individuals with dementia, their families, and caregivers. Piloting at Waukee Hy-Vee and Crossroads Hy-Vee in Waterloo with plans to expand statewide.
• GrandPadcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 September 2023NEI3A partnered with GrandPad to empower older adults with technology and safeguard against online scams. GrandPad devices are designed specifically for older adults unfamiliar with current technologies, helping seniors stay connected while providing encrypted private networks that allow only trusted contacts to communicate with users. This addresses the growing concern of cybercrime affecting Americans over 50, which cost nearly $3 billion according to FBI Elder Fraud Reports.
• USAging (Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023NEI3A participates in USAging's Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative (ADVC), a network of over 1,400 partner organizations including Area Agencies on Aging, Centers for Independent Living, and community-based organizations. Since May 2023, ADVC partners have administered over 378,000 COVID-19 and flu vaccines, with NEI3A contributing to this national effort.
• Administration for Community Living (ACL)coreOthersNEI3A receives federal funding and operates national resource centers under grants from the Administration for Community Living, a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ACL funding supports the SHIP Technical Assistance Center and SMP Resource Center operations.
• National Aging Services OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEI3A collaborates with USAging, ADvancing States, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP), National Council on Aging (NCOA), and Meals on Wheels America to advocate for older Americans and the Older Americans Act programs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Council on Aging (NCOA): National nonprofit focused on improving the lives of older adults through advocacy, programs, and partnerships. Comparable because NCOA previously housed the MIPPA Resource Center that NEI3A's current SHIP/SMP director Brandy Bauer ran, and both organizations collaborate with ACL on Medicare beneficiary education.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit network providing services for people with disabilities and aging adults. Comparable because Easterseals overlaps with NEI3A in serving people with disabilities and older adults, though at a national scale and broader service mix.
• AARP: Nationwide nonprofit advocating for Americans aged 50+. Comparable because AARP shares NEI3A's elder-advocacy mission and Medicare/insurance navigation interests, but operates at a vastly larger membership-driven scale rather than as a direct service provider.

Direct peers

• ADvancing States: National nonprofit association representing state aging and disability agencies. Comparable as a peer advocacy organization working alongside NEI3A and USAging to advance Older Americans Act programs and federal funding for elder services.
• USAging: National membership association representing the network of Area Agencies on Aging and Title VI Native American aging programs. Directly comparable as the convening body for AAAs like NEI3A and the parent network of the ADVC collaborative in which NEI3A participates.
• Lifespan of Greater Rochester: New York-based nonprofit providing aging services including care management, caregiver support, and Medicare counseling. Comparable as a regional aging services organization with a service portfolio substantially overlapping NEI3A's caregiver, case management, and SHIP-adjacent offerings.
• Trellis (formerly Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging): Minnesota-based AAA serving the Twin Cities metro with case management, caregiver support, and Medicare counseling. Comparable as a mid-sized AAA with a similar mix of regional direct services and Medicare-focused programming.
• Meals on Wheels America: National nonprofit supporting the Meals on Wheels network that delivers meals to seniors. Directly comparable because NEI3A delivers nutrition services including congregate meals at Iowa Cafe locations, and Meals on Wheels America is one of NEI3A's named advocacy partners under the Older Americans Act.
• Pima Council on Aging: Regional Area Agency on Aging serving Pima County, Arizona. One of the most recognized AAAs in the U.S., providing caregiver support, case management, nutrition, and transportation — a directly comparable service portfolio and operating model to NEI3A.
• National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP): National membership organization for providers of community-based nutrition services to older adults. Comparable as one of NEI3A's named advocacy collaborators and as the national body representing programs like NEI3A's Iowa Cafe nutrition services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging