Action in Community Through Service

What Action in Community Through Service does

Action in Community Through Service (ACTS) is an independent, private nonprofit founded on January 20, 1969, by 13 churches in Prince William County, Virginia, that delivers crisis intervention and self-sufficiency services to residents of the Greater Prince William Area, including the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park and the Towns of Quantico, Haymarket, Occoquan, and Dumfries. ACTS operates five core service lines: the Hunger Prevention Center (monthly food pantry distributing 630,000+ pounds annually, including home delivery for homebound seniors and persons with disabilities); Housing Assistance (Rapid Re-Housing using a Housing First approach, the 18-bed Beverly Warren emergency shelter, and an Affordable Housing Program); Emergency Assistance (utility, rental, and mortgage help through the EnergyShare program with Dominion Energy and NOVEC); Domestic Violence Services via the Turning Points program (an 18-bed confidential safe house, court advocacy, 24-hour hotline, crisis counseling, safety planning, and bilingual English/Spanish support); and Sexual Assault Services, which is the only dedicated crisis center serving the Greater Prince William Area and supports approximately 400 survivors and family members annually. The organization also runs an annual IWALK fundraising 5K, a volunteer program with roughly 150 monthly volunteers contributing 3,500 hours (estimated $89,000 in cost savings), and maintains accreditations including a Charity Navigator Four-Star rating and the 2025 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency.

ACTS' underlying technology footprint is modest and operationally focused: a Better Impact volunteer management platform, 24/7 crisis hotline infrastructure, an online appointment scheduling system for utility assistance, and physical facilities comprising seven sites across Dumfries and Manassas (Administration Building, Family Services Center, Hunger Prevention Center, Beverly Warren House, Safe House, Manassas Office, and Court Advocacy Office). Distribution is fully direct-to-client through walk-in centers, scheduled appointments, the Prince William County Coordinated Entry System, 24/7 crisis hotlines, and home delivery for homebound populations. All services are delivered free of charge to clients.

The revenue model is donation-based with four streams: individual donations (online, mail, vehicle); corporate sponsorships and event fundraising (IWALK tiered sponsorships with Wegmans and Safeway as Presenting Sponsors at $25,000 and BAE Systems, ADP, Enterprise Holdings Foundation, and Micron Technology as Gold sponsors); government grants and utility partnerships (Dominion Energy, NOVEC, Prince William County Government, Capital Area Food Bank); and, until June 30, 2025, retail revenue from a thrift store operated for 40 years that was closed to redirect resources to the core mission. ACTS directs 85% of revenue to Program Services and is governed by a Board of Directors under CEO Dr. Stanley B. Jones, who was appointed in 2023 after an interim period. The organization has navigated recent disruptions including a 2022 two-thirds staff turnover (41 hires, 48 departures), the 2021 closures of a second safe house and an emergency shelter due to staffing and maintenance constraints, and the 2023 discontinuation of its standalone crisis helpline in favor of the National 988 line and Virginia Regional Crisis Center.

Name

Action in Community Through Service

Legal name

Action in Community Through Service

Website

https://actspwc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Action in Community Through Service (ACTS) is an independent Prince William County, Virginia nonprofit, founded in 1969, providing free crisis intervention services — food assistance, housing, utility aid, and domestic and sexual violence support — to more than 65,000 residents annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human Services / Crisis Intervention

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Community Housing Services (62422), Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Food Services (624210)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services (BPAGAEAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Consumer Rights & Public Interest Advocacy (BPAGAFAK)

Keywords

• Human services nonprofit
• Emergency assistance programs
• Food assistance services
• Housing assistance programs
• Crisis intervention services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dumfries

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute funds through online portals, mail-in checks, and vehicle donations. ACTS allocates 85% of all revenue to Program Services.
2. Corporate Sponsorships & Partnerships: Corporate sponsors support IWALK events and programs at various sponsorship levels (Presenting Sponsor $25,000, Gold, Silver, Bronze tiers).
3. Government Grants & Contracts: Funding from government sources including utility assistance partnerships with Dominion, NOVEC, and other utilities for EnergyShare programs.
4. Thrift Store Operations (Closed 2025): Second ACTS Thrift Store operated for 40 years before closing June 30, 2025 to better allocate resources to core mission.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Action in Community Through Service (ACTS) is a nonprofit human services organization that delivers free crisis intervention and wraparound support programs to Greater Prince William Area residents. Its core offerings include food assistance through the Hunger Prevention Center, housing programs (Rapid Re-Housing, emergency shelter, affordable housing), emergency utility and rental/mortgage assistance, domestic violence services with a safe house and 24-hour hotline, and sexual assault crisis services. All services are provided at no cost to clients in English and Spanish.

Product overview

Action in Community Through Service (ACTS) is a nonprofit human services organization offering a comprehensive suite of crisis intervention and support programs. The organization operates as a single integrated service model rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Core programs include the Hunger Prevention Center (monthly food assistance), Housing Assistance (rapid re-housing, emergency shelter at Beverly Warren, affordable housing), Emergency Assistance (utility and rental/mortgage help), Domestic Violence Services through its Turning Points program (18-bed safe house, court advocacy, 24-hour hotline), and Sexual Assault Services (the only crisis center serving Greater Prince William Area). Supporting programs include an annual IWALK fundraising event, volunteer services managed through Better Impact, and a network of physical facilities including the Family Services Center, Hunger Prevention Center, and multiple office locations. The organization served over 65,700 individuals annually according to recent reports.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hunger Prevention Center / Food Assistance Monthly food pantry providing canned goods, rice, pasta, bread, cereal, meat, fresh produce, and dairy to eligible households in Eastern Prince William County. Includes home delivery for homebound seniors and persons with disabilities. Distributes 630,000+ pounds of food annually and serves 10,600+ households in FY25.
• Housing Assistance Programs Includes Rapid Re-Housing Program using Housing First approach, Beverly Warren Emergency Shelter (up to 18 beds for single females and adults with children), and Affordable Housing Program providing reduced-rent units for qualified households. Supported 600+ individuals in FY25.
• Emergency Assistance Program Provides utility assistance (heating, cooling, water), rental/mortgage assistance, and EnergyShare program for crisis bill payment. Services available to Prince William Area residents facing disconnection or eviction. Supported 200+ households with emergency assistance annually.
• Domestic Violence Services (Turning Points) 18-bed confidential safe house shelter, court advocacy and accompaniment, crisis counseling, safety planning, psycho-educational support groups for adults and children, 24-hour hotline (703-221-4951), and community education. Services offered in English and Spanish.
• Sexual Assault Services Only sexual assault crisis center serving Greater Prince William Area. Services include 24/7 hotline (703-497-1192), hospital accompaniment for forensic exams, criminal justice accompaniment, individual advocacy, support groups, and community education. Serves approximately 400 individuals annually.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served 65,700+ unduplicated individuals annually
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 July 2026Partner for Midsummer Community Care Drive collecting donations for shelter and housing services.
• Virginia Women and Family Support CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 July 2026Partner for community care drive supporting individuals and families in local shelter services.
• 13 Founding ChurchescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 January 1969ACTS founded by 13 local churches in Prince William County to address community crisis needs - original founding partners including Ola, Cokesbury, COV, Dumfries UM, EBC, Good Shepherd Lutheran, Grace Lutheran, LCOC, MOBC, New Concordia Lutheran, Triangle Baptist.
• BAE SystemscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for IWALK events and ACTS programs serving Prince William County.
• ADPcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for IWALK events and community support programs.
• WegmanscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for IWALK 2026 event, providing significant event support.
• SafewaycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for IWALK 2026 event, supporting community fundraising efforts.
• Micron TechnologycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor for IWALK events and community supporter.
• Novant HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner supporting community wellness initiatives.
• Kaiser PermanentecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum partner supporting health and wellness programs.
• Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtility partner providing funding for EnergyShare and emergency utility assistance programs.
• Dominion EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtility partner for EnergyShare program providing heating and cooling assistance.
• Capital Area Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization participating in USDA programs for food distribution.
• Greater DC Diaper BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing diapers and infant supplies to young families through Hunger Prevention Center.
• Sentara HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare legacy partner supporting community health initiatives.
• Prince William County GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner for Coordinated Entry System and housing services.
• Lake Ridge RotaryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerService club partner supporting community initiatives.
• Montclair Lions ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerService organization partner for community support.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Shelter House: Northern Virginia nonprofit providing emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and homelessness prevention services. Direct peer in housing assistance model and Housing First approach used by ACTS.
• Food for Others: Fairfax-based food bank and pantry distributing groceries to food-insecure households. Direct peer to ACTS Hunger Prevention Center with similar walk-in food pantry model serving Northern Virginia.
• Northern Virginia Family Service: Regional nonprofit providing housing, financial empowerment, mental health, and crisis services across Northern Virginia. Direct peer given overlapping service lines, similar geographic footprint, and existing ACTS partnership on the Midsummer Community Care Drive.
• Doorways: Alexandria-based nonprofit offering emergency shelter, housing, and domestic violence services. Comparable in domestic violence/safe house model, court advocacy, and bilingual service delivery that mirror ACTS Turning Points.

Broad incumbents

• Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance: Statewide coalition providing training, advocacy, and resources for sexual and domestic violence service providers. Comparable to ACTS sexual assault and domestic violence programs at a policy/coordination level rather than direct service.
• Capital Area Food Bank: Regional food bank serving the Washington DC metro including Prince William County. Comparable to ACTS in food distribution mission but at much larger scale as a food-rescue aggregator and USDA program partner of ACTS.
• Goodwill of Greater Washington: Large regional nonprofit operating workforce development, retail thrift, and community programs. Comparable in multi-program human services model and historical thrift-store revenue stream that ACTS recently exited.

Emerging players

• LGBTQ+ advocacy & domestic violence organizations (e.g., Northern Virginia Family Service SAFE program): Specialized DV/SA service providers in Northern Virginia offering partial overlap with ACTS Turning Points and Sexual Assault Services. Listed under NVFS given overlapping scope; partial niche overlap in advocacy services.

Regional players

• Loudoun Hunger Relief: Loudoun County food pantry and emergency assistance nonprofit. Comparable food assistance and emergency utility/rental mission, but operating in an adjacent Northern Virginia county rather than competing in Prince William.
• Habitat for Humanity Prince William County: Local Habitat affiliate providing affordable housing and homeownership services in the same county ACTS serves. Comparable in housing stabilization mission, though focused on ownership pathway rather than rental/emergency shelter.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ACTSPWC
• Facebookfacebook.com/actspwc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/action-in-community-through-service
• Instagraminstagram.com/actspwc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Action in Community Through Service