What Washington County Community Action Council does

Washington County Community Action Council (CAC), legally Washington County Community Action Council, Inc., is a private nonprofit organization founded in 1965 under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 as the federally mandated and state-designated Anti-poverty Agency and designated Community Action Agency for Washington County, Maryland. Headquartered at 117 Summit Avenue, Hagerstown, with a satellite office at 139 W. Main Street in Hancock, CAC delivers a comprehensive suite of no-cost social services to economically disadvantaged residents, including energy assistance via the Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP), housing case management and HUD-certified housing counseling, a monthly food pantry, rental property management priced below fair market value, free transportation through Community Action Transit (CAT) and Hopewell Express, mobile outreach to rural populations, and wraparound family support through the Whole Family Approach, Circles Program, ENOUGH Program, Full Circles-Hancock initiative, BrightStart Newborn Kits, and the Community Schools Rental Assistance Program (CSRAP). The organization does not operate proprietary technology and conducts no AI/ML development; service delivery is human-staff-driven through walk-in intake, mobile units, and a network of referral partners.

CAC serves a defined beneficiary base of low-income individuals and families in Washington County, including seniors aged 60+, children and families, veterans, and rural residents, with documented 2024 throughput of 15,000+ individuals served, 20,000+ residents stabilized in housing, 13,000+ free rides to work, 4,000+ households receiving energy assistance, and 101,000+ pounds of food distributed. The organization is led by CEO Tim Fisher, governed by a tripartite Board of Directors (Neighborhood, Public, and Community sectors), and is not a state or federal agency despite its statutory designation. There is no parent company, no venture or private-equity ownership, and no subsidiaries.

CAC's business model is grant-dependent: the majority of revenue is sourced from federal, state, and local government grants, supplemented by private foundation grants, corporate and individual donations (including the Heat for the Holidays campaign), and fundraising events. Programs are provided at no cost to eligible residents under income thresholds tied to Federal Poverty Guidelines or Area Median Income (150%–200%). Distribution is direct (offices, mobile units, CAT transit) and indirect through an extensive partner ecosystem that includes utility companies (Potomac Edison, Columbia Gas), Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Maryland Department of Human Resources, USDA, United Way, Washington County Public Schools, Habitat for Humanity Washington County (under a September 2024 strategic partnership), and the ENOUGH Program consortium led by Bester Community of Hope. CAC holds no patents, trademarks, technology integrations, APIs, or mobile applications, and reports no funding rounds, mergers, acquisitions, or restructuring events beyond the Habitat partnership and related leadership role assumption.

Name

Washington County Community Action Council

Legal name

Washington County Community Action Council, Inc.

Website

https://wccac.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Federally mandated nonprofit anti-poverty agency serving low-income Washington County, Maryland residents since 1965 with free housing, energy, food, transportation, and case management services, funded primarily by government grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK), Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ)

Keywords

• Anti-poverty services
• Community action agency
• Housing assistance
• Energy assistance
• Social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Hagerstown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: CAC is primarily grant funded through Federal, State, Local, and Private Foundations sources. This represents the majority of the organization's revenue for operating its various social service programs including energy assistance, housing, food security, and transportation services.
2. Corporate & Private Donations: Individual and business donations supporting the organization's mission and programs. The organization runs campaigns such as the Heat for the Holidays campaign to raise additional funds for energy assistance.
3. Events: Fundraising events organized by CAC to generate additional revenue for program support and organizational operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Washington County Community Action Council (CAC) is the federally mandated anti-poverty agency and designated Community Action Agency for Washington County, Maryland. It delivers a comprehensive suite of free social services to low-income individuals and families, including energy assistance, housing case management, housing counseling, food pantry, transportation, rental property management, and rural mobile outreach. The organization also operates place-based initiatives such as the ENOUGH Program (South End Hagerstown) and Full Circles-Hancock.

Product overview

Washington County Community Action Council (CAC) is a federally mandated anti-poverty agency offering a comprehensive suite of social services. CAC provides a diverse array of programs spanning crisis intervention to long-term stability support. Core programs include: Energy Assistance through OHEP, Food Pantry, Housing Case Management, Housing Counseling, Rental Property Management, Transportation (CAT), Mobile Services, and the Whole Family Approach. Special initiatives include the ENOUGH Program for South End families, Full Circles-Hancock for Hancock residents, and the Circles Program for poverty reduction. The agency also manages the Community Schools Rental Assistance Program (CSRAP). These services work together to assist individuals and families in achieving and maintaining self-sufficiency through coordinated housing, utility, food, transportation, and financial support services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Community Action Transit (CAT): Transportation program providing medical appointment transportation for the elderly, disabled and low income citizens of Washington County. Also operates Hopewell Express for employment transportation.

Products and services

• Energy Assistance (OHEP) The Office of Home Energy Programs at CAC helps Maryland families pay utility bills and minimize heating crises through the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) and Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP). Targeted at income-eligible Washington County households.
• Community Schools Rental Assistance Program (CSRAP) A statewide Maryland initiative providing emergency financial assistance to families with children enrolled in designated community schools who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, covering rent arrears, security deposits, or future rent payments.
• ENOUGH Program A comprehensive initiative under the Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments, and Households Act to tackle root causes of poverty by addressing inequities and working with impacted communities in the South End of Hagerstown.
• Food Pantry Monthly food distribution program for Washington County residents who apply annually and meet eligibility requirements, providing food assistance to those in need.
• Full Circles-Hancock A place-based initiative providing direct assistance to eligible households in the 21750 ZIP code in Hancock, Maryland, including rental assistance, eviction prevention, utility assistance, and food security.
• Housing Case Management Comprehensive housing services supporting individuals and families in various housing situations including eviction prevention, first month's rent assistance, rapid rehousing, and utility termination prevention.
• Housing Counseling Personalized support from a certified HUD Housing Counselor for housing stability and financial empowerment including eviction prevention, landlord-tenant mediation, credit repair, budgeting, debt management, and homeless assistance.
• Mobile Services Rural outreach service that travels to underserved populations who face barriers to accessing assistance, providing housing, utility, food assistance, and referrals directly in communities across Washington County.
• Rental Property Management Management of several rental properties priced below fair market value, primarily in Hagerstown, providing affordable housing options for eligible residents; a $25 rental application fee applies.
• Community Action Transit (CAT) Transportation Community Action Transit (CAT) provides free transportation for elderly, disabled, and low-income citizens including medical appointment transportation and workforce transportation via Hopewell Express.
• Whole Family Approach Holistic service approach that simultaneously works with children and adults focusing on early childhood education, postsecondary and employment training, economic assets, social capital, and health and well-being.
• Circles Program Transformative initiative designed to reduce poverty and empower individuals and families through mentoring, goal setting, and support, pairing Circle Leaders with community allies.
• BrightStart Newborn Kits

Quantifiable outcome

• Served 15,000+ individuals in 2024
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Habitat for Humanity Washington CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2024Strategic partnership announced September 2024 where Tim Fisher, CEO of CAC, assumes the role of Executive Facilitator for Habitat for Humanity Washington County. CAC's team provides expertise in finance, compliance, grant management, social work, and retail management. The partnership combines organizational strengths to reduce operational costs and expand affordable housing delivery in Washington County.
• Zion Baptist ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch provides meals and meaningful service to Circles Program participants, embodying community support and generosity for those working toward financial stability and self-sufficiency.
• Potomac EdisoncoreOthersUtility company partner supporting energy assistance programs and services for Washington County residents.
• Columbia Gas of MarylandcoreOthersUtility company partner supporting energy assistance programs and heating services for Washington County residents.
• Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState program administered by CAC to help Maryland families pay utility bills and make energy costs more affordable through Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) and Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP).
• Maryland Department of Housing & Community DevelopmentcoreOthersState government department providing funding and programmatic oversight for housing and community development initiatives administered by CAC.
• Maryland Department of Human ResourcescoreOthersState government department providing funding and programmatic oversight for social services administered by CAC.
• U.S. Department of AgriculturecoreOthersFederal agency providing support for food assistance programs and rural development initiatives.
• United Way of Washington County, MDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner providing funding, referrals, and collaborative community impact initiatives supporting CAC programs.
• Washington County Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool district partner supporting Community Schools initiatives, CSRAP program, and ENOUGH Program services for students and families.
• Washington County MarylandcoreOthersLocal county government partner providing support and collaboration for community services.
• Corporation of Hagerstown MDminorOthersCity government partner supporting community development initiatives in Hagerstown.
• Economic Development CommissionminorOthersCounty economic development agency supporting community and business development initiatives.
• IntelsatminorOthersCorporate partner supporting community initiatives and services in Washington County.
• Bester Community of Hope (BCOH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead organization for ENOUGH Program Track Three initiative. BCOH selected the South End of Hagerstown (Bester Elementary School district) as one of three communities in Maryland to receive ENOUGH grant funding. CAC serves as core housing partner providing emergency shelter, rental assistance, and BrightStart services.
• Potomac Community ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the ENOUGH Program providing services to South End families in the Bester Elementary School district.
• City of HagerstowncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner in ENOUGH Program collaboration supporting South End families and community development.
• Hospice of Washington CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner in ENOUGH Program providing support services to families in the South End catchment area.
• Children in NeedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner supporting children and families through ENOUGH Program services.
• Hagerstown Area Religious CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of religious organizations providing support and referrals for community members in need.
• Asian American Center of FrederickminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural organization partner in ENOUGH Program serving diverse communities in Washington County.
• MHA Frederick CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health association partner providing services as part of ENOUGH Program collaborative network.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• United Way Worldwide: National nonprofit network focused on community impact and social services funding; United Way of Washington County is a core CAC partner. Operates a similar funding-and-referral model targeting the same low-income client base and donor pool in Washington County.
• Habitat for Humanity International: National affordable housing nonprofit and direct strategic partner of WCCAC since September 2024. Operates parallel affordable housing and homeownership programs targeting low-income families, sharing overlapping donor bases and client populations.
• Allegany County Human Resources Development Commission: A neighboring Maryland Community Action Agency providing the same federal-designated anti-poverty services (housing, energy, food, transportation) under the same CSBG and OHEP programs as WCCAC. Closest functional peer in the state.

Emerging players

• Feeding America: National food bank network serving food-insecure populations through member food banks and pantries — directly comparable to CAC's Food Pantry program that distributed 101,000+ lbs of food. Maryland Food Bank is the relevant state affiliate.

Broad incumbents

• National Community Action Partnership: The national umbrella for 1,000+ Community Action Agencies including WCCAC. Sets standards, lobbies for CSBG funding, and provides training — directly relevant to CAC's federal mandate and funding streams under the Economic Opportunity Act.
• Catholic Charities USA: National network of faith-based social service agencies delivering comparable programs (housing, energy, food, case management) to low-income clients. Operates Maryland affiliates that compete for similar state and foundation funding pools.
• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit operating workforce development, financial coaching, and self-sufficiency programs for low-income individuals — overlapping with CAC's Whole Family Approach, Circles mentoring, and employment transportation services.
• Maryland Community Action Partnership: Statewide network of Maryland's 17 Community Action Agencies including WCCAC. Provides training, advocacy, and convening (including the MCAP Leadership Academy and annual conference) for the same federal Community Services Block Grant network CAC belongs to.
• The Salvation Army USA: Large-scale faith-based social services organization providing comparable emergency assistance (rent, utilities, food) and case management to low-income populations across the U.S., including Maryland. Competes for similar donor and government funding.
• Volunteers of America: National faith-based human services nonprofit operating housing, energy assistance, food, and family support programs for low-income and vulnerable populations. Competes with CAC for federal, state, and foundation grants in comparable service categories.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/WCCACMD

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Washington County Community Action Council