Community Action
Community Action Wayne/Medina is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1966 that delivers Head Start, energy assistance, housing, transportation, and emergency support services to low-income residents of Wayne and Medina Counties, Ohio, across eight center-based locations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1966
- HeadquartersWooster, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Community Action does
Community Action Wayne/Medina (CAW/M) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded on January 13, 1966, that delivers a portfolio of social services to low-income individuals and families in Wayne and Medina Counties, Ohio. CAW/M operates as the sole federal grantee for both Head Start and Early Head Start programs in these two counties, serving 373 Head Start children and 165 Early Head Start children (538 total at any given time) through center-based and home-based service models. Beyond early childhood education, the organization administers energy assistance programs (HEAP, Winter Crisis, Summer Crisis, PIPP Plus, Home Weatherization Assistance, Warm Choice, Home Relief, Electric Partnership Program, Ohio Household Water Assistance), housing and community development services (housing weatherization and repair, homelessness services, fair housing program, Wayne County Land Bank), transportation services (WayGo Fixed Route transit, Mobility Management, Wooster Transportation Assistance Program, BuyCar Program), and community support initiatives (Action Fund emergency assistance, Medina County Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Heart of Ohio Diaper Bank, Meals on Wheels, 211/Information & Referral).
The organization's service portfolio is delivered through a network of eight center-based locations across the two counties (Wooster, Orrville, Rittman, West Salem, Lodi, Medina, Wadsworth, Brunswick), supplemented by home-based visits, in-person headquarters operations at 905 Pittsburgh Avenue, Wooster, and digital infrastructure including an online appointment scheduling portal (IT FrontDesk) and a client login portal. WayGo Wooster-Wayne Community Transit is powered by SHARE Mobility technology, representing a notable platform integration. CAW/M maintains PCI DSS compliance for payment processing and operates a 5-star Step Up to Quality rating across all its centers — the highest possible certification from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The organization's go-to-market is community-led and referral-based, reaching clients through word-of-mouth, partner referrals (Ohio Job and Family Services, local schools, healthcare providers), and direct outreach at community events.
CAW/M's revenue model is primarily government-funded, with the organization receiving federal grants from the Office of Head Start (Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Grant Number 05CH011946) and pass-through funding for HEAP and other energy assistance programs. State-level funding flows through partners such as the Ohio Department of Development and Ohio Department of Transportation (for Mobility Management). A secondary revenue stream is generated through nominal transit fee pricing ($2 one-way, $5 day pass, $20 week pass, $50 month pass for standard fixed-route service; $3 one-way for program participants), supplemented by online donations supporting the Action Fund (where 100% of donations go to direct support) and the Medina County Dolly Parton Imagination Library campaign (approximately $200,000 raised annually). The organization is a member of the Community Action Partnership national network (over 1,000 agencies), the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies, the National Community Action Foundation, and CAPLAW.
Community Action firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Community Action
- Legal name
- Community Action Wayne/Medina
- Website
- https://cawm.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1966
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Community Action Wayne/Medina is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1966 that delivers Head Start, energy assistance, housing, transportation, and emergency support services to low-income residents of Wayne and Medina Counties, Ohio, across eight center-based locations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Community Action industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Social Services
- NAICS
- Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Child and Youth Services (62411), Community Housing Services (62422)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Family Engagement & Home–School Partnership Programs (EDACALAB), K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)
Keywords
Where Community Action is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wooster
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices9 records
Markets served
Community Action business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Federal Government Grants: CAW/M receives substantial funding from federal programs including the Office of Head Start (Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) under Grant Number 05CH011946. HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) is federally funded. These grants support child development programs and energy assistance services.
- Donations and Fundraising: The organization accepts donations through an online donation platform supporting the Action Fund (100% goes to direct support) and the Medina County Dolly Parton Imagination Library campaign. Donors can give one-time or recurring donations weekly, monthly, quarterly, biannually, or annually.
- Program Service Fees: Transportation assistance programs charge nominal fees for passes ($2 one-way, $5 day pass, $20 week pass, $50 month pass). Wooster Transportation Assistance Program charges $3 per one-way pass. Fees are subsidized for income-qualifying residents.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Fixed Route Transit Passes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Wooster Transportation Assistance Program Passes |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Action Fund Donation - 100% to Direct Support |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Medina County Dolly Parton Imagination Library |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Community Action product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Community Action Wayne/Medina is a nonprofit community action agency that delivers anti-poverty social services to low-income residents of Wayne and Medina Counties in Ohio. Its core offerings include Head Start and Early Head Start early childhood education, home energy bill assistance (HEAP, Winter Crisis, Summer Crisis, PIPP Plus), home weatherization, public transit through WayGo, housing and community development support, senior nutrition (Meals on Wheels), and the Imagination Library book program.
Product overview
Community Action Wayne/Medina (CAW/M) operates as a comprehensive social services organization offering multiple interconnected programs to serve low-income individuals and families in Wayne and Medina Counties, Ohio. The organization functions as a portfolio of distinct service programs rather than a unified software product. Core service areas include: (1) Energy & Economic Assistance Programs including HEAP, Winter/Summer Crisis Programs, PIPP Plus, HWAP, and Warm Choice for utility and energy assistance; (2) Child & Family Development through Head Start and Early Head Start center-based and home-based services; (3) Transportation Services including WayGo transit, Mobility Management, and subsidized transportation programs; (4) Housing & Community Development covering weatherization, homelessness services, and fair housing; and (5) Community support initiatives including the Action Fund hardship assistance and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. These programs are administered through the organization's main office in Wooster, Ohio, with additional center locations throughout both counties.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- WayGo: Wooster-Wayne Community Transit transportation service
- Action Fund
- Medina County Dolly Parton Imagination Library
Quantifiable outcome
- 426,000+ Ohioans served last year
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Community Action
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Community Action technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Community Action partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies (OACAA)coreState-level association of Community Action Agencies serving all 88 Ohio counties. CAW/M participates in the network providing linkage to resources, advocacy, and shared best practices across Ohio's CAA network.
- Community Action PartnershipcoreNational network organization representing Community Action Agencies. CAW/M is a proud member, connecting to a network of over 1,000 local agencies created through the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.
- National Community Action Foundation (NCAF)coreNational advocacy organization for Community Action Agencies. Supports the network of CAAs working to alleviate poverty and empower low-income families.
- CAPLAWcoreNational organization providing legal and governance support, training, and advocacy for Community Action Agencies. CAW/M is a member receiving technical assistance and compliance support.
- Heart of Ohio Diaper BankminorCAW/M hosts the Heart of Ohio Diaper Bank and HER project, providing diaper bank services and the HER project to assist community members in need.
- American Electric Power (AEP)coreAEP partners with CAW/M through the Electric Partnership Program (EPP), providing assistance with lowering household utility bills for eligible Ohioans.
- SHARE MobilitycoreTechnology partner powering the WayGo Wooster-Wayne Community Transit fixed route service managed by CAW/M.
- HallStar TaximinorLocal taxi service provider participating in the Wooster Transportation Assistance Program, offering subsidized transportation to program participants. Phone: 330-262-0123.
- Precious Angels TransportminorLocal transportation provider participating in the Wooster Transportation Assistance Program. Phone: 330-231-1996.
- Wooster ExpressminorLocal transportation provider participating in the Wooster Transportation Assistance Program. Phone: 330-202-9000.
- Medina County TransitminorMedina County transportation options coordinated through CAW/M transportation services. Website: medinacountytransit.org.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Community Action competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Community Action Partnership (National): National umbrella organization for the 1,000+ Community Action Agency network of which CAW/M is a member. Comparable as the broader entity governing CAW/M's network affiliation, training, and advocacy, though it is not a service-delivery peer.
- United Way of Wayne County: Local United Way affiliate operating in the same Wayne County service area, funding and convening community services including some overlapping with CAW/M's mission. Broadly comparable as a community funder but does not directly deliver Head Start or HEAP.
Direct peers
- Lorain County Community Action Agency: Lorain County, Ohio CAA administering similar Head Start, HEAP, weatherization, and senior services. Same statewide network (OACAA) and federal grant structure make it a direct operational peer.
- Mahoning County Community Action Agency: Mahoning County, Ohio CAA delivering Head Start, energy assistance, housing, and family self-sufficiency programming. Closely comparable operating model, funding mix, and county-level geographic scope to CAW/M.
- Ashtabula County Community Action Agency: Ashtabula County CAA delivering the same core CAA service lines (Head Start, energy, housing, transportation) under Ohio's OACAA network. Direct comparable on funding mix and rural county service area.
- Community Action Akron Summit: A neighboring Ohio Community Action Agency serving Summit County with a comparable portfolio of Head Start, HEAP, weatherization, housing, and transportation programs. Directly comparable as a CAA operating under the same federal funding streams and CAA network membership.
Others
- Heart of Ohio Diaper Bank: Diaper bank hosted by CAW/M. Adjacent service provider in the same nonprofit ecosystem; comparable as a small Ohio-based human services nonprofit but operating at a much smaller scale and narrower mission.
Regional players
- Help Me Grow Wayne / Medina (Ohio Department of Health): State-funded early childhood home visiting program serving the same Wayne and Medina Counties. Operates in the same geography and serves overlapping low-income families with young children but does not directly deliver center-based Head Start.
- Wayne County Children Services: County child welfare agency serving the same Wayne County geography. Comparable as a public-agency peer addressing child and family well-being, though focused on protective services rather than early childhood education.
- Medina County Job and Family Services: County-level social services agency administering childcare vouchers, cash assistance, and food benefits in the same service area. CAW/M is a referral partner (e.g., Head Start accepts ODJFS childcare vouchers); operationally comparable in scope of services delivered to overlapping clients.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Community Action social profiles
Digital presenceCommunity Action compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Community Action financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Community Action leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Community Action funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Community Action M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Community Action
What does Community Action do?
Community Action Wayne/Medina is a nonprofit community action agency that delivers anti-poverty social services to low-income residents of Wayne and Medina Counties in Ohio. Its core offerings include Head Start and Early Head Start early childhood education, home energy bill assistance (HEAP, Winter Crisis, Summer Crisis, PIPP Plus), home weatherization, public transit through WayGo, housing and community development support, senior nutrition (Meals on Wheels), and the Imagination Library book program.
Is Community Action a public or private company?
Community Action is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Community Action founded?
Community Action was founded in 1966. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Community Action based?
Community Action is headquartered in Wooster, United States, in the North America region.
How does Community Action make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Federal Government Grants are the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising and program Service Fees.
Who are Community Action's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Community Action Partnership (National) and United Way of Wayne County. Direct peers are Lorain County Community Action Agency, Mahoning County Community Action Agency, Ashtabula County Community Action Agency and Community Action Akron Summit. Heart of Ohio Diaper Bank is listed as an others. Regional players are Help Me Grow Wayne / Medina (Ohio Department of Health), Wayne County Children Services and Medina County Job and Family Services.
Does Community Action have an API?
No public API is recorded for Community Action.
What industry is Community Action in?
Community Action's product category is Community Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAL, Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services, with a secondary code of EDACALAB, Family Engagement & Home–School Partnership Programs. Its NAICS code is 6242 and its SIC code is 8300.