Central Outreach and Advocacy Center

What Central Outreach and Advocacy Center does

Central Outreach and Advocacy Center ("Central OAC") is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered at 201 Washington Street SW in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, operating from the lower level of Central Presbyterian Church. Founded in 1980 as a church outreach ministry and incorporated as an independent nonprofit in 1997, the organization serves adults 18 and older experiencing or at risk of homelessness in downtown Atlanta. Its core programs include Supportive Services (ID document recovery, SNAP/Medicaid/SSI/SSDI enrollment, medical/dental/vision referrals, mail check, document storage), the Main Frame Job Readiness Program (computer skills, resume building, interview coaching, financial literacy), Alison's Boutique (interview/work attire), and a policy Advocacy Program run by an attorney-advocate. All services are free to guests and delivered in-person Monday through Thursday, 9:00am-12:30pm, with a small 6-8 person paid staff supported by approximately 30 regular volunteers and interns contributing 3,620 hours in 2024.

The underlying technology stack is minimal and non-proprietary: a standard Homeless Management Information System ("Client Track") is used for document storage and guest records, alongside mainstream nonprofit tooling (Constant Contact for email, standard social platforms). There is no custom platform, no application layer, and no mobile or web product surface; the "product" is direct human service delivery.

Central OAC funds itself through a mix of government grants (Fulton County Community Services Program is the dominant disclosed line, awarding $5,363,958 in 2025 under the Homelessness category), individual donations (one-time and STRIDE monthly recurring), annual events (In Their Shoes walk, Cheers for Change, Central ArtWorks), corporate matching gifts, planned giving/bequests, and in-kind contributions. Its go-to-market is community-led rather than commercial: the organization does not sell services, charges guests nothing, and instead pursues donor, volunteer, and government-grant revenue through community engagement, email/newsletter outreach, social media, blog content, and policy advocacy. Customer acquisition in service terms is friction-free on the demand side (services are universal-eligible and free) but supply-side capacity constrained — in 2024, 715 guests were turned away when intake capacity was exceeded.

Name

Central Outreach and Advocacy Center

Legal name

Central Outreach and Advocacy Center

Website

https://centraloac.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Central Outreach and Advocacy Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in downtown Atlanta serving adults experiencing homelessness with free ID recovery, benefits enrollment, job readiness training, professional clothing, and policy advocacy, funded primarily by Fulton County grants and individual donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homelessness and Social Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Social Assistance (624), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Homeless services
• Supportive services
• Job readiness training
• Benefits enrollment assistance
• Homelessness advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the nonprofit's mission. Monthly giving program (STRIDE) and one-time gift options available online.
2. Annual Fundraising Events: Annual 'In Their Shoes' fundraiser walk and other events like Cheers for Change and Central ArtWorks generate revenue and community awareness.
3. Government Grants and Funding: Fulton County Community Services Program funding. Awarded $5,363,958 in 2025 for homelessness service category.
4. Planned Giving and Estates: Bequests, charitable trusts, life insurance beneficiary designations, and qualified benefit plan donations.
5. Corporate Matching Gifts: Employer matching contribution programs where donors' employers match their charitable gifts.
6. In-Kind Donations: Amazon Wish List donations, clothing, food, hygiene items, and other supplies from donors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Central Outreach and Advocacy Center provides free, in-person social services to adults experiencing homelessness in downtown Atlanta, including ID document assistance (birth certificates, Social Security cards, Georgia IDs), food stamp and Medicaid/SNAP enrollment, SSI/SSDI applications, job readiness training through the Main Frame Program, professional clothing via Alison's Boutique, and policy advocacy. All services are delivered at the organization's physical location at 201 Washington Street SW in Atlanta, Monday through Thursday, free of charge.

Product overview

Central Outreach and Advocacy Center provides a coordinated suite of social services targeting individuals experiencing homelessness in downtown Atlanta. The core offerings include Supportive Services (document assistance, benefits enrollment, referrals), the Main Frame Job Readiness Program (employment training and placement), Alison's Boutique (professional attire), and an Advocacy Program (policy reform). These services operate from the lower level of Central Presbyterian Church and are available Monday-Thursday, serving adults 18 and older on a first-come basis.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Supportive Services

Quantifiable outcome

• In 2024: 9,632 services provided to 3,571 unduplicated guests; helped 621 with birth certificates and 1,817 with ID assistance; assisted 1,493 with medical care access
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Atlanta Community Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACFB offers food resources across Atlanta and assists OAC guests in applying for SNAP/EBT and Medicaid on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
• Bashor Homeless Men's Night SheltercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormerly Central Night Shelter, houses men during coldest months (November-March). Many OAC guests stay there during winter. Also provides foot clinic on Wednesday evenings.
• Church of the Common GroundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHolds morning prayer in OAC courtyard on Monday and Wednesday mornings, provides coffee and fellowship, foot clinic services, and hosts annual Homeless Requiem.
• Empowerment Resource Center (ERC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides health-related programs including HIV/STI prevention, family planning, substance abuse treatment, mental health therapy, and primary care linkages. On-site at OAC on Thursdays.
• Gateway CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHub for downtown Atlanta services including showers, laundry, lockers, and restrooms. Home to satellite locations of Mercy Care, Division of Family and Children Services, and Georgia Dept. of Labor.
• Hope AtlantacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides emergency housing, rapid re-housing, domestic violence assistance, HIV/AIDS assistance, and street outreach. Houses Traveler's Aid program helping stranded individuals return home.
• Intown Cares MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides homeless outreach services and food ministries. Comes to OAC on 1st and 3rd Thursdays to assist guests with housing.
• MARTAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides transportation through Transportation Assistance for the Homeless Program. OAC purchases MARTA tickets at half fare to provide to guests for job interviews and work transportation.
• Mercy CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free medical services including general medical care, health screenings, dental care, vision exams, substance abuse counseling, and mental health resources.
• New American PathwaysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffers resources to refugees and immigrants including resettlement navigation, career services, and immigration assistance. Helps guests get replacement immigration documents for Georgia ID.
• Prevent Blindness GeorgiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts eye clinics at OAC providing eye exams and free glasses to guests. Does vision screenings and vision health programs throughout the state.
• Georgia Division of Family and Children ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides on-site services at Gateway Center for food stamps (SNAP/EBT) assistance and other benefits enrollment.
• Georgia Department of LaborcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSatellite location at Gateway Center providing employment services and job search assistance to OAC guests.
• HanesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHanes for Good program donates socks and masks to those experiencing homelessness through partner organizations including Central OAC.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities Atlanta: Regional branch of Catholic Charities providing housing, immigration, and case-management services to vulnerable populations in metro Atlanta. Broad incumbent — larger portfolio with overlapping client base and donor pool.
• National Alliance to End Homelessness: Washington D.C.-based national policy and advocacy organization working on federal funding, best practices, and systemic reform for homelessness. Broad incumbent — operates in adjacent advocacy space where Central OAC's Advocacy Program increasingly engages.
• The Salvation Army (Atlanta Area Command): Large established national nonprofit operating shelters, food programs, and case-management hubs across metro Atlanta. Broad incumbent — overlapping service offerings for the same population but at a much larger scale and geographic footprint.

Direct peers

• Hope Atlanta: Atlanta nonprofit providing emergency housing, rapid re-housing, domestic violence services, and street outreach. Direct peer — Central OAC's emergency-housing guests often flow into Hope Atlanta, and both compete for the same Fulton County CSP funding pool.
• Mercy Care Atlanta: Atlanta-based nonprofit delivering free medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, and substance-use services to people experiencing homelessness. Direct peer — embedded partner on Central OAC's campus, serving the same guest population with overlapping case-management workflows.
• Atlanta Community Food Bank: Regional food-assistance anchor that staffs SNAP/EBT and Medicaid enrollment at Central OAC and across metro Atlanta. Direct peer in hunger-relief service delivery, with shared guests and joint advocacy on SNAP policy.
• Intown Cares Ministries: Atlanta intown outreach organization providing food ministries and housing-assistance navigation, with on-site days at Central OAC twice a month. Direct peer — competes in the same downtown Atlanta service ecosystem for guests and donor dollars.
• Gateway Center: Atlanta-based hub for downtown homelessness services (showers, laundry, lockers, Mercy Care and DFCS satellites). Direct peer — Central OAC's model is built around referring guests into Gateway Center's wraparound offerings; both serve the same downtown Atlanta homeless population.
• Empowerment Resource Center: Atlanta nonprofit providing HIV/STI prevention, family planning, substance-abuse treatment, mental health therapy, and primary care linkages — on-site at Central OAC on Thursdays. Direct peer — co-located service partner serving the same guest population from the same physical hub.
• Camillus House: Miami-based nonprofit providing integrated shelter, healthcare, social services, and advocacy for people experiencing homelessness. Direct peer — comparable holistic hub model combining ID help, employment support, benefits enrollment, and policy advocacy for a major downtown.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/CentralOAC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCTcY3jSZMcnrojCDNKuwe2w
• Facebookfacebook.com/Central-Outreach-and-Advocacy-Center-130216157035482/timeline
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/central-outreach-&-advocacy-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/centraloac

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Central Outreach and Advocacy Center