Mid-Sioux Opportunity
Mid-Sioux Opportunity is a 501(c)(3) Community Action Agency in Northwest Iowa that delivers 14 federal, state, and local anti-poverty programs, including Head Start, WIC, LIHEAP, and Child Care Resource & Referral, serving income-eligible families across a 23-county region with approximately 125 staff and a $16 million annual operating budget.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1965
- HeadquartersRemsen, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Mid-Sioux Opportunity does
Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Action Agency founded in 1965 and headquartered in Remsen, Iowa, that delivers a portfolio of 14 federal, state, and local anti-poverty programs across Northwest Iowa. Its service mix spans four categories: Children & Families (Head Start serving 175 families, Early Head Start serving 72 pregnant women and infants, Child Care Resource & Referral across a 23-county Region 1, Family Development and Self-Sufficiency, and the statewide Child Care Collaborative of Iowa consulting line), Outreach Services (food pantries, crisis assistance, holiday programs serving 369 children with Christmas gifts in Sioux County), Energy Services (LIHEAP supporting 1,761 households annually plus Weatherization serving 18-30 homes per year), and Health & Nutrition (WIC nutrition support, Healthy Pregnancy Program serving 102 participants in FY2025). The organization employs approximately 125 staff across 11+ physical sites in five core counties (Cherokee, Ida, Lyon, Plymouth, Sioux) plus mobile WIC clinics reaching ten additional counties.
The business model is grant-funded rather than commercial: approximately 70% of the $16 million operating budget (as of January 2024) originates from federal sources routed through Iowa state agencies, with the remainder from state contracts, local county budget allocations across five counties, and charitable donations from individuals, businesses, and private foundations. All programs are free to income-eligible households, with eligibility generally set at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Go-to-market is community-led: outreach occurs through physical offices, partnerships with schools, churches, and law enforcement, quarterly newsletters, the midsioux.org website, a Facebook presence, and direct Executive Director presentations at county Board of Supervisors meetings. Leadership transitioned in January 2024 when Cindy Harpenau succeeded Dick Sievers following his 44-year tenure. Technology infrastructure is limited to operational SaaS (Sage Intacct for accounting, ADP for payroll), with no proprietary technology or AI/ML capabilities.
Mid-Sioux Opportunity firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Mid-Sioux Opportunity
- Legal name
- Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc.
- Website
- https://midsioux.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1965
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Mid-Sioux Opportunity is a 501(c)(3) Community Action Agency in Northwest Iowa that delivers 14 federal, state, and local anti-poverty programs, including Head Start, WIC, LIHEAP, and Child Care Resource & Referral, serving income-eligible families across a 23-county region with approximately 125 staff and a $16 million annual operating budget.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Mid-Sioux Opportunity industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Action Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Early Childhood Education & Childcare Nonprofits (BPAGADAA)
Keywords
Where Mid-Sioux Opportunity is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Remsen
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices11 records
Markets served
Mid-Sioux Opportunity business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Federal Funding: Approximately 70% of funding comes from federal sources funneled through state funding sources, including Head Start, Early Head Start, WIC, LIHEAP, CSBG, and weatherization programs.
- State Funding: State contracts for programs including Child Care Resource & Referral, Family Development and Self-Sufficiency (FaDSS), and maternal health services.
- Donations and Contributions: Charitable donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations to support specific programs or general operations. Mid-Sioux is a 501(c)(3) organization.
- Local Government Funding: Budget requests made to local governments (five counties) to support Outreach services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Free services for income-eligible families |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Mid-Sioux Opportunity product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc. is a not-for-profit Community Action Agency that delivers 14 federal, state, and local anti-poverty programs across Northwest Iowa. Core offerings include Head Start and Early Head Start early childhood education, the WIC supplemental nutrition program, LIHEAP and Weatherization energy assistance, child care resource and referral, family development and self-sufficiency (FaDSS), healthy pregnancy support, and crisis/local outreach services. All programs are provided free of charge to income-eligible households, with eligibility tied to federal poverty guidelines (typically at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level).
Product overview
Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc. is a not-for-profit Community Action Agency that operates as a social services organization rather than a technology product company. The organization offers a portfolio of 14 federal, state, and local programs organized into four main categories: Children & Families Programs (including Head Start, Early Head Start, Child Care Collaborative of Iowa, Child Care Resource & Referral, and Family Development and Self-Sufficiency), Outreach Services (local services and food pantries), Energy Services (LIHEAP, Weatherization, and Crisis Services), and Health & Nutrition Programs (WIC, Healthy Pregnancy). These programs work together to fight poverty and help families and children in Northwest Iowa grow through educational, health, and financial assistance.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Head Start / Child Development Center Free, federally-funded center-based early childhood education program serving 175 eligible families with three- and four-year-old children, providing educational activities, health screenings, and school readiness preparation across multiple Head Start Center locations in Cherokee, Ida, Lyon, Plymouth, and Sioux counties.
- Early Head Start Federally-funded program serving 72 pregnant women and children from birth to age three, offering weekly home-based visits with Family Advocates and 24 center-based toddler slots across Early Head Start Advocate Offices and Toddler Centers in Le Mars, Orange City, and Sioux Center.
- Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR) Regional child care resource and referral services helping families find quality child care and supporting child care providers with professional development and resources across a 23-county Region 1 service area; includes a statewide online professional development offering led by Dottie Roberts.
- Family Development and Self-Sufficiency (FaDSS) Program supporting families in achieving self-sufficiency through in-home education, resources, and support services, delivered through FaDSS Offices in Remsen and Sioux Center.
- Child Care Collaborative of Iowa (CCCI) Financial management consulting for the Child Care Collaborative of Iowa, guiding child care programs to improve financial practices and optimize resources that benefit children, families, and businesses across Iowa.
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Federally-funded program assisting eligible low-income households with a portion of their residential heating costs for the winter heating season, regardless of heating fuel type. Approving 1,761 applications in the last fiscal year and 1,049 by end of December in the current season.
- Weatherization Assistance Program Low-income energy efficiency program administered by the U.S. Department of Energy that makes homes more energy efficient to reduce households' energy bills, serving 18-30 homes per fiscal year.
- Crisis Services Emergency assistance for households facing crisis, including help with rent, utilities, food, and other essential needs following disaster declarations, supported in part by grants such as a $10,000 grant from the Union Pacific Foundation.
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition program providing supplemental foods, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support to pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age five; delivered through mobile WIC clinic sites at churches and community centers across 10 counties. Includes Farmers Market Vouchers — 700 WIC participants received vouchers during the most recent summer.
- Healthy Pregnancy Program Program providing essential support and education to pregnant women including nursing education, nutrition counseling, and assistance with arranging financial resources for delivery; served 102 participants in Fiscal Year 2025.
- Outreach Services (Food Pantries, Holiday & Back-to-School Programs) Local outreach services providing contact points for families needing assistance across five counties, including food pantries (Hope Food Pantry, Orange City Food Pantry), crisis assistance, holiday gift programs (369 Christmas gift recipients in Sioux County; 100 children served in Cherokee County through police partnership), and back-to-school supply distribution (88 backpacks to income-eligible children).
Quantifiable outcome
- Head Start program prepares children for kindergarten with cognitive, social, and emotional development support
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Mid-Sioux Opportunity
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Mid-Sioux Opportunity technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Mid-Sioux Opportunity partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- BVUcoreStrategic partnership established in November 2023 providing additional opportunities and educational benefits for MSO employees and their eligible family members.
- Central Reformed Church of Sioux CenterminorArnie Schelling sets up space at the church for WIC staff visits two days per month. He assists with loading supplies and frequently checks on staff throughout the day.
- Sioux Biochemicals Inc.minorDr. Allan Kramer and Sioux Biochemicals contribute to the food pantry at the Sioux Center outreach office by generously donating ground beef and roasts, ensuring the freezers never go empty.
- WeeCare & Kiddieland PreschoolminorFor the past decade, maintained strong collaboration for children preparing for kindergarten. Their dual placement system has been instrumental in ensuring children are prepared for their next milestone.
- Cherokee Police DepartmentminorPartnership to ensure 100 children in Cherokee County experience the joy of Christmas. Police department partners with Mid-Sioux for holiday gift program.
- CASA of Sioux CountyminorCASA of Sioux County conducted online fundraising campaign for Hope Food Pantry in Sioux Center, Orange City Food Pantry, and Mid-Sioux Opportunity's Crisis Fund.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Mid-Sioux Opportunity competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- National Head Start Association: NHSA is the national membership association for Head Start programs and is closely adjacent to Mid-Sioux's largest program category. While not a direct operating peer, NHSA's policy advocacy directly impacts Mid-Sioux's largest federal revenue stream.
Direct peers
- Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP): HACAP is another of Iowa's 16 Community Action Agencies, headquartered in Cedar Rapids and serving a multi-county region with Head Start, WIC, LIHEAP, weatherization, and family development programs. Directly comparable operating model, funding mix, and program portfolio to Mid-Sioux, with a different (eastern Iowa) geographic footprint.
- MATURA Action Corporation: MATURA is a southwest Iowa Community Action Agency delivering Head Start, WIC, LIHEAP, and family development services across multiple counties. Directly comparable CAA structure and federal funding model to Mid-Sioux.
- Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc. UDMO is a northwest/north-central Iowa Community Action Agency running the same federal program mix (Head Start, WIC, LIHEAP, Weatherization, FaDSS, CCR&R) as Mid-Sioux. Direct peer with overlapping but distinct Iowa county coverage.
- IMPACT Community Action Partnership: IMPACT is a southeast Iowa CAA delivering Head Start, energy assistance, weatherization, and crisis programs across an eight-county region. Directly comparable multi-county CAA operating model and federal program portfolio.
- Operation Threshold: Operation Threshold is a northeast Iowa Community Action Agency providing Head Start, WIC, energy assistance, food pantries, and crisis services. Same CAA federal funding architecture and integrated service model as Mid-Sioux.
Regional players
- United Way of Siouxland: United Way of Siouxland is a regional nonprofit fundraising and grantmaking organization serving northwest Iowa. Comparable in mission scope (anti-poverty, community services) and geographic footprint, though with a different operating model (funding intermediary vs. direct service provider).
- Food Bank of Siouxland: Food Bank of Siouxland is a regional hunger-relief nonprofit serving the same northwest Iowa counties where Mid-Sioux operates food pantries. Overlapping food insecurity mission and service territory.
- Community Action Partnership of Lancaster & Saunders Counties: A Nebraska-based Community Action Agency operating the same federal program mix (Head Start, WIC, LIHEAP, Weatherization) as Mid-Sioux in a different state. Provides a useful peer benchmark for CAA operating economics in a different regulatory jurisdiction.
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Sioux City: Catholic Charities of Sioux City is a faith-based nonprofit providing social services (emergency assistance, family support, immigration, pregnancy services) across the same northwest Iowa region as Mid-Sioux. Comparable regional human services footprint with overlapping client populations.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Mid-Sioux Opportunity social profiles
Digital presenceMid-Sioux Opportunity financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Mid-Sioux Opportunity leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Mid-Sioux Opportunity subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Mid-Sioux Opportunity funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Mid-Sioux Opportunity 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 Mid-Sioux Opportunity
What does Mid-Sioux Opportunity do?
Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc. is a not-for-profit Community Action Agency that delivers 14 federal, state, and local anti-poverty programs across Northwest Iowa. Core offerings include Head Start and Early Head Start early childhood education, the WIC supplemental nutrition program, LIHEAP and Weatherization energy assistance, child care resource and referral, family development and self-sufficiency (FaDSS), healthy pregnancy support, and crisis/local outreach services. All programs are provided free of charge to income-eligible households, with eligibility tied to federal poverty guidelines (typically at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level).
Is Mid-Sioux Opportunity a public or private company?
Mid-Sioux Opportunity is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Mid-Sioux Opportunity founded?
Mid-Sioux Opportunity was founded in 1965. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Mid-Sioux Opportunity based?
Mid-Sioux Opportunity is headquartered in Remsen, United States, in the North America region.
How does Mid-Sioux Opportunity make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Federal Funding is the primary driver. The others are state Funding, donations and Contributions and local Government Funding.
Who are Mid-Sioux Opportunity's main competitors?
National Head Start Association is listed as an others. Direct peers are Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP), MATURA Action Corporation, Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc., IMPACT Community Action Partnership and Operation Threshold. Regional players are United Way of Siouxland, Food Bank of Siouxland, Community Action Partnership of Lancaster & Saunders Counties and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Sioux City.
Does Mid-Sioux Opportunity have an API?
No public API is recorded for Mid-Sioux Opportunity.
What industry is Mid-Sioux Opportunity in?
Mid-Sioux Opportunity's product category is Community Action Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAA, Early Childhood Education & Childcare Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8300.