New River Community Action

What New River Community Action does

New River Community Action, Inc. (NRCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1965 as a designated Community Action Agency under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, serving Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski Counties and the City of Radford in Virginia's New River Valley. The organization operates a portfolio of social service programs rather than a technology product, including Head Start early childhood education (200+ children across 9 centers), CHIP home visiting for pregnant women and families with children birth to six, county-level Emergency Assistance and food pantries, the To Our House 14-bed winter shelter (November–March), the Housing Choice Voucher Program (administered through the 2022-merged Housing Connections subsidiary), Housing Counseling, Rapid Rehousing, VA CARES ex-offender reentry services, and free VITA tax preparation. In 2023, NRCA reported managing over $8.5 million in annual revenues and serving 8,000-9,000 residents annually with a staff of 130-140 plus approximately 1,000 volunteers contributing 35,000+ hours per year.

NRCA's business model is grant-funded rather than commercial: revenue streams include federal Community Services Block Grant, Head Start funding from HHS Administration for Children and Families, HUD housing grants, Virginia Department of Social Services contracts (CHIP, Promoting Safe and Stable Families, heating assistance), county and city appropriations from its five jurisdictions, and private donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations. All services are delivered free of charge to income-eligible clients (typically at or below 200% of the federal poverty level). Distribution occurs through 17+ physical offices, Head Start sites co-located in public schools, faith-based partner sites, online intake systems, and a central phone intake line.

The organization's strategic posture is shaped by its regulatory designation as a CAA, which provides exclusive eligibility for federal anti-poverty block grants within its defined service territory. Key differentiators include a two-generation service model, a 60-year operating history that has produced an embedded local partnership network, and measurable program outcomes such as a 93% non-recidivism rate for Virginia CARES participants statewide. Recent strategic moves include the 2022 merger with Housing Connections, the 2022 selection as a Families Forward Virginia Thriving Families Safer Children demonstration site, the January 2024 opening of a multi-purpose community hub, and ongoing leadership stabilization under CEO Jennifer Smith following two CEO transitions between 2021 and 2025.

Name

New River Community Action

Legal name

New River Community Action, Inc.

Website

https://newrivercommunityaction.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

New River Community Action is a 501(c)(3) Community Action Agency founded in 1965 that delivers Head Start, emergency assistance, housing, ex-offender reentry, and family-support services to 8,000-9,000 low-income residents annually across Virginia's New River Valley, operating on over $8.5 million in grant and donation funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Early Childhood Education & Childcare Nonprofits (BPAGADAA), Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC)

Keywords

• Community action services
• Social services nonprofit
• Early childhood education
• Housing assistance programs
• Emergency assistance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Radford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices17 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Federal Grants: Core funding through Community Services Block Grant, Head Start funding from Administration for Children and Families (HHS), and HUD grants for housing programs.
2. State Grants: State funding including CHIP of Virginia, Virginia Department of Social Services-Promoting Safe and Stable Families, and other state-administered programs.
3. Local Government Support: Funding from Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski Counties and Radford City governments for office space, staff, and related expenses.
4. Private Donations: Contributions from individuals, businesses, and foundations including Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation and Enbridge grants. All contributions are tax-deductible as a 501(c)(3) organization.
5. Program Revenue: Donations from community used for direct services while government funds cover administrative costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

New River Community Action is a 501(c)(3) Community Action Agency that provides free social services to low-income individuals and families in Virginia's New River Valley. Core offerings include Head Start early childhood education, CHIP (Children's Health Improvement Partnership) home visiting case management, Emergency Assistance with food pantries, Homeless and Housing Programs including the Housing Choice Voucher Program administered through Housing Connections, VA CARES ex-offender reentry services, and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. All programs are delivered free of charge to income-eligible clients based on federal poverty level thresholds.

Product overview

New River Community Action (NRCA) operates as a Community Action Agency providing a comprehensive portfolio of social service programs designed to promote self-sufficiency and alleviate poverty in Virginia's New River Valley. The organization functions as a multi-program social services platform rather than a technology product company. Core programs include Head Start early childhood education, CHIP home visiting services, Emergency Assistance for crisis support, Homeless and Housing Programs including the Housing Connections voucher program, To Our House winter shelter, VA CARES ex-offender reentry services, and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. These programs work in coordination through a network of local offices across Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski Counties and the City of Radford, serving approximately 8,000 residents annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CHIP (Children's Health Improvement Partnership): Program providing access to primary health care to pregnant women and families with children birth to age six, with home visiting case management services.
• VA CARES (Virginia Community Action Re-Entry System)
• Head Start
• VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)

Products and services

• Emergency Assistance Programs Temporary assistance for low-income individuals and families at or below 200% of the federal poverty level who are experiencing financial crises, providing food pantry services, rent or mortgage assistance, utility aid, and heating fuel support.
• Head Start Federally-funded comprehensive early education program serving pre-school children ages 3-5 from at-risk backgrounds, with services including education, social services, preventative health, and nutrition with family-focused supports. At least 10% of enrollment includes children with special needs.
• Homeless and Housing Programs Housing stability services for the New River Valley including To Our House winter shelter, Housing Counseling, Housing Connections voucher program, Rapid Rehousing, and Homeless Prevention assistance, with the mission of preventing and alleviating homelessness through temporary financial assistance, counseling, and education.
• Housing Connections (Housing Choice Voucher Program) Administers the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program in partnership with Virginia Housing, helping low-income families rent subsidized housing in the private market; serves Craig, Giles, Floyd, Montgomery, and Pulaski Counties.
• To Our House (Winter Shelter) Winter overnight shelter program for homeless adults providing 14 beds from November through March, operated in partnership with faith-based and community organizations across the New River Valley.
• Housing Counseling One-on-one confidential counseling with HUD-certified counselors covering mortgage delinquency prevention, post-purchase home maintenance, rental topics, and homeless assistance for low-income individuals and families.
• CHIP (Children's Health Improvement Partnership) Home-based case management program connecting low-income families with children from birth through age six and pregnant women to medical and dental services, with parenting education and community referrals.
• Virginia CARES (VA CARES) Ex-offender reentry services providing job readiness training, job search assistance, career development, housing referrals, and ongoing support services for individuals transitioning back into society.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Free income tax return preparation by IRS-certified volunteers for individuals and households with income of $80,000 or less, helping clients access earned income and childcare tax credits through direct filing.
• Floyd Backpack Program Weekend food assistance for Floyd County school children from Head Start through high school, distributing child-friendly food items every Thursday during the school year.
• Blacksburg Interfaith Food Pantry Monthly food distribution program serving Blacksburg residents at or below 200% of federal poverty level, operated as a partnership of local faith organizations.
• Thriving Families Pulaski (Family Support) Family support initiative under the Thriving Families Safer Children demonstration site program, connecting children and families in Pulaski County to resources designed to empower and strengthen family units using the Family Resource Center model.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8,000-9,000 residents served annually
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Virginia Community Action PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1965State-level association of Community Action Agencies providing guidance, advocacy, and support for anti-poverty programs across Virginia
• Community Action PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational association representing Community Action Agencies with resources, standards, and advocacy for the CAA network
• VA State Department of Social ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency providing funding and regulatory oversight for social services programs including CHIP, Promoting Safe and Stable Families, and heating assistance
• New River/Mount Rogers Career ConnectsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal workforce development board providing employment and training resources for community members
• National Head Start AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization providing advocacy, resources, and training for Head Start programs
• CHIP of VirginiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level organization providing funding and support for Children's Health Improvement Partnership home visiting programs
• Action Alliance for Virginia's Children and YouthsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerState alliance advocating for children and youth services and policies in Virginia
• VA CAREScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide network of Community Action Agencies providing re-entry services for ex-offenders; NRCA operates local VA CARES program
• Families Forward VirginiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected by Families Forward Virginia to participate in Thriving Families Safer Children three-year demonstration site program using Family Resource Center model
• Virginia HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState housing authority partnering with Housing Connections to administer the Housing Choice Voucher Program
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing funding and regulations for Housing Choice Voucher Program and housing counseling services
• Women's Resource CentersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency for Thriving Families Safer Children demonstration site and shelter referrals for homeless individuals
• Cal fee Community and Cultural CentersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for Thriving Families demonstration site program in Pulaski
• NRV CaressecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency for demonstration site and collaborative services for families in the New River Valley
• New River Valley Community ServicessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health and substance abuse services provider; partner for demonstration site and referral services
• Free Medical Clinic of the New River ValleysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth clinic developed with NRCA participation serving low-income residents
• Legal Aid SocietysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal services provider for low-income individuals developed with NRCA support
• New River Valley Habitat for HumanitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffordable housing organization developed with NRCA participation
• New River Family SheltersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmergency shelter for families developed with NRCA support; referral partner for homeless services
• Community Friendship WorkshopsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization developed with NRCA participation serving residents with disabilities
• Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program, Inc.secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal emergency assistance organization partnered with NRCA to administer Emergency Assistance Program in Montgomery County
• Pulaski County Emergency Needs Task ForcesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal coalition partnered with NRCA to administer Emergency Assistance Program in Pulaski County
• Feeding AmericasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational hunger relief organization connected through Food Lion Feeds partnership
• Habitat for Humanity of the New River ValleysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffordable housing developer; Housing Connections board member noted partnership benefits for region

Scale indicators11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Virginia Poverty Law Center: VPLC is a statewide legal aid and policy advocacy organization serving low-income Virginians on housing, public benefits, and consumer issues; it overlaps with NRCA's legal aid referral pathway and serves a comparable client demographic statewide.
• Cumberland Mountain Community Services Board: Cumberland Mountain CSB is the regional behavioral health and developmental services provider serving the same NRV-adjacent Virginia geography; it is a referral partner for NRCA's mental health/substance abuse outreach and serves a comparable low-income client base.

Direct peers

• People Incorporated of Southwest Virginia: People Incorporated is a CAA serving multiple Southwest Virginia counties with Head Start, housing counseling, weatherization, and emergency assistance — directly comparable in mission, programs, and rural Virginia footprint to NRCA.
• New River Valley Community Services: NRVCS is the behavioral health, developmental disability, and substance abuse services provider for the New River Valley; it is an active NRCA referral partner under the Thriving Families demonstration and serves overlapping low-income populations in the same five jurisdictions.
• Total Action for Progress (TAP): TAP is a designated Community Action Agency serving the Roanoke Valley with Head Start, housing, energy assistance, and workforce programs — closely parallel to NRCA's portfolio, geography (adjacent Virginia region), and CAA funding model.
• Appalachian Community Action Agency: ACAA is a CAA in eastern Kentucky delivering Head Start, housing, LIHEAP, and emergency services in an Appalachian rural geography closely mirroring NRCA's service area, economic profile, and federal-grant-funded operating model.

Others

• National Community Action Partnership: Community Action Partnership is the national umbrella for the ~1,000 CAAs to which NRCA belongs, providing advocacy, training, and standards; it is thematically adjacent and relevant as the network NRCA is regulated by and draws federal legitimacy from.
• Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley: Habitat NRV is an affordable housing partner co-developed with NRCA participation; both organizations serve low-income households in the same geography and Housing Connections lists Habitat NRV as a board partner for housing stability programming.
• Feeding America Southwest Virginia: Feeding America SWVA is the regional food bank serving the same New River Valley geography as NRCA's food pantries, backpack programs, and interfaith food pantry; the two are functionally adjacent in addressing food insecurity for low-income households.
• CHIP of Virginia: CHIP of Virginia is the statewide parent organization that funds and supports the local CHIP home-visiting program operated by NRCA; comparable as a state-level funder/operator of the same health-improvement model that NRCA delivers at the regional level.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NewRiverCommunityAction
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-river-community-action

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about New River Community Action