Centro de Apoyo Familiar

What Centro de Apoyo Familiar does

Centro de Apoyo Familiar (CAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency founded in 2006 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The organization delivers free, bilingual housing counseling services — including foreclosure prevention, pre-purchase homebuyer education, rental counseling, and credit counseling — alongside financial literacy, workforce development (ESL, digital literacy, CDL Class B training, Youth STEM, and small business training), environmental health and justice programming, consumer protection mediation, and senior support services. CAF serves over 55,000 low-income and immigrant families annually across 6 physical offices in Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico, supplemented by a CAF Connectors Network of 100+ faith-based affiliate organizations spanning 7 countries.

The underlying technology stack is deliberately low-tech and built on commodity tools: Microsoft Office and Microsoft Forms for intake and reporting, Zoom for virtual ESL and the Nueva Esperanza elderly program, and standard digital literacy curricula. The strategic differentiation is not technological but organizational — a "Community Transformation Model" integrating economic, social, educational, and environmental services under a unified faith-based delivery network, with a train-the-trainer ECO-Promoter program that trains community members to deliver bilingual environmental health workshops.

CAF's revenue mechanics are characteristic of a grant-funded nonprofit rather than a commercial enterprise. Funding streams include federal and state grants (HUD, EPA, Maryland DHCD, Virginia Housing, Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, CDBG, county-level funders), foundation grants (Meyers Foundation, New Venture Fund, Equity Fund, Chesapeake Bay Trust, HRiA), individual donations (tax-deductible 501(c)(3)), and corporate sponsorships across six tiers from $500 (CAF Friends) to $20,000 (Signature). All direct services to families are provided free of charge. Strategic positioning is reinforced by the December 2024 announced merger with Bread & Roses Housing to expand affordable housing development capacity, and ongoing geographic and product-line expansion.

Name

Centro de Apoyo Familiar

Legal name

Centro de Apoyo Familiar

Website

https://mycaf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Centro de Apoyo Familiar (CAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency providing free bilingual housing counseling, foreclosure prevention, financial literacy, workforce development, and environmental health services to 55,000+ low-income and immigrant families annually across 6 U.S. jurisdictions plus Puerto Rico and 7 Latin American countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Riverdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Funding: CAF receives funding from federal, state, and local government sources including HUD, EPA, DHCD, CDBG, and various state agencies for housing counseling, environmental justice, and community development programs.
2. Foundation and Nonprofit Grants: Funding from foundations such as Meyers Foundation, New Venture Fund, Equity Fund, Chesapeake Bay Trust, and Health Resources in Action (HRiA) for specific program areas.
3. Individual and Corporate Donations: CAF accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporations. Sponsorship levels range from $500 (CAF Friends) to $20,000 (Signature Level). 100% of donations support the organization's mission.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors at various levels (Signature $20,000, Platinum $15,000, Diamond $10,000, Emerald $5,000, Sapphire $2,500, CAF Friends $500) support the organization's programs and events.
5. HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Services: As a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency, CAF provides free housing counseling services including pre-purchase assistance, foreclosure prevention, and rental guidance to low-income and immigrant families.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Centro de Apoyo Familiar (CAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency that provides free housing counseling (foreclosure prevention, homebuyer education, rental and credit counseling), consumer protection mediation, financial literacy education, workforce development (ESL, digital literacy, CDL Class B, youth STEM, small business training), environmental health education, and senior support services to low-income and immigrant families. Services are delivered through 6 offices across 5 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, the CAF Connectors Network of faith-based organizations, and virtual channels, with funding from government grants, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

Centro de Apoyo Familiar (CAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency that provides community social services rather than a technology product. The organization operates a multi-service model offering housing counseling (foreclosure prevention, homebuyer education, rental counseling, credit counseling), consumer protection, healthy families programs (environmental health, elderly support, mental health), workforce development (digital literacy, ESL classes, CDL training, youth STEM, small business training), and a faith-based Connectors Network. These programs serve low-income and immigrant families across Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico through direct service delivery rather than software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Homebuyer Education Program Educational workshops and one-on-one counseling following HUD guidelines to help first-time homebuyers become mortgage-ready and navigate the home buying process. Delivered free of charge to low-income and immigrant families.
• Foreclosure Prevention Counseling HUD-certified housing counseling to help families avoid foreclosure through one-on-one counseling, lender negotiation, and action planning. Provided free of charge to distressed homeowners.
• Rental Counseling Assistance helping households identify rent relief programs, complete applications, and maintain housing stability during evictions or housing emergencies. Services provided free of charge.
• Financial Literacy Program Workshops covering money management, budgeting, savings, credit building, fair housing, and avoiding predatory lending practices. Provided free of charge to families and individuals.
• Credit Counseling Program helping clients resolve credit issues, improve FICO scores, reduce debts, and regain control of finances through credit analysis, work plans, and debt management. Provided free of charge.
• Local Consumer Protection Program Mediation service helping consumers and businesses settle disputes, including recovery from fraud and predatory practices. Operates in collaboration with the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office. Provided free of charge to consumers.
• CAF Connectors Network National network of faith-based organizations and community partners working collaboratively with CAF to transform communities through its programmatic model. Spans 7 countries with 100+ affiliated organizations.
• Environmental Health and Environmental Justice Program Train-the-trainer model where community members become ECO-Promoters to deliver bilingual environmental health workshops covering air quality, climate change, water management, recycling, and composting. Funded in part by EPA's Region III TCTAC initiative.
• Nueva Esperanza Elderly Program Weekly virtual workshops providing educational, emotional, and social support to elders focusing on English language, physical health, emotional health, and environmental health. Delivered via Zoom to prevent social isolation among seniors.
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes Virtual ESL classes for beginners, intermediates, and advanced learners covering speaking, reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary. Provided free of charge to immigrant community members.
• Digital Literacy Training Program Comprehensive 10-module training covering computer basics, internet navigation, online safety, Microsoft Office tools, and workplace digital communication. Delivered at Community Transformation Hubs and free to participants.
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL Class B) Training Program 160-hour combined virtual theory and behind-the-wheel training for CDL Class B licensure with bilingual instruction and job placement assistance.Provided free of charge to qualifying participants.
• Youth STEM Program Program teaching STEM fundamentals, robotics, 3D printing through Funbotics partnership, financial literacy, and leadership skills to Hispanic and low-income youth. Delivered free of charge.
• Small Business Owner Training Program 6-week program covering business planning, legal formation, banking, financing, marketing, and operations for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs. Provided free of charge.

Quantifiable outcome

• 55,000+ families served annually
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• United Way NCA (National Capital Area)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2025CAF was accepted as a United Way NCA partner for the 2025-2026 campaign, expanding its reach and collaborative impact in the National Capital Area region.
• Bread & Roses HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2024CAF and Bread & Roses Housing announced a merger to advance affordable homeownership and community development. This strategic combination strengthens both organizations' capacity to serve communities in need of housing support and economic development programs.
• Unidos US (formerly National Council of La Raza)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Hispanic advocacy organization. Walkiria Pool developed the 'More Than You' project for Unidos US, considered the nation's first community financial institution targeting low-income families.
• The Human Services Alliance of Greater Prince WilliammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of human services organizations collaborating on community needs in Greater Prince William area.
• Preferred Partners (Lenders, Realtors, Title Companies, Building Inspectors)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of housing industry professionals participating in monthly first-time homebuyer classes, community events, and CAF Radio interviews. They teach homebuyers about different aspects of purchasing a home and working with industry professionals.
• National Wildlife FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead organization for EPA's Region III TCTAC (Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center) providing technical assistance and capacity building to communities.
• Mid Atlantic Justice Coalition (MAJC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAF serves as the anchor organization for this statewide coalition in Maryland working to address economic needs, toxic hazards, and community health.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• UnidosUS (formerly National Council of La Raza): National Hispanic advocacy and services organization serving Latino families through affiliates, including housing and financial empowerment programs. CAF's founder previously built programs within this network, and the organizations share a Latino-family target constituency and integrated services model.
• Navicore Solutions: HUD-approved nonprofit providing housing counseling, financial education, and credit counseling. Closely mirrors CAF's housing counseling and financial literacy offerings at a similar regional-nonprofit scale.
• GreenPath Financial Wellness: HUD-approved nonprofit credit counseling and financial wellness agency. Directly comparable to CAF's credit counseling and financial literacy offerings, with similar funding mix from HUD and partner agencies.
• Hispanic Federation: National Latino services and advocacy nonprofit operating across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Directly comparable to CAF in target demographic and integrated service approach (housing, workforce, civic engagement), with broader geographic scale.
• Clearpoint Credit Counseling Solutions: HUD-approved nonprofit credit counseling agency offering housing counseling, debt management, and financial education. Comparable operating model and funder mix to CAF's counseling programs.
• Money Management International: HUD-approved nonprofit providing housing counseling, credit counseling, bankruptcy counseling, and financial education. Highly comparable operating model to CAF's housing and credit counseling line, though at larger national scale and with a broader customer base.
• NACA (Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America): Large HUD-affiliated nonprofit providing housing counseling, mortgage access, and community advocacy to low- and moderate-income borrowers. Closest peer to CAF's housing counseling and community organizing model, though NACA operates at substantially larger national scale.

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity International: Global nonprofit focused on affordable homeownership through volunteer-built housing. Comparable to CAF's affordable housing ambitions, especially post-Bread & Roses merger, though at vastly larger scale and via a different construction-led delivery model.
• National Urban League: Historic community development nonprofit providing housing counseling, workforce development, and family services through 90+ affiliates. Comparable to CAF's integrated community services model with a broader urban-demographic focus.
• NeighborWorks America: National network of 250+ community-based nonprofits focused on affordable housing and community development. NeighborWorks is both a peer (housing counseling) and a funder of HUD counseling capacity, making it an incumbent comparable to CAF's community-rooted model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MyCafOrg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/mycaforg
• Facebookfacebook.com/myCAF
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centro-de-apoyo-familiar-caf
• Instagraminstagram.com/my_caf

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Centro de Apoyo Familiar