Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc.

What Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc. does

Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc. (CSO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community action agency headquartered in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, designated to serve Northumberland, Columbia, and Montour counties as its core CAA territory. The organization delivers a coordinated suite of social services — emergency food distribution (approximately 15 events per month), mobile food pantries, SNAP application assistance, housing and homelessness prevention (Coordinated Entry, rapid rehousing, street outreach), case management for self-sufficiency planning, free VITA tax preparation, and utility bill assistance through partnerships with UGI, Aqua PA, PA American Water, and PPL Electric Utilities.

CSO also operates the workforce development arm of PA CareerLink across a nine-county region (Northumberland, Columbia, Montour, Snyder, Union, Mifflin, Lycoming, Clinton, and Centre), deploying career coaching, resume support, training referrals, and an On-the-Job Training (OJT) program funded by WIOA. Specialized youth programs include Bridges to the Future (WIOA-funded in-school youth program) and the Mt. Carmel Youth Paid Work Experience program run with that school district and Partners for Rural Impact. Service delivery is enabled by three physical CAA offices, a warehouse/distribution site, The Link mobile career center, and a tripartite board structure mandated by CAA governance rules.

The revenue model is entirely grant- and donation-funded: federal CSBG pass-through from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, federal grants from HHS/Administration for Children and Families (Grant C00081868), WIOA workforce funding routed through the Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation, and private contributions including support from the PPL Foundation and Community Giving Foundation. All services to eligible residents are provided free of charge, with eligibility tied to income guidelines and program-specific criteria. The organization employs 51-100 staff and is led by CEO Megan Bair and CFO Melissa Bozza.

Name

Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc.

Legal name

Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc.

Website

https://csocares.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) community action agency in central Pennsylvania delivering free food, housing, workforce, tax, and utility assistance to low-income residents across a nine-county region through grant- and donation-supported programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Development & Inclusive Employment (Job Training, Placement) (BPAGALAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ)

Keywords

• Community action services
• Food assistance programs
• Housing stability support
• Workforce development services
• Nonprofit social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Shamokin, Pennsylvania

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: CSO receives federal and state funding through grants including CSBG (Community Services Block Grant) from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and federal grants from the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) funding supports workforce development programs.
2. Private Donations and Foundation Grants: CSO accepts charitable contributions from individuals and organizations. The PPL Foundation recognized CSO as Business Partner of the Year, indicating ongoing foundation support. Donations can be directed to specific focus areas or general operations.
3. Program-Specific Funding: Various programs receive dedicated funding from specific sources. For example, the Bridges to the Future program is funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Emergency rental assistance programs distribute federal/state housing funds to eligible households.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc. (CSO) is a designated Community Action Agency delivering free social services to low-income residents of central Pennsylvania, including monthly food distributions and mobile pantries, housing and homelessness prevention support, free VITA tax preparation, utility bill assistance, individualized case management, and workforce development via PA CareerLink® centers, the Bridges to the Future youth program, and the mobile career center known as The Link.

Product overview

Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc. (CSO) is a nonprofit community action agency that provides a coordinated suite of social services rather than a technology product. The organization offers community action programs (food distributions, case management, housing support, utility assistance, VITA tax preparation) and workforce development services (PA CareerLink, Bridges to the Future youth program, The Link mobile career center, and youth work experience programs). These programs are delivered through multiple physical office locations across central Pennsylvania and partner facilities, serving Northumberland, Columbia, Montour, and surrounding counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Susquehanna Cares Community Calendar: A community calendar hosting free and low-cost events across Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Montour, and Columbia counties, operated in partnership with Susquehanna Kids and Community Giving Foundation.
• The Link
• Bridges to the Future
• Keep Our Kids Warm

Products and services

• Food Distributions Provides free food distributions, mobile pantries, and SNAP benefit application assistance to food-insecure individuals and families across central Pennsylvania including Northumberland, Montour, and Columbia counties.
• Case Management One-on-one support helping individuals set and reach personal and financial goals, build financial stability, and connect with community resources, delivered by CSO staff at CAA office locations.
• Housing & Homelessness Support Services including Coordinated Entry assessments, street outreach case management, rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, and HOME-ARP housing support for individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
• Utility Assistance Helps residents access utility assistance through partnerships with UGI Utilities, Aqua Pennsylvania, PA American Water, and PPL Electric Utilities, including LIHEAP heating assistance and customer assistance programs for gas, water, and electric bills.
• VITA Tax Assistance Free federal, state, and local tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program delivered by IRS-certified volunteers, helping eligible households file taxes and access credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit.
• PA CareerLink® Services Workforce development services through PA CareerLink® including career coaching, job search assistance, training opportunities, and employer connections, covering Central Connections, the EARN Program, and adult and dislocated worker services.
• The Link Mobile Career Center Mobile career center providing job seeker and employer services on-site across Northumberland, Columbia, Montour, Snyder, Union, Mifflin, Lycoming, Clinton, and Centre Counties, including job search, training referrals, and employer connections.
• Bridges to the Future In-school youth program helping eligible students in central Pennsylvania counties graduate high school and transition to employment, post-secondary education, or military service, with paid work experience and mentorship from sophomore year through one year post-graduation.
• Mt. Carmel Youth Paid Work Experience Paid work experience program for Mt. Carmel Area High School students age 16+, earning $15/hour working with local employers in fields of interest, run in partnership with Partners for Rural Impact.
• Susquehanna Cares Community Calendar Community calendar hosted in partnership with Susquehanna Kids and Community Giving Foundation, providing a guide to free and low-cost events across Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Montour, and Columbia counties.

Quantifiable outcome

• Program participant Deserea achieved employment at Rita's Bakeshop and gained financial independence through CSO case management and OVR connection.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UGI UtilitiescoreOthersCSO partners with UGI to help residents access Operation Share Fund and Customer Assistance Program for gas bill assistance. UGI customers can receive support with heating bills through this partnership.
• Aqua PennsylvaniacoreOthersCSO helps Aqua Pennsylvania customers enroll in the Helping Hands program for water bill assistance. Partnership provides essential utility support to low-income households.
• Pennsylvania American WatercoreOthersCSO connects customers to Dollar Energy Fund for water bill assistance. Partnership addresses water utility costs for financially strained residents.
• PPL Electric UtilitiescoreOthersCSO helps PPL customers sign up for e-PowerWise program to reduce energy consumption and save on bills. PPL Foundation recognized as Business Partner of the Year.
• PA CareerLink®coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSO staff provide workforce development services at PA CareerLink® centers across 9 counties. Partnership includes Central Connections: Adult & Dislocated Worker Program, Bridges to the Future, The Link mobile career center, and EARN Program. CSO receives WIOA funding through this partnership.
• Advance Central PAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSO partners with Advance Central PA for workforce development services, helping people find jobs and employers find workers across the region.
• Susquehanna KidsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-host of Susquehanna Cares Calendar, a community resource calendar covering Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Montour, and Columbia counties. Partnership expands reach of family-friendly community events.
• Partners for Rural ImpactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSO runs the Mt. Carmel Youth Paid Work Experience program in partnership with Partners for Rural Impact. Program provides paid work experience for Mt. Carmel Area High School students age 16+.
• Luzerne County Community College (LCCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew partnership launching the second Mini Mobile Food Pantry at the LCCC Watsontown Campus. Ribbon cutting celebration scheduled for September 14, 2026.
• Temple University (Energy Geographies Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearchers from Temple University study how rural communities access and manage energy in partnership with CSO. Project includes interviews with Central Pennsylvania residents, local service agencies, and fuel providers. Funded by Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and Pecan Street, Inc.
• DIG Furniture BankminorOthersCommunity partner providing furnishings to help families turn rental homes into homes. Assisted Johanna and Marcos after CSO case management helped them secure housing.
• AGAPEminorOthersCommunity partner providing furnishings for families. Helped Johanna and Marcos establish their new home in Shamokin.
• Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development programs are made possible through the support of CPWDC, described as a leader and active partner in workforce development efforts.
• Multiple Volunteer Food Pantry GroupsminorOthersCSO partners with volunteer groups including: City of Shamokin Fresh Food Pantry, CSO Shamokin Friends of Berwick, Hand Up Foundation, Kulpmont Borough, Milton/Warrior Run Kiwanis, Mt. Carmel Ministerium, Mt. Carmel Township, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Shamokin Salvation Army, St. Patrick's Church, Sunbury Salvation Army. These groups support emergency food distributions.
• Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)minorOthersOVR provides specialized resources for individuals with disabilities. CSO connected Deserea with OVR services as part of her case management support.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Central Pennsylvania Food Bank: Regional food bank serving 27 central PA counties including CSO's footprint. Comparable as a food distribution partner/peer that CSO coordinates with via its 10+ volunteer food pantry partners, operating at a larger aggregation scale.
• Goodwill Industries of Pennsylvania: Workforce development nonprofit operating career services, OJT programs, and disability employment across Pennsylvania. Comparable in WIOA-funded workforce service delivery and employer placement, though focused on retail/reuse-funded training rather than CAA wraparound services.

Direct peers

• Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County: Another Pennsylvania-based Community Action Agency providing integrated anti-poverty services including food, housing, and workforce development. Directly comparable in mission, structure (501(c)(3) CAA), and tripartite board governance to CSO, though operating in a larger urban-adjacent region.
• ACTION-Housing Inc. Pittsburgh-based nonprofit providing housing, workforce development, and community services as an antipoverty intermediary. Comparable in offering wraparound housing-plus-workforce services under one organizational umbrella, though focused on urban southwestern PA.
• South Central Community Action Programs (SCCAP): Pennsylvania CAA serving Adams, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, and Perry counties. Directly comparable as a multi-county CAA offering CSBG-funded food, housing, weatherization, and self-sufficiency programs in overlapping central PA territory.

Broad incumbents

• United Way of Pennsylvania: Statewide umbrella coordinating local United Way chapters that fund many of the same human service programs CSO delivers. Comparable as a social services intermediary with statewide funding reach, but primarily a funder/coordinator rather than direct service provider.

Others

• Community Action Partnership (National Organization): National membership association of 1,000+ CAAs of which CSO is a member (logo shown on CSO's website). Comparable as the national network providing training, advocacy, and best-practice sharing for CAAs like CSO. Functions as an ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor.

Regional players

• Philadelphia OIC (Opportunities Industrialization Centers): Workforce development nonprofit serving Philadelphia with WIOA-funded job training, adult education, and career pathways. Comparable in WIOA-funded training and career coaching model, though operating in an urban market rather than rural central PA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CSOCaresPA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/central-susquehanna-opportunities-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/csocares_pa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

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 Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc.