Shepherd's Center of Northern Virginia (SCNOVA)

What Shepherd's Center of Northern Virginia (SCNOVA) does

Shepherd's Center of Northern Virginia (SCNOVA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1998 and headquartered in Vienna, Virginia. The organization supports adults aged 50+ in aging in place across a defined service area in Fairfax County, Virginia, including Oakton, Vienna, Reston, Herndon, Great Falls, Dunn Loring, Merrifield, and portions of Fairfax. SCNOVA delivers seven interconnected core services — Caregivers Support Group, Friendly Caller Program, Friendly Visitor Program, Health & Wellness programming, Minor Home Repairs, Senior Citizen Transport, and Social Events — primarily through a network of 250+ trained and vetted volunteers, supplemented by a small professional staff led by Executive Director Carolyn Pennington. The organization is not technology-driven; it relies on standard SaaS tools including NV Rides Scheduler for transportation coordination, Zoom for virtual programming, DonorSnap for forms, and PayPal for donation processing. There is no proprietary technology platform, mobile application, or AI capability.

Name

Shepherd's Center of Northern Virginia (SCNOVA)

Legal name

Shepherd's Center of Northern Virginia

Website

https://scnova.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Short description

SCNOVA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Northern Virginia that helps adults 50+ age in place through volunteer-driven services including transportation, companionship, minor home repairs, caregiver support, and wellness programming across Fairfax County communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Senior Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Elder Services & Aging Support (BPAGAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Senior Social Clubs & Community-Based Day Programs (Non-Clinical) (HSABANAK), Companionship & Social Engagement Visits (HSABAAAA), Companion Care & Social Support (non-clinical) (HLADAGAB)

Keywords

• Senior support services
• Volunteer transportation services
• Caregiver support programs
• Aging in place services
• Senior wellness programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Financial contributions from individuals, including one-time and recurring donations. The organization accepts Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs for donors over 70.5 years old, up to $100,000 tax-free.
2. Fundraising Events: Revenue from special events including the annual Pickleball & Golf Festival, Rock & Roll for Golden Souls concert, and other community fundraisers. Ticket sales, sponsorships, and silent auctions generate funds.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship tiers from community partners, strategic partners, premier partners, and patron partners at various contribution levels. Title sponsors, visionary partners, and strategic partners support specific events and programs.
4. Grants: Grant funding from local and regional organizations through the Grants Committee. The organization is a member of Aging Forward (formerly Shepherd's Center of America) network.
5. Vehicle Donations: Partnership with CARS (Charity Auto Resources) for vehicle donations; donors receive tax deductions.
6. Legacy Giving: Planned future donations through bequests, retirement account beneficiaries, or life insurance policy designations. Members join the Legacy Society.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SCNOVA delivers volunteer-driven services that help adults aged 50+ in Northern Virginia age in place independently. The organization coordinates a portfolio of seven core service lines—senior transportation, friendly caller/visitor companionship, minor home repairs, health and wellness classes, caregivers support, and social events—provided by 250+ trained and vetted volunteers to over 3,000 seniors annually at no or low cost.

Product overview

SCNOVA is a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) that assists older adults (age 50+) with aging in place through a coordinated portfolio of volunteer-driven services. The organization operates seven interconnected core services: Caregivers Support Group provides peer support for dementia caregivers; Friendly Caller and Friendly Visitor Programs offer social connection via phone and in-person visits; Health & Wellness delivers exercise classes (Tai Chi, Qigong, Walking Club, Active Aging Wellness) and health education; Minor Home Repairs enables safe living through volunteer handypeople; Senior Citizen Transport provides medical and companion transportation; and Social Events fosters community through gatherings and festivals. Services are delivered by 250+ vetted volunteers across Oakton, Vienna, Reston, Herndon, Great Falls, Dunn Loring, and Merrifield in Northern Virginia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Friendly Caller Program Peer-to-peer phone-based social connection program in which trained volunteers make weekly calls to seniors (age 50+) to provide regular social interaction and check on their wellbeing. Offered free of charge to participants in SCNOVA's Northern Virginia service area.
• Friendly Visitor Program In-person companionship program in which volunteers visit seniors at least once or twice weekly to share meals, play games, read aloud, or accompany them to appointments. Provided at no cost to seniors in the service area.
• Senior Citizen Transport Volunteer-based transportation services providing medical transportation to appointments and companion transportation for errands such as groceries, pharmacy, banking, and library visits. Volunteer drivers use their personal vehicles and serve specific Fairfax County zip codes.
• Minor Home Repairs Volunteer service providing small home repairs including minor electrical work, carpentry, light painting, and other maintenance for seniors aging in place. Participants cover material costs only; labor is provided by vetted Handy Helper volunteers.
• Health & Wellness Comprehensive health programming for seniors including Active Aging Wellness exercise classes ($50 for a 6-week session), Tai Chi & Qigong, Walking Group, and educational seminars on health topics. Delivered in-person and via Zoom; some classes have modest fees.
• Caregivers Support Group Twice-monthly peer support meetings via Zoom for caregivers of adult family members, particularly those caring for persons with dementia. Provides peer support, information sharing, and a safe environment for discussing caregiving challenges.
• Social Events Year-round social events including holiday celebrations, community gatherings, special interest events, and festivals designed to combat isolation and promote social connection among seniors in the Northern Virginia service area.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of participants report that transportation services help them remain independent in their homes
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, community partner, core, strategic partner, patron partner and minor.

• The Adler FoundationflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 June 2026Title sponsor for the Rock & Roll for Golden Souls event. Len and Dale Adler of the Adler Foundation serve as title sponsors for major fundraising events.
• United Bankcommunity partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic partner providing sponsorship support. Akram Aleahmad, VP and Branch Manager, leads United Bank's volunteer and event support for SCNOVA.
• Vienna Presbyterian ChurchcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFaith community partner hosting events and providing volunteer support. Co-sponsor of events and meeting location for Walking Club.
• BrightStar Care - Fairfaxcommunity partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier partner providing sponsorship support for SCNOVA events and programs.
• VLP Financial Advisorscommunity partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerHound Dog level sponsor for fundraising events.
• AARPcommunity partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerBurning Love sponsorship level supporter of SCNOVA programs.
• Virginia Heartcommunity partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerBurning Love level sponsor providing support for senior health-related programs.
• Vienna Rexall Drug Centercommunity partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerBurning Love level sponsor for events.
• Navy Federal Credit Unionstrategic partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic partner supporting SCNOVA with volunteer engagement and sponsorship.
• Worldgate Athletic Club & Spacommunity partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner hosting Pickleball & Golf Festival events.
• Money & King Funeral Homecommunity partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic partner providing event sponsorship.
• Heavenly Paws Cremationscommunity partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic partner supporting SCNOVA events.
• Caffe Amouripatron partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPatron partner supporting events.
• Arlington-Fairfax Elks LodgeminorOthersVenue host for Rock & Roll for Golden Souls event at 8421 Arlington Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22031.
• Aging Forward (formerly Shepherd's Center of America)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational alliance of 55+ organizations providing meaning and purpose for older adults. SCNOVA is an active member of Aging Forward, one of nearly 60 Shepherd's Centers throughout North America. Provides network support, best practices, and national volunteer recognition programs.
• Faith Congregation NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 15+ faith organizations including Andrew Chapel UMC, Antioch Christian Church, Christ the King Lutheran, Church of Good Shepherd, Oakton UMC, St. Francis Episcopal, St. John Neumann Catholic, Vienna Baptist, Vienna Presbyterian, and others providing support, volunteers, and community connections.
• CARS (Charity Auto Resources)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership to process vehicle donations. CARS handles pickup and processing of donated vehicles, RVs, boats, with proceeds going to SCNOVA.
• NV RidescoreTechnology or IntegrationTransportation scheduling technology platform used by SCNOVA to coordinate volunteer driver rides and manage transportation requests.
• Bear Branch Taverncommunity partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for volunteer social events.
• Emmanuel Lutheran ChurchcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFaith partner hosting Tai Chi Qi Gong classes on Mondays.
• St. John Neumann Catholic ChurchcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFaith partner hosting Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and providing ongoing volunteer support.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Aging Forward (formerly Shepherd's Centers of America): National alliance of nearly 60 independent Shepherd's Centers of which SCNOVA is a member. Provides the network backbone, peer learning, and national volunteer recognition programs that SCNOVA participates in (e.g., 2025 National Volunteer of Excellence Award).
• Meals on Wheels of America: National nonprofit that mobilizes volunteers to deliver meals and wellness checks to homebound seniors — directly comparable volunteer-driven aging-in-place model with similar donor/grant funding mix and transportation-and-companionship touchpoints.
• National Volunteer Caregiving Network: National membership organization for volunteer-driven senior caregiving programs; SCNOVA was named its 2014 Outstanding Volunteer Caregiving Program. Closest direct peer in mission and volunteer-led service model for older adults.

Others

• NV Rides: Northern Virginia senior transportation coordination program whose scheduling platform SCNOVA uses for volunteer-driver ride management. Enabling technology/infrastructure peer tightly embedded in SCNOVA's transportation service.
• Easterseals DC|MD|VA: Regional nonprofit serving people with disabilities and seniors; SCNOVA board member Robin Portmann serves on both boards. Thematically related nonprofit peer in the regional aging/disability ecosystem.
• Alzheimer's Association (National Capital Area Chapter): Regional chapter of national Alzheimer's nonprofit; SCNOVA Executive Director Carolyn Pennington has supported its Walk to End Alzheimer's. Adjacent peer serving overlapping dementia caregiver segment.

Broad incumbents

• AARP Foundation: Large national nonprofit focused on older adults; offers programs across financial resilience, hunger, isolation, and caregiving. A SCNOVA Burning Love-level sponsor and a much broader incumbent that touches the same senior population.
• Visiting Angels: Large national franchise network providing in-home companion, personal, and respite care for seniors. Adjacent incumbent operating across the same Northern Virginia geography and addressing overlapping aging-in-place needs.
• Home Instead: National franchise providing in-home senior care, companionship, and Alzheimer's/dementia care. Broad incumbent with overlapping companionship and transportation-adjacent services aimed at the same 50+ demographic.

Regional players

• BrightStar Care (Fairfax): Home-health and personal-care franchise serving the same Northern Virginia region as SCNOVA; a Premier sponsor of SCNOVA events. Competes for the aging-in-place customer via paid services while complementing SCNOVA's volunteer offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/scnova
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shepherds-center-of-northern-virginia
• Instagraminstagram.com/shepherds_center_nova

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 Shepherd's Center of Northern Virginia (SCNOVA)