The Good News Center

What The Good News Center does

The Good News Center (legally The Good News Foundation of CNY, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered on a 66-acre property at 10475 Cosby Manor Road in Utica, New York (town of Deerfield). Founded in 1992 and holding the property since a 2001 transfer from the Vincentian Fathers and Brothers, the Center operates an ecumenical Christian ministry delivering free, confidential peer support groups — covering caregivers, grief, families of addicts (PAL), separated and divorced individuals, veterans, and relationship/marriage support through The Third Option and a Retrouvaille partnership — alongside spiritual enrichment programs including Bible Study, Luncheon Talks, Theology Uncorked, Women at the Well, Cookie Ministry, and Love One Another.

The organization is governed by a 14-member Board of Directors and staffed by approximately 20 paid employees and program facilitators, many of whom hold domain-specific credentials (RN, Ed.D, MHA/BSN/CHPN/CHPCA, retired military). Two physical buildings — the Hazel Scheidelman Building (Good News Center) and Vincentian Hall — provide meeting rooms, overnight accommodations, and catering-capable facilities used both for mission programs and external facility rentals.

The Center's revenue model is donation-centric: recurring monthly giving tiers (the 300 Club at $30/month and the 1992 Society at $19.92/month), an annual appeal, one-time contributions, modest program fees (Bible Study materials, Retrouvaille registration), and facility rental income. It also operates a regranting program awarding up to $5,000 to other 501(c)(3) faith-mission organizations twice annually. No app, API, or proprietary technology platform exists; the digital footprint is limited to a WordPress website, Constant Contact email newsletter, and standard calendar subscriptions. Geographic reach is regional (Central New York), with select programs offering virtual attendance to extend participation beyond the single physical site.

Name

The Good News Center

Legal name

The Good News Foundation of CNY, Inc.

Website

https://thegoodnewscenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Good News Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit in Utica, NY that delivers free Christian-based support groups, spiritual enrichment programs, retreats, and facility rentals to individuals and families across Central New York, funded primarily through donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Faith-Based Community Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE)

Keywords

• Faith-based support groups
• Spiritual enrichment programs
• Christian community services
• Retreat facility rentals
• Nonprofit grants program

Headquarters

HQ city

Utica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization relies heavily on donations from individuals and organizations. They offer monthly giving programs including the 300 Club ($30/month) and 1992 Society ($19.92/month), as well as one-time donations. They also conduct an annual appeal.
2. Program Registration Fees: Some programs charge registration fees. Retrouvaille requires a non-refundable registration fee per couple with scholarships available for financial hardship. Bible studies have modest fees to cover materials.
3. Facility Rental: The Good News Center offers its facilities for retreats, meetings, conferences, and events. They provide various spaces including Willow Hall, Oak Room, Cedar Lounge, and overnight accommodations. Catering and meal services are available.
4. Grant Program: The organization awards grants (up to $5,000) to 501(c)(3) organizations. Grant deadlines are February 2 (Spring) and August 3 (Fall). This is an outflow rather than revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Good News Center runs free, confidential faith-based support groups (caregivers, grief, parents of addicted loved ones, separated/divorced, veterans, marriage support) and spiritual enrichment programs (Bible studies, luncheon talks, Theology Uncorked, Women at the Well, volunteer ministries). It also operates a retreat and meeting facility rental business and awards grants of up to $5,000 to faith-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits.

Product overview

The Good News Center is a Catholic-Christian community organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of faith-based programs and services. The organization operates two main program categories: Support Groups (Caregivers, Grief, PAL, Separated & Divorced, Veterans 4 Worship) providing free confidential peer support for individuals facing life's challenges; and Spiritual Enrichment programs (Bible Study, Cookie Ministry, Love One Another, Luncheon Talks, Theology Uncorked, Women at the Well) fostering faith growth and community service. Additionally, the organization offers Relationship Programs (The Third Option, Retrouvaille), manages a Retreats & Meetings facility rental business, runs special events like Flags for Heroes, and operates a Grants Program awarding up to $5,000 to qualifying nonprofits. All support groups are free to attend, confidential, and led by experienced facilitators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Caregivers Support Group Free, confidential peer support group for adults in caregiving roles (spouses, family members, or friends), offering practical strategies for self-care and caring for others. Meets the third Monday of each month at 6pm with a virtual option available.
• Grief Support Free, confidential peer support group for adults grieving the loss of a loved one, offering a safe space for sharing experiences and finding comfort. Meets every other Tuesday at 2pm or 6pm.
• PAL (Parents of Addicted Loved Ones) Support group for parents and family members supporting a loved one through addiction, offering hope through education with evidence-based practices and peer-to-peer support. Meets every other Monday at 6pm.
• Retrouvaille Confidential weekend program helping couples rediscover hope and healing in their marriage through practical tools and a safe space, offered in partnership with the Syracuse/Retrouvaille Community. Requires a non-refundable registration fee per couple with scholarships available.
• Separated & Divorced Support Group Compassionate support group for individuals navigating separation and divorce, offering healing, connection, and encouragement through videos, shared experiences, and guided support. Meets every other Sunday 5-7pm with virtual option.
• The Third Option Free, confidential skills-based relationship education program helping couples strengthen their relationships and grow in connection, offering practical tools and a supportive environment. Meets every other Sunday 6:30-8:30pm with virtual option.
• Veterans 4 Worship Confidential gathering for veterans and active-duty military to connect, reflect, and find support, providing space for spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Meets every third Wednesday of the month.
• Bible Study Bible studies and Catholic/Christian faith reflection programs designed to deepen understanding of scripture and strengthen walk with Christ. Held on Wednesdays at 10am or 6pm with varying topics throughout the year, with a modest fee to cover materials.
• Cookie Ministry Volunteer ministry where volunteers bake cookies paired with scripture verses each Monday, delivered alongside sandwiches to those in need.
• Love One Another Volunteer ministry that gathers every other Wednesday to crochet handmade items and collect donations to meet the needs of others, supporting local nonprofits, hospitals, and churches.
• Luncheon Talks Engaging talks on spiritual themes followed by a shared meal and meaningful fellowship, with occasional evening events such as Christian trivia nights or guest presentations.
• Theology Uncorked Open monthly gathering featuring faith-based talks often led by clergy, paired with fellowship, conversation, light fare, and complimentary wine. Held on the third Thursday of the month at Hart's Hill Inn.
• Women at the Well Monthly gathering for women to reflect, share, and grow spiritually, inspired by the story of Jesus meeting the woman at the well. Meets on the last Tuesday of each month, 2-3:30pm.
• Retreats & Meetings Facility Conference and retreat facilities on the 66-acre campus offering indoor and outdoor spaces, meal options, and overnight accommodations. Includes The Good News Center (Hazel Scheidelman Building) and Vincentian Hall with various meeting rooms (Willow Hall, Oak Room, Cedar Lounge) and bedrooms.
• Flags for Heroes 12th annual Healing Field display of 1,000 U.S. flags honoring active-duty military, fallen servicemen and women, first responders, and veterans. Proceeds benefit Sitrin's Military Program. Flag sponsorship is $40 per flag.
• Grants Program Annual grant awards of up to $5,000 to 501(c)(3) organizations that evangelize the Good News of Jesus Christ. Grants support programs, training, technology, outreach ministry, youth ministry, and start-up nonprofits. Grant deadlines are February 2 (Spring) and August 3 (Fall).

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Syracuse/Retrouvaille CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Syracuse/Retrouvaille Community to offer the Retrouvaille program - a confidential weekend program designed to help couples rediscover hope and healing in their marriage. The program is offered in partnership with this community organization.
• Sitrin (Military Program)minorOthersFlags for Heroes event proceeds benefit Sitrin's Military Program, which is designed to treat veterans and service members experiencing physical, emotional, and cognitive issues. Sitrin offers personalized treatment options based on individual needs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA: Catholic Charities USA is the national umbrella for Catholic social service agencies offering community support, counseling, family services, and spiritual programs — overlapping with The Good News Center's Catholic-rooted community support mission, but operating across all U.S. dioceses with vastly greater scale.
• Focus on the Family: Focus on the Family is a large Christian ministry offering marriage programs, family support resources, and content — overlapping with The Good News Center's relationship programs (The Third Option, Retrouvaille) and family support services, but at national scale with broad media reach.
• Prison Fellowship Ministries: Prison Fellowship is a national Christian ministry serving prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families with faith-based reentry and family support programs — overlapping with The Good News Center's veteran/military family support and faith-based community reentry mission, though focused on a different beneficiary population.

Direct peers

• Retrouvaille International: Retrouvaille International operates the worldwide marriage-help program that The Good News Center delivers in partnership with the Syracuse community. The program structure, confidential weekend format, and target audience (struggling couples) are identical, making this the closest direct peer for that program line.
• Celebrate Recovery: Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered 12-step recovery program addressing addiction, similar in mission and faith-based framing to the Center's PAL (Parents of Addicted Loved Ones) support group. Both serve families affected by addiction through free, confidential peer support rooted in Christian faith.
• Worldwide Marriage Encounter: Worldwide Marriage Encounter is a Catholic-rooted weekend marriage enrichment program — a direct competitor/peer to Retrouvaille that also runs weekend programs for struggling couples, with similar ecumenical appeal and faith-based marriage ministry mission.
• GriefShare: GriefShare is a nationwide network of faith-based grief support groups run by local churches and organizations — directly parallel to The Good News Center's free Grief Support program (every other Tuesday at 2pm or 6pm). Same target audience, same faith-based peer-support model, same small-group format.
• Stephen Ministry: Stephen Ministry equips congregations to provide one-on-one caregiving support to people experiencing grief, illness, or other life difficulties — directly parallel to the Center's Caregivers Support Group and Grief Support programs led by credentialed facilitators.
• FamilyLife: FamilyLife is a faith-based marriage and family ministry offering The Third Option-style small group programs and marriage retreats — directly comparable to The Good News Center's The Third Option and Retrouvaille relationship programs. Same ecumenical Christian audience and same mission of strengthening marriages.

Emerging players

• The Navigators: The Navigators is a faith-based discipleship ministry focused on Bible study, spiritual formation, and one-on-one mentoring — directly comparable to The Good News Center's Bible Study and spiritual enrichment portfolio, though with a different (non-Catholic-rooted) theological tradition and a more disciple-making focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-good-news-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 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 The Good News Center