Vac - Voluntary Action Center

What Vac - Voluntary Action Center does

Voluntary Action Center (VAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 23-7120750) founded in 1970 and headquartered at 1300 Bowling St., Columbia, Missouri, providing emergency and basic-needs services exclusively to Boone County residents at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The organization operates through two core service channels: the Cindy Mustard Resource Center, which delivers same-day walk-in assistance (food, prescriptions, identification documents, employment supplies, baby formula, diapers, medical copays) without application or waiting periods, and the Waypoint Shelter, a 150-bed, year-round, low-barrier, housing-first emergency shelter operating 24/7 at 1304 Bowling St. with daily check-in and wraparound case management.

The core technology footprint is non-proprietary: VAC relies on standard nonprofit tooling including the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for HUD-aligned client tracking and Bloomerang for donation processing, with no proprietary software, patents, or AI/ML capabilities. The revenue model is diversified across individual donations (one-time and monthly recurring), tiered corporate sponsorships via the Impact Collective ($50-$500/month), government grants from Boone County and City of Columbia, Heart of Missouri United Way, Veterans United Foundation, and planned-giving/legacy programs; services are provided at no cost to clients subject to annual limits and funding availability.

In January 2026, VAC absorbed Room at the Inn's operations and is constructing the VAC Opportunity Campus, a co-located facility integrating the Waypoint Shelter, Resource Center, an on-site medical clinic (Clarity HealthCare), the New Day Columbia Day Center, and the Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen - described as the first such consolidated campus in Boone County history. Leadership comprises Ed Stansberry (Executive Director) and Stacie Pottinger (Chief Development Officer). In 2025 the organization reported 21,992 needs met, 3,533 households served, 850 direct clients, and 631 students supported through seasonal programs (Back-to-School, Holiday, Summer Fan, A/C Exchange).

Name

Vac - Voluntary Action Center

Legal name

Voluntary Action Center

Website

https://vacmo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Voluntary Action Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1970 serving Boone County, Missouri residents at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines through a walk-in resource center, a 150-bed low-barrier emergency shelter (Waypoint), seasonal assistance programs, and an integrated Opportunity Campus under construction.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

Keywords

• Emergency assistance services
• Homeless shelter services
• Basic needs assistance
• Social services nonprofit
• Community resource center

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: VAC relies heavily on individual donations from community members. Donors can give one-time or monthly recurring donations. The organization emphasizes that 100% of donations stay in Boone County.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Business sponsorships through the Impact Collective monthly giving program, with tiered recognition levels from Community Partner ($50/month) to Legacy Leader ($500/month).
3. Government Funding: VAC receives funding from Boone County and City of Columbia government entities, as well as public health funding for operations.
4. United Way Support: Funding from Heart of Missouri United Way to support community services.
5. Planned Giving: Legacy donations and planned giving programs for long-term sustainability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

VAC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Columbia, Missouri that has provided emergency services, basic needs assistance, and emergency shelter since 1970 to Boone County residents living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, primarily through the Cindy Mustard Resource Center and Waypoint Shelter, supplemented by seasonal programs including Summer Fan, Back to School, Holiday, and A/C Exchange.

Product overview

Vac - Voluntary Action Center is a Boone County, Missouri nonprofit offering emergency and basic needs services through a coordinated set of programs. The organization operates as a single nonprofit entity organized around two core service delivery mechanisms: the Cindy Mustard Resource Center (providing immediate walk-in assistance for food, prescriptions, ID documents, clothing, and other essentials) and the Waypoint Shelter (a low-barrier, housing-first emergency shelter). These core programs are complemented by seasonal initiatives including the Summer Fan Program, Back to School Program, Holiday Program, and A/C Exchange Program, as well as donor programs such as Every Day Impact (monthly individual giving) and the Impact Collective (business sponsorship tiers). The VAC Opportunity Campus — a fully integrated campus — physically brings together the Resource Center, Waypoint Shelter, a medical clinic, the New Day Columbia Day Center, and Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen under one roof. The FISH Fund provides targeted financial assistance for health, dental, transportation, and employment-related needs. Pathways to Permanence offers extended case management for shelter guests working toward housing stability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cindy Mustard Resource Center

Quantifiable outcome

• 21,992 basic needs items provided to individuals and families in 2025
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Assistance League of Mid MissouricoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Provides baby hygiene packs, incontinence items, household cleaning packs, hygiene packs, and feminine supplies through partnership.
• First Chance for ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partner providing diapers and pull-ups for families with children.
• Safe KidscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Provides car/booster seat vouchers with training for installation and safety.
• The WardrobecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Provides clothing vouchers for free shopping during designated times for families and individuals.
• LensCrafters / OneSightcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Provides vision referrals for individuals without vision insurance to help pay for eye exams and glasses.
• Kilgore's Medical PharmacycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Pharmacy partner helping with prescription medication costs.
• Fairview Church of ChristcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Provides vouchers to monthly food pantry through partnership with VAC.
• Hoot Design CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Design partner providing pro bono website and design services.
• Boone Electric CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partner in Air Conditioner Exchange Program providing new AC units for low-income customers.
• Columbia Water and Light DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partner in Air Conditioner Exchange Program providing new AC units for low-income customers.
• Lowe's of ColumbiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partner providing free box fans for Summer Fan Program distribution to individuals and families in need.
• Room at the InncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Organization folded into VAC in January 2026; now operates as Waypoint Shelter. Provided overnight shelter for over 15 years through faith community network.
• Black Periodt ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partner organization in the Collaborative Support Network at VAC Opportunity Campus, providing services to individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Boone County Coalition to End HomelessnesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Coalition of organizations working together to address homelessness in Boone County, collaborating through VAC Opportunity Campus.
• Burrell Mental HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Mental health services provider offering services at VAC Opportunity Campus to shelter guests and community members.
• Central Missouri Community ActioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Community action agency providing resources and support services as part of the Collaborative Support Network.
• Clarity HealthCarecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Healthcare services partner providing medical, mental health, substance abuse, and dental services at the on-campus medical clinic.
• Columbia Housing AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Housing authority providing affordable housing resources and pathways to permanent housing for shelter clients.
• Community Foundation of Central MissouricoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Foundation providing funding and support for community programs through the Collaborative Support Network.
• Compass Health NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Health network partner providing comprehensive health services as part of the campus collaboration.
• Daniel Boone Regional LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Library services partner in the Support Network, providing resources and information access.
• JobPointcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Employment services provider helping shelter guests find jobs and achieve economic stability.
• Loaves and FishescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Soup kitchen providing hot meals every evening at The Hub. Serves up to 150 meals per day, 54,750 annually.
• New Day Columbia Day CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Day center providing practical help including laundry, mail, showers, and community connection for unhoused neighbors.
• Phoenix ProgramsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Recovery and behavioral health services partner in the Collaborative Support Network.
• The Center ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Community services partner in the Collaborative Support Network.
• The Foodbank of Central and Northeast MissouricoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Food bank providing emergency food assistance, formula, and groceries through the Resource Center.
• The Salvation ArmycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Social services partner in the Collaborative Support Network providing additional community resources.
• Truman Veterans Administration Homeless ProgramscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020VA program providing services and referrals for veterans experiencing homelessness.
• Welcome HomeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Housing services partner in the Collaborative Support Network.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Compass Health Network: Missouri-based health network providing behavioral health, primary care, and substance use treatment, including services to VAC shelter guests at the Opportunity Campus. Direct local peer serving overlapping vulnerable populations in the same Boone County / central Missouri region, with strong operational partnership.
• Loaves and Fishes: Columbia, MO soup kitchen serving up to 150 hot meals per day at the Hub inside VAC's Opportunity Campus. Directly comparable as a Columbia-based emergency food services nonprofit serving the same unhoused population, with deep operational integration with VAC.
• New Day Columbia Day Center: Columbia day center providing laundry, mail, showers, and community connection for unhoused neighbors, operating inside the VAC Opportunity Campus. Direct local peer serving the same population with overlapping basic-needs services, often under the same campus umbrella as VAC.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA: National network of Catholic Charities agencies providing emergency assistance, housing, food, and case management to people in need. Highly comparable mission and service mix to VAC, operating at a national scale with affiliated diocesan agencies that mirror VAC's local anchor role.
• The Salvation Army: National social services and disaster relief nonprofit operating emergency shelters, food programs, and basic needs assistance. Comparable to VAC in providing integrated wraparound services for low-income populations, but at a far larger national scale with broader funding and program mix.
• Feeding America: National network of food banks providing emergency food assistance across the U.S. The Foodbank of Central and Northeast Missouri is a direct partner of VAC, making the broader network a comparable incumbent in food distribution and pantry operations serving similar low-income populations.
• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit operating job training, employment placement, and community services for people facing barriers to work. Comparable nonprofit business model (donations and earned revenue funding mission programs) and similar target population of low-income individuals, though Goodwill's focus is employment rather than emergency assistance.
• Habitat for Humanity International: Global nonprofit building affordable housing and providing homeownership pathways for low-income families. Comparable to VAC's Pathways to Permanence program and housing-first approach, operating at national scale through local affiliates rather than direct service delivery.
• Volunteers of America: National nonprofit providing housing, homeless services, behavioral health, and veteran support across hundreds of communities. Comparable service mix to VAC's emergency shelter and housing-first model, but at a much larger national scale with affiliated local offices in many states.

Others

• Heart of Missouri United Way: Regional United Way affiliate funding and coordinating community services across central Missouri, including direct funding support for VAC programs. Not a direct service competitor but a key funding intermediary and ecosystem convener in the same Boone County social services market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vacmo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnYQ_1uYEXKa-HuI8l-2n6g
• Facebookfacebook.com/vacboone
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vacboone

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Vac - Voluntary Action Center