Pettengill House

What Pettengill House does

Pettengill House, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community social service agency founded in 1994 and headquartered at 21 Water Street, Suite 4A, Amesbury, Massachusetts, with a secondary food pantry location at 13 Lafayette Road, Salisbury. The agency delivers wraparound social services to low- and moderate-income individuals, children, families, and seniors across nine Massachusetts communities (Amesbury, Byfield, Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury, and West Newbury) using a Therapeutic System of Care model. Core service lines include comprehensive case management, food pantry and meals programs (including the Saturday Night Meals delivery program in partnership with faith community partners), financial stabilization assistance, the School Linked Services program, McKinney-Vento Homeless Student Support, the Senior Wellness Outreach Program (SWOP), the BESST (Behavioral Event and Substance Support Team) initiative addressing substance misuse and behavioral health, Operation Backpack, the Winter Clothing Program, and SNAP/MassHealth application assistance. All services are provided free of charge to eligible clients at or below 80% of Area Median Income.

The agency has no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is operationalized through a 16-person staff, over 50 formal community partnerships, and embedded relationships with three police departments (Amesbury, Salisbury, Newburyport), Beth Israel Lahey Health at Anna Jaques Hospital, Link House, the Greater Boston Food Bank, and other regional stakeholders. In fiscal year 2025, the organization reported 2,934 individuals served across 1,666 households, 29,223 case management interventions, $173,425 in financial assistance distributed, 18,273 pantry services, 255,614 meals, and 294 backpacks distributed.

Revenue is generated through three principal streams: individual and corporate donations (including a Sustainer/Monthly Giving program and the Community Champion corporate sponsorship tier at $25,000+), foundation grants (notably two $100,000 Cummings Foundation grants in 2018 and 2022 supporting SWOP, plus RIZE Massachusetts and Tower Foundation funding), and government program administration (CDBG for Amesbury and Salisbury, FEMA emergency assistance, City of Newburyport Emergency Rental Assistance, MA DTA SNAP outreach, MassHealth application assistance). The agency is governed by a Board of Directors led by President Steven Denietolis and operates under Executive Director Tiffany Nigro, LSW, who succeeded founder Deb Smith in July 2020.

Name

Pettengill House

Legal name

The Pettengill House, Inc.

Website

https://pettengillhouse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pettengill House is a Massachusetts 501(c)(3) nonprofit social service agency founded in 1994, providing free wraparound case management, food pantry, financial assistance, senior wellness, and behavioral health services to low-income individuals, children, families, and seniors across nine communities in the greater Newburyport region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Case management
• Food pantry services
• Housing assistance
• Behavioral health support

Headquarters

HQ city

Amesbury

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: Pettengill House relies heavily on individual and corporate donations from the local community. The agency operates a monthly giving program (Sustainer/Monthly Giving), accepts one-time donations via PayPal, and receives sponsorships through its Community Champion program where businesses commit to year-long partnerships at levels of $25,000 or above.
2. Foundation Grants: The agency receives grant funding from foundations including Cummings Foundation ($100,000 grants for Senior Wellness Outreach Program), RIZE Massachusetts Foundation (for BESST initiative), Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation (Mental Health First Aid Training), and federal grants such as CARES Act funds for food and shelter services.
3. Government Program Administration: Pettengill House administers government-funded programs including City of Newburyport Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for Amesbury and Salisbury, FEMA emergency assistance, MA DTA SNAP outreach, and MassHealth application assistance. Income eligibility is capped at 80% Area Median Income.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Pettengill House is a nonprofit community social service agency that delivers free, wraparound social services to income-eligible residents across nine Massachusetts communities. Its core offering is comprehensive case management paired with direct programs for food insecurity (food pantry and meals), emergency financial stabilization (rent, utilities, medical, transportation), housing/homelessness prevention, senior wellness outreach, school-linked child and family services, and substance misuse/behavioral health support including the BESST initiative.

Product overview

The Pettengill House, Inc. is a nonprofit community social service agency providing comprehensive case management and wraparound social services. The agency operates as a multi-service organization offering integrated programs including a Food Pantry, Financial Stabilization Assistance, School Linked Services, Senior Wellness Outreach Program (SWOP), Operation Backpack, Emergency Rental Assistance, SNAP/MassHealth application assistance, McKinney-Vento Homeless Student Support, and Substance Misuse/Behavioral Health Services including the BESST initiative. Core programs are delivered through social work case management, crisis intervention, home visits, and community partnerships. The agency serves nine Massachusetts communities: Amesbury, Byfield, Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury, and West Newbury.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Food Pantry & Meals Program Supplemental food program providing nutritious food, toiletries, and personal care items to qualifying individuals, children, and families in need, in partnership with Nourishing the North Shore, Greater Boston Food Bank, and Shaw's Supermarket food rescue; delivered 18,273 pantry services and 255,614 meals in FY 2025.
• Comprehensive Case Management Key service addressing multi-level needs of clients through ongoing direct services, interventions, programs, referrals, and coordination of local and state services, with a goal of empowerment, education, prevention, and self-sufficiency; supported 29,223 interventions in FY 2025.
• Financial Stabilization Assistance Emergency financial assistance for struggling individuals and families, including rent, utility bills, medical bills, or transportation vouchers to appointments; need-based assistance is paid directly to vendors and totaled $173,425 in FY 2025.
• School Linked Services Cornerstone education program providing advocacy, education, and supports to identified community students and their families, linking education, home, school, and community together; includes comprehensive case management, family stabilization, basic needs, health services, advocacy, counseling, and crisis intervention.
• Senior Wellness Outreach Program (SWOP) Program for seniors aged 60+ in Newburyport or Salisbury providing comprehensive case management services, outreach, professional interventions, and advocacy to improve wellness and quality of life; served 221 senior clients in FY 2021.
• Operation Backpack Annual summer backpack and school supply drive for pre-K through 12th grade students to ensure every student can attend school ready to learn, supported by over 30 community drop-off sites.
• Behavioral Event and Substance Support Team (BESST) Initiative providing substance misuse and behavioral health support including navigation to treatment, care coordination, outreach, and family support for individuals and families of all ages.
• Essex County Outreach (ECO) Collaborative effort involving all 34 police departments within Essex County, working with social service partners to assist with substance use disorder, mental or behavioral health needs, harm reduction strategies, and supports for families and children.
• Saturday Night Meals Nine-month volunteer-driven program in partnership with the faith community providing hot, nutritious meals delivered directly to qualifying individuals and families.
• Winter Clothing Program Basic needs program providing warm winter coats, hats, and mittens to qualifying adults and children.
• Emergency Rental Assistance Program Program providing short-term relief for low- and moderate-income individuals and families experiencing temporary barriers to paying rent; administered in partnership with City of Newburyport Affordable Housing Trust, providing up to $4,500 in assistance.
• SNAP Assistance MA DTA SNAP Outreach Program providing assistance with food stamp applications and renewals on site through the Department of Transitional Assistance Connect web program.
• McKinney-Vento Homeless Student Support Federal mandate program supporting homeless students under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, providing Tier II interventions, advocacy, basic needs, comprehensive case management, emergency assistance, and housing and shelter interventions.
• MassHealth Services Approved MassHealth site providing information and application assistance for subsidized MassHealth or MassHealth Connector insurance, including disability application support and follow-up requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served 2,934 individuals in 1,666 households with 29,223 case management interventions in FY 2025
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• United Family Medical CentermajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2024United Family Medical Center became a Community Champion sponsor at the highest level ($25,000+ year-long sustaining partnership). This partnership supports Pettengill House's efforts to address poverty, housing insecurity, food insecurity, basic needs, mental health, and substance misuse in the community.
• Beth Israel Lahey Health at Anna Jaques HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner in BESST (Behavioral Event and Substance Support Team) initiative, uniting a broad network of local providers dedicated to breaking down barriers and providing substance misuse/behavioral health support for individuals and families of all ages.
• Link House Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner in BESST initiative alongside Beth Israel Lahey Health at Anna Jaques Hospital and Essex County Outreach, providing substance misuse and behavioral health support services.
• Essex County OutreachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative effort involving all 34 police departments within Essex County, working with social service partners including Pettengill House to assist with substance use disorder, mental health needs, high risk referrals, harm reduction, and supports for families and children.
• Eliot Community Behavioral Health CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership provides 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Hotline (888-769-5201) referenced prominently on Pettengill House website for crisis referrals.
• Police Assisted Addiction Recovery Initiative (PAARI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing peer recovery coach housed at Pettengill House through joint partnership with Newburyport Police Department. Supports the joint social work/police model providing treatment rather than criminal charges.
• Greater Boston Food BankcoreOthersProud member and partner providing food resources to the Pettengill House food pantry through collaboration with Feeding America network.
• Nourishing the North ShorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established to implement weekly VEGOUT farm stand on site at food pantry, providing clients with fresh local produce.
• Project BreadcoreOthersCommunity food resource partner supporting the Pettengill House food pantry through private and community organized donations.
• Shaw's Supermarket of NewburyportminorOthersFood rescue program partner in collaboration with Greater Boston Food Bank supporting the food pantry.
• Amesbury Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-wide initiative partnership providing support for individuals and families struggling with alcohol and/or substance addiction. Partnership helps increase access to treatment, raise awareness, break down barriers, and de-stigmatize addiction through the ASAPP program.
• Salisbury Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-wide initiative partnership providing support for individuals and families struggling with alcohol and/or substance addiction. Partnership helps increase access to treatment, raise awareness, and de-stigmatize addiction through the STOPP program.
• Newburyport Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint partnership providing peer recovery coach housed at Pettengill House, supporting the joint social work/police model providing treatment rather than criminal charges for substance misuse.
• Central Congregational Church (Newburyport)minorOthersFaith community partner supporting Saturday Night Meals program, providing hot nutritious meals delivered to qualifying individuals and families.
• East Parish Church (Salisbury)minorOthersFaith community partner that has generously provided the food pantry site in Salisbury since 1994. Also supports Saturday Night Meals program.
• Main Street Congregational Church (Amesbury)minorOthersFaith community partner supporting Saturday Night Meals program, providing hot nutritious meals delivered to qualifying individuals and families.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Greater Lawrence Community Action Council: Massachusetts community action agency providing case management, housing stability, energy assistance, food, youth, and senior programs in the Merrimack Valley—directly comparable scope and population focus.
• Bridgewell: Lynn, MA-based nonprofit providing housing, behavioral health, and community support services to vulnerable populations in northeastern Massachusetts, with a comparable case management–led model.
• Community Action Inc. Nonprofit community action agency serving the greater Haverhill/Newburyport/Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts with wraparound case management, housing, food, and senior services—very similar mix of programs to Pettengill House.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Boston: Large regional social services provider operating food pantries, housing support, behavioral health, and senior programs across Massachusetts and beyond—comparable service lines, much larger footprint.
• The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division: Large national nonprofit providing emergency assistance, food, housing, senior, and behavioral health services with Massachusetts regional presence—comparable services at a much larger scale.
• United Way of Massachusetts Bay and the Merrimack Valley: Regional umbrella nonprofit that funds and coordinates many of the same basic-needs, housing stability, and senior support programs that Pettengill House delivers directly in its service area.

Others

• Project Bread: Massachusetts anti-hunger nonprofit that supplements food resources to community pantries including Pettengill House—an ecosystem/enabler rather than direct competitor.
• Greater Boston Food Bank: Direct supplier partner for Pettengill House's food pantry through the Feeding America network; adjacent rather than competing, as it sources and distributes food while Pettengill House distributes to clients.

Regional players

• Merrimack Valley Food Bank: Regional food bank serving the same Merrimack Valley geography with food distribution and SNAP outreach, comparable to Pettengill House's pantry and SNAP services but food-focused only.
• Action Inc. (Gloucester, MA): North Shore Massachusetts community action agency delivering housing, fuel assistance, senior and youth programs; comparable scope and approach in an adjacent service region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/thepettengillhouse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pettengill-house

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Pettengill House