Community Action

ACTION INC. is a non-profit human service organization and the designated Community Action Agency serving primarily the City of Gloucester and the towns of Essex, Ipswich, Manchester, and Rockport, Massachusetts. ACTION also oversees energy conservation projects throughout the state. ACTION's programs aim to promote economic security, not dependency, by helping economically disadvantaged individuals and families in a number of unique ways.

As a Community Action Agency, ACTION INC. is part of a nationwide network of more than 1,000 organizations working to eliminate poverty in the United States.

Comprehensive and Innovative Solutions

As a private, 501(c)3, charitable and locally run organization, ACTION has the flexibility to design programs that address needs specific to individuals and to Cape Ann. ACTION provides services that address the full range of family needs, from youth and adult employment and training, to housing and job placement, to budget counseling, to services for seniors and the frail elderly. Integrated service delivery is tailored to individual circumstances. ACTION's programs are also designed to strengthen the local economy and develop Cape Ann's infrastructure.

In response to local needs, ACTION has also led the development of many other programs that serve our community today, including Child Development Programs, Gloucester Senior Center, Meals on Wheels, Senior Home Care, Retired and Senior Volunteer Programs and the Central Grammar Apartments.

ACTION serves over 7,000 individuals throughout Greater Cape Ann annually, and through energy affordability programs serves up to 10,000 households statewide. The agency is also one of Cape Ann's largest employers, with more than 100 employees.

Click here to read about the history of ACTION INC.

Governance

ACTION has a tripartite governing board consisting of equal parts of private sector, public sector, and low-income representatives from Cape Ann and Ipswich. This structure brings together leaders from each of these sectors to collaborate on responses tailored to local needs.

Click here for a list of our Board of Directors. 

Funding Sources

As a designated Community Action Agency, ACTION receives funding provided through the federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). ACTION also receives support through a diverse funding portfolio that includes private foundation grants; state, federal, and local government grants; and individual donations.

For every dollar from our central, federal CSBG funding, ACTION leverages over $50 in other funding sources, including town contributions, state and federal grants, corporate partnerships and donations from hundreds of individuals.

ACTION maintains low administrative costs and only 4% of our budget goes to overhead expenses. Comparable organizations spend an average of 10% on overhead. ACTION's resources are invested directly in the community.