Aiken / Barnwell Counties Community Action Agency

Aiken / Barnwell Counties Community Action Agency is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporate entity located in Aiken, South Carolina, registered in SAM.gov since 2009. The organization focuses on mobilizing resources and providing opportunities to empower low-income and older populations, with a mission of supporting community self-sufficiency and dignity. As a community development corporation, the agency primarily receives federal grant awards that support social service programs targeting vulnerable populations, particularly children, youth, and seniors in Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, and Edgefield Counties.

The agency receives federal grants primarily through two significant channels: direct prime grants from the Corporation for National and Community Service's AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program and sub-grants from the South Carolina Office of State Treasurer. Its prime federal grants include a $630,776 AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program award for 2024-2025, which places senior volunteers aged 55 and older as tutors and mentors for children with special needs in schools and childcare settings. Sub-grant awards consistently include the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provide crucial support for low-income households. These grants fund initiatives in education, employment, emergency assistance, housing, nutrition, and healthcare, with a specific focus on helping families achieve self-sufficiency and providing home energy assistance. The agency strategically uses these federal funds to implement comprehensive community support programs that address multiple social service needs across several South Carolina counties.