ACAM, Alliance of Community Assistance Ministries - Comprehensive Analysis Report
Summary
The Alliance of Community Assistance Ministries, Inc. (ACAM) is a 501(c)(3) public charity and nonprofit management support organization established in 2004. Its mission is to advance community-wide solutions for thriving nonprofits, neighborhoods, and families in the Greater Houston region. ACAM strengthens a network of partner organizations through collaboration, training, and capacity-building services, aiming to provide pathways to stability, health, and wealth for families facing economic downturns, natural disasters, medical crises, and other challenges. The organization plays a significant role in bolstering the social safety net by enabling grassroots nonprofits to expand their reach and impact.
1. Strategic Focus & Objectives
Core Objectives
ACAM's core objectives include increasing the capacity of programs that meet basic needs, connecting low-income families to essential social services, and facilitating pathways to gainful employment. The organization aims to optimize organizational and network growth, act as a convening partner in innovative, data-driven collaboration, and proactively deploy creative and adaptive approaches to resource development, as outlined in its strategic plan for 2024-2027.
Specialization Areas
ACAM specializes in nonprofit organizational development. It leads initiatives in food security, homelessness prevention, health access, and support for disconnected youth, enhancing the capabilities of its partner organizations. Its unique value proposition lies in fostering high-impact collaboration and providing capacity-building services rather than direct service provision to individual clients.
Target Markets
ACAM primarily targets the Greater Houston area, specifically including Harris, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Montgomery, and Waller Counties. This regional focus allows for a deep understanding of local needs and effective coordination of services.
2. Financial Overview
Funding History
Since its inception in 2004, ACAM has directly distributed $11.6 million to its partners. CEO Sharon Zachary has been instrumental in developing over $16.2 million in resources since 2009. In 2024, ACAM reported revenues of $4.77 million and expenses of $4.62 million, with total assets at $3.49 million and total liabilities at $1.44 million.
ACAM secures funding through a mix of private and federal grants, along with program fees. Key funding allocations include:
Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP): $2,277,224 for Houston/Harris/Fort Bend Counties and $23,417 for Waller County from the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency for Phase 42.
Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program: Contract awards from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for homelessness prevention services in Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery Counties (e.g., RFP No. ESG 18-2025, ESG 19-2025, ESG 20-2025-26).
Episcopal Health Foundation: A $241,000 grant and a previous $295,000 grant for ACAM's Health Benefits Access Program.
Other Supporters: Wells Fargo Foundation ($100,000 combined awards in 2020), Bank of America ($25,000), and the Houston Apartment Association ($100,000 donation for renter assistance).
3. Technology & Innovation
Technology Stack
ACAM leverages technology to enhance the effectiveness of its network. This includes:
Online Screening Tool: A "Housing Stability Screening tool," developed in partnership with Welnity, which assists families and individuals with referrals for rental and mortgage assistance.
Nine Elements Assessment Tool© (NEAT): A proprietary, research-based tool and its abridged versions used for organizational and network development. NEAT helps identify areas for growth within its network partners and supports the development of actionable plans to strengthen and expand their impact, focusing on financial management, board leadership, human resources, fund development, technology, and program services.
4. Leadership & Management
Executive Team
Sharon Zachary, CEO: With over 21 years of CEO experience, Ms. Zachary has a master's degree in clinical psychology. Since 2009, she has expanded nonprofit organizational development within the ACAM Network, leading six initiatives with over 650 projects related to food security, organizational development, homelessness prevention, and health access. She has also developed over $16.2 million in resources.
Billy Reddick, Workforce Network Optimization Director: Appointed in January 2024, Mr. Reddick brings 15 years of experience in Workforce Development across Oklahoma, Florida, and Texas. He holds a master's degree in Public Administration from Florida A&M University (FAMU) and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Bacone College.
Adriana Wilson, Greater Houston Opportunity Youth Collaborative (GHOYC) Managing Director: Ms. Wilson leads the GHOYC team, advocating for positive outcomes for young adults (16-24) disconnected from education and career pathways in the Gulf Coast region. She has over 15 years of experience in advancing individuals from all backgrounds, particularly in higher education.
Sarah Malcolm, Resiliency Programs Director: Ms. Malcolm has over a decade of experience in data analysis and publicly funded grant program evaluation. She oversees data collection, reporting, and evaluation for ACAM’s Resiliency Programs and coordinates technical assistance and continuous quality improvement activities with partners.
Bren Gorman, Resource & Program Development Director: Ms. Gorman is responsible for setting strategic direction and overseeing ACAM's fundraising operations, with extensive non-profit experience in grassroots advocacy, social services, healthcare, and juvenile justice.
Board of Directors
Fred Roberston (Chair): FR Resources, Inc.
Sarah Duckers (Secretary/Treasurer): Partner, Sechrist Duckers LLP.
Deysi Crespo (Executive Director): Main Street Ministries.
Cathy Moore (Executive Director): Epiphany Community Health Outreach Services (ECHOS).
Dr. Valerie Bahar (Medical Director): Community Health Choice.
Debbie S. Gibson (Retired Executive Vice President): Zions Bancorporation.
Gwendolyn J. Sims (Division Manager, Community Health and Wellness): Fort Bend County Health and Human Services.
Recent Leadership Changes
In January 2024, Billy Reddick was appointed as the Workforce Network Optimization Director. Courtney Taylor, Vice President and Community Development Officer for Veritex Community Bank, was appointed to the ACAM Board of Directors.
5. Talent and Growth Indicators
Hiring Trends and Workforce
ACAM is actively recruiting for key roles, including a Compliance & Reporting Specialist and an Eviction Prevention & Homelessness Prevention Coordinator. This indicates ongoing program expansion, a focus on compliance, and a commitment to direct service delivery through its network.
Company Size and Expansion Metrics
ACAM functions as a management support organization for a diverse network of 71 nonprofit and community organizations, including 16 Core Network Partners. Through this extensive network, ACAM and its partners collectively serve over 200,000 individuals annually, delivering more than 5.6 million units of service across multiple counties in the Greater Houston region. This demonstrates significant reach and operational growth.
6. Social Media Presence and Engagement
Digital Footprint
ACAM maintains an active presence across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter). The organization's key messaging promotes collaboration to create community-wide solutions, supporting thriving nonprofits, neighborhoods, and families, and addressing issues like homelessness, hunger, and financial instability. These platforms are used for community engagement, sharing news, and advocating for critical issues. ACAM's participation in the Social Media Breakfast Houston (SMBH) Gift of Guidance Program underscores its commitment to effective digital communication.
Facebook: [ACAM - Alliance of Community Assistance Ministries](https://www.facebook.com/acaministries/)
LinkedIn: [ACAM - Alliance of Community Assistance Ministries](https://www.linkedin.com/company/acam-alliance-of-community-assistance-ministries)
* X (formerly Twitter): [ACAM_Houston](https://twitter.com/ACAM_Houston)
7. Competitive Analysis
Major Competitors
ACAM strategically positions itself as a nonprofit management support organization (MSO), fostering a collaborative network rather than directly competing for clients with individual service providers. Organizations like Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Humble Area Assistance Ministries, Katy Christian Ministries, and Wesley Community Center, while offering human services in the Greater Houston area, often operate as ACAM's partners within its network. ACAM's unique value proposition lies in its ability to facilitate high-impact collaboration and provide capacity-building services, enhancing the effectiveness of its partners.
8. Market Analysis
Market Overview
ACAM operates within the human services sector, dedicated to strengthening the social safety net in the Greater Houston region. The demand for services addressing homelessness, hunger, financial instability, and youth disconnection remains consistently high, particularly in the wake of economic downturns and natural disasters prevalent in the region. ACAM navigates a dynamic environment where collaboration among nonprofits and cross-sector partners is crucial for effective service delivery and systemic change, allowing it to proactively respond to evolving community needs. This was particularly evident in its rapid adaptation during the COVID-19 pandemic to address housing instability and hunger relief.
9. Operational Insights
ACAM's current market position is as a vital management support organization that empowers a broad network of community assistance ministries. Its competitive advantages stem from its unique role in fostering collaboration and providing organizational development, rather than direct client service competition. Operational strengths include a robust network of 71 partner organizations, a significant volume of services delivered (over 5.6 million units annually), and a data-driven approach leveraging tools like the "Nine Elements Assessment Tool© (NEAT)." Areas for improvement could involve expanding the integration of its technological platforms to further streamline information sharing and collective impact measurement across its diverse network.
10. Future Outlook
Strategic Roadmap
ACAM's strategic plan for 2024-2027 outlines planned initiatives centered on optimizing organizational and network growth, serving as a convening partner for data-driven collaboration, and proactively deploying creative approaches to resource development. The organization aims to continue strengthening its network of partners, expanding its reach, and adapting to the evolving needs of the Greater Houston community. Growth strategies likely include securing additional grants from diverse sources, fostering new strategic partnerships, and continuously refining its capacity-building programs. Future challenges may include navigating fluctuating funding landscapes and the ongoing demand for human services in a rapidly growing and often disaster-prone region, which ACAM plans to mitigate through adaptive resource development and collaborative initiatives.
