Seedco Company Profile

Background

Founded in 1987, Seedco (Structured Employment Economic Development Corporation) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing economic opportunities for individuals, businesses, and communities in need. Operating across six states—Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, New York, and Tennessee—Seedco serves diverse communities ranging from rural areas to urban centers. The organization functions both as a direct service provider and as an intermediary, assisting community-based organizations in expanding outreach and securing funding. In 2017, Seedco became an affiliate of the Acacia Network, a leading Latino integrated care nonprofit in the United States.

Key Strategic Focus

Seedco's strategic focus centers on two core program portfolios:

Workforce Development: Utilizing a long-term career case management model, Seedco assists individuals facing employment barriers in obtaining, retaining, and advancing in jobs.

Work and Family Supports: The organization aids low-income families in enrolling in benefits and assistance programs, guiding them toward self-sufficiency. Central to this effort is Seedco's proprietary EarnBenefits Online (EBO) software, which streamlines the benefits enrollment process.

By integrating these services, Seedco addresses both employment and family support needs, fostering comprehensive economic stability within the communities it serves.

Financials and Funding

As of the fiscal year ending December 2022, Seedco reported total revenues of $6,324,471 and total expenses of $6,763,930. The organization's assets stood at $4,105,153. Seedco's funding sources include grants from foundations and other nonprofits, such as a $351,750 grant from Comic Relief US.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Seedco's proprietary EarnBenefits Online (EBO) software is a web-based tool used by health and human services providers, affordable housing organizations, and others to screen individuals for eligibility in a range of benefit programs. These programs include food stamps, health insurance programs, tax credits, and housing and utility assistance. EBO makes accurate calculations of benefit eligibility and allows screeners to instantly inform clients about the benefits they may be eligible for.

Leadership Team

Keith Rasmussen: Executive Director of Seedco, overseeing the organization's strategic direction and operations.

Walter Mack: Board Chair, providing governance and leadership to the organization's board of directors.

Competitor Profile

Seedco operates within the nonprofit sector, focusing on workforce development and family support services. While direct competitors in the nonprofit space may vary by region and specific services offered, organizations with similar missions include:

Goodwill Industries: Provides job training, employment placement services, and other community-based programs.

The Salvation Army: Offers a range of services, including job training and assistance programs for individuals and families in need.

Local Community Action Agencies: Nonprofit organizations that provide various services aimed at reducing poverty and helping low-income individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency.

These organizations, like Seedco, aim to enhance economic opportunities and support for underserved communities through various programs and services.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Seedco collaborates with a diverse array of partners, including employers, government agencies, community-based organizations, healthcare providers, and other key local stakeholders. These partnerships are integral to Seedco's service model, which emphasizes coordinated services to meet the comprehensive needs of individuals and families. By engaging with various community leaders, Seedco creates more opportunities, strengthens relationships, and builds community assets.

Operational Insights

Seedco's operational strategy involves tailoring programs to meet local needs and building on community strengths. The organization operates programs in Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, New York, and Tennessee, with a focus on providing local solutions and strengthening communities across the country. Seedco's programs are designed to best meet the needs of local communities, standardizing approaches and scaling impact by implementing consistent program models across regional sites, customizing them to local needs and strengths, and coordinating efforts on outcomes.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Seedco is poised to establish and deepen partnerships across the country, with a focus on launching programs in communities with significant unmet needs. The organization has been successful in addressing emerging needs of targeted populations and building capacity to ensure the supply of services meets local demands. Seedco is interested in hearing from communities that may benefit from partnering with the organization to address local needs.