About NICAO

North Iowa Community Action Organization (NICAO) 

NICAO is one of 18 Community Actions agencies in Iowa, and part of a national network of Community Action organizations created by the Economic Opportunity Act  in 1964. The organization is a private, not-for-profit organization governed by a local Board of Directors, 1/3 of whom are elected officials, 1/3 represent the private sector, and 1/3 are consumers of services or elected low income advocates. NICAO maintains office locations and Head Start classrooms in 9 North Central Iowa Iowa counties.

In order to reduce poverty in our communities, NICAO works to better focus available local, state, private, and federal resources to assist low-income individuals and families acquire useful skills and knowledge, gain access to new opportunities and achieve economic self-sufficiency.  

Mission Statement:

To enrich the growth and development of children, individuals, and families in North Central Iowa by empowering them to make life-choices which move them all towards self-sufficiency.

Vision and Values:

• Low-income people become more self-sufficient and achieve their potential by strengthening family and other supportive environments.
• Low-income people have improved living conditions and own a stake in their community.
• Partnerships and community collaborations strengthen services to families, create opportunites to develop new advocates for low income people, and increase the capacity to achieve results.
• The causes and conditions of poverty are addressed through a focus on individual and community needs and community networking.

NICAO Annual Reports

• 2008 Annual Report
• 2009 Annual Report