How It Works

How It Works

The Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN) puts a purpose to work. A tool that turns passion into action, the CAN maximizes opportunities for non-profit partners to meet the needs of applicants simply and effectively. The CAN defines applicants as anyone of any race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion or sexual orientation seeking services or assistance. Understanding the frustration applicants endure by repeatedly providing the same information to multiple service providers, the CAN seeks to coordinate a national collaborative effort of connectivity, driven by caring communities through social responsibility, economic progress and humanitarian efforts.

The CAN was developed by local and national trusted service providers to deliver a cost-effective platform to streamline the delivery of social services.

The CAN offers each partner:


  • Customizable content and controls
  • An affordable alternative to multiple technology solutions
  • A secure platform for non-profits seeking remote access and permissions
  • Robust case management functions, including file sharing and retention
  • The ability to define which requests are best suited to receive assistance
  • Analytics at a glance, with detailed reporting of up-to-date key metrics
  • Simplified coordination of inventory, grant, donor, and volunteer resources
  • Reduced risk of duplicate requests through centralized applicant request history
  • An unparalleled opportunity for collaboration and referral with like-minded providers

The CAN amplifies an organization’s efforts to identify applicants whose needs are closely aligned to its mission. By augmenting the success of each partner organization, the CAN achieves its own goal of ensuring applicants are getting the best possible care from an extensive array of support providers.

Only one application is required during registration to apply for assistance by completing a short form detailing a specific request. The request is then browsable by all CAN non-profit partners. There is no need to re-enter information that hasn’t changed, thus improving the process and saving time. Requests are available for matching non-profit partners to review and offer services that best meet the need.